On this episode, The Cosmic Canon, our series on cosmic tales, soars from peaceful New Genesis to pockmarked Apokalips to Earth as we discuss Jack Kirby's epic saga of space gods, galactic wars and skiing avatars of Death: New Gods Vol. 1, issues 1-11, published by DC Comics!

The flagship title of Kirby's ambitious Fourth World line, New Gods introduced a head-spinning mixture of science fantasy, mythology and superheroics that built on the themes explored in Kirby's work on Marvel's The Mighty Thor. And its villain, the deadly Darkseid, has gone on to become one of the pre-eminent tyrants of popular culture.

Can the brooding Orion, wielder of the "Astro-Force," overcome his dark nature and defeat the forces of Apokalips before they find the Anti-Life Equation? And can this unfinished series ascend to that Twilight of the Gods known as ... The Comics Canon?

In This Episode:

• Quotation marks
• There's Kirby in the air
• The Blank Check podcast
• Our Superman's Pal: Jimmy Olsen episode
• New Gods' influence on Star Wars
• The Star Wars Episode Zero podcast
• The, um, Santa Clause
• Orion Book 1
• The "Apokalips ... Now!" and "Legacy" two-parters from Superman: The Animated Series
• Even Gods Must Die

Join us in two weeks as The Cosmic Canon journeys to the 30th century as the Legion of Super-Heroes battles a mysterious foe (who COULD it be?) in The Great Darkness Saga!

Until then: Impress your friends with our Comics Canon merchandise! Rate us on Apple Podcasts! Send us an email! Hit us up on Twitter or Facebook!

And as always, thanks for listening!