Justice Society of America, Vol. 4: Thy Kingdom Come, Vol. 3

Justice Society of America (2007)

by Geoff Johns (Writer), Alex Ross (Writer, Artist), Peter J. Tomasi (Writer)

Picking up where Justice Society of America, Vol. 4: Thy Kingdom Come, Vol. 2 left off, the Justice Society begins to dissolve as Gog vows to bring peace to Earth in a way that frightens some and thrills others.
Torn between Gog's desire to help the world and the moral cost it comes with, it's old guard vs. the new as the line that was drawn is crossed!

Collecting: Justice Society of America 19-22, Justice Society of America Annual, Justice Society: Kingdom Come Specials: Magog, Superman, & The Kingdom

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Superheroes, Fiction, Comic Book

224 pages, Hardcover

First published June 25, 2010

About the author

Geoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s in search of work within the film industry. Through perseverance, Geoff ended up as the assistant to Richard Donner, working on Conspiracy Theory and Lethal Weapon 4. During that time, he also began his comics career writing Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and JSA (co-written with David S. Goyer) for DC Comics. He worked with Richard Donner for four years, leaving the company to pursue writing full-time.

His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.

Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Question: What’s one benefit of reading another plodding story about a “multiverse”?

Answer: Two Power Girls! Fighting. Any more than two and I’d blow a gasket.

This is a continuation (read: watering down) of the excellent Kingdom Come story. It seems that the “god-like” Gog has come to Earth (Earth One) to “make things better” and he’s suckered in a couple of heroes by helping them:

Power Girl: Sent her back home to an alternate universe (Earth 2) in order to mix it up with her (no goatee) alternate universe doppleganger and Batman's child, the Huntress.

Damage: No more scars. He’s still an ass though.

Sandman: No more bad dreams, insominia. Now he can’t solve crimes. His dreams provide clues.

Dr. Mid-NIte: He can see again. His night sight, which is gone, helped him cure patients and thwart bad guys.

Hourman: He’s no longer a lunatic, but he’s still from the future.

Hawkman: He’s now an interesting character. (I kid. Divine intervention couldn’t make this happen.)

Old man Superman from Earth 22 (Kingdom Come) has seen all this before and he tries to warn the JSA.

This is a storyline you’ve read before. The “God” who’s just too good to be true and in Geoff John’s hands it reads as “been there, done that”. The only thing that saves it is Alex Ross’s contributions. His panels are strategically placed throughout and he draws and pens a particularly poignant issue involving Old Man Superman’s struggles to find a place in our reality.



Be careful what you wish for.

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

WHAT AN EPIC ENDING!

There is civil war among the JSA and we see what heroes will do and as they follow Gog, we have one shots focusing on Mangog and his feelings about this thing and what Gog is and what Superman (of Kingdom come) is feeling and like his stance and what the motive of Gog really is and well its the final fight and its epic and one can say its a deus-ex-machina ending but then again its expected and the return of Superman to his universe and the future sequences painted by Alex Ross was so good! One of the best endings to a story.

I love how Johns takes time to flesh out characters and show that there is a sinister motive for those who promise paradise and its really well done. And the art by dale is good too. Just a perfect read.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah damn after such a awesome build up I can't help but be let down some.

So this is it. Gog is going around the earth doing wonderful things. Hell have the Justice Society is on his side. Before we get to the main event though we get a couple of one shots of characters we've seen, a few of Gog, a few of Earth 22 Superman and so on. Then the final two issues come to the conclusion of the Gog arc. Can he be trusted? What does he want? And how will they eventually stop him?

Good: The art still remains good. One of my favorite is the last issue that goes back and forth between regular comic art and Alex Ross art. Very cool idea. I also really enjoyed the stuff with Superman trying to find his place. Powergirl knowing who she is. And the end of the whole arc was really well done.

Bad: The Damage stuff could have been way better. Felt too typical. I also thought the end fight was the same thing we've seen a million times. Not to mention some of the one shots, the history of certain characters, could have been cut short.

Overall this was solid fun and the ending was well done but a lot of padding was in this volume. I'd go with a 3 out of 5 because it was the weakest of the entire 3 part arc.

[Blindzider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadly, the ending of this is a foregone conclusion, but the ramifications to a few of the members is significant. Exactly what happens to Gog was a surprise as well. A little disappointing is that Eaglesham didn't do all the art for the main story. On the plus side, there is a Superman special written and drawn (not painted, but still looks incredible) by Alex Ross that details a plot point from Kingdom Come. It is beautifully tragic and makes you wish there were more attempts to revisit and fill in that story.

As a whole this story isn't a sequel to Kingdom Come, but a worthwhile parallel story to it.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok. So this is evidently a tie-in to Kingdom Come. I was sort of surprised to find it, because I was under the impression that the story was over. However, it turns out that is is what happens to Earth 22 Superman in the (what appeared to be) seconds between the bomb going off, and his almost melt-down afterwards.
It was pretty cool to know that he went on a journey, and had an entire adventure in those seconds.
Loved the story, loved the beautiful art, and loved the ending pages!
I gotta say this, though...naming the evil 'god', Gog? Cheesy!

