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Post by codystarbuck on Jan 1, 2017 16:31:19 GMT -5
Forever People #7  Our story opens with Highfather addressing a council of youth, on New Genesis. They plead for Highfather to do something to bring back the Forever People.  Damn, can Kirby create wonder or not? Metron has found that they are alive, but lost in different eras of Earth history. He says they could be brought back through space easily, via Boom Tube; but, through time is another matter. Young Esak pleads his case to Highfather and succeeds at reaching through the elder statesman's caution. We cut to Earth's past, where we see Mark Moonrider and Beautiful Dreamer materialize in the 1860s. They appear dressed as everyone else and are in some kind of theater. Up in a balcony, they see a bearded man presented to the audience. It is Abraham Lincoln and, upon hearing the words "Ford's Theater," Mark urges Dreamer to follow, that they must see the man; but, security stops them.  Vykin materializes in old Florida, where he runs into Spaniards, in search of gold and the Fountain of Youth. Big Bear emerges in Ancient Britain, to witness the Romans leaving the land...  You know, for all of Kirby's playing around with things, that's some pretty accurate detailing there. The man did his research. The Romans are leaving behind a Briton, Arta, to care for things. Gee, that name has a familiar ring to it. BB watches this with a group of Celts who chant "Romans Go Home!" Back at the ranch, Serifan and the Super-Cycle are fighting off Glorious Godfrey's Justifiers, when GG decides enough is enough and has an induction rifle fired, bringing down a nearby mountain on the Super-Cycle, burying it.  Highfather responds to the pleas of youth and send off the Alpha Bullets to find the FP and bring them home. Mark and BD have passed security and are off to save Lincoln, when they run into John Wilkes Booth. They try to stop him; but, disappear and he heads off on his mission. Vykin is pulled out, after leading the Spaniards to a spot, looking for gold, where they find themselves swallowed in a sinkhole. Big bear helps Arta pull out a sword from a tree (rather than stone) and he is hailed by his fellow Brits and becomes their leader. The kids find themselves back in the present, just in time for the Super-Cycle to blast off the rock. they find it; but, not Serifan. BB determines that an Alpha Bullet found him and transported him to Honshu, in Japan. There, he is reunited with Mother Box, at an ancient temple. It turns out that Sonny Sumo was transported back to Japan's past and became a great champion of the poor, living a virtuous life. mother Box was entrusted to the temple, who guarded it for centuries, waiting for the owner to reclaim it. Serifan accepts it and heads back to meet the others.  Our issue ends with a tale of Lonar and his horse Thunderer. he meets Orion and introduces the horse, resurrected from the ruins of the Old Gods. Orion awakens some memories in the horse and it bolts. That's it. Like many of the others, it's an odd diversion, to fill up the page count of the expanded DC comics. It isn't of much consequence, other than to introduce Lonar, much like previous ones introduced Fastback. So, Kirby plays a bit with history, turning this issue into an episode of the Twilight Zone. Mark Moonrider and Beautiful Dreamer fail to stop Lincoln's assassination, much like Russell Johnson. Vykin plays a trick on treasure seeking Spaniards. Big Bear meets King Arthur and helps him find Excalibur. Serifan learns of the glorious history of Sonny Sumo. It's a nice pleasant break from the terrors of the previous issue; a palate cleanser, before the next step. We also see the power of Highfather, reminding us that he is the equal to Darkseid, something often forgotten in the mythology. We will see more of that next, in New Gods. I like how Kirby resolves the case of Sonny Sumo. He is given a hero's reward, a lifetime of helping the less fortunate of his homeland, in the past. He is removed from Darkseid's war and given some peace and a role that suits him. It is a noble end for a noble character, and one that fits into Japanese literary traditions. I don't know how familiar Kirby was with A Tale of Genji and other works of Japanese literature and myth. He certainly captures the spirit. Next up, more allegory, as the FP go on a new adventure. |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jan 1, 2017 18:11:21 GMT -5
New Gods #7  THE PACT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! First, some suitable music, via BOC and a little heavy Metal (warning, some gore, but nudity edited out) Our story begins in a Garden of Eden; New Genesis, home to Izaya, the Inheritor, and his love, Avia.  This beautiful moment is interrupted, as Izaya and Avia are attacked, by Steppenwolf! Not that one, this one...  Steppenwolf and Izaya battle fiercely, while Steppenwolf's unseen nephew urges caution. Steppenwolf tells his soldiers to stay out; but, the voice urges them into the fray and they pile on Izaya. He throws them off and faces down Steppenwolf, ready to kill, as Avia begs him to stop, wanting an end to the fighting. She is blasted by Steppenwolf. Izaya's grief and anger rise...  Finally, the nephew puts an end to the battle, with an awesome weapon.   Steppenwolf doesn't trust his nephew and he has reason not to. Izaya is alive and Darkseid has engineered this hunt, to launch all-out war!  