New Gods by Jim Starlin!

[Sean Walsh]

From Jim Starlin's site (starlin.com):

http://www.geocities.com/comixlibrary/newgods/ngstarlin.jpg

Not many highlights, but
- Takion's still Highfather
- Virman Vundabar looks to be back from the dead (killed off by Byrne years ago)

[matt_hatyber]

is that light ray bottom center of the picture?

[Sean Walsh]

is that light ray bottom center of the picture?

By Kalibak's foot?

Just looks like a sun to me...

[rick]

Starlin is certainly a natural for the assignment.

This is really cool to see.

[Titan76]

If Starling writes Darkseid like he does Thanos(basically bringing Darkseid back to his Pre-Crisis days) then I'm on board for this.

[Gargus]

I will read it.

I love all the cosmic stuff starlin did for marvel, this suits him I think. Ill give it a shot.

[DaeJi]

Starlin brings that whole Jack Kirby vibe to his space stuff. This should be AMAZING.

[Cayman]

Looks very cool, although I think Walt Simonson's New Gods still wins.

[matt_hatyber]

34858

that looks like lightray with a different costume

[bfrank]

isn't that one of the forever people?

[Generic Eric]

Those are some goofy ass looking characters. I'll have to check out the Jack Kirby Omnibus first...

[DaeJi]

Those are some goofy ass looking characters. I'll have to check out the Jack Kirby Omnibus first...

Look at where you are. Everyone we talk about is goofy looking; one the many, many joys of comics :D

[Sean Walsh]

34858

that looks like lightray with a different costume

No; that's Mark Moonrider. One of the Forever People.

Huh, never really noticed he and Lightray kinda looked alike...

[rwe1138]

Starlin brings that whole Jack Kirby vibe to his space stuff. This should be AMAZING.

Agreed. If Starlin's at the top of his game for this, it's gonna kick all kinds of ass. :D

[Gingold]

If this is anything like Cosmic Odyssey, I've got some reservations. It's a nice drawing, though.

[RacShade]

If Starling writes Darkseid like he does Thanos(basically bringing Darkseid back to his Pre-Crisis days) then I'm on board for this.

On his site, it says "click here for a page from a new Thanos series" and this picture pops up.

So, I'd say you're not too far off.

[diablo7]

is starlin doing art on it too because if so i'll have to pass..

[DWEarhart]

I'll give this one a few issues, anywhere between 3 and 5, and if I'm not hooked, I'll drop it.

All I'm getting right from DC right now is Checkmate, and wanted to avoid anymore of their titles, but anything with the New Gods will grab my attention.

Walt Simonson's Orion series was excellent. It would be nice if he had some input in this.

[Generic Eric]

Look at where you are. Everyone we talk about is goofy looking; one the many, many joys of comics


I'll check this series out only if it's signigantly over the top. :)

[Deus ex Chris]

Eh, call me when DC finally puts Morrison and Quitely on the New Gods, like they should've done years ago. I'll read it then.

[G. Boney]

Starlin has written them before. I have a few issues of a New Gods series from the eighties from the "cheap comics" bin. They weren't that good...

[David O Burcham]

I can't wait for this! It will probablly jump to the "read first" pile with Brave and Bold.

It's always a good thing to have a super-hero comic book by creators who don't come off as being ashamed they are working on super-hero comic books.

[DaeJi]

Eh, call me when DC finally puts Morrison and Quitely on the New Gods, like they should've done years ago. I'll read it then.

Oh man, anyone but Morrison and Quitely. I don't get how people can stomach them; especially Quitely, who's addes way too many little, ugly lines to his faces and adds 15 pounds to everyone he draws.

[spidervenom]

yay starin

[Deus ex Chris]

I don't get how people can stomach them;
Because they're better than anyone else working in superhero comics today? Because they could probably bring back that Kirby feel, while still bringing something entirely new to the table? Take your pick. Either answer works for me.

[Kyle_Ion]

From Jim Starlin's site (starlin.com):

http://www.geocities.com/comixlibrary/newgods/ngstarlin.jpg

Not many highlights, but
- Takion's still Highfather
- Virman Vundabar looks to be back from the dead (killed off by Byrne years ago)



Is this going to be a new ongoing series?

