World Famous Comics: Jack Kirby's The Forever People
Jack Kirby's The Forever People
By: Jack Kirby Publisher: DC Comics Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: DC Comics Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 288 Publication Date: October 01, 1999 Release Date: October 01, 1999
A Represantation Of Its Era If you need a crash course as to who Jack Kirby is and his contributions to the comic book medium, it is too long to list. Suffice to say that after revolutionizing this art form with Marvel Comics, Kirby signed on with DC to write, pencil and edit three interlocking titles which became known as "The Fourth World". Tales of God like beings who weilded both the forces of darkness and light in the perpetual battle of Good versus Evil. The characters of Mark Moonrider, Big Bear, Vykin The Black, Serifan and Beautiful Dreamer are cast members based on a youth generation which concerned Kirby in 1970.
We also get more proof that Kirby's imagination knew no limits. In an attempt to bring some novelty to Deadman whose series bit the dust, DC managed to get the character a guest-star appearance in the series. Perhaps the idea of a spirit inhabiting a robot body was not a saleable one at the time but it did have the merit of being an interesting concept if it would have been fully and properly explored. Unfortunately, any references to this moment in the character's history has been totally ignored since then in DC continuity.
In the introduction piece, Mark Evanier states that Jack Kirby's renditions of Superman in the first issue were redrawn by Al Plastino. This is quite evident and it is a decision that will always be rightfully questioned. Why tamper with an artist's drawing? If DC was so concerned about Superman resembling the established "Swanderson" version, why allow Kirby to use the character in the first place? Then again, this is one of the many injustices that Mr. Kirby endured throughout his career and lifetime.
Kirby was a master story teller but his dialogue and narration left much to be desired. This is quite evident with the mock hippie dialogue and narration throughout the book. However, Kirby was able to convey solid characterization as well as present some of the wildest ideas ever to be published in comic book form. I concur wholeheartedly that even before the "widescreen" presentation became the next wave of artistic rendition, Kirby managed to convey the sensibilities of a blockbuster sci-fi action film with his innovative angles and cinematic vision. Kirby broke the barriers and elevated the standards as to visual interpretations of a comic book story. Perhaps some of you may pass over this landmark edition because it is reprinted in black, white and greytone but you will do so with regret. Kirby's art is still as striking and dynamic as in its original colored version. That is how powerful and bold this creative genius' work still remains to this day.
Like any artistic endeavour created in any given era, Jack Kirby's Forever People is a representation of its time. To compare the dialogue, stories and production to today's standards is to demonstrate one's ignorance about the medium. There is a timeless quality to this intricate saga that deserves to be enjoyed and savoured by all self-proclaimed comic book fans.
Don't let the Black and White fool you!!!! It's a shame this stuff came out in Black and White when it deserved color. Do you hear me DC????? Color!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This collection is worth it anyway. When Kirby wrote and drew this series his teen years were decades past and yet he managed to convey what youth wanted at that time wanted which was to make sense of things and to be counted for something. The usual Kirby Kosmic Space Opera unfolds and seldom is topped today.
A Galactic Trip worth taking!!!!
Its Kirby. What else is there to say? Quite a lot actually. This is probably the least well known of Kirby's Fourth World. Still very good stuff. I liked the whole Fourth World saga except for the first half of Mister Miracle. Good story, good art. Its a wonder he managed to write and draw so much so fast without a noticable dip in quality. The stories are very plot-driven, not as much character development as some of his other work, but what plots! And of course, many new Kirby characters are introduced. A must have for any Kirby fan!
One fourth of Kirby's Fourth World ... I am waiting for Mark Evanier and the folk's at DC to realize Jack Kirby's Fourth World isn't complete without the DNA Project, Intergang, Dabney Donovan, the Evil Factory and ... well, the list goes on. Give us Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen! Granted, the 1st half of Kirby's run on the title wasn't the flagship for Kirby's Fourth World. The series really took off with the second half during the '25-cent, Bigger&Better' phase. So, come on DC, complete the reprinting of Kirby's Fourth World and introduce readers to some dynamite storytelling, Kirby style!
More Kirby mania from the DC archives What can you say about the Forever People? Weird, far out....and totally Kirby! The man has a thing for kiddie heroes, but the Forever People are probably his most successful, if not his coolest, foray into that realm. This collection definately ranks higher on the cosmic totem than the Mister Miracle collection (although Big Barda sure is easy on the eyes), and is oddly entertaining in its utterly cheesey Kirbyness. This is a fairly entertaining book, and if you like this one, boy, you are just gonna love the New Gods collection! But, if you're like me, and you dream in double-lit Kirbychrome, you'll find the Forever People sufficiently enjoyable.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