Izaya brings death and destruction to Apokolips. He rains down massive bombs, into the firepits of Apokolips, snuffing them out and robbing the war engines of power. Apokolips counters and the war rages on. Within the Royal Bunker, Queen Heggra chastises her brother, Steppenwolf, as he produces bodycounts, but no victories. She suggests listening to cooler heads, like her son, Darkseid. Darkseid demonstrates the power of a small block which vanishes and reappears. He suggests technology like this is the way forward. Into this conversation appears the New God, Metron, who demands the new X-Element.  Darkseid strikes a bargain with Metron. he will give him the X-Element, to create his Mobius Chair, in exchange for Metron creating a means of transportation. Thus is born the Boom Tube. Metron cares not for Old Gods or New, he seeks only knowledge. Darkseid says he knows he will betray all; but, he will work for Apokolips, for the moment. Heggra is pleased by her son. Before the Boom Tube is developed, there is the Matter Threshold and Apokolips uses it to bring their Dragon Tanks to battle.  New Genesis responds with Destructi-Poles, and many die. Steppenwolf attacks with his Dog Cavalry...  Steppenwolf and his army come smashing through and are met by the warriors of New Genesis, who give way so that Steppenwolf may face a warrior, who brings his war staff to battle. All it needs is a bit of Carl Orff. Izaya brings down Steppenwolf, putting him under the knife. We see that metron has arranged this confrontation, as Darkseid predicted. Darkseid has grown in power and brings new, more destructive weapons to bear, as planetoids smash into New Genesis, mutated monsters wreak havoc, and suns are turned into cosmic lasers. Izaya sees death all around and realizes he has become as Darkseid. He cries out to the heavens, rejecting war, calling for the true Izaya to emerge.  His armor is sheared away, he comes face to face with The Wall. He cries out, "If I am Izaya the Inheritor, what is my inheritance?" The Wall erupts in flame, as a fiery hand writes THE SOURCE! Thus does Izaya the Inheritor become Highfather, of New Genesis! We skip ahead and see Darkseid calmly seated, as his guards hold back an angry woman. This is Tigra, a wild hellion of a woman and Darkseid's wife. She demands to know why Darkseid has taken their son, Orion, from his quarters. Darkseid tells her he is to play a role in bringing peace. Tigra berates him for keeping her and Orion from him, Orion never knowing his father. She sees that he is just a pawn for Darkseid. darkseid berates her, reminding her that Heggra chose her to marry Darkseid, not him. The queen is gone and Darkseid rules. he orders Tigra taken away and the dimensional door be opened. Granny awaits the child from new genesis and brings him to Darkseid. She bears a handsome infant, who will one day become Scott Free, Mister Miracle.  Darkseid orders Granny to raise the child in her orphanage, there to be tortured and trained with the rest of her charges, only with the rigors doubled. Darkseid predicts he will one day escape, breaking the truce, allowing the war to resume, when he is ready. Schemes upon schemes. Elsewhere, we see Darkseid's guards carrying a wild animal, which is thrust through the dimensional gate. It is young Orion, who pulls a knife and seeks his father. He finds Highfather, who calms him, offering him his naked hand. Orion chooses peace and goes with Highfather, to become a champion of the New Gods.  Man, where do I start? This is the single greatest story Kirby ever created! That's not Stan Lee hyperbole, that is fact! Kirby crafted an epic opera of a tale, giving us the history of the war between New Genesis and Apokolips. The Old Gods were destroyed and from their remains came New Genesis and Apokolips. On New Genesis was Izaya, the Inheritor, leader of the New Gods. On Apokolips was Darkseid, ruler of the shadow world. Darkseid manipulates his uncle Steppenwolf into a hunt on New Genesis, killing Izaya's wife, Avia. Izaya responds with war, raining destruction on Apokolips. Darkseid manipulates his mother and Metron, gaining technology to devastate New Genesis. Metron counter-schemes, leading Steppenwolf to death and Izaya to reject war and unite with the Source, to become Highfather. A peace is brokered, as the feuding houses exchange hostage sons, Scott Free to Apokolips, Orion to New Genesis. Darkseid schemes for the future, as Scott will be subjected to horrors that will force him to flee, breaking The Pact and reigniting the war. However, Highfather has his own scheme, as he sends his gentle son to Apokolips to become a warrior, while receiving Darkseid's son and turning him into a hero for New Genesis. Thus, Highfather has played the even longer game, setting up Darkseid's downfall, at the hands of his own son. So many great characters appear here, like Steppenwolf and Queen Heggra. We will learn more of them in another flashback. Kirby promised more of these tales of old, back when the series still had life. The imagery here has never been equalled. Star Wars is a puppet show, by comparison! We see grand, horrific battles, crackling with energy and destruction. Majestic and terrifying figures fill the page. We see unholy weapons of death and armageddon. Kirby fought a war and was forever changed. He saw death and destruction firsthand. He saw the birth of weapons that could kill all life, in a flash. He was horrified. He also saw a futile war