48:37 Todd Klein lettered the series by hand. When I bought a page from issue #2 from the Four Color Images gallery, it was accompanied by a vellum overlay with Todd Klein's lettering.
My friend and his brother bought 5 pages of the original art from this. Even the absolute edition doesn’t capture the color and beauty of the original pages. For my birthday he gave me the Batwoman and ace character design sketch still love it!
Man, I remember back in 2013 Mark Waid bought a comic store near me in Muncie Indiana. I went there on their reopening and took my beat up copy of issue one of Kingdom Come I had since it hit the racks in my local shop. I could actually see the surprise when someone bought a beat up reader copy of an issue instead of a pristine collectors copy. I know shit went down with that whole comic store and that Waid might not be as squeaky clean as he presents himself, but damn if that isnt a memory that is going to live with my for the rest of my life.
Wizard ran a rather impressive annotation of select KC pages, noting easter eggs (eg. The Gulag was based on the Legion of Doom HQ, while the "UN" HQ was patterned after the Hall of Justice in Superfriends) and identifying characters (including the new heroes). I just forgot the issue number. Love this video! ❤
In reference to Ed’s comment about Ross’s use of Christian Iconography. The nuclear explosion in the final battle is shaped like a towering cross with Captain Marvel lighting death explosion occurring at the conjunction. The bottom end of the cross striking the battle and stopping the conflict. I bought this series when it came out and only now noticed it.
Someone has already probably commented, but the Orion/New Gods 4page scene and the “one year later” were added to the trade paperback (wasn’t in the original issues).
I loved that detailed because I also remembered that Mazzuchelli based Bruce on Gregory Peck. It's like a continuation of the new canon (since Crisis on Infinite Earths).
If the transition to Apocalypse seems awkward, someone correct me if I'm misremembering, but I don't thing that sequence was in the original four issue prestige format series. It was added into the collected edition later? (as was the ending sequence at the superhero restaurant)
23:13. Funny you mentioned that because Alex Ross actually did the DVD box set and DVD cover for the US release of Gatchaman, the original Japanese version of Battle of the Planets. Maybe he was interested in the original Japanese version.
I think it is interesting that books like Kingdom Come and Watchmen that are known as trades, individual issues are way less expensive than they should be.
Some of my favorite Ross work is when he paints on top of the finished art of other cartoonists like Kirby and Perez. Would that make him the world's greatest colorist?
Gosh, makes me want to re-read Kingdom Come now that I understand all the deep cuts better as an adult. Never noticed Superman's gulag looked like the Legion of Doom HQ from the old cartoon until now.
Bruce is a little Vince McMahon in this. Ketchup on steak, working through injury, cutting promos in a walking wheelchair. Walking up behind Lex at the end "HEH HEH Shazam, PAL!"
I have a book somewhere that I can’t remember who put out or why, but it breaks down who everyone is in every panel and who they are based on if they’re famous. It’s at my moms house and if I get to find it, I’ll try to see if it’s still available. I hope it is!
To the question re Planet Krypton-yes, it's based on the Planet Hollywood that used to be on Wells in Chicago. I grew up and worked in Chicago during that era and immediately recognized the facade, not sure about the interior though. Also, the sequence from the first battle with Turtle Boy Jimmy Olsen easter egg was based on the Goldblatts Building at Lawrence & Broadway. I didn't know much about Alex Ross at the time but assumed he must have been based in Chicago.
The mission statement of this whole channel is to examine the moment of that commercial where cgi-mouth Lobo says, “these ain’t your daddy’s comic books, fanboy!” Such a weird time. I love it.
As weird as it sounds.. the humanity given to Magog… and his obvious connection to cable… made me like cable a little more.. seeing that there could be more deep character moments built into him… rather than the mysterious violent future solider elements of him.
Alex Ross father was a UCC minister. There is where the christian references come from. And yes, Alex Ross predicted how he was going to look 10+ years later when drowing the UN secretary.
