I anticipated that the Fourth World series would be painful for me to review, and I was mostly right… with a few caveats.
I was pleasantly surprised to find at least one good New Gods issue; and my opinion of the Mister Miracle series, which was already the one I liked, even improved when comparing it to the rest… but just for the first half of the series.
I should point out that the Jimmy Olsen series is NOT eligible for the awards. While it’s the one that kicked off the Fourth World and it does interact with its characters, that wasn’t the main focus and it wasn’t 100% Kirby characters.
Historical significance: 8/10
When you get down to it, modern DC Comics is very selective of which parts of the original series it wants to explore. If you exclude the various New Gods relaunches, the rest of the universe picks up the characters in rather broad strokes.
The modern Darkseid in particular is nearly unrecognizable with how Kirby characterized him in the two follow-up stories, for one. And every single bit of character development is a later addition for all characters except Mister Miracle and Big Barda.
Silver Age-ness: 7/10
There are some surprisingly dark scenes in a couple of stories, but generally speaking this is a very silly franchise which doesn’t care all that much about logic.
Does it stand the test of time? 3/10
Yeah… I’m still not a fan. The Mister Miracle series does the heavy lifting here, but even that series takes a nosedive in quality rather quickly.
The artwork is the saving grace of most stories (with the exception of one of the follow-ups), and quite often the only reason to pick up these comics.
Where Kirby seriously loses me, and it’s no surprise for you at this point, is his writing.
I’m fully convinced now that Kirby had some serious ADHD because he seems completely unable to finish any plot without rushing to introduce something new. Which will be incredibly creative and incredibly bizarre, sometimes incredibly dumb, and quickly brushed aside.
All the series have this feeling of grandeur attached to it, and Kirby quite often seems to want to say something profound. But he ends up being either unable to actually say anything or, more frequently than not, what he does manage to say is kind of shallow.
That’s the biggest disappointment for me: in my opinion, these comics think they’re smarter than they actually are.
My theory of how this became a beloved franchise is due to several factors:
1) the artwork. Duh.
2) later writers actually giving these characters complexity and the lore some depth
3) a lot more people are familiar with later appearances of these characters than the original stories. And I do mean A LOT, by an order of magnitude at the very least.
4) Kirby’s writing can be a sort of Rorschach test. He gives the APPEARANCE of saying something when he’s not saying anything, leading to the readers to fill up the blanks
Another factor for my dislike of this franchise that I’ve mentioned a few times is the dialogue.
If I honestly think Kirby is a bad writer, he’s a TERRIBLE dialogue writer. Nobody talks like his characters!!! His defenders bring up the defense that he’s writing otherworldly gods that shouldn’t talk like humans, but they forget that ALL characters speak in an unnatural way in Kirby’s stories.
Even in Thor stories for which according to some Kirby apologists he wrote the dialogue (he most certainly didn’t, even for the stories he 100% scripted and plotted), the characters still talked in a believable manner even when using old-fashioned terms or larger-than-life prose.
It’s also ABUNDANTLY clear, especially with the hindsight of the letters page, that Kirby had absolutely no plan going into this. Or if he did, he was changing everything on the fly.
When it comes to creating new characters and new worlds, Kirby was nearly as much as the King as he was at drawing them.
The fact that 50 years after these series ended DC is still constantly going back to the Fourth World well for inspiration is a testament to Kirby’s creativity, despite his writing shortfalls.
But I’ve rambled long enough (what else is new), so ladies and gentlemen: the Gods Awards!
SERIES RANKING
I typically don’t do this as part of an award session, but considering I looked at three separate series it’s inevitable.
Winner: Mister Miracle
The only series I recommend checking out, although you should probably drop it after issue 9.
What REALLY sells the entire series is the chemistry between Mister Miracle and Big Barda.
Runner-up: Forever People
More often than not this is “Pointless: The Series”.
Third place: New Gods
With ONE exception from the 80s, this is probably Kirby’s writing at his worst.
Honorable mention: DC Graphic Novel #4
Darkseid is still as disappointing as he seemed to me the first time I read this book, but there’s SOME direction. In terms of quality this would have been second place had it been published in the 70s, but putting it on the podium feels like cheating.
Dishonorable mention: New Gods vol2 #6
Kirby’s writing at his worst in the 80s, and probably his artwork at his worst… possibly ever?
Incidentally, had Jimmy Olsen been eligible, it would have reached second place.
Which is more a testament to how much I disliked the others than praise for Jimmy.
BEST SERIES FINALE
This is one of the things where Kirby struggles the most. I cut him some slack for the series having been cancelled, but at the very least for two of those he had SOME warning because they do have a finale.