on the other side of the world, which was raging when he created this. Young men went off to die and become statistics, as bodycounts became the measuring stick. Many veterans of World War 2 hoped it would be the last; but saw it wouldn't. They hoped for better for their children, an end to war. Instead, the got the nightmare of nuclear annihilation. This is Kirby's ultimate statement on war, even with the noblest of causes. In the end, there is only death. He wanted better. Izaya wants better. In peace is life and growth, in war, death and destruction. War may bring evolution; but, not always for the better (rarely, even). The power of this tale; the majesty! This is the potential of the medium, writ large. This is why no other has done the 4th World justice. How do you follow up this? It's like having to follow Mozart on the stage; you can never equal it. |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jan 1, 2017 20:44:37 GMT -5
Mister Miracle #7  Mister Miracle looking very much like a luchador there. I wonder: Kirby was a fan of pro wrestling (he included it in both the Fantastic Four and X-Men) and he was living in California, where the Los Angeles promotion was still going strong. I wonder if he had been exposed to Mil Mascaras?  A little domination, on this cover, to go along with the bondage, as Barda is made to watch the proceedings, by Kanto. Seriously dude, you don't want to tick her off. We open with new arrivals to Granny's orphanage. In a scene out of the Holocaust, they are unloaded from "boxcars"...  We see more of Granny's twisted world, where torture is called love, as monsters are created by systematic abuse. We are reminded that this is the world that Scott Free escaped and Granny has a feeling he will return, voluntarily. We cut to Earth, where Barda and Scott say goodbye to Oberon. They try to play it loose, as Barda and oberon banter, but, their hearts aren't in it...  Scott asks Barda to remain behind; but, where he goes, she follows. They will show Apokolips that it doesn't rule all. Barda takes them there with her Mega-Rod and they materialize near a guard post. They challenge and Barda brazens it out, reminding them she is an officer. They have orders to check out all, and Barda gives them something to be scared of...  They jet on their way and run smack into an ambush, prepared by Kanto, the weapon master. He and his men take them down, Barda by dropping tons of rubble on her and Scott by sheer numbers. Scott is put onto a life-size shooting gallery, where crossbows fire missiles at him. After dodging several, he must face a cluster. He escapes with a fibrous cocoon, emerging from his boot. Kanto appreciates it and gets a faceful from the other boot. Scott tries to run; but is snared by a trooper on some kind of air-cycle. He takes Scott for a spin; but, Scott sends some voltage up the snare and blasts the soldier. Kanto threatens him with a Mega-Rod and Scott calls his bluff. He knows that Kanto is bored with this and persuades him to let them go. Kanto offers a Mega-Rod for a quick death, rather than face Granny; but, Scott declines. He and Barda head on to the orphanage, where Scott interrupts Hoogin while he's abusing a youngling. He whoops the bully then orders him to tell Granny he demands trial by combat. Granny is pleased and orders Scott to Section Zero, while Barda is taken back to barracks. At Section Zero, we see the faceless creature, Lump. The battle awaits, next issue. This is mostly prologue, though it gives us more of Granny's horrors and parallels to the Holocaust. We see the products of Granny's training and are reminded of the strength of Scott and Barda, to break free. They are living proof that bullies can be defeated. That is their mission. Kanto is the last of Kirby's great villains to be introduced, in the 4th World. He is a lover of the Renaissance, especially Machiavelli and the intrigues of power. He has a nobility that sets him apart, as he respects Scott and isn't afraid to disobey, for his own amusement and power. We also see Granny at her scariest and creepiest. The scenes of her dressed like a demented Mother Goose bring shudders.  We are left anticipating next issue. We get another tale of young Scott Free, as he faces a test of his skill with the aero-discs...  He is forced to fly a gauntlet of para-demons, armed with metal clubs. We see the demons batter the others; but, not Scott. He outmaneuvers and taunts them, egging one on who lands a shot; but, gets a jolt when he touches Scott. Enraged, he pursues and Scott steers him into crashing into a cosmic power tank, where he is turned into a fireball. Scott lands, triumphant and the others wonder if it was magic. this is the first time we see him (chronologically) use gadgets to defeat his opponents, pulling a miracle out of calamity. These tales show us the horror he endured and how he began to rebel. We will see it grow, until issue 10, when we meet Himon, and see it all culminate in an epic tale. Stay tuned. |
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
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Post by shaxper on Jan 2, 2017 10:12:34 GMT -5
Just gotta say I'm loving these reviews. While I'm normally not a fan of lengthy recaps, you make it fun and interesting with your off-kilter style of humor, Cody. And, most importantly, once you get to the critical analysis portion of your reviews, your enthusiasm is positively contagious. Please keep these up!
