KING-SIZED KING: GEORG BREWER ON THE FOURTH WORLD OMNIBUSES

[MattBrady]

by Michael Lorah

NEW YORK—1970—The King has abdicated his throne. Jack Kirby has left Marvel Comics, the land he helped to shape for the past decade, and he’s planted his golden seat in the ideaspace of crosstown rival DC Comics.

To complete this coup and bring the King into the fold, DC will allow Kirby to unleash his vision as never before. Kirby will be taking over one existing DC title, Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen, where he will essentially have carte blanche to reinvent the cub reporter as he sees fit. Furthermore, Kirby will create, edit, write and pencil three completely new titles which will interconnect, telling of a timeless war between the gods of darkness and those of light. His three new titles are New Gods, chronicling the saga of Orion, a warrior-god whose dark heritage is at odds with his idyllic upbringing; Mister Miracle, the super escape-artist, caught up in the inescapable web of fate; and Forever People, a group of youngsters whose optimism and innocence may tip the balance of the war forever. Unlikely as it may sound, even Jimmy Olsen himself will be a part of this “Fourth World” epic, offering us human (and Superhuman) insight into the out-of-this-world conflicts and characters that Kirby will be unleashing.

Over three and a half decades later, Kirby’s Fourth World remains something unique in the annals of comics. Epic in scope, improbably explosive in art and script, the Fourth World redefined how imaginative, complex and unreal comics can be. There’s never been anything else quite like them, and now, DC Comics is planning to remind readers how unique Kirby’s most ambitious project truly was.

Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Omnibus vol. 1 will be released in May, marking the first salvo in DC’s plan to reprint the entire Fourth World saga in order of publication. Readers today will be able to read the stories in the order that readers in the early 70s were able to read them. Vol. 1 collects stories from Jimmy Olsen #133-139 and the first three issues each of [b]Forever People/b], Mister Miracle and New Gods.

Here to tell us a little bit more about the Omnibus project is Georg Brewer, VP-Design and DC Direct Creative.

Newsarama: This is the first time that the Fourth World comics (except the Jimmy Olsen stories) have been reprinted in color. However, only ten years ago, you published grayscale reprints of these comics. Why the decision to publish a high-end, color collection now? What changed at DC since 1997?

Georg Brewer: Actually, a great deal has changed within both DC Comics and the industry as a whole. The graphic novel collection as a format has seen tremendous growth and acceptance both at the comics and specialty shops as well as in the major bookstore chains. The increased support and interest in our particular kind of story telling in book form has opened doors for us to explore collections of contemporary and classic story lines and creators. A four-volume, hardcover, color collection of the classic Kirby stories is more viable today than at any time before.

NRAMA: We’ve heard hints from Dan DiDio and others at DC that there are big plans afoot for these characters in 2007. Did those plans influence everybody to get the original material in print in a more definitive edition?

GB: Absolutely! There are many fans of this material within the halls, but knowing what Dan has up his sleeve for these characters in the DCU of today makes this the perfect time to bring together these collections. We see this material providing background and texture to the stories he plans to play through.

NRAMA: Collecting the stories chronologically is an unusual move. Has the success of Seven Soldiers helped pave the way for this type of Omnibus? Or does the material simply demand a unique treatment?

GB: The structure and organization of these collections was widely debated. In the end, we felt it would serve the story best to replicate the reading experience of the original comics by presenting them as Jack did originally. Taken in this way, you get a real sense of the progression and evolution of both his story and the characters themselves.

NRAMA: Assuming expected sales, what is the planned frequency for releasing future Fourth World Omnibuses?

GB: Right now, the plan is to roll out each subsequent volume every three months.

NRAMA: In the mid-1980s, ten years after the Fourth World books were originally cancelled, Jack authored a graphic novel The Hunger Dogs, which was to be his finale to the entire New Gods saga. Despite its not living up to the expectation of fans (or Kirby himself, reportedly), will The Hunger Dogs be included in the final volume?