[Aaron King]

I'm with the naysayers here. Cosmic Odyssey and Starlin's other New Gods work hasn't been good so far. Let's get some Morrison/Simonson action as writer/co-plotters/penciller.

[Kyle_Ion]

Because they're better than anyone else working in superhero comics today? Because they could probably bring back that Kirby feel, while still bringing something entirely new to the table? Take your pick. Either answer works for me.


I never did like Morrisons work, don't know about quietly. But in my opinion Starlin is better.

[dancj]

Cosmic Odyssey was decent. His issues of New Gods weren't. Personally I'm not that hopeful.

Put me in the chorus of people who'd be on board for a Morrison/Quitely version

[Sean Walsh]

Is this going to be a new ongoing series?

I have no idea.

It sounds like a Countdown spin-off of some sort, but DC's said nothing, Starlin's said nothing and the only reason we know the book will exist in the first place is because of the previews (3 total so far) Starlin has put up on his website for the last 6 months or so.

[Jack Zodiac]

If this is anything like Cosmic Odyssey, I've got some reservations. It's a nice drawing, though.

Yeah...

I love Starlin's space operas, and I really enjoyed his Mystery in Space mini-series, but the way he wrote Darkseid in Cosmic Odyssey wasn't very good, nor was his use of the Anti-Life Equation. Still, it's the New Gods. I'm definitely checking it out.

[Sean Walsh]

Yeah...

I love Starlin's space operas, and I really enjoyed his Mystery in Space mini-series, but the way he wrote Darkseid in Cosmic Odyssey wasn't very good, nor was his use of the Anti-Life Equation. Still, it's the New Gods. I'm definitely checking it out.

Considering Starlin's last preview page before this one showed Darkseid in possession of the Anti-Life Equation (the symbols as established in ORION) I'd say he's not going down the COSMIC ODYSSEY route exactly...

Plus unlike when CO came out (late 80's, after LEGENDS), there seems to be a big editorial plan for the New Gods these days and a lot of people who adhere to continuity and the Kirby view of things (Morrison, Johns)

[Will.S]

Eh, call me when DC finally puts Morrison and Quitely on the New Gods, like they should've done years ago. I'll read it then.
Agreed.

Hell I think Morrison and Eric Powell would be even better.

[ponset]

New Gods AGAIN??? ***YAWN***

Why does DC have to shove these silly characters with their bland concepts down are throats every few years?
New Gods have always failed and they will again.

I'll pass this series, as I have every New God series since Jack Kirby left.

[Kyle_Ion]

New Gods AGAIN??? ***YAWN***

Why does DC have to shove these silly characters with their bland concepts down are throats every few years?
New Gods have always failed and they will again.

I'll pass this series, as I have every New God series since Jack Kirby left.

I don't I'm going to give this new series, if it is going to be one a chance. Besides I haven't read any of the New Gods series yet.

[Desaad]

I have no idea.

It sounds like a Countdown spin-off of some sort, but DC's said nothing, Starlin's said nothing and the only reason we know the book will exist in the first place is because of the previews (3 total so far) Starlin has put up on his website for the last 6 months or so.

He actually has said something, but you have to be an eagle eyed fan to catch it all. :)

It ties, tangentially, into Countdown. Presumably some time down the road, since we haven't seen a solicit yet.

Each issue is going to be extra sized - 30 pages or maybe a bit more. Been a while since I listened to the interview. The entire project is going to be over 200 pages, all told.

Its a mini series, in the same vein as Mystery in Space.

Oh, and some months ago he was I believe already on the 4th issue, so must be at least on the 5th or 6th now. Working well, WELL ahead.

[TCJohnson]

Maybe there is some hope that Mister Miracle and Big Barda won't be killed off.

[Sean Walsh]

He actually has said something, but you have to be an eagle eyed fan to catch it all. :)

It ties, tangentially, into Countdown. Presumably some time down the road, since we haven't seen a solicit yet.

Each issue is going to be extra sized - 30 pages or maybe a bit more. Been a while since I listened to the interview.