I love Kingdom Come while being aware that comes with a lot of nostalgic baggage for where I was as a teenager when it first came out… and you guys hit the nail on the head around the 47 minute mark, pointing out the weakness of the superhuman prison in the narrative. It’s one of the softer spots of the KC story structure.
The best thing about Kingdom Come is the supplementary material. Alex Ross' sketches and backstories he created for all the characters are way more insteresting than the main storyline, which just ends up feeling rushed and underexplained (I get criticizing the "extreme" 90's heroes, but to call these parodies cardboard cutouts would be paying them a compliment). It's like Ross poured a huge amount of effort into creating a future/alternate version of the DC Universe but he was only allowed to show it in the background of a four-issue miniseries where only Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman get speaking lines. The story of Norman McKay is interesting but it feels like the writers couldn't decide whether they wanted a human story set in the superhero world or a story about the superheroes themselves. Ross should have gotten way more issues to express his ideas, which is one of the reasons why I think the 12-issue Justice miniseries is a superior work overall.
...can't quite remember: One of the Gulag wardens, I think Superman tells the inmates that "...there is black and there is white with no shades of grey, clearly distinct and obvious...' Familiar? That's what Mr. A said.
Yeah, Ed's right that it used to be like pulling teeth to get Alex Ross to draw anything that came after a certain year or wasn't "his" version of the character. The Wonder Twins are completely okay cause they're his childhood, but give me liberty or give me death if I have to draw Kyle Rayner. However, and I don't know if this is him not having as much nostalgia for Marvel as he did DC, but when Alex Ross got hired as a regular Marvel cover artist in the 2010s, he basically had to draw whatever the current characters and costumes were, although he did contribute to a couple of the designs themselves.
So, commercial digital cameras had been available since 1990. It's perfectly reasonable that Ross, a professional artist, might have one and use one for reference photos in 1995/1996. By 1998 they were pretty much everywhere. And if you worked in the graphic arts you probably owned and used one.
Until Ed mentioned the tangent at 17:23 I was sure superman was just resting the tractor against the wall. Ross' focus on being true to life instead of true to the medium of comics is kind of bothering me, I appreciate his craftsmanship but there's also something about his art that I find a bit boring. Like it's so realistic and direct that there is nothing new left to discover or interpret.
And Orion sits on a destroyed Mobius chair.
48:37 Todd Klein lettered the series by hand. When I bought a page from issue #2 from the Four Color Images gallery, it was accompanied by a vellum overlay with Todd Klein's lettering.
My friend and his brother bought 5 pages of the original art from this. Even the absolute edition doesn’t capture the color and beauty of the original pages. For my birthday he gave me the Batwoman and ace character design sketch still love it!
Interesting to note that Magog's team is comprised of Charlton characters... which is a nod to how Watchmen changed the game in the comics industry.
Man, I remember back in 2013 Mark Waid bought a comic store near me in Muncie Indiana. I went there on their reopening and took my beat up copy of issue one of Kingdom Come I had since it hit the racks in my local shop. I could actually see the surprise when someone bought a beat up reader copy of an issue instead of a pristine collectors copy. I know shit went down with that whole comic store and that Waid might not be as squeaky clean as he presents himself, but damn if that isnt a memory that is going to live with my for the rest of my life.
I got my beat up issue #2 from my dad
The character you thought was Bane was Atom Smasher who was in Infinity Inc.
Wizard ran a rather impressive annotation of select KC pages, noting easter eggs (eg. The Gulag was based on the Legion of Doom HQ, while the "UN" HQ was patterned after the Hall of Justice in Superfriends) and identifying characters (including the new heroes). I just forgot the issue number.
Love this video! ❤
Bane at the bar is Atom Smasher
Also on same page believe that is Captain Boomerang instead of Mr. Mxyzptlk
The Absolute Edition is amazing… oversized pages ftw! 🤓
I had to buy that, too. I only wish they could adapt this to the big screen. I'd even settle for the small screen.
