Fourth World by Jack Kirby Omnibus Overview!

[@colemanhuggins]

Apparently, Kirby picked to write Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen because it was the only DC title without a stable creative team, and he did not want to cost anyone a job. What a great guy!

[@A100-y2c]

From what I have read, he chose the Olsen title because its sales were low.

[@jimbogreen7029]

@@A100-y2c I think it was both

[@jirenthegoat9717]

Jack Kirby deserves way more respect with mainstream audiences, he has created and co-created many Marvel/DC characters and worlds that mainstream audiences don't even know he had a hand in.

[@Novaargh]

He did more work than lieber most of the time, and people refuse to awknolage that, i mean, co created captain america with Joe Simon, Created his Thor even before there was a marvel, Created CotU in 57 and the FF in 61 and lieber still had the balls to tell people HE created the Fantastic Four.. heck, Kirby created the Surfer on the idea he had, that Galactus wouldn't search for planets to eat, he'd had a guy to do the tracking.. hense, came the silver surfer.. all stuff that clearly state that Kirby built the Marvel stable of characters and stories, and lieber was a guy at the right time in the right place where he could just squat at a desk because he had family running the jiontcoasting his entire life, where kirby did all the work and lived in comparrisson a very low key life, where shyster Stanley Lieber lived in riches.. just like Bob kane screwed over Bill Finger..

[@ReaperXC]

It’s amazing and sad how much Jack Kirby created and how little recognition he gets.

[@ZOMBIELUIS666]

I feel like most folk who actually read comics know Kirby and how he's the real person to thank for the Marvel Universe and the 4th World.

[@estebansamra7255]

Definitely a shout and salute given to him in Superman the Animated series. Real ones know

[@ВладСвистунов-ы8ж]

Kirby was the best, of course his works became immortal.

[@jeffsuter344]

He was crowned the King for a reason!

[@EngineerLume]

So on the one hand I personally think that redrawing a character just to comply with company policy isn't a great thing. On the other hand, Kirby-Faced Superman is going to haunt my dreams. The KIrby "S" looks pretty sick, tho

[@jabezcreed]

Yeah, I always think of it like DC Universe Superman comes to visit Kirby's Fourth World. Totally blends in to my eye.

[@sgtjarhead99]

I bought this omnibus a couple of years ago. Very rare I will say this, but this book was worth every cent. My first introduction to comics as a kid was Superman and Kirby's 4th World. Brought back LOTS of memories.

[@OffMyShelves]

The day I buy the absolute fourth world you drop this vid! Cant wait for it to come as ive read a bit of it and oversized in a slightly lighter package than the omni is certainly something im looking forward to!

[@mdb9920]

Yeah this omnibus is pretty awesome. I do have the Absolute and will grab the Absolute vol 2 as well and man... do these Absolutes show nice on the shelf.

[@Ekheim]

I gotta tell you, Omar, listening to this overview was pure joy. I just love to hear about all the anecdotes even thoguh I haven't read this yet. I'm intending to but I have a hard time with older comics. However I got through the Infinity Origin Omnibus without problems because I know it would lead into the Infinity Trilogy. I love the cosmoc side of Marvel. So I guess this should be as good to get into the DC cosmic stories.

[@NichoMania2]

Gotta love some fourth world. I'm still reading through my copy, myself, on and off. Reminds me I need to get back to that. 😁 Here's hoping the Dematteis Mr Miracle run (or just the 1989 Mr Miracle run in general) might get a hardcover or deluxe edition sometime later, since that's the only remaining Fourth World run I want to collect. 😏 That and the rest of the Mark Evanier New Gods tpb's...that Book 1 is still just sitting on my shelf waiting for the rest. 😅 But eitherway, great video overview, and can't wait to read more. 😎

[@Krypton_Ken]

I was on the fence about picking up that Evanier tpb since DC has such a bad history of canceling tpb runs but I just saw that V.2 got solicited on Amazon. So fingers crossed, should be out next year, think I'll pick up both then.