Ah, an audio interview/podcast thingy. Yeah, I don't listen to those. But thanks. :)

The entire project is going to be over 200 pages, all told.

Its a mini series, in the same vein as Mystery in Space.

Oh, and some months ago he was I believe already on the 4th issue, so must be at least on the 5th or 6th now. Working well, WELL ahead.

Good things to hear. I was hoping it'd be one of those extra-sized miniseries like TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED and this upcoming COUNTDOWN TO ADVENTURE thing.

[Expletive Deleted]

Bring on the Darkseid clones!

[Taskmaster]

Because they're better than anyone else working in superhero comics today? Because they could probably bring back that Kirby feel, while still bringing something entirely new to the table? Take your pick. Either answer works for me.

Oh yeah, making them pimps and hoes while drawing them like monkies will really bring in the fans. Morrison and Quietly are the two most overrated individuals in the industry today

[Jack Zodiac]

Yeah, no, definitely not, especially if you ignore the tens of thousands of fans the idea brought to the series. No, definitely not. Nor the sales in bookstores outside the direct market, or the Eisner Award it won in 2006 for "Best Limited Series." No, definitely an awful idea that nobody'd like.

Morrison and Quitely are overrated, and that's why their books sell in the hundred thousands and win all sorts of awards. It couldn't possibly be because they're good and you just happen to think they suck.

[DaeJi]

Morrison and Quitely are hit or miss for me. Some of their stuff is good, some of it is meh.

For the New Gods, I'll wait to see what Starlin has up his sleeves before looking at other creative teams. I think if DC gives him complete creative control he can pull off some great stuff.








500th post!

[sly_kat]

I have no idea.

It sounds like a Countdown spin-off of some sort, but DC's said nothing, Starlin's said nothing and the only reason we know the book will exist in the first place is because of the previews (3 total so far) Starlin has put up on his website for the last 6 months or so.

and the addition of starlin's name mentioned and a new gods project in a past dc nation.... of course the rumor the name of the title of the series is the death of the new gods... but then again thatsjust a rumor...

[Deus ex Chris]

Morrison and Quietly are the two most overrated individuals in the industry today
I just have to laugh when I see comments like this.

[Cayman]

I just have to laugh when I see comments like this.

Who is this Quietly person? Is he as good as Jack Kibry?

[Deus ex Chris]

Who is this Quietly person? Is he as good as Jack Kibry?
Right? LOL

[Sean Walsh]

Who is this Quietly person? Is he as good as Jack Kibry?

I can tell you one thing, he's nowhere near as controversial as Steve Dikto.

[Sean Walsh]

and the addition of starlin's name mentioned and a new gods project in a past dc nation.... of course the rumor the name of the title of the series is the death of the new gods... but then again thatsjust a rumor...

Didio's gone so far as to say (a few times) that the New Gods are in trouble. Big trouble.

So yah, "Death of the New Gods" sounds accurate with DC's apparent plans.

[Deus ex Chris]

I can tell you one thing, he's nowhere near as controversial as Steve Dikto.
Well, if you had a toe like that, it'd be controversial too. Where's your sympathy, dude?

[Taskmaster]

Yeah, no, definitely not, especially if you ignore the tens of thousands of fans the idea brought to the series. No, definitely not. Nor the sales in bookstores outside the direct market, or the Eisner Award it won in 2006 for "Best Limited Series." No, definitely an awful idea that nobody'd like.

Morrison and Quitely are overrated, and that's why their books sell in the hundred thousands and win all sorts of awards. It couldn't possibly be because they're good and you just happen to think they suck.

Right, I'm sure the idea of Darseid as a gang lord and other new gods characters as prostitutes and druggies brought tens of thousands of fans into the series as oppossed to the talent involved or the main characters involved. And I didn't say nobody would like it but it's obvious that DC didn't since they've already ignored it in the post IC comics. Good and suck are subjective terms and I still stand by my statement that they are overrated, or as it is defined 'rated too highly' it's an opinion, and reguardless of how many people follow the trends (just see how many people ran out and bought Youngblood and awards Rob Liefield won) I still think that they aren't as good as most fans on the internet seem to think. In fact, as much love as they get in the 'comicworld', most people that aren't already reading comics that I know of that have come across their work find Quietly's work ugly and Morrison's confusing.

