DCU Comic Book Reviews

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #10

Thy Kingdom Come:  What a Wonderful World

December 2007

Written by Geoff Johns and Alex Ross

Painted Art by Alex Ross

Pencils by Dale Eaglesham

Inks by Ruy Jose and Drew Geraci

Covers by Alex Ross & Dale Eaglesham

Synopsis

At the Justice Society Headquarters, the JSA is unsure what to make of the appearance of a different Superman.  Starman proclaims this Superman is from Earth-22, a parallel world, although everyone believes the multiverse was destroyed.  While talking to Obsidian as the others discuss the situation in a different room, Superman hears a call for help.  He rushes out.  The JSA think is trying to get away and attempt to stop him, until they realize he was flying to save a girl from committing suicide.  Later, Jay Garrick locates the cosmic treadmill as the Justice League stops by to visit “Superman.”  Elsewhere, Chroma is killed by someone who believes they are a God. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

I don’t think that anyone other than Dale Eaglesham can pull off an issue like this.  Despite the brief action of KC Superman racing to save the girl’s life, this is pure dialogue, featuring characters sitting down (literally) and talking to each other.  Nothing happens, other than to set up the character of KC Superman in terms of where he came from and how strange it is that he is here.  On its own, it is interesting material, if lacking in action, but the art makes it into something better.  Eaglesham’s ability to draw characters that seem to come alive on the page provides a sense of acting that gives depth and emotion to Johns’ words.  The depression in Superman’s face is evident, but you can also see the brief hope he feels when Starman talks about knowing him or the determination he feels at trying to rescue the young girl (although you’ve got wonder why he would pick that out of all the pleas for help in the city).  As a result, we identify with Superman and understand what he is feeling.  From the ashes of failure on his own world, he arrives on a new world alone and somewhat feared because he shouldn’t be here.  Eaglesham and Johns have done a good job setting up the character; now, we just need to see what they do with it. 

When this arc first began, I wondered exactly what purpose it would serve to bring Kingdom Come squarely into the DC Universe.  Are there more stories to be told with that world?  Are DC providing a back drop to produce some mini-series?  I still think that is highly probable.  But I was struck by the discussion in this book.  The characters of the DCU do not know the multiverse exists.  They still think there is one Earth.  We know, from issue #0 of the Justice League of America, that one of the Flashes finds a parallel Earth.  The ending to this issue seems to lead to that idea; while trying to find Earth-22, Jay or Wally find something else entirely.  Given that scenario, it is quite possible that this is one of those lead-in moments to the Final Crisis. 

One final thought:  Superman mentions that in a “flash of magical lightning” he arrived here on Earth.  Could he have arrived in the same flash of lightning that brought back Wally West in the “Lightning Saga”?  The ending to that story suggested that the Legion were attempting to bring back someone else, which we had assumed to be Barry Allen.  Maybe it was this Superman.  Or, maybe Superman was just a curious off-shot, much like Wally had been.  Or there is no connection. 

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