Darkseid, Orion, & New Gods 4th World Reading Order - Comic Book Herald

17/4/2017 Darkseid, Orion, & New Gods 4th World Reading Order | Comic Book Herald
Home About Support My Marvelous Year Join!
 Search this website …
COMPLETE MARVEL READING ORDER REVIEWS COMICS GUIDES
MARVEL UNLIMITED COLUMNS DC READING ORDERS
You are here: Home / Reading Orders / DC Comics / Darkseid, Orion & New Gods Reading Order!
Jack Kirby’s Complete 4th World Saga
Darkseid, Orion & New Gods
Reading Order! Jack Kirby’s
Complete 4th World Saga
MARCH 17, 2017 BY DAVE 3 COMMENTS
I’ll be the first to admit, I just didn’t get Jack Kirby for a good long while after becoming a comic
book fan. More and more, I’m learning I’m not alone in this. There’s something about Kirby’s
bombast, and a million ideas per square inch that can be surprisingly challenging. Sure, the man’s
clearly an artistic genius, but without Stan’s dialogue on Fantastic Four, would all that brilliance be
reduced to the snoozefest like the late 70’s Eternals?
Jack Kirby’s creative brilliance across his Fourth World saga for DC Comics (finally) convinced me
I’d been 100% wrong. Hot off the heels of creating or cocreating the vast majority of the Marvel
Universe as we know it today, Kirby turned around and created the entire New Gods mythology,
including the modern alltime evil DC villain, Darkseid.
http://www.comicbookherald.com/darkseidorionnewgodsreadingorderjackkirbyscomplete4thworldsaga/ 1/22
More importantly, Kirby’s innovative crossover epic is just absolute comic book joy. In between
bouts of pure unadulurated fun (including a mindblowingly bizarre extended Don Rickles cameo),
Kirby effortlessly crystallizes the values of freedom and compassion in the midst of anger, fear, and
hatred. Everything from the antilife propoganda of Glorious Godfrey to the allconsuming fascism
of Darkseid has extraordinarily clear modern parallels.
Below you’ll find a complete chronological reading order to Jack Kirby’s 4th world saga. In addition,
I’ve added a Darkseid reading order, and a New Gods comic book timeline, so you can see how
Kirby’s creations have appeared across DC Comics since their inception in the early 70’s.
Darkseid & New Gods Reading Order
Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Saga Reading Order
After leaving Marvel Comics toward the start of 1970, Jack “King” Kirby made his way to rival DC
Comics to take over one ongoing title (“Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen”) and launch three new
series and a brandnew mythos. With “The Forever People,” “The New Gods,” and “Mister
Miracle,” Kirby effectively created an entirely new cosmic legacy for the DC Universe, with alltime
great characters like Darkseid, Orion, and Metron.
Below you’ll find the reading order for the complete Kirby 4th World saga as collected in four
omnibus collections. You could easily make a case that it’s actually easiest to just read each title
individually, and if you’re collecting digitally, I’d probably advise you do so. The stories don’t
necessarily flow from one issue to the next, so much as share characters and a larger text.
Personally, I’d also say don’t feel bad if you want to skip just about all of Superman’s Pal, Jimmy
Olsen. This title adds very little to the Fourth World, and is more for Kirby completists in my book.
Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Omnibus, Vol. 1
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #133
The Forever People #1
The New Gods #1
Mister Miracle #1
The New Gods #2
Mister Miracle #2
The New Gods #3
Mister Miracle #3
The New Gods #4
Mister Miracle #4
The New Gods #5
Mister Miracle #5
The New Gods #6
Mister Miracle #6
The New Gods #7
Mister Miracle #7
The New Gods #8
Mister Miracle #8
The New Gods #9
Mister Miracle #9
The New Gods #10
Mister Miracle #10
Forever People #11
New Gods #11
Mister Miracle #11 to #18
Hunger Dogs Graphic Novel
New Gods After Kirby
The Secret Society of SuperVillains Vol. 1
Collects: Secret Society of SuperVillains #1 to #10, The Amazing World of DC Comics #11
