World Famous Comics: Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus, Vol. 1
Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus, Vol. 1
By: Jack Kirby Publisher: DC Comics Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Label: DC Comics Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 396 Publication Date: May 30, 2007 Release Date: May 02, 2007
Product Description: After co-creating comic book heroes including The Fantastic Four and The Hulk, legendary writer/artist Jack Kirby came to DC Comics in 1970 to write and illustrate four interlocking series known collectively as "The Fourth World."
Now, for the first time, DC collects these four series -- THE NEW GODS, THE FOREVER PEOPLE, MISTER MIRACLE and SUPERMAN'S PAL JIMMY OLSEN -- in chronological order as they originally appeared. These comics spanned galaxies, from the streets of Metropolis to the far-flung worlds of New Genesis and Apokolips, as cosmic-powered heroes and villains struggled for supremacy.
Volume 1 features the debuts of Orion of the New Gods, the evil Darkseid, super-escape artist Mister Miracle and many others. It also features numerous appearances by Superman.
You will know PAIN!! If you like to be hit on the side of a head with a battering ram, then this is for you. Subtlety was not in Kirby's vocabulary.
Beautiful presentation for Kirby's masterpiece I think at this point it's pretty obvious that Kirby's Fourth World stories are some of the greatest comics ever published. I just wanted to write a review to respond to all the complaints about the paper quality. I recently purchased Marvel's reprint of Kirby's Eternals, and it is printed on the same glossy paper that modern graphic novels are published on. The coloring looks awful. DC's decision to reprint these Fourth World on the newsprint paper is not in an effort to rip-off customers or disrespect the work of Jack Kirby (in fact, in March they're reprinting Kirby's 70s run on the Losers, which means almost all of Kirby's 70s DC work will be available in high-end omnibuses) but is meant to really highlight the work by using paper that allows the coloring of the original books to really stand out. It is an excellent presentation and all four volumes look beautiful. I can't recommend these highly enough. Do not listen to those who complain about the paper quality; these books are beautiful.
The First Appearance of Many Great Characters!!!!!!!!!!!! Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus is another Kirby hit! Superman, Jimmy Olsen, Orion, Lightray, Mister Miracle, and Darkseid is just a fraction of the number of heroes and villians in this book.
After reading the reviews for this omnibus, I was worried that the paper quality wasn't going to be good. The first time I opened it I was relieved that the paper is thick, just not glossy. The paper will not yellow.
This comic is well balanced with action, conversation, new concepts, new designs, that only kirby could create.
I highly recommnd this to anyone. The comic has no flaw.
Volume one: Off to a rough, but interesting start
Kirby's move to DC after his incredible run at Marvel was one that had long range effects on DC comics. He introduced Darkseid and The New Gods, characters that DC has been going back to you for over three decades. This first volume introduces the characters of Kirby's "Fourth World," his concept of an epic battle between good and evil, where Earth is caught in the middle. It's uneven in quality and the ideas are not fully developed in the beginning but this is where some of comics most outlandish and fascinating stories began. One thing you'll find won't improve is Kirby's dialogue, which is often ungainly and at times painful, but the concepts and art move it all forward. And it all started with..."Jimmy Olson?" Jimmy Olsen-Yes Kirby wanted to start where his grand plans would not be weighed down by expectations. But Olsen didn't work out. DC in their fear of change redrew Superman's face, a noticeable and odd action that actually distracted from the art. The art also suffered from the inking of Vince Colletta, an inker known for his speed, not his talent. The story kicks right into gear re-introducing The Newsboy Legion and The Guardian in the midst of stories about cloning run wild. I wish I could say it works, but this was a bad fit from the beginning. A Don Rickles storyline? Ouch! The Forever People- This group of "super kids," as Superman refers to them, is visually interesting, but lacks the template that Kirby puts in place for The New Gods or Mister Miracle. The characters remain ciphers and with the exception of Big Bear, the well-spoken strong man no one stands out in these early stories. The deus ex machina of Infinity Man, who arrives when The Forever People switch places with him, makes the stories predictable form early on. Mister Miracle- Kirby's master escape artist plays to Kirby's strengths. Kirby's incredible mechanical designs with their futuristic, almost organic feel, coupled with the constant action makes these comics come alive in ways that Jimmy Olsen and the Forever People do not. Creating a very likeable lead with Scott Free, Mr. Miracle has all the elements that will make it the most successful of Kirby's series. The New Gods- This is the book where Kirby's ideas really come to fruition. The setting of New Genesis with its pastoral beauty against the techno-horror of Apokolips is a wonder, but the characters are the true essence of the story. The brutal warrior, Orion becomes New Genesis' main champion against the menace of Darkseid and his minions. Kirby starts this book with immediate action moving the battleground from Apokolips to Earth and creating a sense of impending danger much more forcefully then he does in the other books. While not as successful here as he will be in later stories, Kirby sets the tone for his work in Volume I. If your reliving your youth have fun, and if you are new, hang on; the ride gets better.
Read Greatness Again!!! Jack Kirby was the King of Artists. I would look forward to his comics each month and lose myself in his genius story-telling. His work was always a visual feast of the fantastic. This first volume (of 4) of Kirby's Fourth World for DC Comics is a treasure to read again. I love it so much that I've purchased all four volumes for summer reading enjoyment.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