Winner: New Gods
Ironically, the only series that DOESN’T get a finale… at least in the original one… ends up benefitting from it by default, considering the others.
Runner-up: Mister Miracle
Ending the series with the marriage to Big Barda was a no-brainer, and had that been the only thing it would have won first place. But then Mister Miracle had to leave Earth for unexplainable reasons that to me directly contradict the entire message that the series was trying to give.
Third place: Forever People
Our heroes, who are all about freedom, are trapped forever in another dimension. Yay?
Honorable mention: DC Graphic Novel #4
The protagonist rescues his mother and the villain’s regime falls. There are disappointing parts, but in theory it’s a good finale.
Dishonorable mention: New Gods vol2 #6
On the negative side, the protagonist dies failing to rescue his mother.
On the plus side, Darkseid’s regime is falling and Orion is dead.
BEST HERO
Winner: Big Barda
She’s the only character with something resembling a character arc, even though most of it happens in the backstory. She’s also the only one with a definitive and recognizable personality AND it’s a fun one!
Runner-up: Mister Miracle
Coming really close to his wife, although he’s too generic at times.
Third place: Forager
He’s a hero to his people, even though I’m not entirely sure what he’s doing in this series.
Honorable mention: Superman
He’s Superman.
WORST HERO
Winner: Orion
In later depictions I don’t care for him one way or the other, but here I actively dislike him.
He’s just CONSTANTLY complaining about everything and screaming like a madman.
Kirby is going for “tortured soul torn between his tragic past and his duties”, but to me Orion never gets past “entitled jackass who never listens”.
It’s also very hard to sympathize with his struggle when A) Mister Miracle has a FAR rougher past and never complains about it B) his agonizing over his “monstrous side” is just ridiculous when all that changes are that he gets bushier eyebrows and he’s slightly more unhinged than usual.
Runner-up: the Forever People, tie
Sometimes they accidentally stumble upon doing a good deed, but that’s about it. Big Bear and Beautiful Dreamer are the only ones hinting at a personality (even if those can be accurately described as “any character named Big Bear” and “girl”); the others are black holes of charisma.
Third place: Lightray
As Orion’s heterosexual life partner he just enables his worst aspects, combined with a completely bland personality.
Dishonorable mention: Deadman
He doesn’t want to be here, and the writer most definitely doesn’t want him to be here.
Plus Kirby goes COMPLETELY off-topic with the character, giving him an indestructible robot body.
BEST VILLAIN
Winner: Darkseid
He’s disappointing at multiple points, but there’s a reason why he’s BY FAR the breakout star of this franchise. You just FEEL his presence even when he’s not doing anything!
Runner-up: Granny Goodness
There’s something deeply disturbing in how she combines surface politeness with the utmost cruelty. Desaad will torture you despite your protestations, but Granny will torture you while convincing you that’s best for you.
Third place: Glorious Godfrey
Sadly Kirby doesn’t get to do much with him, but as a concept he’s decades ahead of everything else Kirby is doing.
Honorable mention: Virman Vundabar
There’s nothing wrong being a walking stereotype if you play your part to perfection!
I was tempted to give the spot to Doctor Bedlam, but he never reaches the height of his first appearance whereas Virman stays consistent.
WORST VILLAIN
Winner: Mister Fez
No powers, generic supervillain weapons, and let’s forget the dialogue.
Runner-up: Mister Hand
If your name includes “Mister” but not “Miracle” in this series, you suck.
Third place: The Head
There are villains that are so compelling that they can overcome their goofy design.
The Head… is not one of them.
Dishonorable mention: Mantis
There are a couple of minor villains who are objectively worse than Mantis. But considering he’s given a prominent role, I’m less forgiving towards him.
BEST SUPPORTING CHARACTER
Winner: Dan Turpin
When a supporting character makes you think “don’t cut back to the protagonist, stay on this one”, he’s definitely a success.
Runner-up: Oberon
His heartwarming scenes are too scattered, and to my surprise he doesn’t play the surrogate father role that will define him in his post-Crisis appearances.
Still, he has enough personality to make me wish he played a bigger role.
Third place: Shilo Norman
Kirby doesn’t do a bad job integrating him into the family dynamic. Too bad he gives him a rather generic personality and bad stories.
Look there aren’t a lot of supporting characters in these series, and SOMEONE had to get third place… not getting on my nerves is enough to get an award in this franchise!
Honorable mention: Metron
I don’t know how else to classify him… he’s not a hero and he’s not a villain, but unlike Black Racer (who I also considered for this spot) he DOES contribute to the plots.
Sometimes.
WORST SUPPORTING CHARACTER
Winner: Orion’s clique
I can’t stand these guys and their constant repetition of their names.
