New Gods #1

New Gods #1 (On Sale: December 22, 1970), has an unusual cover by Jack Kirby. Some say this is inked by Frank Giacoia and some say it is inked by Don Heck. What we know for sure is that the Orion figure was taken from a presentation piece, as seen at Kirby Museum. 

This issue features "Orion Fights for Earth" or "More new ideas, characters, and concepts than you can shake a stick at" written and drawn by Jack Kirby and inked by Vince Colletta.

Ages ago good and evil gods alike perish in the destruction of the home of the old gods. This destruction resulted in the creation of two new planets: New Genesis, a place of light and good, and Apokolips, a place of darkness and evil. Now Orion, wielder of the Astro Force, is summoned to New Genesis, where he is greeted by Lightray then joins Highfather. Metron also arrives and together they learn the task set for Orion by the Source. The Source leaves a message in fire on Highfather's wall: "Orion to Apokolips -- Then to Earth -- Then to WAR."

Orion is sent to Apokolips, New Genesis' opposite. He does battle with Para-Demons and other soldiers, but he discovers that its ruler, Darkseid, is absent. Kalibak remains in his master's stead. As Orion prepares to engage Kalibak in battle, Metron arrives. Metron halts the battle and leads Orion to four humans which Darkseid has brought to Apokolips from Earth. Orion opens a Boom Tube and brings them back to Earth. He learns that Darkseid has already been active on Earth for some time in his attempts to find the Anti-Life Equation that will allow him to control the minds of all inhabitants of the universe.

Let's see, in this issue, we are introduced to Highfather, Lightray, Metron, Orion, Kalibak, Parademons, Dog Cavalry, Hunger Dogs, The Source, Apokolips, and New Genesis. This was reprinted in New Gods #1 (1984), Jack Kirby's New Gods TPB (1998), Millennium Edition: New Gods 1 (#24) (2000), Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (2007), Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 1 TPB (2012), DC Comics Presents: Darkseid War 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (2016), The Fourth World Omnibus by Jack Kirby (2017), and New Gods by Jack Kirby (2018).

Edited by Jack Kirby.