10 Times The Justice League Went Way Too Far
2. Kingdom Come
The visually stunning and weighty tale of judgement and change in the DC universe, Kingdom Come explores a future where the old guard of the DC universe is pitted against a newer, more violent breed of antihero with (as always) the fate of the world on the balance.
It's a well-constructed commentary on the violent excess that defined nineties-era comics, and in many ways the definitive comic of the period too.
After the Joker is murdered by a new hero called Magog, Superman and some Leaguers resign due to being disillusioned by the overwhelming public support that the violent newbie is receiving. This sparks the rise of brutal heroes who dangerously come close to villainy, and after a particularly devastating battle, Superman returns and reforms the League.
Unfortunately, the new League's attempts to rehabilitate the newer heroes is unsuccessful and the League itself is more militant than it had ever once been. The intervention of Lex Luthor's own super team and the UN only serves to worsen the situation, pushing the older generation to their limits and resulting in massive loss of superhuman life.
Fortunately, Superman and his counterparts see the error of their ways before more lives are lost and the world returns to a more idealistic, but grounded age.