New Gods #18

New Gods #18, released in 1978, represents a significant revival of Jack Kirby's Fourth World mythos. Following the cancellation of the original series in the early 1970s, DC Comics brought back the title to expand upon the epic conflict between the benevolent New Genesis and the tyrannical Apokolips. This issue served to bridge the gap between the initial experimental run and later interpretations of these cosmic deities, reflecting the ongoing struggle to integrate Kirby’s expansive vision into the broader DC Universe continuity.

The art and narrative direction of this period were influenced by a shift in editorial oversight, as the company sought to capitalize on the enduring popularity of Kirby's character designs like Darkseid and Orion. While the creative team deviated from the singular, auteur-driven style of the original 1971 launch, the issue remains a notable artifact of late 1970s superhero storytelling. It is regarded by collectors as a transitional chapter that showcased how Kirby's complex, operatic concepts could be adapted by other writers and artists to maintain their relevance within the maturing comic book landscape.