Empire

In 2004, DC Comics and writer Mark Waid, with artist Barry Kitson, launched Empire, a single-issue series that upends the superhero genre by centering on a world where a supervillain has already won. Golgoth, a ruthless dictator, rules the planet through fear and advanced technology, forcing a former hero to navigate a morally compromised landscape. This taut, self-contained story is a sharp, character-driven exploration of power and compromise, offering a grimly compelling alternative take on the classic battle between good and evil.