10 Insanely Detailed Comic Book Worlds That Blew Fans' Minds

1. Fourth World - DC

Jack Kirby is the king of comics for a reason. From the 1940s through to the 1970s, the writer/artist masterminded dozens of characters and worlds that would later form the bedrock of the superhero genre. From his mind came the likes of Captain America (alongside Joe Simon), the Fantastic Four (with Stan Lee), and most of Marvel's most beloved heroes.

He did also, however, have a brief stint with DC. Leaving the House of Ideas at the beginning of the seventies, Kirby went to work for the Distinguished Competition and quickly fashioned a whole new world of his own - a Fourth World, filled with New Gods, monsters, and some of the most inspired characters and environments put to print.

During this period, Kirby fashioned a new myth - that of the warring planets of New Genesis and Apokolips. Head of New Genesis - a planet that stood for all that was good in the universe, ostensibly - was Highfather, while his polar opposite Darkseid ruled over Apokolips with an iron fist. Central to this conflict were their sons, who they traded in a bid to end the conflict once and for all.

And from that, Kirby created a self-sustaining mythology that consistently manages to capture DC's readers. Whether they're reading the adventures of the Forever People or that of Mister Miracle and Big Barda, Kirby's signature style has ensured the Fourth World remains at the medium's pinnacle. Long may its reign continue.