Steve Rude on Jack Kirby's Metron, Orion, Big Barda!

I recently joined the Steve Rude fans page on Facebook where I found a number of New Gods related commissions...

Darkseid and Orion, father and son.

Metron! Holding a little Mother Box the X-Element (see this image and comment below) in his hand, very nice.

Orion versus The Demon!

Big Barda.

Big Barda and Oberon!

Infinity Man.

Lashina, lashing out!

Nuff Said!

Celebrating King Kirby and the Fourth World

I missed writing on Jack Kirby's two days ago but still wanted to celebrate.  Earlier this year I went through several of DC Comics' Fourth World Omnibus books, plus the second Omnibus featuring Kamandi.

The Fourth World series was phenomenal and I enjoyed it even more than when I was a kid.  I had read all of these when they came out: Jimmy Olsen, New Gods, Mister Miracle -- but somehow skipped both the Forever People and Kamandi.  Kirby's colorful depiction of New Genesis is shown above.  The first few issues of each series were an explosion of characters and cosmic concepts, probably the release of the King's imagination after feeling mistreated at Marvel.

In particular the New Gods story which made a big impact this time around was "Glory Boat" in New Gods #6.  After doing a quick search on the Internet, I see that I am not alone in my admiration for this story, with a beautiful climax in the splash page featuring Orion and Lightray on top of a giant Source-infused warhead ready to take down Deep Six.  This illustration was also featured in Mark Evanier's King Kirby biography.

I've read and re-read the Mister Miracle series more than any of the others, as this is probably my favorite Kirby character after the Silver Surfer and the Thing.  I love the whole concept of the character and the origin of Scott Free and how this intersects with Orion and Highfather.  But the series really comes alive with the introduction of Big Barda.  How did Kirby get away with that skimpy red metal bikini?  And my favorite issue #6 featured Funky Flashman (Excelsior!) meeting Barda, who quickly sees right through his massive bullshit.

There was always one big gap to my Fourth World history: the Forever People!  I only bought one or two issues in the 70s.  Perhaps this was because the first issue had spotty distribution -- it was impossible to find and I gave up since I wasn't there at the beginning.   But this series was equally as wacky and cool, with characters like Big Bear, Beautiful Dreamer, Serafin, and Mark Moonrider.  Finally after reading it now, I understood the power of the Anti-Life equation and also why Sonny Sumo was such an important figure that Grant Morrison referred to him in Final Crisis.  In another Final Crisis link, I always wondered why the Omega Beam transported Batman back in time -- that is answered in FP #6 and #7.  It doesn't always kill!

One thing I noticed in this re-read: for some reason the sixth issue of each series is almost the high point of each one!  New Gods #6 is Glory Boat.  Mister Miracle #6 features Funky Flashman.  Forever People #6 features Darkseid, Sonny Sumo and the Anti-Life equation.

Reading the Kamandi volumes was another joy.  Why, why, why did I not collect Kamandi during this period?  I am a huge Planet of the Apes and science fiction fan.  Nearly every issue of Kamandi is a mind blower in terms of a new concept being introduced.  It's pure single issue fun with little overriding story arc.  And with solid inking throughout the series it seems like pure Kirby.  Incidentally, my theory about issue #6 being the best holds up here -- Kamandi #6 is titled "Flower" about his girlfriend with a shocking ending.

I am sure at the time when New Gods, Forever People, and Mister Miracle were cancelled, that must have seemed like an epic failure to Kirby.  Likewise when his long run on Kamandi ended with Gerry Conway dialoging his last few issues it must have seemed like the final nail in the coffin.  But these stories seem timeless and they endure.  I have heard that parents can read these stories to their kids with no problem.  Can you imagine what a Kamandi animated series would look like, especially if Bruce Timm was involved?  I think this is a hidden goldmine for DC.  Nuff Said.

Mister Miracle and Big Barda by John Byrne

I've been re-reading the Kirby Fourth World Omnibus books lately.  Reading the early issues of the New Gods, Mister Miracle and Jimmy Olsen are a trip...each issue introduces something unique and fresh.  Mister Miracle was my favorite of that DC era...when Kirby introduced Big Barda to the series it just made everything better.

Mister Miracle and Big Barda: John Byrne does a great job drawing the Kirby characters.  This is a 2012 commission.

Big Barda of the Female Furries, this one was drawn in 2006.  Nuff Said!

Big Barda by Bruce Timm and Jack Kirby, designer of swimwear!

Big Barda is a secret little favorite among comics geeks who hardly gets any attention.  She appeared in Mister Miracle but has made very few guest appearances over the years.  I always like to see artists that get a kick out of drawing Barda for fans.  Bruce Timm obviously digs Barda, especially in this outfit.

Barda strikes another pose.  I started wondering about this battle bikini.  Did Kirby really invent it?  I recalled that he did and all the elements on that outfit seemed to be designed by the King.

The answer is YES!  Big Barda’s first appearance was in Mister Miracle #4, 1971.  In that issue, Barda first appears in her full-on battle armor, with the blue chain mail.  At the end of the story, when Barda is at home with Scott and Oberon, she slips into this bikini—a little something comfortable.  Oberon, who didn’t like Barda up until this point, even exclaims: Whoever made that Gal wear a uniform should be horsewhipped! 

Kirby knew he had designed a great character at this point.  The splash page of Mister Miracle #5 from 1971 featured Barda doing Yoga in her swimwear, to the delight of Scott Free’s neighbors.

I cannot imagine being a super-villain and facing down Big Barda or Wonder Woman!  I do find it incredibly strange that this character has remained hidden in DC Comics for all these years.  Nuff Said.

Big Barda by Steve Rude

Here is a great illustration of Big Barda, by Steve Rude, who can channel Jack Kirby's spirit like no other artist.



Steve Rude is selling a lot of artwork to help keep his house afloat.  You can support the Dude by checking his Facebook page and eBay site to see what he is selling.  Also check out SteveRudeArt.com.  Nuff Said!

Big Barda by Gabriel Hardman

Comics Alliance posted an article today about Gabriel Hardman's wonderful sketches on deviantART.  Hardman has produced many nice drawings of classic Marvel and DC characters which need more exposure.



In keeping with our Mister Miracle theme this week, here is Hardman's rendition of Big Barda.  I think he loves that Kirby headgear as much as I do.  Nuff Said!

Link: Gabriel Hardman on deviantART
Link: Gabriel Hardman Keeps It Classy, Even When He's Being Sketchy (Comics Alliance).

Big Barda by Art Adams

Feeling in the mode for some Kirby-esque women.  Time for Big Barda!



Art Adams is the perfect guy to execute this drawing.  Doesn't it look like she's meditating and a dragon comes along to disturb her?  I just hate it when that happens.  Nuff said.