Anyways, I actually think Morrison COULD do a good New Gods book, just as long as he didn't go back to the lame ideas from Seven Soldiers, I liked his work with them in the past (pre-Seven Soldiers) and think his far-out there ideas would work well on the book, but based on his most recent work with them he wouldn't be my first choice. If I wanted to read about Prostitutes, gang lords and druggies there are plenty of places for it, New Gods isn't that place.

[Jack Zodiac]

That's neat. Everyone I introduce Morrison's work to, even his work with Quitely, thinks it's aces. Especially his Doom Patrol, which is the textbook definition of "weird and confusing."

And for what it's worth, yeah, I think his work on JLA with the New Gods and Wonderworld, and the "Rock of Ages" arc, all of that stuff was tops, and if he took a crack at a relaunch of the Fourth World books, I think he'd kick ass on 'em in even a traditional sense. But the point is, the Seven Soldiers mini-series were all, even the ones that weren't about old Kirby characters, steeped in New Gods mythos. It wasn't just Darkseid posing as a crime lord with Granny Goodness running a Female Fury whorehouse and Desaad brainwashing therapy patients with the Anti-Life Equation. It took a page out of The Eternals, gave the New Gods a huge role in the legacy of superheroes in the world, starting with the prehistoric god-like figures resembling Norse and Celtic gods. It could've been a genius idea to relaunch the Fourth World, if DC hadn't thrown it away for more of the same old crap we've been getting for over a decade.

Still, opinions opinions opinions. It's my opinion that the tens of thousands (and more) readers and awards were well-justified.

[sheets]

Unless DC is willing to give Walt Simonson another series to draw, my feeling is that NO ONE should be doing New Gods. Not even Morrison, who barely knows the concepts and did some really embarrassing work on the characters in his JLA series.

[berk]

Unless DC is willing to give Walt Simonson another series to draw, my feeling is that NO ONE should be doing New Gods. Not even Morrison, who barely knows the concepts and did some really embarrassing work on the characters in his JLA series.I'd be willing to give Morrison another chance for the sole reason that he's stated that his JLA version of Orion didn't reflect his own view of the character and that he was following DC editorial directive to write him that way. On the other hand, there were other things besides Orion that I disliked about Morrison's use of the New Gods concept in JLA, so I`m still a little leery, but at least he's acknowledged that there was something left to be desired in his treatment, unlike most other writers including Jim Starlin who, as far as I know, hasn't ever shown any awareness of just how badly his Cosmic Odyssey distorted the characters and concept.

BTW, has anyone read Morrison`s intro to the recent New Gods hardcover collection? I'm very curious about what he had to say, because of the ambivalence I still feel towards his history with the concept.

[sheets]

Ah, I thought I'd seen his introduction online somewhere: http://comics.ign.com/articles/784/784971p1.html

Some interesting stuff there. Some of it I agree with, some of it I don't :)

[Sean Walsh]

Unless DC is willing to give Walt Simonson another series to draw, my feeling is that NO ONE should be doing New Gods. Not even Morrison, who barely knows the concepts and did some really embarrassing work on the characters in his JLA series.

Considering the New Gods project will be one of those extra-sized series I'm hoping Walt has some involvement with the backups or something...

[David O Burcham]

Who is this Quietly person? Is he as good as Jack Kibry?

Quitely created the character Lippy McPuckerson. Unfortunately, nobody could distinguish which character it was supposed to be.


BUT I KID!

Quitely is very talented, but (for me) his work seems to be better suited to non super-hero comcis.

And he draws almost every character with big ol' fat lips.

[Will.S]

It's always a good thing to have a super-hero comic book by creators who don't come off as being ashamed they are working on super-hero comic books.
Just curious but who do you keep referring to with this statement?

[Sijo]

I'm undecided. On the one hand, Starlin did some great Space Sagas over at Marvel (thought I haven't been impressed by his work since Infinity Gauntlet); on the other hand, I just don't trust DC with any characters these days. Their solution to everything is DEATH! Low sales? KILL characters! We goofed with our last approach? KILL the character! (See: most recent Flash series.) So, once I have more info regarding this project (hopefully including a clear premise, another thing that's rare these days) THEN I'll decide if I'll check it out.

[Sean Walsh]

http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=120379

No meaty details (like when the book starts coming out).....but man, doesn't sound like there's much wiggle room for certain New Gods to survive this... :eek:

[DaeJi]

They kill Big Barda and Mister Miracle then they are dead to me! :evilangry

[Froggy]

They kill Big Barda and Mister Miracle then they are dead to me! :evilangry

what if this whole death of the new gods thing is a rebirth of sorts? and didn't jack kirby have a novel taht'd end this saga or whatever? called the hunger dogs?

[Captain Jim]

http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=120379


Wow, I'm pumped for this. Very intriging interview. I was around for New Gods at the very beginning and I've got to agree with Starlin, nobody's really been able to do them justice or create a successful series since Kirby. I disagree with the naysayers who think Didio just likes to kill off characters. This could be an opportunity to finally bring this storyline to a proper end. And if anybody besides Kirby can do it, it's Starlin.

Btw, I think this is going to tie-in with Countdown big time.

[Kyle_Ion]

I'll still give this a try, I just hope that its pretty good and not a waste of time.

[DaeJi]

If it's a good story, I'll buy it... even if they kill off bits of my childhood :( I'm just hoping they do away with that Seven Soldiers nonsense; as good a wrtier as Morrison is sometimes he just comes up bad ideas. I'm looking forward to it. It seems the futher along DC goes and gets away from OYL and 52 the more and more I want to get back into it.

[Sean Walsh]

what if this whole death of the new gods thing is a rebirth of sorts? and didn't jack kirby have a novel taht'd end this saga or whatever? called the hunger dogs?

Yeah. But Kirby was not happy with how HUNGER DOGS was edited and released, so even though it was considered an ending, it was easily undone given Kirby's critiques of it.

(FYI - the way Kirby originally wrote and drew HUNGER DOGS will be included in the final Kirby Fourth World Omnibus....which I'm betting will be released around the same time DEATH OF THE NEW GODS is released...)

[Cayman]

That's killed any interest I've had in this project. DC might as well put a note on the cover that says "Dear Reader, as a company we now admit that we don't have anyone on staff with the imagination to effectively use our classic characters."

[Magneto Rocks]

If they kill Darkseid after not using him at ALL for years, I will explode.

[Sean Walsh]

They kill Big Barda and Mister Miracle then they are dead to me! :evilangry

Well...........uh, yeah, 'cause they got killed.....

j/k, you mean DC, I know... :p

[Froggy]

Yeah. But Kirby was not happy with how HUNGER DOGS was edited and released, so even though it was considered an ending, it was easily undone given Kirby's critiques of it.

(FYI - the way Kirby originally wrote and drew HUNGER DOGS will be included in the final Kirby Fourth World Omnibus....which I'm betting will be released around the same time DEATH OF THE NEW GODS is released...)I heard about that, and read the hunger dogs and ......i can see why............MAN I WANT THAT OMNIBUS!

[Jack Zodiac]

Get it. Get on Amazon and buy it. Some of the funnest comics ever.

Well, that interview sealed it. I was gonna' at least try the first issue before deciding if it was worth it, but no. Not now.

[Froggy]

Get it. Get on Amazon and buy it. Some of the funnest comics ever.

Well, that interview sealed it. I was gonna' at least try the first issue before deciding if it was worth it, but no. Not now.

already done........and hopefully it comes sooner than my stormwatch stuff :(

[Indigo Al]

I'd be willing to give Morrison another chance for the sole reason that he's stated that his JLA version of Orion didn't reflect his own view of the character and that he was following DC editorial directive to write him that way. On the other hand, there were other things besides Orion that I disliked about Morrison's use of the New Gods concept in JLA, so I`m still a little leery, but at least he's acknowledged that there was something left to be desired in his treatment, unlike most other writers including Jim Starlin who, as far as I know, hasn't ever shown any awareness of just how badly his Cosmic Odyssey distorted the characters and concept.

