{"id":36631,"date":"2021-03-17T19:16:02","date_gmt":"2021-03-18T02:16:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theculturednerd.org\/?p=36631"},"modified":"2022-06-08T08:08:28","modified_gmt":"2022-06-08T15:08:28","slug":"anniversary-honoring-jack-kirby-and-50-years-of-the-new-gods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theculturednerd.org\/?p=36631","title":{"rendered":"[Anniversary] Honoring Jack Kirby and 50 years of the New Gods"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Throughout the history of the comic book industry there have been an overwhelming amount of characters that have risen and fallen in comics\u2014beings of unbelievable power that become entirely different people and have even been swapped out in favor of new, fresh faces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alongside these new-age titans of the 20th and 21st century are the people who brought them into the world\u2014individuals that have left a mark on history for their achievements as writers, artists, colorists, inkers, letterers, editors and publishers. Yet no one has come close to the impact that Jack Kirby<\/strong> left upon comics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Heralded as the \u2018King\u2019 of comic books, Jack spun new worlds into being with imagination and art. From the depths of his mind and collaborations with the likes of Joe Simon<\/strong>, Stan Lee<\/strong> and other talent came heroes and teams whose names echo down through the ages\u2014Captain America, Iron Man, the X-Men, Thor and the Avengers just to name a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet so many outside the fandoms are quick to forget that Jack did not just play in the sandbox that is Marvel Comics<\/strong>. He also dared to walk the line and bat for the other side as well. In 1970 Jack Kirby left Marvel to work at rival company DC Comics<\/strong>. From 1971 to 1975 characters who still hold prominence in the halls of DC history were created by this one-man wonder: OMAC, Kamandi the Last Boy, Etrigan the Demon and the villainous Kobra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most prominent of his creations during his time at DC is a group of individuals whose names and likenesses are still beloved by fans of his work to this day, beings of unbelievable cosmic power who have remained firm foundation stones in the mythology of DC Comics and will no doubt continue to be so for generations to come. I am speaking of course of the New Gods<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Page from New Gods #1 (1971). Art by Jack Kirby<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

50 years ago Jack crafted a world not unlike that of mighty Asgard and Thor, a place of epic stories, great battles, love, loss, the sorts of tales that would not be out of place in the mythologies of the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From Who’s Who vol. 1 #16 (1986); art by Jack Kirby and Greg Theakston.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On one side of the table, there are the Gods of New Genesis. Highfather, Orion, Lightray, Mister Miracle, Big Barda, Infinity Man and countless others all possessed great powers and abilities, dedicated to the preservation of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Gods of Apokolips. Granny Goodness, DeSaad, Glorious Godfrey, Kalibak, Mantis were creatures with warped minds and bodies who served a being of great evil and exist only to spread his vile message of control and subjugation throughout the cosmos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is one of the most absolute vile villains ever created throughout DC Comics. The absolute antithesis of all darkness throughout the DC Multiverse. He is Darkseid<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jack took inspiration for Darkseid\u2019s look from actor Jack Palance<\/strong>, while the personality of the Master of Apokolips was a fusion of Adolf Hitler<\/strong> and Richard Nixon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(Left) Darkseid illustrated by Jack Kirby. (Right) Darkseid portrayed by Ray Porter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As time has passed Darkseid\u2019s look has remained more or less unchanged. However a variety of artists and creative personalities have tweaked the form of the fiend to give him an even more imposing stature. Zack Snyder\u2019s Justice League<\/em> gives the villain more of an armored appearance, while still retaining the classic headpiece and ever sullen visage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n