Superhero fighting superhero has been happening since the invention of the second superbeing - it sold comics. . But that was on a small scale now with Kingdom Come all the DC heroes take sides in the biggest superhero fight in alternate history.
Seemingly the old-guard, Superman, Wonder Woman etc. have retired and the younger, less disciplined, superheros have taken over. However, they fight villains for the sake of the fight rather than to protect normal humans as in the day of Superman. In fact the super fights with flame, radiation and super-strength result in massive innocent human casualties. This situation is ignored by Superman who has retired to his childhood farm and lives off the land. That is until Wonder Woman arrives and forces him to rethink his obligation to humans. On his acceptance of command, the battle lines are laid down.
This book, originally offered as single comics, has artist Alex Ross painting almost photo realistic images in bold comic colours. The representations of Superman and the rest are vivid and undeniably recognisable. The story is written by Mark Wade and is an epic Superhero tale written with large dollops of morality thrown in. There were a couple of flies in this ointment, though. The story has a strange resonance with the 2000AD serial Zenith and at times the story lines are very similar. The second problem is that the rash young superheros are given a cop out for their actions. An external influence in the form of aliens with thought rays which force the weak willed into corruption. This does seem like a bit of an afterthought and may be a DC ploy to limit damage to their heroes on the wrong side.
On the whole though the story and artwork are vivid and absorbing making the book a damn good read.
G. Hurry