Author and publisher John Morrow's 160-page book on the origins, publication and aftermath of Jack Kirby's Fourth World series for DC Comics is as complete a picture of the chronology as we'll probably ever get. Liberally and beautifully illustrated and packed with quotes from those close to the project at the time, Old Gods & New tells the tale of how one of the most visionary and audacious comic book ventures was shot down midstream.
Especially nice is the reproduction of the eighteen concept drawings Kirby drew while still in Marvel's employ, in the late '60s, printed in color on - as with the rest of the book - non-glare paper. Also appreciated in a deep delve into the '80s series Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers, in which Kirby deliberately yet surreptitiously brought some of the Fourth World's character conflicts to a resolution. New to me was information on Kirby's attempt to negotiate a return to Marvel halfway through his contract with DC.
For readers of Kirby's New Gods, Forever People, Mister Miracle and Jimmy Olson series, this trade paperback is essential for your library.