[Desmond Killian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was this as good as Kingdom Come? Not really. But was it worth getting to see a couple more pages of Alex Ross' pencils and finishes? Absolutely! Surprised that the whole "X years later..." epilogue wasn't reprinted in the Black Label edition of KC, but oh well. Worth checking out, if only to see Superman as a crusty old hermit.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

I own the original issues, but saw this TP on the clearance rack and decided to grab it. Not my favorite JSA story from the Geoff Johns revival period, but certainly not my least. The "alternate Earth 2" scenes with art by Jerry Ordway were fun, and I wish we'd been able to see more of that timeline.

Gog never really worked for me as a villain, and I never really felt sold on the team division, such as it was. But a lof of the art was gorgeous.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The triology ends here as ouor characters finally understand what it is the "god" Gog wants. Their decisions have long lasting effects for their world, and while it is not BIG character development Johns does some nice work the character's personalities.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 3 out of 5]

The weakest of the trilogy, thanks to the momentum-killing spin-off issues, lots of fighting, and most of a reset button at the end.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent conclusion to the Thy Kingdom Come storyline, especially the last issue which was written by famed comic artist Alex Ross. The Justice Society deals with the multiverse and some of their counterparts from alternate Earths (in Vol. 1 of this trilogy an older Superman from Earth-22, where Kingdom Come took place, arrives on this Earth). They must also deal with a god who is walking the Earth healing people and ending violence (by turning those who won't give up violence into trees) and the JSA members are divided as to whether he is to be trusted or not. I'm looking forward to continuing to read further JSA stories in this series.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The overall plot is kind of like Star Trek 5: a "god" called Gog appears and seems to be doing good things to ease people's pain but those who are skeptical eventually find proof that the gift isn't all it's cracked up to be. Artist Alex Ross does covers and also a whole issue focusing on the older Superman from Kingdom Come who's come to the JSA's Earth to try to prevent the same disaster that happened on his world. Ross's notes at the end on how he created the issue he drew and wrote are pretty interesting too.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really pulled it back after a disappointing volume 2. Helped in no small way by the outstanding Kingdom Come Special by Alex Ross.

This is a tie into Kingdom Come but thankfully doesn't change anything about that book and only borrows that earth's Superman. This leads to us seeing the death of KC Lois Lane which you only heard of in Kingdom Come. This was written and painted by the absolute master of Superhero artists Alex Ross and is possibly the whole reason for 5 stars.

But it's worth a read if you're keen to revisit that earth's tale.

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justice Society of America: Thy Kingdom Come Part III

Superman from a dead Earth joins forces with the JSA to battle Gog, a being of seemingly miraculous abilities who promises a new life for all, but at a terrible cost. For what Gog has given, Gog can equally take away.

Wonderful artwork, which makes Superman from Earth-22 truly look tired and old, combines with an excellent and moral plot which begs readers to reevaluate their own self worth after reflecting not on what they have done but rather focus on what they can do.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Gog/Magog storyline ends and its relief. Honestly, there was just too much going on here. Gog/Magog, Power Girl, Kingdom Superman, Damage, and even more plot points. I was satisfied with the ending but I wish that it caused more division as I could envision some younger heroes still on board. The art throughout was beautiful especially the work of Alex Ross. Overall, an ambitious ending that was over long.

[Deryk Rumbold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex Ross has more of a presence in this volume which works incredibly well as his art style and story telling go hand in hand with the themes present. I wish DC took more time to wrestle with deities like they do here because it often brings up interesting parallels to a contemporary spiritual world.

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the read to see the little flash forward for the Kingdom Come Superman at the end. Overall a much better story than The Kingdom, the sequel done without Ross. He explains in some notes in this volume that he never wanted to do a true sequel to that story, which I respect.

[Alek Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Thy Kingdom Come" is a very interesting and enjoyable book. The concept of GOG and the ramifications of his "gifts" was very cool. It brings up a lot if debate about a higher power. As an atheist I really enjoyed its conclusion. A very adequate sequel to "Kingdom Come".

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good.

[Jason Rico · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[William Hawthorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very violent run with a very interesting parallel story to kingdom come that I’ve only come to appreciate more with time

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end had a lot of what I expected. It also had some believable character growth. The very end had some really beautiful artwork.

[Polis Stavrou · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great closure for the Kingdom Come storyline,it has the necessary action,it shows many background stories about the main characters and the art and the plot are enjoyable.

[Nathaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not a perfect landing. It suffers from the same issues that I think any well executed first two acts face. Gog and Magog have become this bloated unrealistically huge spectres in the world of comics. Magog haunts the pages of Kingdom Come (we'll ignore Mark Waid's grossly deficient prequel, the Kingdom, more on that later) and Gog before him is this completely unknown Mordorian presence, ever beyond the horizon's edge. That said, the Gog as presented in Thy Kingdom Come begins so well.