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Post by Prince Hal on Jan 2, 2017 10:19:44 GMT -5
How cool is this full-pager? Nice work finding this, codystarbuck! |
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Post by Prince Hal on Jan 2, 2017 10:25:46 GMT -5
Was Kirby ever better than during the stretch you are reviewing, codystarbuck?! I'd forgotten just how epic "The Pact" was. |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jan 2, 2017 11:09:05 GMT -5
Was Kirby ever better than during the stretch you are reviewing, codystarbuck ?! I'd forgotten just how epic "The Pact" was. I don't think so, though the stretch of the Fantastic Four that went from introducing the Inhumans, to Galactus and the Silver Surfer, to "This Man, This Monster" is its biggest rival. That was in collaboration, though; this is pure Kirby. That stuff certainly set him on the road to the 4th World. For my money, his best post-4th World stuff was The Eternals, which tread much of the same territory; but, it was damaged by compromise and politics. The 4th World is, truly, Kirby's epic mythology. Bruce Timm and the gang made great use of it on Superman TAS and Justice League: I wish Warner would realize what they have and turn it into a movie series; but, I suspect it wouldn't measure up to Kirby's vision or fan expectations. Everyone else would dismiss it as a Star Wars copy, unless it really wowed, visually. Ironically, the closest thing to it, apart from the elements used in Star Wars, is Masters of the Universe. The director was a big Kirby fan and admits in the commentary that he swiped a lot from Kirby, including elements of Dr Doom and the 4th World. Skeletor is Darkseid, He-Man is Orion. You have Boom Tubes, war machines, the henchmen, and Evil Lynn is a mixture of Granny and some other characters. Too bad they were stuck with a Cannon budget and Dolph Lundgren as the star. |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jan 4, 2017 18:21:27 GMT -5
Jimmy Olsen #147 and 148   Covers by Murphy Anderson and Neal Adams. Neal's is fine; but, as much as I love Murphy, he really doesn't convey the wonder of Supertown, the setting for our final Kirby Jimmy Olsen story, That's right, this is it for young Olsen. Kirby was tired of it, DC didn't want to continue; so, Kirby went back to what he tried to do initially: show Superman finding others like himself. Our story begins with Jimmy in the hospital recovering from his previous bout of caveman-itis. As we can see, he is just enjoying his stay...  but, the fun is interrupted by Angry Charlie...  (Just another day at the office, for Kirby. Wow!) Everyone is in a tizzie, except Gabby. Turns out, Charlie just wants a chair, for lunch, and chows down. He apparently is drawn to the chemicals used. Gabby gives him a super-chicklet, which includes a tranquilizer, whipped up by the Project. It knocks Charlie out for the voyage home from Scotland. While this goes on, Superman is racing towards a Boom Tube, which has appeared with what he thinks is another agent of Darkseid (though he looks a bit like Thor's lesser second cousin).  Superman grabs the figure in a double arm hook, then gets thrown for his trouble, hurtling him into the Boom Tube. He ends up on the other end, on New Genesis, where others try to snare him. The yellow dude, Magnar (cool name!) wants another shot, when Superman tries to make peace. Magnar says "You hit first" and strikes back, sending Superman flying. He's amazed, as he has never been knocked around like that before. Superman comes to a stop and Magnar asks him to yield, Superman says "uncle" to bring peace. The knuckleheads from New Genesis realize Superman isn't from Apokolips and vice versa. Superman spies Supertown, which he only glimpsed in the Forever People.  Superman flies up to it, basking in its wonder. he watches, admiringly, as Magnar and his younger aides frolic in the skies, like dolphins. Superman is delighted by their sheer joy. He swoops over Supertown and draws the attention of a sentry, who checks him out with his baton and then send him on his way. he spots a woman about to be crushed by a huge pillar and saves her, only to be asked what his deal is? He just messed up her lesson! She demonstrates her telekinesis and Supes says "My bad!" He is about to move on, when he is grabbed by a huge hand, attached to a monster. He fights it and subdues it, when an older New God chastises him for picking on the poor frightened protonoid. Just because they aren't beautiful is no reason to be a big meanie, the old man says. Supes apologizes and pulls up a bench, where he has a conversation with a wise man...  Realizing that he is far more needed on Earth and that is his true home, he heads off to help out friends in trouble. Those friends are Olsen and the Newsies. While flying over the ocean, with Angry Charlie strapped to the rear spoiler (someone call the SPC-DNAliens), he demands better accommodations and breaks loose, just as they hit a steam cloud. A volcano has burst out of the ocean and a landing platform has risen into the air! Isn't it always the way, when you are flying your car over the Atlantic? Jimmy pulls into this weird rest stop, where he is met by pseudo-men (no, not politicians), who zap the gang. These boys don't know the meaning of "caution" do they? The gang wakes up and meets Prof. Victor Volcanum!  The man drinks fire and lives above a volcano; oh, and he is King of the World, so he's got that going for him. The gang thinks he's nuts. Something happens, because we don't see them again until Superman returns to Earth and finds them in a cage.  Supes gets smooshed, but he is okay and he frees everybody. Victor Volcanum relates his story, of how he arrived on this island by balloon, distilled life lengthening elixirs from meteors and set up his high tech home! So, he obviously reads Hints from Heloise (mad conqueror edition). Despite all of that Supes isn't bowing and a fight ensues, with much robot smashing and a really cool panel where Superman takes out 7 robots in one shot!  