The DC Comics miniseries Kingdom Come by Mark Waid and Alex Ross debuted nearly 30 years ago in May 1996. The comic tells the tale of an alternate future where superheroes like Superman and Wonder Woman must come out of retirement to stem the violence of a new reckless breed of metahumans. The danger escalates throughout the series, racing toward a potentially cataclysmic end, where all parties involved—including Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Captain Marvel, the supernatural Spectre, and a disillusioned preacher—will have to wrestle with what the “right” and “moral” course of action is.

The miniseries became an instant classic, largely due to its expert storytelling and gorgeous painted art by Alex Ross. Ross was responsible for the original outline for the story, and ultimately teamed with Waid to bring the epic to life. The story worked so brilliantly because of the energy the duo brought to the project and the synergy that was reflected in their work.

Kingdom Come is one of those tomes that fans revisit time and again, not just for the story by Ross and Waid, but also the photorealistic artwork. Readers can pick up the book a hundred times and find new aspects of the art to appreciate in each instance. It’s just one of those pieces of comic excellence that gives and gives, and Ross’ paint strokes have much to do with the miniseries’ staying power in the minds of fans and readers.

A Kickstarter was recently launched to bring to life a documentary that addresses just that. In The Legend of Kingdom Come, director and editor Remsy Atassi and producer Sal Abbinanti celebrate not just the art of Ross, but also the importance and persistence of comics and the superhero genre in the 21st century. I recently spoke with Sal Abbinanti and Remsy Atassi about the documentary itself, mapping out how the project should come together, the popularity of Kingdom Come, and the persistent staying power of the comic, three decades later.

 

 

FreakSugar: Before we talk about the documentary itself, what can you tell us about the genesis of the project and why you decided to tackle it?

Sal Abbinanti: I’ve been working with Alex Ross for 25 years and have always felt Kingdom Come was one of the greatest graphic novels in the history of comics. It needed to be done by someone eventually, so I figured why not me and now?

Remsy Atassi: I met Sal about eight years ago, and he introduced me to Alex Ross. Although I was a comic fan, I wasn’t deeply familiar with Alex’s work, and discovering it was a revelation. Over the years, while working with Alex and filming content, I developed the idea of making a documentary centered on Kingdom Come, which I found fascinating both for its incredible art and for the depth it brought to the characters. About two years ago, we ramped up production, conducting over 30 interviews, and now we’re nearing the final stages of post-production.

FS: How do you begin a documentary like this? I feel like there are so many places you could go with it. I’m sure you reached out to Mark Waid and Alex Ross early on, but what was your road map for the project?

SA: I felt the art and creative content of the book needed to be the soul of the film. We started at home with the players involved with the book from soup to nuts.

RA: Sal felt strongly this story needed to be told and I agreed with him! That’s all it takes to kick things off sometimes. We wanted to do a documentary about Alex’s career, but when he showed less interest, we shifted focus to one of his major projects, Kingdom Come. I created a creative treatment and we then got Alex and Mark on board. We started filming their key interviews right after the pandemic, around 2022.

 

From KINGDOM COME #4

 

FS: I think many of us have special places in our memories about Kingdom Come; I remember purchasing each issue as a teenager. What are your personal memories of the book?

SA: I was the model for Captain Marvel in Kingdom Come. This, for obvious reasons, gave me a unique insight to the creation of Kingdom Come. Lots of cool stories.

RA: I came to Kingdom Come later, as a fully formed graphic novel. After working with Alex initially, I read the book and was totally blown away. The way he used photorealism to bring these characters into the real world was so wild. And now, with comic characters being so dominant in pop culture, it’s clear why his work stands the test of time.

FS: Following up on that, what do you attribute to the books staying power 30 years later?

SA: It’s classic. It gives the fans what they want: a tremendous story and art work that set the standard for decades to come. Kingdom Come is a timeless piece that will stand the test of time.

RA: Mark mentions in the film that a lot of the book’s staying power comes from its iconic scenes between these characters depicted in gorgeous, jaw-dropping panels. You see these characters—Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman—at their purest, and that draws people in. The book shows these characters how they’re meant to be .. at least in the Alex Ross universe!

 

 

FS: Without spoiling anything, are there things that you learned that surprised you in the course of making the documentary?

SA: How long it takes to make a film but also need to be a little bit lucky. Also, how much hard work and money that it takes. When you see your first rough cut you want to throw up.

RA: What surprised me most was seeing how far comics have come as an artform and in popular culture. We all know that comics used to be around forever, but seeing old footage of conventions from the 60s and 70s, and comparing it to today is pretty wild. Creators and fans from Alex’s era shared cultural touch points like Superfriends or The Electric Company’s Spider-Man, but it influenced them in different ways. It was very fascinating to explore.

FS: The original comic hit in the 1990s. Do you think there was something in the zeitgeist that made it the perfect time for the book to arrive on the scene?

SA: The comic scene in the 90s needed it and the timing was perfect. The return of The Dark Knight, Maus and Watchmen set the table.

RA: Absolutely. The 90s were a time when comics were getting darker and more violent, but Kingdom Come offered a response to that. Alex and Mark’s approach was more classic and heroic—almost mythic. The book harkened back to the original spirit of these characters and helped bring back interest in those classic depictions.