Runner-up: Ted Brown
He adds nothing to the story except bloating the supporting cast.
Third place: Sonny Sumo
He detracts from the already bland protagonists and ultimately doesn’t go anywhere.
Dishonorable mention: the Female Furies
They’re excellent villains, not making it to the podium by a hair… but when they’re shoved into the supporting cast, it’s just the worst possible fit.
BEST ROMANCE
Winner: Mister Miracle and Big Barda
Duh.
Runner-up: Highfather and Avia
They show up for one scene in a flashback and it sells you their love better than most Kirby regular series.
Third place: Orion and Bekka
She comes out of nowhere and they don’t have the best chemistry, but it’s not like there’s a ton of competition around.
Honorable mention: Orion and Lightray
Come on DC, have some courage.
Dishonorable mention: Darkseid and Tigra
You are now thinking about Darkseid having sex.
You’re welcome.
BEST STORY
Winner: Mister Miracle #9
A fantastic gut punch. Easily the most effective representation of the bleakness of the Darkseid regime, not to mention the story that tells you everything you need to know to really GET Mister Miracle and Big Barda. Especially the latter.
Runner-up: New Gods #7
When people talk up the grandiose epicness and the big themes of the franchise, this is what they’re probably thinking about. This is the ONLY issue of New Gods that I actively recommend: it’s the only one that lives up to the hype.
It’s also VERY close to the winner; I’ve gone back and forth wondering who would get the first place. I’ve decided for the Mister Miracle one because it explains so much about the main characters, while this one focuses mostly on Highfather.
Third place: Mister Miracle #3
For a series where it’s very hard to believe the protagonist is in any serious danger, this issue really kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Honorable mention: DC Graphic Novel #4
I don’t think it’s fair to put it on the podium, considering how late to the party it comes, but it does sell the fall of a regime quite effectively.
WORST STORY
Winner: Mister Miracle #6
The Stan Lee and Roy Thomas parodies are out of place, mean-spirited and unprofessional.
Call me a Stan Lee apologist if you want, but please recognize that had anyone tried something in such bad taste against Kirby, they would have been crucified by his fans.
It might not be the worst written, but the Funky Flashman stuff REALLY takes me out of the story.
Runner-up: Mister Miracle #16
Despite some cool visuals, it’s an extended dream sequence that doesn’t mean anything.
Honestly had any of these two stories been on New Gods or Forever People they wouldn’t have made it to the podium, but I expected better from Mister Miracle.
Third place: New Gods #6
The ending is just uncomfortable to read.
Dishonorable mention: New Gods vol2 #6
In terms of writing AND ESPECIALLY artwork, it’s among the worst Kirby ever did (and on the artwork, it’s not even close). The only reason it’s not on the podium is that I find it unfair to put one of the follow-ups there.
MOST SILVER AGE PANEL
MOST KIRBY PANEL
MOST MEME-WORTHY PANEL
BEST MONSTER DESIGN
MOST “I need a shower after this” PANEL
BEST REACTION SHOT
The moment Big Barda decides she won’t follow Darkseid anymore.
While Mister Miracle has something in his eye.
WORST REACTION SHOT
BEST TECHNOBABBLE
WORST TECHNOBABBLE
BEST PANEL
For all of Darkseid’s speeches about destroying the will to live, Glorious Godfrey ends up being the most scarily realistic.
WORST PANEL
BEST SPLASH PAGE
The moment I saw this beauty I thought “who cares about the Fourth World, have Kirby do a full story about Ancient Rome RIGHT NOW”.
Which doesn’t speak highly of his ability as a writer, but volumes about why he’s unmatched as an artist.
BEST DOUBLE SPLASH PAGE
WORST SPLASH PAGE
WORST DOUBLE SPLASH PAGE
BEST COVER
WORST COVER
MOST FANSERVICE CHARACTER
Winner: Big Barda
There’s obviously more to her, but come on.
Runner-up: Beautiful Dreamer
That’s basically why she’s in the team, right? I can’t think of much of anything else she did, besides occasionally being the damsel in distress.
Third place: Orion
Something for the ladies.
Dishonorable mention: Bernadeth
I did not want to see Desaad’s sister in a swimsuit.
TEN THINGS YOU NEVER THOUGHT DARKSEID DID
#10: wear a cape and pants
#9: be the tiger-force
#8: miss a friend (that he murdered)
#7: wear a disguise
#6: call someone “grandpa”
#5: rant against modern technology
#4: be passionate about posture
#3: carry a gun
#2: pinch a nose
#1: take orders from his mom
Next up will be the analysis of the Kirby splash pages, and then the retrospective will end with the combined awards of the Eternals and the Fourth World series.