Tom King, a renowned writer in the DC Comics universe, is often met with controversy among fans due to his unique storytelling approach and background as a former CIA operative. His works frequently delve into heavy themes such as depression and trauma. Despite this, King has demonstrated a remarkable talent for penning stories not only for the mainstay DC characters but also for lesser-known B and C-list heroes. King is particularly celebrated for his miniseries, offering captivating narratives with clear beginnings, middles, and ends. While King’s work may not appeal to everyone, it stands out as exceptional for those open to fresh perspectives on superheroes.
Throughout his tenure with DC, King has penned some exceptional tales. Among these, there are certain Tom King works that truly stand out. The most outstanding Tom King books have transported readers to realms that irrevocably altered their perspective on superheroes and delivered captivating narratives for the world’s premier superheroes. These five stories of his are unquestionably the finest, and the top one is sure to leave you astounded.
5) Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
In popular culture, Supergirl has been well-known for quite some time, but it was challenging to find a standout comic that truly encapsulated her essence. However, writer Tom King, in collaboration with artist Bilquis Evely, accomplished this with the release of “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow“. This remarkable comic series propels Supergirl out of her familiar surroundings and into an exciting journey that will shape her for the contemporary era. The narrative is straightforward: on a rudimentary planet, a young girl named Ruthye seeks vengeance against the man who murdered her father. On this day, which happens to be Supergirl’s twentieth-first birthday, she arrives at this world – a place with a red sun, allowing her to drink without the usual restrictions – and is asked by Ruthye for assistance in tracking down the murderer, who has stolen Supergirl’s spaceship and fled into the cosmos.
This comic book primarily revolves around the adventures of Supergirl and her companion Ruthye as they journey to uncharted planets, encountering various challenges along the way. The narrative skillfully portrays a more complex side of Supergirl, as she grapples with situations that were unfamiliar when she worked alongside Superman, while still maintaining her inherent goodness that defines Supergirl.
Writer King masterfully delves into the psychological aspects – one issue, for instance, explores Supergirl’s harrowing experiences on Kandor following the destruction of Krypton, where the soil itself was toxic to its inhabitants and how relentlessly she strived to save her people. This provides readers with a captivating science fiction superhero tale.
Additionally, Evely’s art is visually stunning, perfectly complementing King’s scripts and adding the perfect touch of design aesthetic to the book.
In essence, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow serves as the foundation for the DCU Supergirl, a testament to its exceptional quality.
4) Human Target
One intriguing DC idea has always been The Human Target, featuring Christopher Chance – a skilled soldier and spy with exceptional disguise abilities. He’d often take the place of individuals under threat, defending them from harm. In the comic series Human Target, written by King and Greg Smallwood, Chance is employed by Lex Luthor to thwart an assassination plot. He successfully does so, but in a subsequent attempt on Luthor’s life, he gets poisoned instead. With only twelve days left to live, Chance embarks on a quest to discover his assailant, which ultimately leads him into the company of a former Justice League International member, Ice. This new romantic entanglement immerses him in the complexities of the JLI, providing insights into their seemingly humorous team dynamics. The shocking revelation comes when he uncovers the identity of his killer, someone completely unexpected.
Readers didn’t realize how much they were missing Tom King’s take on Christopher Chance until the release of Human Target. This book, in many aspects, harks back to a bygone era; it’s a suspenseful thriller/mystery infused with superheroes that evokes the 1960s, largely due to Greg Smallwood’s stunning art, which is so remarkable it must be experienced. Human Target is a gripping read with a heart of love and despair at its core, making it even more captivating. Many fans are hoping for Human Target to be adapted by the DCU, and that would truly be something special. Human Target offers a bit of everything and demonstrates that King is capable of more than just dark psychological tales – he can also craft heart-wrenching tragic romances.