In reference to Ed’s comment about Ross’s use of Christian Iconography. The nuclear explosion in the final battle is shaped like a towering cross with Captain Marvel lighting death explosion occurring at the conjunction. The bottom end of the cross striking the battle and stopping the conflict. I bought this series when it came out and only now noticed it.
Old man Lobo lookin like current day Jake the Snake..
Tony Hawk is fine, broke his leg doing a trick. Came back and did the same trick just recently!
Someone has already probably commented, but the Orion/New Gods 4page scene and the “one year later” were added to the trade paperback (wasn’t in the original issues).
Whoa now I'll have to check my singles.
Batman is 100% based on Gregory Peck, per Ross’ notes. Mazzucchelli also based Year One Bruce Wayne on a young Gregory Peck.
I loved that detailed because I also remembered that Mazzuchelli based Bruce on Gregory Peck. It's like a continuation of the new canon (since Crisis on Infinite Earths).
Jim, the Dick Grayson/Superman issue you mentioned was Legends of the DC Universe, not Secret Origins. And yes, it is so great
If the transition to Apocalypse seems awkward, someone correct me if I'm misremembering, but I don't thing that sequence was in the original four issue prestige format series. It was added into the collected edition later? (as was the ending sequence at the superhero restaurant)
I believe you’re right about that, I don’t think the bit with Orion is present in the original.
IIRC, "The Shadow" in the bar scene is Obsidian? Golden Age
Green Lantern's son?
23:13. Funny you mentioned that because Alex Ross actually did the DVD box set and DVD cover for the US release of Gatchaman, the original Japanese version of Battle of the Planets. Maybe he was interested in the original Japanese version.
I think it is interesting that books like Kingdom Come and Watchmen that are known as trades, individual issues are way less expensive than they should be.
Some of my favorite Ross work is when he paints on top of the finished art of other cartoonists like Kirby and Perez.
Would that make him the world's greatest colorist?
The Archie Goodwin lookin dude is Mark Gruenwald, famous for his humorous challenging Mark Waid on JLA trivia
Gosh, makes me want to re-read Kingdom Come now that I understand all the deep cuts better as an adult. Never noticed Superman's gulag looked like the Legion of Doom HQ from the old cartoon until now.
Ed and Jim covering one of my favorite books?
Christmas in July indeed! Thanks guys
Bruce is a little Vince McMahon in this. Ketchup on steak, working through injury, cutting promos in a walking wheelchair. Walking up behind Lex at the end "HEH HEH Shazam, PAL!"
I think ketchup on steak is a Trumpism.
Let's go! finish off my weekend with some of my favorite thing. Cartoonist Kayfabe!! Plus Alex Ross.... we be spoiled!!
I have a book somewhere that I can’t remember who put out or why, but it breaks down who everyone is in every panel and who they are based on if they’re famous. It’s at my moms house and if I get to find it, I’ll try to see if it’s still available. I hope it is!
One of the greatest comics of all time within the superhero genre and comics in general.
31:50 - I've never realized this until now (and please, correct me if I'm wrong), but of course Oliver Queen is V. Lenin.
Pretty ironic
Love your content, Boys! “Drawing anything laying on the ground....super tough.” Haha! Ain’t that the truth?!?!!!
I'm pretty sure Ross used Anton LaVey as the model for Kobra.
To the question re Planet Krypton-yes, it's based on the Planet Hollywood that used to be on Wells in Chicago. I grew up and worked in Chicago during that era and immediately recognized the facade, not sure about the interior though. Also, the sequence from the first battle with Turtle Boy Jimmy Olsen easter egg was based on the Goldblatts Building at Lawrence & Broadway. I didn't know much about Alex Ross at the time but assumed he must have been based in Chicago.
I've always wondered if Billy Batson meant to die, or if he just hadn't had enough time to shout out one more "Shazam!"?
