Across the vast distances – where the mysteries deepen, and hide, and wait with answers not yet known – a call has been heard – a name summoned for the Ultimate Mission – to thwart the Ultimate Destruction! Thus they come – the protectors – the wielders of the Astro-Force – Matt and Paul of the Mother Box Podcast!

Welcome to episode 2 of Mother Box: A New Gods Podcast on Jack Kirby’s Fourth World. This time, Matt and Paul take a look at “Forever People” #2, “New Gods” #2, “Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen” #137 and “Mister Miracle” #2.

[audio: http://episodes.castos.com/podsforliteracy/Mother-Box-03-the-Fourth-World-Expands-and-Darkseids-Tendrils.mp3]

Or download the podcast episode here.

This new batch of issues sees the tendrils of Darkseid’s influence permeate planet Earth like never before, and Matt and Paul explore the ever-expanding world of the New Gods. We’re introduced to the deeply unsettling villain Granny Goodness, and through her Matt and Paul discuss the manipulative nature of emotional abuse and how Jack Kirby’s own experiences with fascism influenced her creation.

Other topics for discussion include the parodic nature of “Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen,” the burgeoning generation gap in 1970’s society, the examination of the target audience of “Forever People” and how that’s exploited through advertising, Kirby’s experimentation with photo collages, how both Margaret Attwood and Jack Kirby exploit matriarchal tropes to present convincingly disturbing villains, and much, much more!

Matt and Paul also discuss at length the masterful skill in which Kirby draws the reader down the page, an example of which can be found near the end of “New Gods” #2:

Join us in two weeks where we’ll be discussing the third issues of “Forever People,” “New Gods,” and “Mister Miracle,” and “Jimmy Olsen” #138! Don’t miss the opening blasts of the next exciting episode of Mother Box!