The New Gods are a fictional race published by DC Comics, as well as the title for four series of comics about those characters. They first appeared in The New Gods #1 (February 1971), and were created by Jack Kirby. DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company. ... In comic books, first appearance refers to first comic book to feature a character. ... Jack Kirby (August 28, 1917 – February 6, 1994) was one of the most influential, recognizable, and prolific artists in American comic books, and the co-creator of such enduring characters and popular culture icons as the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Hulk, Captain America, and hundreds of others stretching... In comic books, New Genesis was the home-planet of the New Gods from Jack Kirbys Fourth World metaseries. ... In the DC Comics fictional shared Universe, Apokolips was the planet ruled by Darkseid, established in Jack Kirbys Fourth World series. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company. ... Jack Kirby (August 28, 1917 – February 6, 1994) was one of the most influential, recognizable, and prolific artists in American comic books, and the co-creator of such enduring characters and popular culture icons as the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Hulk, Captain America, and hundreds of others stretching...

History

The New Gods are natives of the twin planets of New Genesis and Apokolips. New Genesis is a utopian 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. 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 New Gods first appeared in New Gods #1 and Mister Miracle #1 (both titles were published concurrently). The other two "Fourth World" titles were Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen and The Forever People. Various New Gods, notably Darkseid, went on to interact with other denizens of the DC Universe. In comic books, New Genesis was the home-planet of the New Gods from Jack Kirbys Fourth World metaseries. ... In the DC Comics fictional shared Universe, Apokolips was the planet ruled by Darkseid, established in Jack Kirbys Fourth World series. ... Left panel (The Earthly Paradise, Garden of Eden), from Hieronymus Boschs The Garden of Earthly Delights. ... Highfather is a comic book character. ... This article is about the philosophical concept and literary form. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... The New Gods #1 (February-March 1971) featuring Orion. ... Mister Miracle is a DC Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby, originally as part of The Fourth World series of titles. ... The cover of Supermans Pal Jimmy Olsen #1 Supermans Pal, Jimmy Olsen is the title of a comic book series published by DC Comics was published from October of 1954 until March of 1974, spanning a total of 163 issues featuring the adventures of Superman with a special... The Forever People is a comic book property created by Jack Kirby as part of the Fourth World set of DC Comics titles. ... Cover to the History of the DC Universe trade paperback. ...

The opening sequence of New Gods #7 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. It has been suggested that Ultimate Thor be merged into this article or section. ...

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 line published by Marvel Publishing, Inc. ... The Eternals are a fictional race of superhumans in the Marvel Comics universe. ...

Powers and abilities

The beings of New Genesis call themselves Gods and live outside of normal time and space in a realm called the Fourth World. 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 denizens of New Genesis are immortal, stronger, faster, and smarter than homo sapiens, despite their resemblance to the same. Fourth World may mean: Fourth World, a term most commonly used to collectively describe notably marginalised or oppressed groups, in particular indigenous peoples, living in Third or First World countries. ... Within the DC Comics Universe, the Source is the non-religion-oriented equivalent to God/Goddess/Jehovah (etc. ... In comic books, New Genesis was the home-planet of the New Gods from Jack Kirbys Fourth World metaseries. ...

The New Gods are vulnerable to a substance called Radion. 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.

Peter David introduced the idea that the New Gods were, in fact, giants and that the Boom Tube would shrink them or enlarge heroes (such as Superman) who travelled to their home worlds. For example, if Superman were to travel to Apokolips under his own power, he would be miniature in comparison to the New Gods. This has apparently become canon in the 52 mini-series, demonstrated by the great size of the New God Devilance the Pursuer. Superman is a fictional character and comic book superhero , originally created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian artist Joe Shuster and published by DC Comics. ...

Inhabitants

Main article: List of New Gods

This list covers the New Gods of New Genesis and Apokalips, as well as related sundry. ...

Publication history

DC Comics has published four volumes of comic books under the banner "New Gods".

New Gods, vol.1 #7, artist Jack Kirby features "The Pact".

Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Jack Kirby (August 28, 1917 – February 6, 1994) was one of the most influential, recognizable, and prolific artists in American comic books, and the co-creator of such enduring characters and popular culture icons as the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Hulk, Captain America, and hundreds of others stretching...