How'bout dem apples? The King takes it in the lam, leaving behind a working model of his plan to destroy a city, and Superman and Olsen give chase, fighting some more and the nutjob blows himself up. The Victor Volcanum stuff is pure Jules Verne, as we have an adventurer who lands on a lost island, via a balloon, discovers great secrets of science, and decides he will rule the world, via his high tech airship. Very Nemo and Robur. Superman on Supertown was the more interesting idea, and just as it's getting interesting, he is sent home. It feels like Kirby was told that things were ending and shoehorned the one story he had wanted to tell into the middle of the story he was working on. As such, it feels like it took a left turn at Albuquerque. I could have done without the Verne riff and spend more time on New Genesis. Like much of the 4th World, it feels like a lost opportunity. So, that's the end of Jimmy Olsen and Jack Kirby, a book he never really wanted; but, took on like a pro and did the first memorable stuff in years. He turned Olsen into a real astronaut of emerging technology, thrusting him into a war between worlds. Superman learned that he wasn't alone in the universe and was looking forward to learning more (as were we) when things came to a crashing halt. This stuff was left fallow for 20 years, before the Triangle Era of Superman, when the creative teams picked up on the ideas and re-introduced them. They had a ball with them (especially Karl Kesel) and did some great stories. The fact that it took 20 years just shows how cutting edge Kirby was. The Olsen stuff gets goofy; but never bad-goofy. it's always fun, if you don't take your comics too seriously. there's some great visual flair, as Kirby plays with collages, which, unfortunately, the technology of the era could reproduce well on cheap paper and 4-color printing. It blows away Lichtenstein and Warhol, for my money, in the realm of pop art. So, we say farewell to Jimmy Olsen, who goes back to more mundane stories and the occasional bit of cross-dressing. Superman's Pal will not see these heights again, as he gets another year or two of stories, before losing his book to Superman Family (Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane were folded into the single title). The Newsboy Legion would also go back into stasis, until being revived by Roger Stern, in the post-Crisis Superman Annual #2 (a great story).  |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jan 4, 2017 19:21:21 GMT -5
Forever People #8  Alert Overstreet: bondage cover! The issue opens by introducing us to the Bates estate, where the magnates beautiful estate is surrounded by a ghost town (he had the residents removed), a huge gorge (he had the dirt removed), fencing, and a surrounding wasteland. Despite all of that, a group of weirdos have shown up and are looking for Mister Bates. And if you think I am going to touch a line like that, you are crazy! The guys who are looking for Mister Bates (ahem...) jerk the sentry around until he falls limp. He has met the power of The Sect. Someday, if he lives, he may find the Joy of Sect. The weirdos drag him underground to their leader and he orders them to toss him in with the others, to be sealed in a crypt. They have now consolidated power, replacing the original members of The Sect, so that they can control Mister Bates. They are about to summon him (he's a member), when guess who shows up? Our gang meet up with the rather fascist looking sentries. They don't like tree-hugging hippies and threaten them and tell them to move on. they aks why when the trigger-happy Nazis open fire, perturbing Big Bear. He's had enough so he throws a truck...  After that, in comes Serifan, with Mother Box, having left Japan. They all get reacquainted, when we meet Mister Bates. He tells them he is sending men and they better follow their orders. The kids laugh, until they get the order and can't resist. It seems Mister Bates can control anyone, make them do anything. He demonstrates to a committee sent on a Congressional investigation, forcing one to smoke a cigar until he chokes, another to put a gun to his head, and gets all creepy touchy-feely with the buxom female member. He tells them they are puppets and forces them to do his bidding. Bates joins the members of The Sect and demonstrates his power. He has the kids chained up, to be prepared as a sacrifice to their rituals. He prattles on in an Orwellian fashion (noted by the kids) and they realize he must control the Anti-Life Equation. From behind, they see the hooded leader of the sect drop some weird helmet on him which blasts him out. They move to grab him when he flies away. They find empty chains, where the FP were. How did the get away? The leader unmasks and explains it is an illusion, revealing he is Desaad. The FP appear, now free, thanks to the deluded henchmen's opening the chains. They run off with Bates and run into another masked Sect member, who threatens them with Omega Beams. Uh oh.. A sentry fires at them, but, hits Bates, killing him. Darkseid unmasks and is furious. He yells at the kids to snap to and they do. he dresses them down like raw recruits, when Mark realizes what is happening. they have been hit by the Omega Effect and are fading away, leaving Darkseid behind. Desaad comes up and questions why he let them live. darkseid says he doesn't make war on youth and can wait until they are grown. We see them back at the Super Cycle, where they head off.  I have no idea what Kirby's intent was here. He lampoons secret societies and power mad billionaires, so maybe it's a swipe at the John birchers and the Trilateral Commission, Howard Hughes, the Rockefellers or some other figure. Maybe he foresaw Trump. I don't know. It's a really, really weird issue. If you think the Mister Bates double entendre is bad, think about the fact that the Sect all have pink, rounded heads. This is very Freudian. It has a weird ending, too. Darkseid appears to use the Anti-Life Equation; but it isn't (or is it?). i don't know. All I know is... To be honest, what it means is that the bloom is off the rose, with Jack and DC. As we will see next issue, DC editorial is messing with Kirby and they force him to insert Deadman into s story. This was someone else's character and Kirby preferred to use his own. Still, he's a professional and he doesn't do boring stories, shoehorned special guest or not. |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jan 4, 2017 20:14:25 GMT -5