[@NichoMania2]

@@Krypton_Ken Nice! I'll keep my fingers crossed too, then. 😅 Really hope it comes all comes out, eventually. (Though I wouldn't mind an omnibus of the comics either)

[@Mako2401]

The King. Undisputed, never surpassed. RIP

[@supersimie908]

Wonderful overview - not only of the Omnibus contents but for your insights into what occurred behind the scenes. Thanks for entertaining me every day!

[@glass_burrito4571]

Thanks for the in depth look at Kirby's work. You've earned yourself a new subscriber.

[@NearMintCondition]

Thank you for the kind words, it was my pleasure and welcome aboard.

[@TheComicBookReport]

I cannot wait to see this one! Looks absolutely incredible. Great video

[@Joenah5]

Was excited to see this getting reprinted. The Fourth World is such a big part of DC that I know very little about. I was constantly refreshing instocktrades the day it came out until I could grab it.

[@kevinvendt5948]

Glad this is being reprinted! I plan on getting it when it is out.

[@vincentimbesi3947]

You got the Kamandi omnibus for $30?? That was a great way to get turned onto Jack Kirby. It’s always been one of my favorite Kirby books!

[@jeffsuter344]

I do wish they would collect the non-Kirby stories of Kamandi though. Be a good companion to the Kirby omni.

[@vincentimbesi3947]

@@jeffsuter344 I Know! I want those final issues collected too. They could even include the unpublished issues #60 & 61.

[@jabezcreed]

My first omnibus was this behemoth. It was the first work that really justified such a massive collection to me at the time. Love it, but it just might break my foot one day.

[@jabezcreed]

I need to get that Kamandi one, and you say there's an OMAC omnibus?

[@Leroy719]

Awesome overview picked up a copy yesterday!😁🤙🏽

[@peterx1957]

Wow Omar this is a rather stunning looking book. I'm almost tempted to seek it out. The page count surpasses the Death & Return Of Superman Omnibus. The huge build of the book makes me wonder whether thought is ever given to splitting them into 2 volumes for a cheaper price? I'm sure that some are put off by the thickness if the 2 volume Absolutes present a more manageable option. But then is the content the same. Absolutes are generally thinner volumes so it depends on how much Fourth World is enough or too much? This isn't a book I would ordinarily consider but it has caught my eye. Cheers mate 👍😊

[@1971thedoctor]

This looks awesome, didn’t realize how big this omnibus is. I will probably add the Fourth World to my Kirby collection. I recommend Omac and Kamandi, both are just Kirby fun.

[@CavemanBatman]

Hell yes! I bought the first printing. Inspired me to grab Kirby’s Fantastic 4 Omnibus’s as well

[@hamzadawud]

I thought about getting this, but decided to spring for the Absolutes. I already have Vol. 1, just hoping Vol. 2 will still come out in December. I'll be preordering it just to be sure. I don't own any other Absolute editions, but it's worth it for the King, imo.

[@HistoriaenCeluloide]

This is the Mangum Opus Bible of DC comics from the king himself 🧐

[@anthonyufert8477]

Preordered this a while back. I haven’t read all of these just a few issues. Great review as always Omar.

[@jeffsuter344]

I'm holding out for the Absolute vol 2, gotta budget. Have to say if I had the money I'd double-dip. But isn't Kirby's vision wonderful? Oh and take your eyes off my girl Big Barda - she fuelled a lot of restless dreams in my teenage years. Even now I'd take Barda over Wonder Woman. The Absolute is the book I most want this year to complete my 4th World collection.

[@inopaulvillacastin752]

Wow, this has to be the best looking Kirby book I've seen!

[@kakuroto]

Is this the same content than the 2 absolutes? I have the 1st absolute and it is the thickest absolute of my collection.

[@Qwarky]

I read Fourth World a few months ago (I am 37 Omar, don't you worry, you're not alone) in anticipation of a bunch of DC stuff I was going to read or was reading. It made JLI more interesting as well as Cosmic Odyssey and will certainly help colour stuff when I eventually get to some big DC events. Gotta say, it was a very uneven experience. Kirby's art is freaking amazing, especially when he gets to play with scale and world building, but a lot of the individual stories were very hokey and disconnected, probably against what he'd originally wanted to do. At its best it still manages to weave a tale of pretty epic scale, and that was the best part. Well.. I say that, but really we all know Big Barda was the best part.

[@fireboy312002]

Never read it, but need to. I just finished Kamndi last week though. It kind of breaks my heart since he was hoping to be the writer on many of the titles. I won't lie, I love Kirby's art but pacing and storytelling are his strengthens.

[@jeffsuter344]

Editing and dialogue were not, He definitely needed a sympathetic editor to make his work even better,

[@jonny9884]

OK, found out yesterday that there will be a Vol. 2 coming out next February. Some of the artists in it just happen to be three of my fave from the Bronze Age of comics, and they'll finally be reprinting The Great Darkness Saga again in an over-sized format !

[@NearMintCondition]

Oh yeah it was in the last solicits :) awesome!

[@jonny9884]

@NearMintCondition I just sent Jess an e-mail about it as well. He's into Legion Of Super-Heroes, and The Great Darkness Saga is supposed to be one of the better Legion stories.

[@RobRVA]

Is the content identical to the first (corrected) printing? Also does Jimmy Olsen issue 141 (w Don Rickles) have the issue number on the cover? First printing it was not oddly.

[@Brovlawski]

So fucking happy I just got this. Can't wait for it to arrive.

[@Brovlawski]

This video was the final selling point for me to confirm my purchase. The reprint has arrived and it looks beautiful. What a hefty book, can't wait to get started. I was interested more in Kamandi after this video as well and couldn't seem to find a review for that on your channel, do you have one I'm missing, and if you don't, can we get one?

[@NearMintCondition]

I can do a future episode on that, then I'll have to get freaking OMAC. :)

[@Brovlawski]

@@NearMintCondition I am totally oblivious to OMAC, so I look forward to that eventual video. Thanks again for the great video here, and Kamandi!

[@dacollector4452]

Thanks for the video

[@aidanhughes2530]

Great video Omar! Wondering if there's a talks at Marvel about a Punisher Max Omni reprint?

[@Kimota82]

Yes! Excellent video! I have had this on pre-order FOREVER! I can't wait for this big fatty!

[@davidc1664]

Kirby is the King 💃

[@robertgodlewski8553]

I would not want to drop that on my foot!😂

[@ancientonezero]

13:59. I wish Scott Snyder HAD directed Justice League. Might have been a watchable film!

[@NearMintCondition]

Hahahaha

[@Novaargh]

Glad to say that the fourth world omnie is coming in this week for me, couldn't get my hands on the first printing when it came out, because my comicbooks store didn't get enough.. which prompted me to pre order this one online. still need to get my hands on the absolute edition part one, the date keeps getting pushed guess the supplier can't get their hands on copies because of the move? Omac had a regular hardcover, the omnibus where the omac story resides in next to all other kirby miniseries from the 70's, is called the bronze age omnibus.

[@alex281190]

Hey Omar! Nice video. Do you know if War of kings omnibus is listed to reprint soon?

[@NearMintCondition]

Nothing yet, sir.

[@conroyjett]

Attention to the Powers that Be at DC: Please consider releasing a collection of Jack Kirby's Fourth World OHC Deluxe-style edition in a four volume set printed on heavy matte paper similar to the paper used in four volume Omnibus set from 2007. I love the Absolute edition but wish there was an option to get it in matte paper like the Absolute Batman: Year One set.

[@Aginor27]

are the paperbacks of mister miracle/forever people/ etc that are also available, all inside this?

[@djsuth7727]

So Omar, are you still thinking of double dipping, or upgrading, to the Absolutes ?

[@NearMintCondition]

Of course I am. :)

[@djsuth7727]

@@NearMintCondition Good man !

[@joedelaronde3291]

I had this, but sold it so I could get the two volume absolute editions. Just waiting on Vol. 2 later this year.

[@jeffsuter344]

Me too.