BTW, has anyone read Morrison`s intro to the recent New Gods hardcover collection? I'm very curious about what he had to say, because of the ambivalence I still feel towards his history with the concept.

The essay is great, and sums up all of what is great about the New Gods, and the life and potential that Morrison sees in them. The great thing about the New Gods is that, as cosmic as they are, they easily fit in the pop culture of the times - hence the hip-hop New Gods remix in the 7 Soldiers mini.

I'm gonna withhold judgment on this Starlin series 'till its released, but I just don't get why he would want to "drive a nail" in the concept.

I personally wouldn't write off Morrison's New Gods work based on JLA.

[Jack Zodiac]

The great thing about the New Gods is that, as cosmic as they are, they easily fit in the pop culture of the times - hence the hip-hop New Gods remix in the 7 Soldiers mini.

Exactly. Hell, when Kirby wrote Forever People, the main characters were hippies. Why? 'Cause it was 1971, that's why. And yeah, Morrison's introduction was an amazing preface for me as a first time reader of almost all of the original New Gods stories.

[DubipR]

That's killed any interest I've had in this project. DC might as well put a note on the cover that says "Dear Reader, as a company we now admit that we don't have anyone on staff with the imagination to effectively use our classic characters."

Quote for truth...A-effing-men!

[Aaron King]

Is there a place to view Morrison's intro? Other than the Omnibus?

[Nintendite]

Despite the name of "death of the New Gods", I don't see all the New Gods dying. I'm guessing Darkseid will go into hibernation or whatever and later face off against the Legion (Great Darkness Saga).

[Will.S]

what if this whole death of the new gods thing is a rebirth of sorts? and didn't jack kirby have a novel taht'd end this saga or whatever? called the hunger dogs?I think this is where they're ultimately going.

Most likely they give the New Gods the big send off with Starlin, then they do something similar to what Marvel did with Thor and re-envision the New Gods through Grant Morrison. Then Darkseid sticks around similar to the way Nintendite had said it (or something like Thor's Odin sleep) to keep him around. The reason I say Grant is because of his love for the New Gods in Seven Soldiers, the intro he wrote to the New Gods Omnibus and on fanboy radio he said he had a big project planned.

I'd totally be down for that.

[Froggy]

I think this is where they're ultimately going.

Most likely they give the New Gods the big send off with Starlin, then they do something similar to what Marvel did with Thor and re-envision the New Gods through Grant Morrison. Then Darkseid sticks around similar to the way Nintendite had said it (or something like Thor's Odin sleep) to keep him around. The reason I say Grant is because of his love for the New Gods in Seven Soldiers, the intro he wrote to the New Gods Omnibus and on fanboy radio he said he had a big project planned.

I'd totally be down for that.

who wouldnt?

[DaeJi]

I think this is where they're ultimately going.

Most likely they give the New Gods the big send off with Starlin, then they do something similar to what Marvel did with Thor and re-envision the New Gods through Grant Morrison. Then Darkseid sticks around similar to the way Nintendite had said it (or something like Thor's Odin sleep) to keep him around. The reason I say Grant is because of his love for the New Gods in Seven Soldiers, the intro he wrote to the New Gods Omnibus and on fanboy radio he said he had a big project planned.

I'd totally be down for that.

This would be cool. I wasn't a fan of his use of the characters in Seven Soldiers (at all), but Morrison I think could definitly do the New Gods justice if given the chance.

[Jack Zodiac]

And if that were the case, I'd be down with all this, but I still wouldn't buy a book whose only selling point is "people die, die!"

[Sean Walsh]

And if that were the case, I'd be down with all this, but I still wouldn't buy a book whose only selling point is "people die, die!"

Oeming's THOR: DISASSEMBLED storyarc was basically just that, but it ended up being quite a remarkable read.

Partly so because of the fact that Thor's supporting cast was killed off in practically 2 issues.

I've been a Fourth World fan for years now - and either it hasn't quite hit me yet or it has and I'm not knocked out by the fact that soon all the New Gods are gonna be dead...

[Paul McEnery]

Quitely created the character Lippy McPuckerson. Unfortunately, nobody could distinguish which character it was supposed to be.


