“Heir to the Kingdom” – Part Three
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Dan Mora
Color Artist: Tamra Bonvillain
Letterer: Steve Wands
Review by Bryant Lucas
The Dark Knight and Man of Steel come face-to-face with Gog, in this month’s World’s Finest: Batman/Superman #22.
Transported to Earth 22, the Batman and Superman of Earth-0 are thrust into a fierce confrontation with a legion of heroes manipulated by the enigmatic Gog.
For the uninitiated, Gog is an ancient deity, a figure from an era preceding the infamous clash between New Genesis and Apokolips. On Earth 22, Gog has established a formidable reign, assuming the role of a deity. Intriguingly, he has also mentored David, whose significant sway over their world’s heroes leads to a direct assault on our protagonists from Earth 0. After their capture, Batman and Superman uncover Gog’s machinations and craft a strategic response to this new threat.
Redefining a Deity: Gog’s Evolution and Magog’s Metamorphosis
Gog, despite his significant impact on Earth 22, was conspicuously absent from Mark Waid’s seminal work Kingdom Come, where Magog first emerged as Superman’s adversary. However, in the less-celebrated sequel The Kingdom, readers were introduced to Gog, albeit with a distinctly different backstory. Over the years, Gog’s origins have been masterfully reimagined, with Waid himself embracing the newer, more intricate narrative intertwined with the New Gods mythology.
A pivotal moment in this issue is the introduction of Magog. Waid had previously teased David’s transformation into this character and now deftly weaves this subplot into the current narrative. Notably, Waid revises the character’s origins, shifting away from the earlier Earth-0-centric portrayal to a more complex, multiverse-traversing interpretation. This potentially positions this arc as the definitive origin story for the Kingdom Come version of Magog.
Dan Mora’s Cosmic Artistry
Dan Mora’s artistic prowess in World’s Finest has spanned various styles and settings, but this issue marks his inaugural foray into the realm of the New Gods. His rendition is nothing short of spectacular, with his psychedelic-infused pages brilliantly encapsulating Gog’s cosmic origins. This issue hints at more cosmic adventures to come, promising an exhilarating exploration of the New Gods under Mora’s imaginative vision.
Conclusion
World’s Finest: Batman/Superman #22 spectacularly lives up to the anticipation. Mark Waid’s narrative expands in scope and intensity, captivating readers with each turn. Dan Mora’s artistic flair continues to dazzle, perfectly complementing the story’s expansive universe.
Final Verdict: Have yourself a Merry Christmas/Hanukah/Kwanza/Festivus… and read this book!
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment
