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lunchlander's review against another edition
4.0
While the first volume of Fourth World is notable for its introduction of many characters and concepts, it is the second volume where things really get rolling. The third contains some of the best stories, but that doesn't mean there aren't some famous ones in here, such as "The Glory Boat" and "Funky Flashman."
My favorites in this volume are actually "The Man From Transilvane!" and "Genocide Spray!", a two-parter introducing the notion of a whole world that existed alongside ours in miniature and had some nifty twists on movie monsters, and I also loved the "Sonny Sumo!" character and story, which I hadn't read before, since this was my first real exposure to The Forever People stories. Actually, given how much I really like Mister Miracle, and didn't really like the concept of Forever People when anyone else handled them, I was surprised at how much I liked Kirby's Forever People stories.
This is a strong volume, occasionally off on weird tangents that don't pay off but usually a pretty good indicator of why this stuff is so well-regarded. There's a tinge of sadness in reading this to realize that it didn't succeed commercially, because it's clear that Kirby had enough concepts here to write and draw out the rest of his life, and I sure do wish there was more Kirby Fourth World to read.
Walt Simonson's introduction is a good read, Mark Evanier's afterword insightful and informational as usual and the pages of Kirby's original pencils in the back a true delight.
My favorites in this volume are actually "The Man From Transilvane!" and "Genocide Spray!", a two-parter introducing the notion of a whole world that existed alongside ours in miniature and had some nifty twists on movie monsters, and I also loved the "Sonny Sumo!" character and story, which I hadn't read before, since this was my first real exposure to The Forever People stories. Actually, given how much I really like Mister Miracle, and didn't really like the concept of Forever People when anyone else handled them, I was surprised at how much I liked Kirby's Forever People stories.
This is a strong volume, occasionally off on weird tangents that don't pay off but usually a pretty good indicator of why this stuff is so well-regarded. There's a tinge of sadness in reading this to realize that it didn't succeed commercially, because it's clear that Kirby had enough concepts here to write and draw out the rest of his life, and I sure do wish there was more Kirby Fourth World to read.
Walt Simonson's introduction is a good read, Mark Evanier's afterword insightful and informational as usual and the pages of Kirby's original pencils in the back a true delight.