BUT I KID!

Quitely is very talented, but (for me) his work seems to be better suited to non super-hero comcis.

And he draws almost every character with big ol' fat lips.

That's because he's from Glasgow.

And everyone around him has a fat lip.

[Joe Rice]

I've never been impressed with Starlin. The only reason to read Cosmic Odessey os to see older Mignola art. Thanos is a retarded rip-off of Thanos. The interview he gives at Newsarama shows such a lack of enthusiasm and promise that even if I liked his work I'd be dismayed.

Wake me when Morrison takes over.

[Captain Jim]

Thanos is a retarded rip-off of Thanos.

Wow, that's some trick! ;)

[Joe Rice]

Wow, that's some trick! ;)

It involved a time machine.

Or bourbon.

DAMN YOU BOURBON AND YOUR TYPOS!

[Captain Jim]

Joe, I'm still not clear as to which one you think is a rip-off of the other.

[berk]

The Morrison intro was pretty brief, but a nice tribute all the same. I'd be interested in reading a Morrison New Gods series that translated the appreciation he showed there into story form, but remain sceptical that any such thing could ever happen, given the probability of DC editorial interference. If they ever do give Morrison a shot at it, they should make it a Vertigo series, take it away from the DCU or multiverse or whatever altogether, and let him go to town. Could be his best thing since The Filth.

The Starlin thing doesn't attract me at all. He hasn't come up with anything I consider readable for about 25 years or more, and as noted by more than one reader, the interview made him sound like he couldn't care less about the whole thing. [edit:] oh yeah, and he already has a piss-poor record with the New Gods.

[Joe Rice]

Joe, I'm still not clear as to which one you think is a rip-off of the other.

I believe Starlin's Thanos to be a cheap Darkseid knock-off, the kind you'd find in ghetto stores next to "NintenVideo Machine" and "Spider Heroes Action Figgurs!"

[Jack Zodiac]

Oeming's THOR: DISASSEMBLED storyarc was basically just that, but it ended up being quite a remarkable read.

Partly so because of the fact that Thor's supporting cast was killed off in practically 2 issues.

I've been a Fourth World fan for years now - and either it hasn't quite hit me yet or it has and I'm not knocked out by the fact that soon all the New Gods are gonna be dead...

The difference here is that I've seen Starlin work with these characters before, and it definitely wasn't "magic." No, magic is what Oeming did with something even laterally connected with that disasterfest called "Disassembled." His send-off for Thor was fantastic, and if when this series is over that's how Starlin's "send off" is recieved, I might check it out.

Based on that interview, though, what I'm hearing is that he and D Didi don't know what to do with those characters, they feel no one's done anything worthwhile with them recently (which is horse!@#$), and want to kill them off because they think they're "obsolete." That doesn't click with me. That smacks of laziness.

[Will.S]

The interview he gives at Newsarama shows such a lack of enthusiasm and promise that even if I liked his work I'd be dismayed.
I got that same vibe myself, one can't really tell with text interviews since there's no tone to judge or anything but he did seem unenthusiastic and maybe even dismissive.

Like any creator, if it's a good story then the work will speak for itself but I do hope that he puts some effort into this one considering that I don't like his current art either (his old stuff was way better).

[barking_frog]

For the New Gods, I'll wait to see what Starlin has up his sleeves before looking at other creative teams. I think if DC gives him complete creative control he can pull off some great stuff.

Yeah, I haven't read much of Starlin's mainstream stuff but his creator-owned Dreadstar back in the 80's is, even today, one of my 20 or 30 stranded-on-a-desert-island comics. Granted that was a long time ago -- and I did feel The Death of Captain Marvel from the same era was overrated and mostly relied on the 'hook' of perhaps (?) being the first comic story to feature a superhero's death from natural causes (so I have read Starlin that didn't impress me) -- but just based on his Dreadstar cred, I believe that if he's interested enough in the project and has the necessary editorial freedom, he could work magic.

[captain_unimpressive]

Oi. Next thing you know, Marvel will be killing off the Fantastic Four.
Kirby's creations must die. Or at least, you know, their Skrull impersonators.