GB: Yes, it will. We are also looking at the possibility of working with the original comics trim version of the story, in place of the edited larger version that saw print.

NRAMA: Despite many failed series starring these characters, Darkseid, Orion and the rest remain very popular with creators and fans. Do you have any perspective on that appeal?

GB: Each series has its own life cycle, titles come and go, but classic characters rise up to hit a cord with readers and creators to become the foundation of future ideas and stories. In re-reading this collection again, they hold up really well, and in many ways Jack was working well ahead of his time.

[James Seals]

So preordering this!

Those black and whites just aren't cutting it. Best move DC's made.

-James

[The 'Nam]

I almost pre-ordered this, but there really wasn't enough information in the solicits to warrant it. Is it oversized, etc.?

[jedifish]

Looking forward to this. I think the first one comes out in May, not March, and the 2nd one in August.

[vbartilucci]

Fourth World was truly an epic. A one-man show, never matched in scope and concept.

Thirty-odd years later these characters and concepts have never left the DC radar. From the re-emergence of Cadmus and the Guardian in the Superman reboot, to the Bwah-Hah-Hah Mr. Miracle book to the Great Darkness Saga in Legion. Darkdeid and the New Gods are possibly the last great and classic comic creation since. I can't think of another new character that has had the lasting strength of these ones.

Later additions to the epic have been good, but have never matched the raw power and creativity of the oirginal.

Countless creators, including George Lucas have been inspired by these books.

Kirby said it himself...

"Don't ask...just BUY it!"

[I-Ching]

What's the price on these?

I'm VERY tempted to buy them since they're in color...I love that Marvel prints their Essential collections but the black and white is a turn off for me...but these are another story entirely.

I've read about how great Kirby's 4th World is and really only have experienced through John Byrne's usage in books like Wonder Woman (didn't do much for me) so a return to the original is highly tempting.

Way to go DC giving the fans something great...now if only we could get New Teen Titans: Games finished!!

[Steve Magnum]

Being a fan of the King, I often feel ashamed that I never got to read these tales. As such, Volume 1 was the first thing I ordered from Previews that month. I can't wait for these to come out!

[Spaz_Monkey]

I'm gonna get this, no doubt about it. Even with the Forever People (yikes! ), it's gonna be worth it!

[NapoleonSolo]

Originally Posted by James Seals

So preordering this!

Those black and whites just aren't cutting it. Best move DC's made.

-James

Oh, Lord, no. The Showcase's have been awesome so far.

[SpyGuy]

"Introduction by Grant Morrison"

Hmm...I know Morrison did the MISTER MIRACLE series for SEVEN SOLDIERS, but the decision to have him write the intro to Vol. 1 has me wondering if he's the writer for the big New Gods event.

[Kolimar]

Hmm, I'm not a fan of the "original reading experience duplication" thing. That said, it's still a good thing to see these comics reprinted.

[delawarejoel]

MUST OWN KIRBY BOOKS NOW....

I cant tell you how glad I am there are so many high-end Kirby books of late - Marvel's Visionary books were terrific - I will buy all of these....

[Kolimar]

Originally Posted by SpyGuy

"Introduction by Grant Morrison"

Hmm...I know Morrison did the MISTER MIRACLE series for SEVEN SOLDIERS, but the decision to have him write the intro to Vol. 1 has me wondering if he's the writer for the big New Gods event.

No need to wonder. Grant was the first or second guy (Didio being the other) to announce a big event starring the New Gods.

[rodolfo leon]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

by Michael Lorah

NRAMA: In the mid-1980s, ten years after the Fourth World books were originally cancelled, Jack authored a graphic novel The Hunger Dogs, which was to be his finale to the entire New Gods saga. Despite its not living up to the expectation of fans (or Kirby himself, reportedly), will The Hunger Dogs be included in the final volume?