Darkseid hires 10 major DC villains like Gorilla Grodd and Captain Cold as part of his plot to take
over Earth.
Gerry Conway’s Return of the New Gods
Collects: New Gods #12 to #19
Darkseid & New Gods In The 1980’s
The Legion of SuperHeroes: The Great Darkness Saga
Collects: Legion Of SuperHeroes #284296 And Annual #1
Keith Giffen and Paul Levitz’s “Great Darkness Saga” is one of my favorite DC stories, and also
one of my top 100 favorite comics of all time! A great read for both new Legion fans, and those
looking to see the evil of Darkseid at its best.
Justice League of America
Collects: #183 To #185
Darkseid returns and attempts to conquer Earth2.
Super Powers
Collects: Super Powers Vol. 1 #15, Super Powers Vol. 2 #16 And Super Powers Vol. 3 #14
From 1984 to 1986, Jack Kirby was finally granted a miniseries to pit the forces of the DC Universe
against Darkseid and Apokolips.
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Collects: Crisis On Infinite Earths #1 To #12
Marv Wolfman and George Perez’s 1985 DC mega event is not specifically a New Gods event, but
features appearances from every corner of the DC Universe.
Legends 30th Anniversary Edition
Collects: Legends #16
Hot on the heels of Crisis, Legends is DC’s first Universewide event to feature Darkseid in a
prominent role, fighting alongside Superman and company.
Superman Vs. Darkseid
Collects: Adventures Of Superman #426, Action Comics #586, Superman Vs Darkseid: Apokolips
Now! #1
Justice League International, Vol. 1
Collects: Justice League #1 to #6, Justice League International #7
Following Legends, Keith Giffen and J.M. Dematteis relaunched Justice League, with Mister
Miracle and Oberon as core members.
Collects: Justice League Annual #1, Justice League International #813, Suicide Squad #13
Collects: Justice League International #14 to #22
Collects: Justice League International #23 to #30
Forever People (1987 to 1988)
Collects: Forever People #1 to #6
Cosmic Odyssey
Collects: Complete Cosmic Odyssey
Jim Starlin and Mike Mignola’s epic DC crossover event starring Darkseid. Cosmic Odyssey takes
care to build out the mythos of the Old Gods
Mister Miracle (1989 to 1991)
Collects: Mister Miracle #1 to #28
Mister Miracle returns with his longest running solo series following his membership in the
Dematteis and Giffen Justice League.
New Gods (1989 to 1991)
Collects: New Gods #1 to #28
Jack Kirby protege Mark Evanier relaunches the New Gods.
Darkseid and New Gods Reborn In The 1990s
Darkseid vs. Galactus
Collects: “The Hunger” Graphic Novel
Crossover by John Byrne.
Tales of the New Gods
Collects: Mister Miracle Special, Jack Kirby’s Fourth World #220, And Orion #34, #68, #10, #12,
#15, #1819
The mid to late 90’s relaunch of the New Gods saga was titled Jack Kirby’s Fourth World, and
features stories from creative icons like John Byrne and Walt Simonson.
JLA: The Deluxe Edition, Vol. 1
Collects: Jla #1 To #9
Grant Morrison’s classic late 90’s run on the Justice League of America restores the property to its
centerpiece status, and features ongoing connections to the Fourth World. Both Metron, Darkseid,
and Big Barda play essential roles, in some of the best 4th World DCU integration in comics.
Genesis
Collects: Genesis #1 to #4
The John Byrne led miniseries can be read after Tales of the New Gods #8.
Collects: Jla #10 To #17
The second volume of JLA by Morrison and Porter is the most relevant for Darkseid and New
Gods fans, with the JLA taking on both the Injustice Gang and Darkseid. This was my introduction
to Mobius and the fourth world, and it’s great!
Collects: JLA #2226, 2831 and 1,000,000
Collects: JLA #34 and 3641, plus JLA CLASSIFIED #13
Orion by Walter Simonson Omnibus
Collects: Orion #125 And Stories From Jack Kirby’S Fourth World #911 And 13
The master comic book talent Walt Simonson takes over an incredible solo run on Orion, rivaling
even his untouchable work on Thor at times.
Darkseid & New Gods in 2000’s Through Final Crisis
Superman/Batman Vol. 1
Collects: Superman/Batman #113