[@mdb9920]

@@jeffsuter344 me 3. This omnibus is great but the Absolutes are stunning

[@johnjenkins8918]

And this book is HEAVY! :)

[@MrPonytron]

I'll make sure to save up for this

[@richmcgee434]

"For some reason I really liked Kamandi..." Because it's awesome? :) I would seriously contend it's Kirby's best work, full stop. It is certainly him at his most creative, willing to try anything he thought would make a fun read and not bound by any of the expectations of the superhero genre. The closest he ever reached to that level of sheer gonzo imagination outside of Kamandi was Devil Dinosaur (which had a very brief run, and conceptually might have lacked the legs for a long one) and Captain Victory (which got a bit more time to develop but felt a little incoherent at times).

[@NearMintCondition]

I really fell in love with Kamandi.

[@richmcgee434]

@@NearMintCondition It's unique, even today. Watching your omnibus review of it right now actually, just out of curiosity. Never bought the 2018 printing - does it end with the Kirby run, or did they put the remaining issues of the book in as well? Obviously went downhill after he left but I still remember spending years tracking down the B&W pages of the unpublished finale issue (#60, IIRC?) just to see how the damn cliffhanger resolved. That was before the internet had grown into what it is now and made finding obscurities the breeze it is today...-

[@richmcgee434]

@@NearMintCondition Oop, never mind, just got to the part where you say it goes to #40. Ah well, it's still by far the best part of the run.

[@terskatti4994]

i've considered bying this but the fact that i have to go through those jimmy olsen issues has put me off

[@jeffsuter344]

Persevere, reading discipline, the pay-off will be worth it.

[@MrScottx]

Is there a Batman or detective comics omnibus that covers the stories from the 70's?

[@johnjenkins8918]

Look at that beautiful spine Marvel! 😀

[@terrencecoccoli524]

I’m with you on Golden and early Bronze Age DC. It’s definitely an acquired taste. I can deal with some of the 50s Superman and Batman, for nostalgia reasons, and they’re just so ridiculous with their whacky sci-fi stories….but generally speaking, the writing and storytelling was just simplistic and in hindsight,,archaic. I love a lot of the characters and teams, like The Spectre, Legion of Super Heroes, Phantom Stranger, Hawkman, Atom, etc., but it’s tough reading.

[@jeffsuter344]

Hey I grew up with that stuff - it was fun light stuff, what comics are supposed to be - they were no more wierd and whacky than Venom, Cosmic Ghost Rider, Clone Saga, Sins Past, One More Day and other modern drivel

[@terrencecoccoli524]

@@jeffsuter344 that’s what comics are, for you. That style of comic still has a place. Not everything has to be Sandman or The Dark Knight Returns. But if comics hadn’t evolved from hat era, it would probably be a dead medium.

[@A100-y2c]

I would rather read a "simplistic" story that was told in 6 to 8 pages than most of the garbage Marvel produces today. It's more difficult to write a well-crafted tale that relies on a theme than to write decompressed mindless stuff based on violence & gore. Finally, today's work will eventually be viewed as "archaic " someday too -- but lacking the charm of the older comics.

[@terrencecoccoli524]

@@A100-y2c Are you mad bro? No one's stopping you from enjoying your old-school books. It's not a criticism to call them what they are. And modern does not equate to classic. Not sure where you got that from.

[@legofigurereviews9797]

Does this have letter pages?

[@Senseitional_comics]

Nice video bro

[@dudenard4640]

Is it better to get this omnibus or get the Absolute Fourth World?

[@wholesomecomment45]

Not trying to throw shade to Stan Lee, but it seemed like Jack was still able to create new characters after leaving DC and even returning to Marvel, while there's been a debate on who created who between Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

[@davidgraham8299]

Jack was a creative powerhouse

[@legofigurereviews9797]

Witch one should I get the two absolute editions or the omnibus

[@vincentimbesi3947]

If you’re a fan of Kirby and have the budget I highly recommend the Absolute edition. I bought the omnibus and told myself I wasn’t going to get the absolute because I already had the whole story. I ran across a great deal on the Absolute Edition online and I bought it. For me the art and presentation is amazing in the absolute. The only thing is I now need volume 2! 😑

[@ardenaudreyarji]

Man, if you got the budget then go for the Absolutes

[@jeffsuter344]

Absolutes but I think Vol 1 is OOP.