GB: Yes, it will. We are also looking at the possibility of working with the original comics trim version of the story, in place of the edited larger version that saw print.

am i reading this right? they want to use the ORIGINAL COMICS TRIM VERSION instead of an EDITED LARGER VERSION?

i do not know of any "trim version" of this story, and i wonder in any case why would they want to go for the shorter version instead of the larger version? hmmm... i'm also guessing that they're gonna include "Even Gods Must Die"... the 48-page story that first appeared with the 1984 reprint of New Gods #11 that segued into Hunger Dogs.

no information either on the size, format, type of paper or price... nor if any recolouring was done, etc.

i would normally be VERY excited about this, but right now i have no idea if i should. a shame to waste so much time and resources on an interview that isn't really delivering the information serious buyers actually NEED in order to make up their minds on something.

(i am so nitpicky when it comes to my Kirby, yeah i know )

[BillReed]

I don't care if the "Hunger Dogs" segment of the fourth volume is feces smeared all over the pages, I am so ____ing buying these. Every three months! They're trying to kill me with greatness. And wallet starvation.

Kirby. Hardcovers. With a Grant Morrison intro. Fantastic.

[MikeD]

I'll definitely buy all 4 volumes if/when they come out as softcover editions.

[ScottRowland]

I've got the originals. I've got reading copies of the originals. I've got the 1984 Baxter series. I've got the grey-scale reprints.


I'm STILL going to pick these up!


(But I'll probably give away the grey-scale reprints after I do.)

[jedifish]

Man, you'd think people would just use the Search button. It's not that hard.

JACK KIRBY'S FOURTH WORLD OMNIBUS VOL. 1 HC

Written by Jack Kirby, art and cover by Kirby and Vince Colletta.

After co-creating a number of legendary comic book heroes -- including The Fantastic Four and The Hulk -- legendary writer/artist Jack Kirby came to DC Comics in 1970 to create his magnum opus: four interlocked adventure series that were known collectively as "The Fourth World."

Now, for the first time, DC collects Kirby's 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.

The Fourth World Vol. 1 features the debuts of Orion of the New Gods, the evil Darkseid, super-escape artist Mister Miracle and many others, and features numerous appearances by Superman, from the pages of Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #133-139, Forever People #1-3, New Gods #1-3 And Mister Miracle #1-3!

396 pages, $49.99, in stores on May 30.

JACK KIRBY'S FOURTH WORLD OMNIBUS VOL. 2 HC
Writer: Jack Kirby
Artists: Jack Kirby, Vince Colletta and Mike Royer
Collects NEW GODS #4-6, FOREVER PEOPLE #4-6, JIMMY OLSEN #141-145 and MISTER MIRACLE #4-6
$49.99 US, 396 pages

[Kurt Busiek]

Originally Posted by rodolfo leon

am i reading this right? they want to use the ORIGINAL COMICS TRIM VERSION instead of an EDITED LARGER VERSION?

i do not know of any "trim version" of this story, and i wonder in any case why would they want to go for the shorter version instead of the larger version?

"Trim," in this context, refers to page dimension, not story length. THE HUNGER DOGS, as I understand it, was not merely reworked to fit the "graphic novel" dimensions from Kirby's original art, done to normal comics dimensions, but it was also substantially edited from what Kirby turned in. I could be wrong, but that's always been the impression I had. Mark Evanier would know.

So it sounds like what they're talking about is going back to the version of THE HUNGER DOGS that Kirby wrote, drew and turned in, rather than the modified version that saw print.

Sounds good to me.

kdb

[Kolimar]

Originally Posted by Spaz_Monkey

I'm gonna get this, no doubt about it. Even with the Forever People (yikes! ), it's gonna be worth it!

What do you have against the Forever People?

[Titansmaster]

Will I buy these??? You bet!!!!!!

Just what I need is another deluxe reprint series when I am still working on finishing up the ALL STAR COMICS and SEVEN SOLDIERS archives runs.

But how can you pass this stuff up?? Classic, solid Kirby material.

I also have a question about the story that followed New Gods #11 in a reprint format several years ago... included or no????

Anyone have the definitive answer??