Darkseid and Apokolips play a major role in this Batman and Superman teamup book by Jeph
Loeb.
Seven Soldiers of Victory, Book 1
Collects: Seven Soldiers Of Victory #0, The Guardian #14, Klarion #13, Zatanna #13, And The
Shining Knight #14
Grant Morrison’s elaborate Seven Soldiers project includes reimagined Mister Miracle as well as
Boss Dark Side.
Seven Soldiers of Victory, Book 2
Collects: Mister Miracle #14, Bulleteer #14, Zatanna #4, Klarion #4, Frankenstein #14 And
Seven Soldiers Of Victory #1
Death of the New Gods
Collects: Death of the New Gods #1 to #8
In this Final Crisis prelude, cosmic mastermind Jim Starlin takes on the “Death of the New Gods.”
Given Starlin’s skill with Darkseid’s crosspublisher twin, Thanos, the fourth world connection is
natural.
Final Crisis (New Edition)
Collects: Final Crisis #17, Superman Beyond #12 And Submit #1
Grant Morrison’s DC event continues his infatuation with Kirby’s Fourth World, as Darkseid makes
a final play for the antilife equation conquesting the entire DC Universe.
New 52 Darkseid Reading Order
To see how these issues fit in with the rest of DC’s New 52 Universe, you can check out Comic
Book Herald’s complete New 52 reading order.
Justice League, Vol. 1: Origin
Collects: Justice League #1 To #6
The New 52 quickly repositions Darkseid as the ultimate big bad in the DC comics Universe, with
an Apokolips invasion prompting the formation of the Justice League.
Wonder Woman, Vol. 3: Iron
Wonder Woman Vol. 4: War
Collects: Wonder Woman #12 to #23
Orion joins Wonder Woman’s quest and war vs. the Gods of Olympus at the bequest of Highfather.
Earth 2: World’s End Vol. 1
Collects: Earth 2 #1 to #6
Earth 2 World’s End Vol. 2
Collects: Earth 2 #7 to #12
Apokolips comes for Earth2!
Infinity Man and the Forever People Vol. 1: Planet of the Humans
Collects: Infinity Man and the Forever People #1 to #9
Green Lantern/New Gods: Godhead
Collects: Green Lantern/New Gods: Godhead #1, Green Lantern #3537, Green Lantern Corps
#3537, Green Lantern New Guardians #3537, Red Lanterns #3537, Sinestro #68 And Green
Lantern Annual #3
Godhead Reading Order:
New Gods: Godhead #1
Green Lantern #35
Green Lantern Corps #35
Green Lantern New Guardians #35
Infinity Man & The Forever People #4
Red Lanterns #35
Sinestro #6
Green Lantern #36
Red Lanterns #36
Sinestro #7
Green Lantern #37
Red Lanterns #37
Sinestro #8
Green Lantern Annual #3
Justice League Vol. 7: Darkseid War Part 1
Collects: Justice League #4044
Justice League: Darkseid War – Power of the Gods
Collects: Darkseid War Issues: Batman, Green Lantern, Lex Luthor, The Flash, Superman,
Shazam
Justice League Vol. 8: Darkseid War Part 2
Collects: Justice League #4550 And Justice League: Darkseid War Special #1
Naruto Online Secret Empire
Oficial Reading Order
Ad Naruto Online comicbookherald.com
FILED UNDER: DC COMICS, FEATURED
TAGGED WITH: DARKSEID, JACK KIRBY, NEW GODS
Heroically Support Comic Book Herald!
If you like Comic Book Herald, and are able to donate, any small contribution will help
keep CBH alive and full of new comics guides and content. Donate here! Thank you
for reading!
About Dave
Dave is the founder and EditorinChief of Comic Book Herald, and also the
Boss of assigning himself fancy titles. He's a longtime comic book fan, and
can be seen most evenings in Batman pajama pants. Contact Dave @comicbookherald
on Twitter or via email at dave@comicbookherald.com.
COMMENTS
Claude Drolet says
March 18, 2017 at 10:51 pm
Wow, this is a tempting list. I’d love to go back and read it all. The Great Darkness Saga
has been on my “to read” list since the ‘80s.
I’ve read almost all the original Fourth World, but not all the stuff that comes after by far.
Loved the Legends and JLI in the 80s, and the Despero/Death of Mister Miracle issues of
JLI (3840?) are one of my top stories of all time. I also loved the Byrne and Simonson
stuff in the 90s. And completely agree with you that Morrisons’s run is justifiable called a
classic.
I did not know that the Super Powers miniseries was in fact a Kirby revist to the Fourth
