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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who pulls Norman McKay from his realm as a spirit into their own plane of existence?

2. Who is being forced into the same decision of judgment as Norman McKay?

3. What was the occupation of the Deadman while he was alive?

4. What venture does Superman take on by himself after peace takes over?

5. What does Captain Marvel cry out three times when he reaches the nuclear bomb?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the scene where the Spectre points and pronounces "judgment."

2. Why does the Spectre announce it is time to cast judgment to Norman McKay during the battle?

3. How and why does Batman turn on Lex Luthor?

4. What is significant about Wonder Woman giving Superman his glasses and calling him "Clark?"

5. How is the U.N. justified in sending a plane armed with nuclear warheads to the battle at the Gulag?

6. How does Lex Luthor torture and brainwash Captain Marvel?

7. Who is Deadman and what purpose does he have in "Kingdom Come?"

8. Why is Captain Marvel attacking Superman?

9. For what reasons does Superman tell Billy Batson that only he is qualified to make the choice to stop the bombs?

10. When Wonder Woman and Batman see the planes approaching their battle, what choice does Batman lay out for her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the heavier themes of "Kingdom Come" involves how people can move on after losing their loved ones. How does Superman handle the loss of his family and friends? How does he react when the bomb detonates above the Gulag, leaving him surrounded by the bodies of many allies? How does the world handle the loss of everyone in Kansas, as well as most of the Midwest? What is significant about Norman's statement at the end of the book that "there is no grand celebration. There is too much pain to be forgotten," given Superman's task of creating a monument to everyone who passed away? What solutions does the book ultimately offer up in terms of dealing with loss for these characters?

Essay Topic 2

Why is the scene with Orion (restored for the trade paperback) a necessary one in terms of themes and lessons in "Kingdom Come?" What lessons and wisdom does he try to impart to Superman? How does Superman react to what he sees as Orion's unnecessarily war-like planet? What is Orion's musings on the nature of changing a person's system of living? Of what does Orion attempt to warn Superman? How do Orion's pronouncements on the dangers of their sort of power come true at the end of the book?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the role of the Spectre in "Kingdom Come" in the following format:

Part 1) Norman McKay's observations about the Spectre and his relationship with him.

Part 2) The Spectre's previous life as a police officer and superhero.

Part 3) His need to cast judgment and near-abandonment of a raging Superman.

Part 4) The observations of Deadman about the Spectre losing touch with his humanity.

Part 5) The Spectre's new role as a parishioner in Norman's congregation, as well as being a friend.

(see the answer keys)

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