The mission statement of this whole channel is to examine the moment of that commercial where cgi-mouth Lobo says, “these ain’t your daddy’s comic books, fanboy!” Such a weird time. I love it.
As weird as it sounds.. the humanity given to Magog… and his obvious connection to cable… made me like cable a little more.. seeing that there could be more deep character moments built into him… rather than the mysterious violent future solider elements of him.
I almost would prefer this printed in a Treasury-sized Edition over an Absolute reprint.
Alex Ross father was a UCC minister. There is where the christian references come from.
And yes, Alex Ross predicted how he was going to look 10+ years later when drowing the UN secretary.
I love Kingdom Come while being aware that comes with a lot of nostalgic baggage for where I was as a teenager when it first came out… and you guys hit the nail on the head around the 47 minute mark, pointing out the weakness of the superhuman prison in the narrative. It’s one of the softer spots of the KC story structure.
The best thing about Kingdom Come is the supplementary material. Alex Ross' sketches and backstories he created for all the characters are way more insteresting than the main storyline, which just ends up feeling rushed and underexplained (I get criticizing the "extreme" 90's heroes, but to call these parodies cardboard cutouts would be paying them a compliment).
It's like Ross poured a huge amount of effort into creating a future/alternate version of the DC Universe but he was only allowed to show it in the background of a four-issue miniseries where only Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman get speaking lines. The story of Norman McKay is interesting but it feels like the writers couldn't decide whether they wanted a human story set in the superhero world or a story about the superheroes themselves.
Ross should have gotten way more issues to express his ideas, which is one of the reasons why I think the 12-issue Justice miniseries is a superior work overall.
Great analysis!
1:16:30
Alex Ross and Chris Ware have absolutely collaborated on a couple small projects.
...can't quite remember: One of the Gulag wardens, I think Superman tells the inmates that "...there is black and there is white with no shades of grey, clearly distinct and obvious...' Familiar? That's what Mr. A said.
It wouldn't surprise me if Ross developed his own photos in those days.
I’ve really been looking forward to this one.
There is a good Alex Ross version of Mr Myx in “worlds funniest”
Guys, you should do Alfredo Alcala’s MOTU - there’s some genuinely amazing artwork there in those mini comics!!
ua-cam.com/video/v0aU3iPQVUE/v-deo.html
Ross's Wonder Woman HC is currently at Ollies
Sunday morning breakfast godsend, thank you gents!
One of my favorites.
Yeah, Ed's right that it used to be like pulling teeth to get Alex Ross to draw anything that came after a certain year or wasn't "his" version of the character. The Wonder Twins are completely okay cause they're his childhood, but give me liberty or give me death if I have to draw Kyle Rayner. However, and I don't know if this is him not having as much nostalgia for Marvel as he did DC, but when Alex Ross got hired as a regular Marvel cover artist in the 2010s, he basically had to draw whatever the current characters and costumes were, although he did contribute to a couple of the designs themselves.
I'm curious. Who designed the channeL's logo?
Ed did the "cartoonist" Jimmy did the "kayfabe". 50/50 partnership.
So, commercial digital cameras had been available since 1990. It's perfectly reasonable that Ross, a professional artist, might have one and use one for reference photos in 1995/1996. By 1998 they were pretty much everywhere. And if you worked in the graphic arts you probably owned and used one.
Waid ripped off Alan Moore's Twilight of the Super Heroes plot, and still managed to be underwhelming.
Did the channel logo get designed by kne of you or did someone else do it?
Ed did the "cartoonist" Jimmy did the "kayfabe". 50/50 partnership.
Paul Dano was probably 12 at the time this came out.
Until Ed mentioned the tangent at 17:23 I was sure superman was just resting the tractor against the wall. Ross' focus on being true to life instead of true to the medium of comics is kind of bothering me, I appreciate his craftsmanship but there's also something about his art that I find a bit boring. Like it's so realistic and direct that there is nothing new left to discover or interpret.