3) Rorschach
In contrast to popular belief and numerous criticisms, the comic “Rorshach,” penned by Tom King and Jorge Fornes, managed to shine despite several challenges it faced. Opinions about “Watchmen” spin-offs are often divisive, with many arguing that there should only be one “Watchmen” besides the original masterpiece by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Additionally, a significant number of “Watchmen” spin-offs, prequels, and sequels have been met with disappointment. Many fans even refused to read it at all. However, for those who took a chance on this title, “Rorschach” offered an engaging murder mystery narrative that delved into the subject of radicalization, using the elements of “Watchmen” to tell its unique story.
When Rorschach, long thought dead, and a woman dressed as circus gunfighter assassinate a presidential candidate, a nameless investigator is brought in to investigate. What he finds is an old pirate comic writer/artist, based on Steve Ditko, and an abused young woman at the center of conspiracies and domestic terrorism, one that leads into the world of comic creators like Frank Miller and beyond. Rorschach is a polemic on how people can be indoctrinated and transformed and its constantly brilliant. It’s a wonderful slow burn, with Fornes’ heavily lined art perfectly complimenting King’s dark and brooding story.
2) Mister Miracle
By 2017, Tom King had already demonstrated his exceptional talent in twelve-issue miniseries, captivating readers with ‘Omega Men’. That year, he collaborated with Mitch Gerads on a series revolving around a renowned DC character. ‘Mister Miracle’ centers around the title character, initially conceived by comics legend Jack Kirby, and his wife Big Barda. The narrative unfolds as Mister Miracle contemplates suicide at the outset, leading to a tumultuous journey. As he grapples with the ennui of his existence, a fresh war ignites between the New Gods and Apokolips, drawing Miracle and Barda into the fray. The subsequent events represent both the best and worst moments in their lives, forever altering their destinies.
Speaking about Mister Miracle isn’t easy. The comic book is intense for many readers; we all see a piece of ourselves in Scott Free. It’s a tale that frequently tugs at the heartstrings, yet manages to be breathtakingly beautiful too. King’s exploration of a hero’s inner world is present here, but this isn’t just any New Gods story – it’s exceptional. A significant portion of the book’s success can be attributed to Gerads’ artwork. He uses a nine-panel grid for most pages and handles the pacing superbly. His dynamic action scenes are remarkable, mirroring Mister Miracle’s kinetic nature. But what truly stands out is his character acting, which beautifully conveys King’s raw emotion. Many consider Mister Miracle to be Tom King’s masterpiece, and it indeed has the power to change anyone who reads it.
1) Superman: Up in the Sky
It’s not generally expected that Tom King and Superman would make a good pairing, given that King’s writing often leans towards the darker and contemplative side, which doesn’t typically align with the character of Superman. Nevertheless, when King wrote Superman in Action Comics #1000, it was exceptionally well-received by readers. This led to another opportunity for King to write Superman. As part of a deal between DC and Wal-Mart, an exclusive comic titled Superman: Up in the Sky, written by Tom King and illustrated by Andy Kubert, was produced. This story is now considered one of the finest modern Superman tales.
As a die-hard film enthusiast, I can’t help but be thrilled by “Superman: Soaring High,” a tale that finds our beloved Man of Steel venturing beyond Earth’s skies to save a girl abducted in an alien assault. He traverses the cosmos, confronting obstacles at every turn, all in the hopes of rescuing one small child while fretting about Lois Lane and the safety of Earth. This plot line is textbook Superman, and Tom King masterfully executes it.
Unlike other writers, King refrains from attempting to darken or complicate the character. Instead, he elegantly demonstrates why Superman stands tall among all superheroes by crafting a story that truly encapsulates the essence of this iconic figure. The artwork by Kubert is simply breathtaking, with each page adorned with some extraordinary visual treat.
“Superman: Soaring High” epitomizes the best of Superman, but it also showcases the brilliance of Tom King. It served as a reminder to readers that King is not just a one-trick pony, but a versatile artist at the top of his game, delivering his finest work yet.
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2025-03-02 05:40