| New Gods | |
 The New Gods #1, artist Jack Kirby |
|
| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | The New Gods #1, (February 1971) |
| Created by | Jack Kirby (writer & artist) |
| In story information | |
| Place of origin | New Genesis/Apokolips |
The New Gods are a fictional race published by DC Comics, as well as the title for four series of comics about those characters. Jack Kirby (born Jacob Kurtzberg, August 28, 1917 &ndash February 6, 1994) was an American Comic book DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company In Comic books and other stories with a long history first appearance refers to the first occurrence to feature a Fictional character. This is a list of Comics -related events in 1971. Related year entries List of years in comics | 1970 in comics | 1971 in comics Jack Kirby (born Jacob Kurtzberg, August 28, 1917 &ndash February 6, 1994) was an American Comic book New Genesis is a Fictional planet in the (or rather in a parallel dimension adjacent to it Fiction is the telling of stories which are not real More specifically fiction is an imaginative form of Narrative, one of the four basic Rhetorical modes. DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company They first appeared in The New Gods #1 (February 1971), and were created by Jack Kirby. This is a list of Comics -related events in 1971. Related year entries List of years in comics | 1970 in comics | 1971 in comics Jack Kirby (born Jacob Kurtzberg, August 28, 1917 &ndash February 6, 1994) was an American Comic book
Contents |
History
The New Gods are natives of the twin planets of New Genesis and Apokolips. New Genesis is a Fictional planet in the (or rather in a parallel dimension adjacent to it New Genesis is an idyllic planet filled with unspoiled forests, mountains, and rivers and is ruled by the benevolent Highfather, while Apokolips is a nightmarish, ruined dystopia filled with machinery and fire pits and is ruled by the tyrannic Darkseid. Highfather is a fictional Comic book character in the DC Comics universe. A dystopia (from the Greek δυσ- and τόπος alternatively cacotopia, kakotopia, cackotopia, or anti-utopia) is the vision of a society Darkseid is a Fictional character that appears in Comic books published by DC Comics. The two planets were once part of the same world, a planet called Urgrund, but it was split apart millennia ago after the death of the old gods during Ragnarok. [1] The characters associated with the New Gods are often collectively referred to as "Jack Kirby's Fourth World". The Fourth World is the popular name given to a Metaseries of interconnecting Comic book titles written and drawn by Jack Kirby and published The New Gods first appeared in New Gods #1 and Mister Miracle #1 (both titles were published concurrently). Mister Miracle ( Scott Free) is fictional Superhero published by DC Comics. The other two "Fourth World" titles were Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen and The Forever People. Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen is an American comic book series published by DC Comics from October 1954 until March 1974 spanning a total of 163 issues The Forever People are a Fictional group of Extraterrestial Superheroes published by DC Comics. Various New Gods, notably Darkseid, went on to interact with other denizens of the DC Universe. The DC Universe ( DCU) is the fictional Shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place
The opening sequence of New Gods #1 references the "Old Gods" and the "New Gods" (e. g "When the Old Gods died. . . "). Visible in the rubble of what represents the last battle of the Old Gods is a helmet that resembles that worn by the Marvel Comics' character Thor. Thor is a Fictional character that appears in Comic books published by Marvel Comics.
After leaving DC Comics and returning to Marvel Comics, Kirby went on to create a similar concept in the Eternals. Marvel Comics is an American comic book company owned by Marvel Publishing Inc
Powers and abilities
The beings of New Genesis and Apokolips call themselves Gods and live outside of normal time and space in a realm called the Fourth World. The Fourth World is the popular name given to a Metaseries of interconnecting Comic book titles written and drawn by Jack Kirby and published These New Gods have evolved due to their close proximity to the Source, a primeval energy, believed to be one of the ultimate foundations of the Universal Expression of Energy, along with their superior technology, into beings of genetic stability and evolutionary perfection. The Source was a metaphysical concept created by writer/artist Jack Kirby for his Fourth World series of comic books The denizens of New Genesis and Apokolips are immortal, stronger, faster, and smarter than homo sapiens, despite their resemblance to the same. New Genesis is a Fictional planet in the (or rather in a parallel dimension adjacent to it
The New Gods are vulnerable to a substance called Radion. In Theoretical physics, a graviscalar (also known as a radion) is a hypothetical particle that emerges as an excitation of the Metric tensor (i Its source is unknown and its effects are toxic only in sustained amounts or after explosive exposure. The average New God can be slain by an application of Radion from a Radion blaster or bomb.