[rodolfo leon]

Originally Posted by jedifish

Man, you'd think people would just use the Search button. It's not that hard.

point taken, and i dutifully thank you for the info i just think this sort of information should always be included when doing a promotional piece for a product, at least that's what my teachers at the university drilled into my head. as easy as it was for you to search for it (and as it could've been for me ) it also could've been pretty simple for the writer or the editor of the piece to include it.

still, heartfelt thanks for that quick save there with the info

Originally Posted by Kurt Busiek

"Trim," in this context, refers to page dimension, not story length. THE HUNGER DOGS, as I understand it, was not merely reworked to fit the "graphic novel" dimensions from Kirby's original art, done to normal comics dimensions, but it was also substantially edited from what Kirby turned in. I could be wrong, but that's always been the impression I had. Mark Evanier would know.

So it sounds like what they're talking about is going back to the version of THE HUNGER DOGS that Kirby wrote, drew and turned in, rather than the modified version that saw print.

Sounds good to me.

kdb

WOW. see? now that could DEFINITELY used some clearing up on the article. i had NO IDEA whatsoever that Hunger Dogs had been originally fitted for a different format than the one that it was first published in.

i hope this gets some light shed upon eventually, since it getting it's first printing in the original format (if they eventually do take this route) is something of a big deal for me, and some other Kirby enthusiasts out there i know.

hopefully someone who has more specific knowledge about the subject will be reading this thread and will pitch in regarding this issue!

[drumore]

Originally Posted by rodolfo leon

do not know of any "trim version" of this story, and i wonder in any case why would they want to go for the shorter version instead of the larger version?

I believe the HUNGER DOGS graphic novel had wider page dimensions. If that version is used, it will have to be reduced somewhat to fit, whereas the original version is standard comic size. Yes this is being recolored and "Even Gods Must Die" is to be be included.

[Kolimar]

Originally Posted by jedifish

Man, you'd think people would just use the Search button. It's not that hard.

Or that thingie called Boogle... Noogle.. Toogle... something like that. I've been told it's pretty useful.

[vbartilucci]

Originally Posted by Kurt Busiek

"Trim," in this context, refers to page dimension, not story length. THE HUNGER DOGS, as I understand it, was not merely reworked to fit the "graphic novel" dimensions from Kirby's original art, done to normal comics dimensions, but it was also substantially edited from what Kirby turned in. I could be wrong, but that's always been the impression I had. Mark Evanier would know.

So it sounds like what they're talking about is going back to the version of THE HUNGER DOGS that Kirby wrote, drew and turned in, rather than the modified version that saw print.

Sounds good to me.

kdb

I *think* it was just a case of adding some filler art at the bottom of some pages to make it fit the size of the GN size page. If you look you can see a fine line where the art didn't match up. It was sort of the opposite of pan-and-scan in films; they ADDED to make it fit, not removed. They did something very similar in the Kurtzman and Elder "Goodman Beaver" collection from some years back.

I also coulda sworn it was Kirby that did the edited art. I could have the whole thing wrong, tho.

Maybe I'll drop Mark a note.

Personally, I thought the "finale" of the story that appeared in the Baxter reprints was superior to Hunger Dogs, which seemed more like an extra/side-story than a finale.

--------------

EDIT-- One google-thingy later...

Originally Posted by mark Evanier

Actually, the original plan was to also reprint The Hunger Dogs in this fourth collection. That was the graphic novel Jack did years later to ostensibly wrap up the Fourth World saga — probably an impossible task. (Imagine an author who plans a 100-chapter epic novel, gets stopped about a fourth of a way into it...and then is asked to come back, years later, and wrap it all up in one or two more chapters.) No one, Jack included, was too happy with how it came out so at DC's request, he redid it, expanding the thing and adding new pages. No one seems to feel the revised version was much better than the first and some of us feel it was inferior. What we were going to print in this new book was the first version, which has aged very well, I think. At least, I like it now a lot more than I did then. Unfortunately, various complications are preventing its inclusion...so now we all have to lobby DC to put out another volume, preferably in color. Spread the word.

-http://www.povonline.com/2001/News201.htm