New Gods #8  How does Kirby follow up The Pact? How about Kalibak and Orion battling and "The Deathwish of Terrible Turpin?" That's right, the only cop badder than Dirty Harry is about to come face to face with the denizens of Apokolips and he is going to take them down! We open with Kalibak and he seems a bit upset...  He goes around smashing things, while hunting for his quarry, which he finds in Dave Lincoln's apartment. he wants the people snatched from him before. Lincoln fires his gun at him; and, when that doesn't work, follows a time-honored tradition... While Kalibak is tearing up Lincoln's place, Dan Turpin is arguing with the commissioner. turpin says he's gonna bring in one of the "super weirdos" before someone gets hurt. The commissioner wants him behind a desk. Turpin isn't having it. Reports of mayhem come in and the police grab some new high-tech hardware and Turpin heads with them, in defiance of orders. While this is going on, Orion and Lightray show up at the building where Victor Lanza lives, searching for them. A groovy chick invites them to a party. they meet up with Lanza and are introduced to his wife. Lightray reminds her of their son. They are gabbing when the tv comes on with a bulletin about a battle in progress. Orion sees Kalibak and grows enraged at his half-brother's destruction and says his goodbyes. Prior to that, we see the police with the Dave Lincoln's building surrounded, as Kalibak bellows at them...  Kalibak blasts then, nearly missing Turpin, who is still a mess, from the blast. He's really ticked off now! That derby and suit cost $35, retail! Turpin heads for the roof and tells the snipers to knock it off. He gives Kalibak a chance to give up quietly, which he refuses. Turpin says have it your way and leaps across the roof, machine gun blazing. Kalibak dumps a chimney on him!  Trupin is getting steamed and throws some grenades, which blow Kalibak off the roof...  Kalibak counters and has Turpin down, when Orion and Lightray show up. Kalibak is about to throw Turpin off the roof when Orion grabs him and the brothers commence ta scufflin'  Kalibak smashes Orion, then tries for Lightray, who zaps the big bully; but, it has no effect. he is about to strike with his club, when Orion grabs him and forces him to his knees and takes it away. He breaks Kalibak's toy. Before he can go crying to papa, Orion whoops his hide, real good. Turpin comes to and declares everyone under arrest..  Orion and Kalibak continue pounding one another, while the cops move in. Kalibak heads for the high ground and taunts Orion into following, hoping to ambush him, until he sees Orion's true face..  Lightray pulls orion off the building, just before the shock wave hits it (from the police equipment). Kalibak falls unconscious to the ground below. Orion laments that Lightray has seen his true face, but Lightray tells him he saw scars taken in service to New Genesis and hands Orion his helmet. Turpin arrests Kalibak and then collapses. Now that's a fight! Kalibak brings out the anger in Orion , as only brothers can! Kirby is savage in the battle. Meanwhile, he brings Dan Turpin front and center and gives us the hardest hard cop in history. Turpin was blasted, had chimney's dumped on him and still managed to stay awake long enough to arrest Kalibak. Turpin is a great character, though he would be forgotten until John Byrne came to Superman. he was used well in Superman TAS, where they team did him the honor of giving him Jack Kirby's likeness and courage. Turpin takes the fight to Inter-Gang and runs into Kanto, necessitating Superman to rescue him. he doesn't fully like Superman; but, he respects him. In the two-parter, "Apokolips...Now," Turpin is at the center of things, as Superman an orion battle Darkseid and his minions. turpin leads the fight for Earth and rallies a crowd to defy Darkseid, as he parades a conquered Superman. the crowd react by throwing rocks at Darkseid, when a Boom Tube opens, with the might of New Genesis brought forth. Darkseid leaves but takes petty vengeance on Turpin. The episode was written by Mark Evanier, who pays tribute to his mentor and his collaborators (Kirby inkers are name-dropped left and right). Turpin is a hero for Earth, just as Jack Kirby was a hero to those of us who were dazzled by his stories and respected his service in the fight against fascism. If Kirby had been a cop, he would have been Dan Turpin. |
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Post by codystarbuck on Jan 4, 2017 22:02:43 GMT -5