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. 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 was the Forever People and Mister Miracle series', also written and drawn by Kirby. All three series saw reprint in black and white form by DC Comics in 1998. In 2007, Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus will begin reprinting the series, along with Kirby's other Fourth World stories, in color and in published chronological order. The first volume was released on June 13, 2007, with the second set to be released on September 5, 2007 Orion is a fictional deity published by DC Comics. ... Highfather is a comic book character. ... Metron is a character created by Jack Kirby for his Fourth World series in DC Comics. ... The Forever People is a comic book property created by Jack Kirby as part of the Fourth World set of DC Comics titles. ... Mister Miracle is a DC Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby, originally as part of The Fourth World series of titles. ... is the 164th day of the year (165th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

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. ...

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 Hunger Dogs graphic novel, the last issue of the six appended a new Kirby-created seventy-two page conclusion to the original 11 issue series that would lead into the Hunger Dogs. Trade paperback of Will Eisners A Contract with God (1978), often mistakenly cited as the first graphic novel. ...

The Hunger Dogs

Published as DC Graphic Novel #4, Kirby sought to use "The Hunger Dogs" as a bookend to his Fourth World saga. Kirby was reportedly unhappy with the finished product and redid the story, though the revised pages remain unpublished. ^[2][3]

Volume Three (1989)

Written by longtime Kirby understudy Mark Evanier, this would be the most lengthy New Gods run yet. Coming in at 28 issues, this volume was published from February 1989 to August 1991. This series is sometimes considered volume three, as volume two was essentially a reprinting of volume one. Mark Evanier (born March 2, 1952 in Santa Monica, California) is an American writer. ...

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. 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. 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. Simonson wished to simply title his series "New Gods", but DC had felt the name had been used too recently ^[4] Rachel Pollack (born 1945) is an American science fiction author, comic book writer, and Tarot expert. ... John Lindley Byrne (born July 6, 1950) is a British-born naturalised American author and artist of comic books. ... The New Gods #1 (February-March 1971) featuring Orion. ... Star Slammers graphic novel (1983) Walter or, usually, Walt Simonson (born September 2, 1946) is a comic book writer and artist. ... Orion is a fictional deity published by DC Comics. ...

Death of the New Gods

It has been announced by Jim Starlin that he would be writing a 8-issue story called Death of the New Gods. He has confirmed in an interview that it would be the end of the New Gods, stating " I sort of think of this project as putting an ending to Jack's New Gods' saga. Since Kirby's initial run on the characters others have presented them with mixed results. Looking back I'd say at least half of the past New Gods series have done more harm than good. So for me, Death of the New Gods is half honoring Jack Kirby, half mercy killing."[1] But Grant Morrison has said that the New Gods would play a role in Final Crisis. Jim Starlin, 2006 James P. Jim Starlin (b. ... Grant Morrison (born January 31, 1960) is a Scottish comic book writer and artist. ...

Starlin recently stated, "They started building [the weekly series] Countdown around [Death of the New Gods] because it was way ahead of everybody else. They started catching up with me, and I'm having to change my ending to adjust to what they're doing in Countdown. Up until now, I've been telling everybody I'm killing them all. One survives. And he was going to have a good death. I had to keep him around until the end." [2]

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. Mister Miracle has had numerous other iterations of his own comic, and Orion was given his own title in 2000 that ended in 2002. 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. 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. 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. Mister Miracle is a DC Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby, originally as part of The Fourth World series of titles. ... Orion is a fictional deity published by DC Comics. ... 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. ... Cover to the History of the DC Universe trade paperback. ... Jim Starlin, 2006 James P. Jim Starlin (b. ... Cosmic Odyssey was first published in 1988 by DC. It was a 4 part limited series written by Jim Starlin and penciled by Mike Mignola. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Superman is a fictional character and comic book superhero , originally created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian artist Joe Shuster and published by DC Comics. ...

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. 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. ^[6] Orion is a fictional deity published by DC Comics. ... DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company. ... John Lindley Byrne (born July 6, 1950) is a British-born naturalised American author and artist of comic books. ...

