Happy birthday, Jack. Read the video transcript here: https://witsendpod.com/podcast-episodes/chaos-ensues-jack-kirbys-magnum-opus
Chaos Ensues begins here. A deep dive into the beautifully complex world of Jack "King" Kirby's Fourth World books published by DC Comics in the 70s.
Special thanks to Steve Rude, John Morrow & J.M. DeMatteis.
If you close your eyes, turn around and wildly throw a dart backwards, there’s a high chance you’ll hit a character or concept Jack “King” Kirby created during his career producing superhero comics. This is Jack Kirby, by the way. This guy right here.
Born Jacob Kurtzberg on August 28, 1917 in New York’s Lower East Side, Jack Kirby became enamored with storytelling early in his life.
The Fourth World books—especially New Gods and Forever People (with some moments in Mister Miracle) reflect Kirby’s war experiences and observations. Kirby served as an infantryman and scout in World War II, an experience that would influence his work until the end of his career.
Jack Kirby going over to DC in 1970 after his role in creating the Marvel Universe was no small feat. It was insanely relevant among fans and the comics industry itself.
Despite its flaws and the criticism it gets, the Fourth World is a representation of one person’s pure imagination. It’s a dense world of war, social commentary, survival and hope birthed from a number two pencil and printed on cheap newsprint. These stories have been reprinted countless times and have inspired other stories in pop culture.
CHAOS ENSUES:
-Website: https://witsendpod.com
-YouTube channel (subscribe): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwvSur7b4J_U3gMIA44OGWQ
-Patreon: https://patreon.com/witsendpodcast
-JACK KIRBY’S MONSTERS ESSAY: https://witsendpod.com/podcast-episodes/70-jack-kirbys-monsters?rq=monsters
TIME CODES:
-0:00—Prologue (Jack “King” Kirby)
-3:17—The Marvel Years (60s)
-6:15—What is the Fourth World?
-16:03—Akira Kurosawa
-20:50—Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen
-43:45—New Gods
-48:29—Mister Miracle
-54:43—Forever People
-1:00:09—Fourth World Canceled
-1:14:15—The King of Comics
-1:17:58—Fourth World for New Readers (Where to start?)
#jackkirby
4th World box set: https://www.amazon.com/Fourth-World-Box-Set/dp/1779514859
Jack Kirby's Fourth World, Steve Rude Interview, J.M. DeMatteis Interview, John Morrow Interview