 

 

FS: If you had one final pitch for the project, what would it be?

SA: The back story and the human side to the origin of Kingdom Come comes to light with very cool and interesting personal stories and insights from some of the most creatIve talents in the business. The public is going to love this film.

RA: If you’re a fan of comics, Alex Ross, or comic history, you’re going to love this documentary! We’ve made it for fans, but it is also totally accessible and compelling to anyone interested in superheroes or pop culture.

The Kickstarter for The Legend of Kingdom Come documentary has already hit its initial funding goal SIX TIMES OVER, with 22 days still left in the campaign. Fans of the original story, Alex Ross, or just comics in general should absolutely check out this campaign!

From the official press release about the documentary:

For over two decades, KINGDOM COME, the landmark comic series by Mark Waid and Alex Ross has enraptured the minds of superhero fans. Now, THE LEGEND OF KINGDOM COME, a documentary film about the making of the legendary comics series by Mark Waid and Alex Ross is headed to Kickstarter, directed by Remsy Atassi and produced by Sal Abbinanti.

This feature documentary is an origin story about the iconic, best-selling 90s-era graphic novel KINGDOM COME, going behind-the-scenes and inside the mind of its artist: comic book legend Alex Ross.

For the first time, fans will have the opportunity to hear directly from the creative team of Mark Waid and Alex Ross along with a wide range of comic luminaries through exclusive interviews and original footage, reflecting on the legacy of KINGDOM COME and the evolution of the comic book industry. Featuring commentary by the following and more:

  • Todd McFarlane Creator of “Spawn” and co-founder of Image Comics, known for revolutionizing creator-owned comics)
  • Julie Benson and Shawna Benson, acclaimed writing duo known for their work on “Batgirl and the Birds of Prey” and “The 100,” bringing fresh perspectives and dynamic storytelling to modern comics
  • Paul Dini, Acclaimed writer and producer, co-creator of Harley Quinn and a driving force behind “Batman: The Animated Series.”

“I have loved drawing and reading about superheroes since I was a young child,” says Alex Ross. “When Mark and I were creating KINGDOM COME—one of my earliest works—I set out to do exactly what I loved. I brought so much of myself and the people in my life into it. I knew it was special, but I had no idea it would have such an impact on comics, pop culture, and my career. I’m so proud that what we made back then still resonates today. I hope people enjoy this film.”

“Collaborating with Alex on KINGDOM COME was a high-water mark in my career,” says Mark Waid. “Watching scenes I’d put on paper come to vibrant life beneath his brush was an unforgettable experience, and I can’t wait for fans to finally get a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at what I consider to be Alex’s greatest work.”

Directed by Remsy Atassi and produced by Sal Abbinanti, THE LEGEND OF KINGDOM COME not only celebrates the groundbreaking work of Alex Ross but also traces the lineage of comic art and storytelling that has shaped modern pop culture and have captivated audiences worldwide.

“Alex Ross can take almost any person and make them into a comic fan – when I met Alex in 2016 he did it to me,” says Remsy Atassi. “Alex’s creations tap into the essential DNA of superheroes, elevating them to an almost mythic level. There is no better example than his 1996 book KINGDOM COME, which is an essential graphic novel because it looks like nothing else yet, has influenced so much.”

Atassi continues, “Over the course of over 30 interviews with key collaborators and industry icons, this project became a journey of discovering how deep that influence runs. THE LEGEND OF KINGDOM COME is an exploration of the mad, relentless dedication that goes into producing this stunning art form – and what it takes for an artist to achieve greatness.”

THE LEGEND OF KINGDOM COME pre-launch page is officially live at Kickstarter, inviting anyone interested to sign up now for further updates and to be alerted when the crowdfunding campaign goes live later this year, with pledge tiers to be announced. To receive notifications about the upcoming campaign, visit legendofkingdomcome.com to join the mailing list. For updates, follow @thealexrossart.

About The Team:

Remsy Atassi | Director & Editor

is a filmmaker born in Toledo, OH and based in Chicago. His feature film directorial debut, Bad Animal (2022), garnered critical acclaim and won awards at prestigious festivals including FAFF (Best Original Music) and the Tucson Film & Music Festival (World Premiere). Distributed via Emulsion Lab, Bad Animal has reached audiences worldwide through platforms such as Amazon Prime, Tubi, and other streaming networks.

With a diverse portfolio, Remsy’s previous work includes award-winning short films like One Way Out (2018) and The Liar (2013). Additionally, his music videos and photography have been featured in renowned publications such as Rolling Stone, Forbes, Billboard, Pitchfork, Vice, and the Chicago Reader.

Sal Abbinanti | Producer

Sal Abbinanti is a seasoned comic book producer and artist, best known for his dynamic and innovative contributions to the industry. As the longtime agent and business manager for Alex Ross, Sal has been instrumental in the success of numerous acclaimed projects. His deep understanding of both the artistic and business sides of comics has made him a respected figure in the field.

Sal is also the creator of the indie comic series “Atomika: God is Red,” which showcases his distinctive artistic style and storytelling prowess. His work often explores complex themes and presents visually striking narratives, making a significant impact on the indie comic scene.