List of Special Contributors

The Old Gods from New Gods #12, artist Don Newton

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 585 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (781 × 800 pixel, file size: 323 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Copyright DC Comics, artist Don Newton, New Gods #12 This image is from a comic strip, webcomic or from the cover or interior of a comic... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 585 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (781 × 800 pixel, file size: 323 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Copyright DC Comics, artist Don Newton, New Gods #12 This image is from a comic strip, webcomic or from the cover or interior of a comic... Don Newton (born November 12, 1934 in St. ... Star Slammers graphic novel (1983) Walter or, usually, Walt Simonson (born September 2, 1946) is a comic book writer and artist. ... Star Slammers graphic novel (1983) Walter or, usually, Walt Simonson (born September 2, 1946) is a comic book writer and artist. ... Star Slammers graphic novel (1983) Walter or, usually, Walt Simonson (born September 2, 1946) is a comic book writer and artist. ... Star Slammers graphic novel (1983) Walter or, usually, Walt Simonson (born September 2, 1946) is a comic book writer and artist. ... Star Slammers graphic novel (1983) Walter or, usually, Walt Simonson (born September 2, 1946) is a comic book writer and artist. ... Star Slammers graphic novel (1983) Walter or, usually, Walt Simonson (born September 2, 1946) is a comic book writer and artist. ... Star Slammers graphic novel (1983) Walter or, usually, Walt Simonson (born September 2, 1946) is a comic book writer and artist. ... Star Slammers graphic novel (1983) Walter or, usually, Walt Simonson (born September 2, 1946) is a comic book writer and artist. ... Frank Miller (born January 27, 1957) is an American writer, artist and film director best known for his film noir-style comic book stories. ... Dave Gibbons (born April 14, 1949) is a British writer and artist of comics. ... Cover to The Savage Dragon (original miniseries) #1. ... Howard Victor Chaykin (born 1950 in Newark, New Jersey) is an American comic book writer and artist famous for his innovative storytelling and sometimes controversial material. ... Rob Liefeld (born October 3, 1967 in Anaheim, California) is an American comic book writer, illustrator, and publisher. ... Arthur (Art) Adams is a comic book creator, best known for the series Monkeyman and OBrien published by Dark Horse. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... John Paul Leon is an American comic book artist most well known for illustrating the Alex Ross and Jim Krueger Earth X, and The Further Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix with writer Peter Milligan. ... Kevin McCarthy has been a radio-tv personality in north Texas since Gordon McLendon brought him to Dallas as part of the original staff of KNUS/99 in 1972. ... Cover to West Coast Avengers #1, Art by Milgrom Allen Al Milgrom is an American comic book writer, penciller, inker and editor. ... Alec: The King Canute Crowd by Eddie Campbell Eddie Campbell (born August 10, 1955) is a Scottish-born comics artist and cartoonist who now lives in Australia. ...

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. The Forever People is a comic book property created by Jack Kirby as part of the Fourth World set of DC Comics titles. ... Mister Miracle is a DC Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby, originally as part of The Fourth World series of titles. ... The cover of Supermans Pal Jimmy Olsen #1 Supermans Pal, Jimmy Olsen is the title of a comic book series published by DC Comics was published from October of 1954 until March of 1974, spanning a total of 163 issues featuring the adventures of Superman with a special... Jack Kirby (August 28, 1917 – February 6, 1994) was one of the most influential, recognizable, and prolific artists in American comic books, and the co-creator of such enduring characters and popular culture icons as the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Hulk, Captain America, and hundreds of others stretching...

See also

Other notable Fourth World characters and concepts:

• Anti-Life Equation
• Boom Tube
• Mother Boxes
• The Source
• Source Wall
• Super-Cycle

The Anti-Life Equation is the equation that the DC Comics villain Darkseid is lusting for in the Jack Kirbys Fourth World setting. ... Boomtube is an extra dimensional portal used by residents of New Genesis and Apokolips in DC Comics. ... Mother Boxes are fictional devices in Jack Kirbys Fourth World setting in the DC Universe. ... Within the DC Comics Universe, the Source is the non-religion-oriented equivalent to God/Goddess/Jehovah (etc. ... 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. ...

References

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