Writer Peter David introduced the idea that the New Gods were giants and that the Boom Tube would shrink them as they traveled to normal time and space or enlarge beings who traveled to the Fourth World realm. For the Grenadian politician see Peter David (politician. Peter Allen David (often abbreviated PAD) (born September 23 For example, if Superman were to travel to Apokolips under his own power, he would be miniature in comparison to the New Gods.
Inhabitants
Publication history
DC Comics has published four volumes of comic books under the banner "New Gods". This list covers the New Gods of New Genesis and Apokolips, as well as related sundry
Volume One
New Gods (1971)
Beginning here, Jack Kirby established the groundwork for all future New Gods (and related) series'. New Gods #1 would mark the first appearance of Orion, Highfather, and Metron, among others, and further issues into the series would mark the first appearance of many other Fourth World characters, as well as explaining key concepts about the New Gods. Orion is a Fictional character that appears in Comic books published by DC Comics. Highfather is a fictional Comic book character in the DC Comics universe. Metron is a character created by Jack Kirby for his Fourth World series in DC Comics. Of note was issue #7, "The Pact", which sought to explain the backstory of the New Gods. 11 issues were published before cancellation by the publisher. Simultaneously published during this time were the Forever People and Mister Miracle series, also written and drawn by Kirby. The Forever People are a Fictional group of Extraterrestial Superheroes published by DC Comics. Mister Miracle ( Scott Free) is fictional Superhero published by DC Comics. All three series saw reprint in black and white form by DC Comics in 1998. In 2007, Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus began reprinting the series, along with Kirby's other Fourth World stories, in color and in published chronological order.
Return of the New Gods (1977)
While retaining the series' numbering, issues 12 through 19 of the first volume were published in late 1977 and early 1978, and with a slightly amended title, "Return of the New Gods. " Gerry Conway would write the series, with Don Newton providing the pencils. Gerard F "Gerry" Conway ( September 10, 1952 -) is an American Writer of Comic books and Television shows Don Newton (born November 12, 1934 in St Charles Virginia and died August 19, 1984 in Phoenix Arizona) was an
Volume Two (1984)
Essentially a reprint series, this volume packaged two issues apiece per single issue of the original 1971 series. Used mostly as a vehicle for Kirby's impending The Hunger Dogs graphic novel, part of the DC Graphic Novels line. A DC Graphic Novel was a series of Graphic novel Trade paperbacks published from 1983 to 1986 by DC Comics. The last issue of the six appended a new Kirby-created forty-eight page conclusion to the original 11 issue series that would lead into the Hunger Dogs.
The Hunger Dogs
Published as DC Graphic Novel #4, Kirby sought to use "The Hunger Dogs" as the end to his Fourth World saga but met with much editorial interference from DC Comics, who wished to keep the characters around for future use. As such, production of the graphic novel suffered many delays and revisions, including several pages being omitted as well as portions of the story being rearranged out of Kirby's intended reading order. [2][3]
Volume Three (1989)
Written by longtime Kirby understudy Mark Evanier, this would be the most lengthy New Gods run yet. Mark Stephen Evanier (born March 2 1952) is an American Comic book and Television Writer, particularly known for his Coming in at 28 issues, this volume was published from February 1989 to August 1991. This series is sometimes considered volume two, as volume two was essentially a reprinting of volume one.
