Kingdom Come is unquestionably one of the greatest DC Comics stories of all time, and stands the test of time as artist Alex Ross’ masterwork. Now, the never-before-told story of how the project came together will be revealed in an all-new documentary, chronicling the creation of a seminal work in comic book history.

Launching this fall on Kickstarter, The Legend of Kingdom Come documentary will be directed by Remsy Atassi and produced by Sal Abbinanti, and will explore the making of the classic series by Mark Waid and Alex Ross.

From the official DC Comics press release:

“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.”

The Legend of Kingdom Come Chronicles the Making of a Legendary DC Comic

As his follow-up to the ground-breaking Marvels, the 1996 miniseries Kingdom Come cemented Alex Ross’ place in the comic book industry. His beautifully-painted pages made the four-color heroes of the past look as if they were flesh-and-blood, bringing an astounding realism to the storytelling. Waid and Ross’ story of an aging Superman struggling to retain his relevance and rebuild the Justice League in a world of younger, more violent heroes resonated strongly in an age when “grim’n’gritty” comics had become the norm.

Alex Ross expresses his enthusiasm for the documentary, and how he’s still amazed at Kingdom Come’s impact:

“I have loved drawing and reading about superheroes since I was a young child. 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.”

For Mark Waid, the opportunity to collaborate with Alex Ross was a highlight, calling it a “high-water mark” in his career. Waid discusses the rare opportunity to see his scripts brought to life by Alex Ross, relating just how special the experience truly was:

“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.”

Kingdom Come Documentary Explores What it Takes to “Achieve Greatness”

Featuring in-depth interviews with Waid and Ross, the documentary will also feature commentary from other comics luminaries like Todd McFarlane, Paul Dini and Julie and Shawna Benson. Director Remsy Atassi explains the influence of Kingdom Come, while also highlighting the dedication required to create such a seminal work:

“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.”

For long-time fans or those just curious to get a glimpse behind the curtain, The Legend of Kingdom Come will be a documentary that cannot be missed. With James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film reportedly taking inspiration from Kingdom Come, the timing couldn’t be better for a feature documentary chronicling the creation of Mark Waid and Alex Ross’ seminal DC Comics work.