RKMBs Forums .::Robegories::. Comic Books Jim Starlin kills the New Gods

by Steve Ekstrom

In February of 1971, Jack Kirby introduced DC Universe to the New Gods and Fourth World books. After years of failed revamps and re-boots, critically acclaimed industry legend Jim Starlin gives them a proper burial in October with the release of The Death of The New Gods eight issue mini-series by Jim Starlin.

So far of course, the death toll sits at ‘one’ currently—Lightray was mysteriously killed in Countdown #48.

As most hardcore fans of Kirby’s Fourth World will know, the New Gods played a central role in DC’s Cosmic Odyssey which was also penned by Starlin. Newsarama sat down and talked to Starlin about his upcoming project—and he elaborated elaborate on some interesting objects featured in DC’s second Countdown teaser image; as well as, just how dead the New Gods are really about to be.

Newsarama: It's been indicated that the New Gods play a very crucial role in Countdown--can you elaborate as to where your story starts or picks up?

Jim Starlin: Let's see, Lightray died early on in Countdown. I’m not sure which Countdown week The Death of the New Gods begins, but as I understand it, several other New God characters appear in various DC comics before my series begins. I never use any of these said characters in my series. To my knowledge, no one plans to use any of the characters I use in Death of the New Gods, other than Superman. You do the math.

NRAMA: In his interview about the first Countdown teaser image, Dan Didio spelled out the writing on the wall--Big Barda and Mr. Miracle's feet are touching the ground--and touching the ground means you don't make it out of Countdown--so to speak. Is your project, "The Death of the New Gods" a literal massacre or more of a metaphorical change in the status quo of Jack Kirby's Fourth World legacy--or both?

JS: Dan's the boss. Myself, I sort of think of this project as putting an ending to Jack's New Gods' saga. Since Kirby's initial run on the characters others have presented them with mixed results. Looking back I'd say at least half of the past New Gods series have done more harm than good. So for me, Death of the New Gods is half honoring Jack Kirby, half mercy killing.

NRAMA: Black Racer's broken skis and a Mother Box of sorts are pictured on the ground in the second Countdown teaser image; care to throw in your "two cents" with an observation about this particular portion of the larger image?

JS: Didn't realize that was a Mother Box until hearing your question. You know they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. As for the Black Racer clue—well, the Racer was easily my least favorite of the New Gods. So no one should be surprised to learn he doesn't last long in Death of the New Gods. Never could figure out what Kirby was thinking when he created this one. He should have been gotten rid of a long time ago. Then again, that's just my opinion.

NRAMA: Can readers expect to find answers in regards to the more vague aspects of New Gods mythology and status quo? Will there finally be a peek behind the Source Wall at The Source?

JS: Big plans for the Source. You'll never guest whose father he turns out to be. No, seriously: everything you think you know about the Source is wrong. This is the part that the really fanatical Kirby fans are simply going to hate.

NRAMA: Will Mr. Miracle divulge the secret of the Anti-Life Equation or will he be taking that to his deathbed?

JS: Circumstances will get Scott using the Anti-Life Equation freely and to his own detriment. Won’t say anymore than that.

NRAMA: Who are some characters for readers to keep their eyes on during Countdown and The Death of the New Gods who will provide insight into what's coming down the pipe for the DC Universe?

JS: Well, coming out of Death of the New Gods, I guess, the only one that it makes any sense keeping an eye on is Superman. He was strictly on loan and I had to promise not to break him.

NRAMA: If the end is nigh for the New Gods, where do Darkseid and Apokolips weigh in? Or are they in danger as well?

JS: I'm not sure why folks keep asking me questions like this. The name of the series is The Death of the New Gods, not The Death of Some of the New Gods.

NRAMA: Got it. Finally, then, will this project lead to a re-iteration of the New Gods in the foreseeable future? Or do you think it is time to close the final chapter on an old idea and try a new concept?

JS: DC owns the rights to the character's names. There's some great names there. What do you think?

Okay, then, who becomes the new Darkseid? Who is THAT badass?

Starlin comes off seeming irritated by the entire interview. Lots of snippy answers.

Starlin comes off seeming irritated by the entire interview. Lots of snippy answers.

As for this Death of the New Gods thing...hmmm...

PRO THEORY TIME:

My prediction is that they will replace the New Gods with New New Gods. It's probably a god-cycle, or something, where the universe recreates new godlings to fill the void. And, knowing the angle DC is playing lately with using established characters as other characters, I would say they will replace the New Gods with established characters.

Lightray = Jimmy Olsen

I mean, they look exactly the same.

Who else?

Wouldn't Lobo be a good Orion, Dog of War?

What about Kyle "Ion/Parallax" Rayner? He's powerful enough to fit in there.

Who else is just hanging about that DC can redo?

Nobody, Pro. That's the fatal flaw. You can't kill Darkseid. There's no one to replace him or who poses that serious a threat to Superman. That's why this thing is doomed to fail, no matter how fun it is to watch.

Darkseid is overplayed and overrated!
Killing him off would be the greatest move DC has done in years!

There are plenty of ways of replacing him, the main one being to upgrade someone powerwise like they did when Hal became Parallax.