5. Kingdom Come
Without a shadow of doubt Alex Ross and Mark Waid's Kingdom Come was one of the modern day comics that saved the medium from disappearing up its own melancholy backside during the 1990s. Back then comics were going through a dark phase and were more angsty than a mardy teenager listening to My Chemical Romance in their black, windowless bedroom. Set in the not so distant future (but in a reality that has not happened yet) the world of Kingdom Come is a very different place. Traditional heroes like Superman and Batman have long since retired paving the way for irresponsible, violent thugs in masks and capes who exploit their power and fall short of the term hero. As the old school heroes grow weary of this new breed a conflict arises that could lead to the ultimate superhuman war and the end of the world as we know it. Although not technically a Superman comic book Kingdom Come is completely reliant on him as the backbone of the whole story. Old Supes decision to retire from heroics is the catalyst for this 'grave new world' to take shape and it is Superman who the other former heroes turn to in their hour of need to restore the balance between what is truly good and what is just blatant vigilantism. Ignoring the whole 'Messiah' idea surrounding Clark Kent's alter-ego this is one of the most exquisitely drawn graphic novels of all time and despite only happening within the Elseworld's realm is as important a story as you're ever going to find.