[@vincentimbesi3947]

I checked Amazon and they still have some volume one in stock

[@jeffsuter344]

@@vincentimbesi3947 Woo Hoo - get it fast, when vol 2 comes out they eill go, guaranteed.

[@hayesjk11]

should i buy this? i still feel unsure even after watching this, can anyone else provide some opinions?

[@LucasDarkGiygas]

I could never read something like this. I wish they made smaller omnis with, say 700 pages each instead. I know it kills the purpose of an omnibus, but these things are just too big to hold confortably.

[@Mako2401]

They could split it in two volumes, I agree.

[@space.pirate481]

you can buy new gods,the forever people.mister miracle and superman & his pal jimmy olsen since they can be bough invidual too

[@Primetime372]

Get a book stand, problem solved

[@davidc1664]

@@Primetime372 yeah I got some kinda laptop lap thing from Amazon a while ago for like 15 bucks and works great for omnis and Absolutes

[@Ringmaster138]

My recommendation to solve this is to get the absolute versions. You're going to spend more money, but jack kirby deserves the larger artwork pages and they don't weight as much

[@GuramR1]

Thanks for the video Omar, but you didn't talk about the build of the book or show off the eye :(

[@NearMintCondition]

Oh that’s because mine is the 2017 printing. I’m sure the build of the reprint is going to be better.

[@GuramR1]

@@NearMintCondition Ah, gotcha!

[@Mixen9408]

I am considering getting this and the one with the Eternals. But i have heard some rumours that Jack Kirby, like Todd MaFarlane was not that good regarding the writing. Basically that in general that The New Gods lack some times in the plot and in general the narative is not that good and most of the times the characters are devoided of character development. So basically i have been adviced only to get this for the artwork and as ironic it sunds i am substance over style. I can handle that the writing is not perfect, but if it messy like Spawn for example, i would not even by this just to check it out in real life. So is there a down to earth Jack Kirby New Gods fan, who honestly can give your opinion regarding the story. O_O :)

[@starstudio8402]

Nice

[@nickvanleeuwenberg6699]

Is this a difficult read?

[@nathanbenson9166]

I read through this whole Omni and I’ve gotta say it was pretty good but it’s definitely a slow burner and took me a while to read the whole thing. The only reason I really read it was to prepare for final crisis so that’s what got me through the book. But this is jack kirby at his best

[@ThegreattblattHope]

​@@nathanbenson9166I'm doing the same thing. I just ordered both volumes to get ready for final crisis.

[@superninjapirate19]

You just don’t get art of this quality anymore. This is a bit older of a story than what I typically read, but I want to give it a shot

[@balkthor]

I remember ripping my cover off the first printing and mailing it back.

[@space.pirate481]

didnt you says before you arent fan of 70s stuff ?

[@NearMintCondition]

Pre crisis.

[@jeffsuter344]

People can change their minds or make exceptions.

[@robertmarquez8883]

Orion is my Favorite Metallica song.

[@graceypatrick]

Can you just jump into this and read this without any prior knowledge?

[@sergiofreitas441]

Ah, Vince Colletta! The worst inker to ever grace American comics. Poor Kirby.

[@zay4756]

Judging by your surprise when you see images of Big Barda, I have a sneaking suspicion you haven't read it all!! You certainly don't sound like someone who has seen and read those pages.

[@aurelion4994]

Omnis that are more than 1200 pages shouldn't be allowed! And this behemoth is more than 1500 pages, wish they had split this up into 2 omnis.

[@jeffsuter344]

Splitting it would make buying it more expensive.

[@davidgraham8299]

Personally, I love big omni's like this. Value for money.

[@venomenoide]

That's why they are called omni. Omnis lower than 1300 pages shoun't be allowed!

[@mattnevins8733]

Well…if Marvel can’t give me a Ghost Rider Omni at least DC can give me this. No enemas needed for DC.