Volume Four (1995)
Originally written by Tom Peyer and Rachel Pollack and pencilled by Luke Ross, Volume Four of New Gods ran from October 1995 until February 1997. Rachel Pollack is an American Science fiction author Comic book writer and expert on Divinatory tarot. Eventually taken over by John Byrne (for issues 12-15) at the tail end of the series, this title would be renamed as Jack Kirby's Fourth World, also by John Byrne, with numbering reset (the first issue would be, appropriately, #1), and covers provided by Walt Simonson. John Lindley Byrne (born July 6 1950) is a British -born Canadian - American author and artist of Comic books Since the The Fourth World is the popular name given to a Metaseries of interconnecting Comic book titles written and drawn by Jack Kirby and published Walter "Walt" Simonson (born September 2 1946) is an American Comic book writer and artist Somewhat of an extension of Byrne's Jack Kirby's Fourth World was Walt Simonson's Orion series, which continued to host the backup feature "Tales of the New Gods", begun in Byrne's Jack Kirby's Fourth World. Orion is a Fictional character that appears in Comic books published by DC Comics. Simonson wished to simply title his series "New Gods", but DC had felt the name had been used too recently [4]
Death of the New Gods
Appearances in comics
Outside of the original three Kirby titles, and those strictly labeled "New Gods", characters from Kirby's Fourth World have had their own titles. Death of the New Gods is an eight-issue Comic book Limited series published in 2007 by DC Comics. Mister Miracle has had numerous other iterations of his own comic, and Orion was given his own title in 2000 that ended in 2002. Mister Miracle ( Scott Free) is fictional Superhero published by DC Comics. Orion is a Fictional character that appears in Comic books published by DC Comics. The aforementioned Jack Kirby's Fourth World is another example, as is Takion, a New God not created by Kirby, but one that had his own series for seven issues in 1996. Takion is a Fictional character in the DC Comics Comic book series which ran for 7 issues in 1996 and of the lead character of that series The New Gods and their concepts have at times played a central role in the DC Universe, in series such as Jim Starlin's Cosmic Odyssey. The DC Universe ( DCU) is the fictional Shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place James P "Jim" Starlin (born October 9 1949) is an American Comic book writer and artist who has worked for Marvel Comics Particularly, the character Darkseid has been a major force in the DC Universe, and is one of the main villains in the various Superman titles. Darkseid is a Fictional character that appears in Comic books published by DC Comics. Superman is a fictional Comic book Superhero widely considered to be one of the most recognized of such characters and an American Cultural icon
Tales of the New Gods
Tales of the New Gods was a backup feature that began in John Byrne's Jack Kirby's Fourth World, and continued in Walt Simonson's Orion series for DC Comics. Orion is a Fictional character that appears in Comic books published by DC Comics. DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company In the features for Jack Kirby's Fourth World, John Byrne almost exclusively provided the pencils and text for the stories. In the features for the Orion title, Simonson would often write the story, and fellow artists would, appropriately, provide the artwork, although on rare occasions, other writers would provide the script/story. [5] Two backup stories, though not under the Tales of the New Gods banner, were printed when John Byrne filled in as penciller on Orion for the main stories in issues 13 and 14, with Simonson providing writing and pencilling duties, with Bob Wiacek inking. John Lindley Byrne (born July 6 1950) is a British -born Canadian - American author and artist of Comic books Since the [6]
DC Comics recently announced that they will be releasing a Tales of the New Gods trade paperback in January 2008, which will collect all the back-up stories listed here, as well as a Mark Evanier/Steve Rude Mr. Mark Stephen Evanier (born March 2 1952) is an American Comic book and Television Writer, particularly known for his Steve Rude (born December 31, 1956) is an American Comic book artist Miracle one-shot comic from 1987, as well as an unpublished story, meant to be printed in the pages of Orion, by Mark Millar and Steve Ditko. Mark Millar (born December 24 1969 is an award-winning Scottish Graphic novelist born in Coatbridge. Steve Ditko (born 2 November 1927) is an American Comic book Artist and Writer best known as the co-creator of the
In other media
In the mid-1980s, Darkseid, Kalibak, Desaad, and the planet Apokolips were featured in the final two incarnations of the Super Friends animated series, entitled Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show and The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians. Darkseid is a Fictional character that appears in Comic books published by DC Comics. Kalibak is a Fictional character, a Deity and Supervillain published by DC Comics. In DC Comics ' Comic books, Desaad is one of the followers of Darkseid from the planet of Apokolips in Jack Kirby's Fourth World Super Friends is an American Animated television series about a team of Superheroes which ran from 1973 to 1986 on ABC as part Super Friends The Legendary Super Powers Show is an American Animated television series about a team of Superheroes which ran from The Super Powers Team Galactic Guardians is an American animated television series about a team of Superheroes which ran from 1985 New Genesis and its residents did not appear, and were not mentioned.