World. All these years (30?) I’ve dismissed it as a ploy to sell the toys…have to track that
one down. So much time wasted…
I take issue with your comment “don’t feel bad if you want to skip just about all of
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen. This title adds very little to the Fourth World”, though. I
think these books with the introduction of Project Cadmus and the reintroduction of the
Newsboy Legion and the Guardian are must reading. As a kid, the Guardian was one of
my favorites. He had all the nobility of Capt A, but without all the baggage.
Reply
Dave says
March 19, 2017 at 11:08 am
Yeah, that’s pretty fair – Kirby develops a lot of DCU ideas that are prominent today
in Jimmy Olsen. When you’re focused on the New Gods, though, they feel like a
weird, largely irrelevant detour. Important for DC, and fun in their own right, but not
essential for 4th World in my book.
Reply
Claude Drolet says
March 19, 2017 at 11:25 pm
I have always associated Project Cadmus and the Harries, etc. as part of the
Fourth World. Maybe because as a kid I had a bunch of Jimmy Olsen comics.
My first introduction to Darkseid and Intergang were through Jimmy Olsen.
The Evil Factory that was set up by Darkseid and run by his minions…Simyan
and Mokkari. Magnar was introduced in Jimmy Olsen,
All sorts of Intergang stuff interweaving with the project.
Reply
LEAVE A REPLY
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment
Name *
Email *
Website
Notify me of followup comments via email. You can also subscribe without commenting.
POST COMMENT
RECENT POSTS
Planet Hulk Reading Order and Greg Pak Hulk
Comics Guide April 14, 2017
Question of the Week: What’s the next TPB After
Captain Marvel First Contact? April 11, 2017
Nova Reading Order April 10, 2017
Adam Warlock Reading Order April 8, 2017
Batgirl Reading Order April 3, 2017
Marvel Zombies Reading Order March 26, 2017
Darth Vader Reading Order March 25, 2017
Netflix Iron Fist Review! Where Does It Fit In The
MCU Power Rankings? March 21, 2017
How To Start Reading Comics In 2017: A
Beginner’s Guide March 20, 2017
Where To Start With Archie Comics? March 19,
2017
POPULAR ARTICLES
Civil War Reading Order
Civil War 2 Reading Order
Batman Reading Order
DC New 52 Reading Order
Marvel Cosmic Reading Order
The Best Comics of All Time!
Deadpool Reading Order
Justice League Reading Order
Complete Thanos Reading Order
XMen Reading Guide (Modern Era)
Age of Apocalypse Reading Order
Modern Marvel Universe in 25 Trades
Best Tablet For Digital Comics
Is Marvel Unlimited Worth It?
NEW TO COMIC BOOK HERALD?
Hey there my name's Dave and this is my comic
book blog. It's my way of sharing my borderline
obsessive addiction to the comic book medium,
and I hope you like some of what's going on here.
Most people that come here are looking for my
(WIP) Marvel reading order guide. You can
probably also get a sense if CBH is for you by
taking a look at some of my columns.
If you like what you see, let's connect on Facebook
or Twitter. Or, leave a comment on the blog here,
I'm always looking for new awesome people in the
comic book community.
MORE ON COMIC BOOK HERALD
Home
About
Support
My Marvelous Year
Join!
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
RECENT POSTS
Planet Hulk Reading Order and Greg Pak Hulk
Comics Guide
Question of the Week: What’s the next TPB After
Captain Marvel First Contact?
Nova Reading Order
Adam Warlock Reading Order
Batgirl Reading Order
Copyright © 2017 · Metro Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Darkseid, Orion, & New Gods 4th World Reading Order - Comic Book Herald

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Darkseid, Orion, & New Gods 4th World Reading Order - Comic Book Herald

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

17/4/2017 Darkseid, Orion, & New Gods 4th World Reading Order | Comic Book Herald

Home About Support My Marvelous Year Join!

COMPLETE MARVEL READING ORDER REVIEWS COMICS GUIDES

MARVEL UNLIMITED COLUMNS DC READING ORDERS

NEW TO COMIC BOOK HERALD?

MORE ON COMIC BOOK HERALD

You might also like