Mister Miracle #8  Mister Miracle battles Lump! Cue the music... Our story finds Barda returned to barracks, as she says goodbye to her escort..  Yes boys & girls, this issue is dedicated to the mantra, DON'T F--- WITH BARDA!!!!!!!!!! Remember it well! Inside, the craziest bunch of girl scouts in the universe are having a difference of opinion...  Sure beats the Daughters of the American Revolution! I quite like the costume on the woman in the foreground, with the skull & crossbones motif. Her opponent looks rather Steranko-esque. I think the one in the background, polishing the rifle, just needs a night on the town, if you get my drift. Into this kooky sorority house walks Barda, who lets them know who is really in charge. After flinging Lashina and Mad harriet aside, she lets the girls know that there is a sale on at Section Zero, and they all have coupons! Hot dog, Female Furies takin' names and kickin' A!!!! Cue some more music... While Barda and the ladies get dolled up for a date with destruction, Scott is being escorted to the combat that Granny has devised. Along the way, he is nearly pulled down by the creatures who dwell in a strange firepool. Scott wonders what kind of despair fills the creatures of Section Zero, as he prepares to face the worst horrors of Granny. He is hit with tranquilizer darts and prepped to face Lump. He and Lump are hooked into machinery that will allow them to battle in the Id. Granny tells the techs to get a move on, as her guests are restless. Granny is wearing her finest ball(busting)gown and greets her guests: Kanto and Virmin. Kanto and Granny rag Virmin about his recent defeat at the hands of Scott, while Granny doesn't let Kanto get off for failing to kill Scott, when they met on Apokolips, last issue. Kanto responds that he didn't fail, he chose not to succeed. Granny is about to start the show when a mystery guest arrives. It is a woman in a sort of burka, who is declared a "non-person," though of high rank, and ordered not to speak. She defies the guard and speaks to Virmin, who has risen from his seat in her presence. The guard says to not reply, as she has earned the scorn of Darkseid. She mocks the guard and speaks of her son roaming outside, somewhere. Virmin still doesn't seem to know who the Woman in the Velvet Mask is; but, we do (assuming we read New Gods #7). it is Tigra, mother to Orion.  The show begins and Mister Miracle and Lump meet in the Id, where they do battle. Lump is able to change shape and affect the surroundings, making Scott sink in a mire or blast him with spikes...  Scott evades his traps and attacks and Kanto praises him, to Granny's irritation. Kanto respects Scott as an opponent, though he still defers to Granny, his teacher. Lump continues his merciless assault, keeping Scott reeling. While this goes on, a guard gets a visit from someone he has tried to pick-up, Gilotina (great name), the blond chick with the rifle. She called him a boorish toad before; but, she was just playing hard to get. She snuggles up to the guard...  then opens up the gate when he passes out from a mickey she slipped him. Talk about women's lib; she ruffied him! The Furies enter the complex and proceed to have more than a pillow fight. While mayhem ensues, Scott is getting whupped. Lump shifts at every turn and starts to envelop Scott, telling him that he will go down like the rest. Scott retorts that there will be others and questions if Lump truly wants to continue to fight like this for all eternity? Granny puts and end to the view, as Scott disappears inside Lump. Tigra is disgusted by the display; but Virmin congratulates Granny, just as the Furies burst in. This is more to Tigra's liking and she strangles a guard with her manacles and takes his weapon, joining the battle. bernadeth corners Kanto, who bows out. Barda confronts Granny, who taunts her with the news that Scott is dead. Barda loses it and goes after Granny.  She beats the whereabouts of Scott from Granny and Stompa kicks in the class to the chamber, where Scott's body is. Granny is astonished that Barda is willing to defy her and Darkseid. Barda threatens to destroy everything that helped kill Scott, starting with her, when they find his body. This is one POd lady!Granny is cringing in terror and as Barda is about to strike, Scott calls out and stops her. he is alive! Barda is overcome with joy and sheds tears as Scott tells her that Granny's power is in making others doubt themselves and shake in fear. He has beaten her in trial by combat. He explains how he defeated Lump with a fission bomb, which turned the ground to glass, showing Lump his true form. he was horrified and fled the Id, leaving himself comatose in the chamber. Scott and Barda leave as Barda realizes that it was a test of psychology, not physical combat. What a fantastic issue! Barda gets to show just how awesome she is, along with her sisters from Phi Kicka Butt! She also shows the depth of her love for Scott, the man who showed her the way to freedom from Granny and Apokolips. When she thinks that mman is dead, she is ready to rip Apokolips apart and she could probably do it. Orion is a pussycat, by comparison, in that moment. Scott shows us that brains beat brawn, as he has bested Granny and her monsters of doubt and self-loathing. Then, there is Tigra. We were given a glimpse of her in The Pact; but, now we see her years later, a prisoner, kept alone and forced to hide her face. She has seen rebellion against her husband Darkseid, a man she hates more than any other. he took her son from her and gave him to another world, then imprisoned her. She was not the woman he chose, she was chosen by his mother. She is beneath his notice. However, she shows the same fire we see in her son, as she turns on her tormentors. What her fate is, we do not see; yet. Well, this is pretty much it for Scott's battles with Darkseid's minions. He has beaten Granny, and Virmin, survived the Furies, called Kanto's bluff, and defeated Granny's greatest weapon. he has brought open rebellion to Apokolips. Now, he goes off to his own adventures, free of the war against Darkseid. He is the conscientious objector to the war between New Genesis and Apokolips. His stories from here on out take on more of a superhero tone, mixed with some adventure and mystery. However, Kirby is going to give us one more trip into the 4th World, as, next, we learn how Scott escaped Apokolips and changed Barda's outlook. It will all come together when we meet Himon. Now, just to close with a bit of fun... Man, Al is awesome! he's more often a better musician than the people he parodies. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2017 22:41:26 GMT -5
codystarbuckNew Gods #8 was an intense issue and I was stunned by the ferocity of Kalibak and Orion here. One of the most action oriented New Gods Issue that I read.