Various New Gods characters have appeared in the modern DC animated universe, with Kalibak, Darksied, and the Fourth World characters making their initial appearance in Superman: The Animated Series. Superman The Animated Series is the unofficial title of a Warner Bros They would appear in several episodes of that series, as well as Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. Justice League is an American Animated television series about a team of Superheroes which ran from 2001 to 2004 on Cartoon Network Justice League Unlimited (or JLU) is the name of an American animated television series that was produced by and aired on
List of special contributors
| Title | Artist | Writer | Issue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Kirby's Fourth World | Walt Simonson | Walt Simonson | 9 |
| Jack Kirby's Fourth World | Walt Simonson | Walt Simonson | 10 |
| Jack Kirby's Fourth World | Walt Simonson | Walt Simonson | 11 |
| Jack Kirby's Fourth World | Walt Simonson | Walt Simonson | 13 |
| Orion | Frank Miller | 3 | |
| Orion | Dave Gibbons | 4 | |
| Orion | Erik Larsen | Eric Stephenson | 6 |
| Orion | Howard Chaykin | 7 | |
| Orion | Rob Liefeld | 8 | |
| Orion | Art Adams | 11 | |
| Orion | Jim Lee | 12 | |
| Orion | John Paul Leon | Kevin McCarthy | 15 |
| Orion | Al Milgrom | 18 | |
| Orion | Eddie Campbell | 19 |
Awards
This series, with Forever People, Mister Miracle, and Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen won Jack Kirby a Shazam Award for Special Achievement by an Individual in 1973. Don Newton (born November 12, 1934 in St Charles Virginia and died August 19, 1984 in Phoenix Arizona) was an Walter "Walt" Simonson (born September 2 1946) is an American Comic book writer and artist Walter "Walt" Simonson (born September 2 1946) is an American Comic book writer and artist Walter "Walt" Simonson (born September 2 1946) is an American Comic book writer and artist Walter "Walt" Simonson (born September 2 1946) is an American Comic book writer and artist Walter "Walt" Simonson (born September 2 1946) is an American Comic book writer and artist Walter "Walt" Simonson (born September 2 1946) is an American Comic book writer and artist Walter "Walt" Simonson (born September 2 1946) is an American Comic book writer and artist Walter "Walt" Simonson (born September 2 1946) is an American Comic book writer and artist Frank Miller (born January 27, 1957) is an American Writer, Artist and Film director best known for his dark Dave Gibbons (born April 14, 1949) is a British Comic book Artist, writer and sometime letterer Erik J Larsen (born December 8, 1962) is an American Comic book writer artist and publisher Howard Victor Chaykin (born October 7, 1950 in Newark, New Jersey) is an American comic book writer and artist famous for his Rob Liefeld, (born October 3 1967) is an American Comic book writer illustrator and publisher Arthur "Art" Adams, (b 1963 is an American Writer and Comic book Illustrator. Jim Lee (born August 11, 1964) is a Korean-American Comic book Artist, Creator and Publisher. John Paul Leon (born April 26, 1972 in New York City) is an American comic book artist best known for his critically-acclaimed work that envisioned Kevin McCarthy may refer to Kevin McCarthy (radio, Texan radio personality Kevin McCarthy (politician (born 1965 United States Congressman Allen "Al" Milgrom is an American Comic book Writer, Penciller, Inker and editor, primarily for Marvel Comics Eddie Campbell (born 10 August 1955) is a Scottish Comics artist and Cartoonist who now lives in Australia. The Forever People are a Fictional group of Extraterrestial Superheroes published by DC Comics. Mister Miracle ( Scott Free) is fictional Superhero published by DC Comics. Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen is an American comic book series published by DC Comics from October 1954 until March 1974 spanning a total of 163 issues Jack Kirby (born Jacob Kurtzberg, August 28, 1917 &ndash February 6, 1994) was an American Comic book
See also
Other notable Fourth World characters and concepts:
References
- ^ The Unofficial Old Gods Biography
- ^ Longtime Kirby assistant Mark Evanier's comments about the Hunger Dogs. Last Accessed March 12, 2007
- ^ Article about the Fourth World Omnibus, with mention of Kirby's Hunger Dogs. Last Accessed March 12, 2007.
- ^ Simonson interview by Westfield Comics, explaining the title of "Orion" for his series
- ^ Comics VF: Walt Simonson Bibliographie comics partielle. The Anti-Life Equation is the fictional equation that the DC Comics villain Darkseid is searching for in the Jack Kirby's Fourth World setting A boom tube is a slang expression for an extra dimensional point-to-point travel portal opened by a Mother box used primarily by residents of New Genesis and Mother boxes are fictional devices in Jack Kirby's Fourth World setting in the DC Universe. The Source was a metaphysical concept created by writer/artist Jack Kirby for his Fourth World series of comic books The Source Wall is a fictional structure in the DC Comics universe The Super-Cycle is a fictional device from DC Comics, created by Jack Kirby for his Fourth World series The Forever People. Accessed Feb 09, 2007.
- ^ Orion Credits. Last accessed Feb 09, 2007
External links
- Index to the Earth-1 Fourth World stories
- The New Gods Library - An Unofficial Fansite
- DCU Guide: Old Gods
- Comic Book Awards Almanac
- The New Gods Message Board at Comicboards.com
- Newsarama interview with Dwayne McDuffie on New Gods appearance in Firestorm
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