Warning: Spoilers ahead for Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #10When it comes to legendary storylines that have withstood the test of time, few DC Comics classics are as well regarded by Mark Waid and Alex Ross’ Kingdom Come. With a stark glimpse into the futures of Batman and Superman, the acclaimed miniseries ingrained itself into the minds of readers for years, and despite its non-canon nature, it’s still had a stunning effect on the DC Universe as a whole. But a stunning twist in the ongoing Batman/Superman: World’s Finest has turned the story on its head.
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #10 finds Boy Thunder in the clutches of the Joker himself. While the young hero is freed by the combined efforts of Superman, Batman, and the Teen Titans, Thunder – also known as David Nikela – lashes out at the Joker and threatens to kill him if their paths ever cross again. The story briefly flashes forward, revealing David’s true fate as Magog, the brutal anti-hero who triggered the disastrous events of Kingdom Come. And although this development brings DC’s main timeline that much closer to that of the Kingdom Come universe, it instantly changes the way audiences can read the original story.
While Batman is known for his many sidekicks, Superman has rarely taken on an official teen protégé, despite his well-known extended Superman Family. And his recent struggles with Boy Thunder go a long way towards explaining why. But with Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #10 by Mark Waid and Dan Mora revealing Boy Thunder’s ultimate fate as the one and only Magog, Clark’s new partner has totally rewritten the narrative of the seminal Kingdom Come. After all, one of the strongest threads of Kingdom Come is the ideological contrast between Magog – the man who murdered the Joker in cold blood to thunderous applause from Metropolis – and Superman, ever the Boy Scout.
Boy Thunder Ties Directly Into Kingdom Come
Disgusted by his city’s approval of brazen murder and feeling out of place in a world where his ideals are outdated and his wife Lois Lane has been murdered by the Clown Prince of Crime, Clark embarks on a self-imposed exile for a decade within his Fortress of Solitude. In the original story, Magog is portrayed as a young upstart who refuses to act by Superman’s code. But the reveal of a personal relationship between the two – assuming that this dynamic carries over into the Kingdom Come timeline – makes Superman’s perceived defeat all the more heartbreaking.
Kingdom Come is That Much More Personal
In recent issues of Batman/Superman, it’s been clear that Superman is having a tough time getting through to the young Boy Thunder. David’s rash temper and more aggressive demeanor have repeatedly hinted at his more dangerous nature, despite everything that Superman has done to curb these more sinister tendencies. The fact that David potentially becomes Magog thanks to his inability to follow Clark’s example more than justifies the Kingdom Come Superman’s heartbreak over Magog’s actions and more than explains why Superman would take the consequences of his protégé's misdeeds so personally in the original story.
Superman is the Man of Steel, but as a mentor, it’s clear that he may be destined to miss the mark with Boy Thunder. After all, with David’s immense power, there’s little anyone can do to stop him if he truly wants to set his mind to something. And while Batman and Superman may be able to curb David’s more violent appetites, one thing is clear – DC Comics’ Kingdom Come will never be read the same way again.
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #10 is available now from DC Comics.