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Post by berkley on Jan 10, 2017 3:54:39 GMT -5
Too much to comment on, as usual, but I'll just throw out a few things:
New Gods #7, The Pact: You ever get the feeling, when looking at most later New Gods stories, that the writer has never bothered reading this issue (or any other of Kirby's run, for that matter)? I do, all the time. Even if they seem aware of its contents, which isn't always, it almost feels as if they've only read a synopsis or something, because the entire spirit of the thing, so powerful in the original, seems to have entirely passed them by. In the recent Darkseid War thing, they had Highfather as a victory-at-all-costs war leader who was of course eventually shown the error of his ways by the morally superior DCU superheroes - completely ignoring that the whole idea of Izaya becoming Highfather is based on his having gone through that existential crisis way back then. It's his bloody origin story, for heavens sakes!
That double-page spread with the Female Furies highlights another little thing a lot of later writers miss - the Furies are always shown as these tough, battle-hardened types, not the uptight sticklers for rules and military properness we usually see in the later versions. And that once again makes me think those writers have only heard about these characters, not bothered to read the actual stories.
One of many story possibilities I'd like to see explored would be the earlier life of Tigra: as mother of Orion she should be a pretty important character.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jan 10, 2017 12:22:58 GMT -5
Too much to comment on, as usual, but I'll just throw out a few things: New Gods #7, The Pact: You ever get the feeling, when looking at most later New Gods stories, that the writer has never bothered reading this issue (or any other of Kirby's run, for that matter)? I do, all the time. Even if they seem aware of its contents, which isn't always, it almost feels as if they've only read a synopsis or something, because the entire spirit of the thing, so powerful in the original, seems to have entirely passed them by. In the recent Darkseid War thing, they had Highfather as a victory-at-all-costs war leader who was of course eventually shown the error of his ways by the morally superior DCU superheroes - completely ignoring that the whole idea of Izaya becoming Highfather is based on his having gone through that existential crisis way back then. It's his bloody origin story, for heavens sakes! That double-page spread with the Female Furies highlights another little thing a lot of later writers miss - the Furies are always shown as these tough, battle-hardened types, not the uptight sticklers for rules and military properness we usually see in the later versions. And that once again makes me think those writers have only heard about these characters, not bothered to read the actual stories. One of many story possibilities I'd like to see explored would be the earlier life of Tigra: as mother of Orion she should be a pretty important character. That is an area that really hasn't been touched, the intrigues of Apokolips before the start of the series. Darkseid gives a synopsis, in an upcoming New Gods issue, about Kalibak's mother and Queen Heggra's reaction to her. We learn that she was Darkseid's true love and was murdered under order of the queen, whom Darkseid had murdered to assume power. Nobody touches all of that. Man that is Shakespeare, the Renaissance, and the best soap opera all rolled into one, just waiting for a writer with some chops. Nope, everyone just wants Darkseid soliloquies and the Omega Effect. It's liek they can't see past the villain standing there epically. The best post-Kirby use, for my money, was in Superman TAS and Justice League. The thing about the Furies is they read like combat veterans by Kirby, who would know a thing or two about that. Just about everyone after that had no experience to draw upon. I think that is another reason, apart from Vietnam, that war comics died out. You ran into a generational gap of people who had been in or near combat vs those who had never been in the military or served in peacetime or were in rear echelon jobs (not that many of the folks who did great war comics weren't also behind the lines). It's similar if you look at Kirby's issues of the Losers. Most other writers treated it like a 1960s action film. Kirby actually used it to make statements about combat and the horror of war. He has a scene in one of the early ones where a massive artillery barrage is raining down, while a pianist plays a piece that punctuates the destruction being brought down on the Nazis. It's rather haunting.  |
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Post by brutalis on Jan 10, 2017 13:07:52 GMT -5
Nobody has a clue anymore about Darkseid. Current writers are content to utilize him as a visual monster trowing everything he has at Earth and it's hero's. Where is the cunning? The deceit? The tactician? The plotter? The manipulator? The depth? Darkseid only enters the battle if he is forced or truly necessary and knows guile wins over force any time. You don't walk away from any confrontation with Darkseid unscathed or whole physically or emotionally or mentally. You leave with more questions and worry than you began with!!!
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