He comes on like this slow building storm front, sending a deep rift through the JSA that will definitely be felt down through the next few trades. Is he a god? An alien? Is he malevolent? Benevolent? Every gift he deals out seems to be this monkey's paw of sorts, a faustian bargain. Sandman seems to be aware of something deeper, and its his revelations, and the less-talked about power he bears (to talk to soil, which sounds even less exciting than Aquaman's abilities) help bring about the startling revelation. The conclusion isn't nearly what I was hoping for, but as I sit writing this, I'm not really sure how else it could've been done. It does seem to wrap up quick. Gog is not so all-powerful as he first appears, and their dispensing of justice on him is a little abrupt (I hope he comes back around later).

The one truly shining spot of this trade is the Superman special. Drawn and painted by Alex Ross, it is immediately elevated by the Norman Rockwell traditional look he brings to the page. This has the weight of history. The older, regal Superman. Grown more powerful with age. One of my favorite moments is his complete disregard for the Kryptonite thrust in his face. The weaknesses of his younger years is brushed aside, and what stands before you is a man become god. I wish every writer artist and director of the man of steel could see this and understand where that character comes from. It's one of the big failings of DC with many of their characters. Fear of their legacy.

But the Superman special is a classic. It provides the perfect potential prequel and emotional coda to Kingdom Come, not so much retconning or changing the near flawless work of Alex Ross and Mark Waid, but instead accentuating moments, altering our perception of them. Adding weight to an already emotionally draining ending of the comic. Waid on the other hand dragged Kingdom Come down from the mountain top with his prequel, The Kingdom, and what we were left with was this depressingly mundane prequel. But enough bashing another comic.

Thy Kingdom Come is Johns's penultimate run on the series. He has a couple follow up issues in Black Adam and Isis (the next volume), but (spoiler) they pale in comparison. Bill Willingham will take up the reins, and while his work on Fables is an instant classic of the medium, I'm concerned he might not get the heart of the Society that Johns brought to the page.

[Richard Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thy Kingdom Come is a three volume long arc that should have ended Johns’ JSA run, because it would have ended it on a very high note. As the title implies, this ties in heavily with Kingdom Come, but it isn’t a sequel. It’s a story about the Kingdom Come Superman coming to the JSA’s universe and trying to stop it from becoming like his future. It’s also about Gog, a would be god who wants to make the world better (we’ve heard that one before, huh?). It’s an interesting story well told, and Alex Ross’s involvement means it’s true to the story it spins out of. The only thing I’ll say is that the ending lapses into typical beat-the-bad-guy-up type problem solving in a way that disappointed me, but not enough to ruin the story.

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally writing a review as part of my 2022 re-read.

Despite my doubts and confusion at some of the prior bits of this Kingdom Come story arc, this third volume really course-corrects and brings things home. The stuff Johns does can meander here and there, but every now and then he manages a pretty solid ending. And I liked where this book ends.

Gog continues to act as a literal god on Earth but more than a good half of the JSA continues to question his motivations. And those touched by Gog's gifts deal with the changes in their own ways. And Kingdom Come Superman is carry a LOT of trauma with him, and the renewed presence of a Magog on this Earth is certainly not helping.

I liked the interplay of these key perspectives of the story and how they tried to approach the needs of the greater multiverse. It was a long road to undo Crisis on Infinite Earths and this book plays a good role in telling the larger story of how things become many different worlds again.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, so I ended up liking this, so maybe I'm not completely tired of superhero comics. I did think that this storyline was about two issues too long, as it was dragging in the middle of this volume. One thing that bugged me earlier in this story was that Earth-22 Superman kept saying that his world had been destroyed and, as anyone who has read Kingdom Come knows, that simply isn't true. That finally gets addressed at the end of this volume and it really strengthens the epic vibe that this (very) long storyline was rocking.

[H. Givens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't like this three-part series when I first started reading it, but by the third volume, I loved it. I didn't know what was going on in the Justice Society of America context, so I was confused, but the third volume got the Kingdom Come Superman's characterization SO RIGHT, I'd gotten to know all the characters by then, and the finale delivered on all the promises of the first two to pull off an awesome ending. Plus, none of it took away from the awesomeness that was Kingdom Come. Really good.

[Ned Leffingwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. I wasn't sure that I would like the fact that different artists were used on different issues, but overall it worked out well. DC comics uses a lot of characters, and then they increase that number exponentially by making parallel universes. I found that this story didn't make the many earths issue too confusing.

[Lyric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic conclusion to a great story. Alex Ross and Geoff johns made a wonderful writing team. The elaborate Earth-22 ending was so powerful that it actually brought a tear to my eye. Superman is so awesome!

[Devero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Questo TP chiude la saga di Magog, e del Superman di "Kingdome Come" in un susseguirsi di azione frenetica che però tiene conto della psicologia di molti dei personaggi presenti. Nel complesso una saga decisamente molto buona, ottima anche e soprattutto dal punto di vista grafico.