Hierarchical social categories and comic books.

Status, ruling class, and sub species.

And “King” Jack Kirby.

The theme of social status was the starting point of Kirby’s New Gods comic book title when he strode across the publishing divide, walking away from Marvel Comics and turning his talents and ideas to rival DC Comics.

And boy did he bring ideas and characters that still reverberate nearly five decades later: Darkseid, the Anti-Life Equation, New Genesis, Apokolips, gods, monsters, destiny…and politics.

Not to mention the visionary publishing invention of interlocking titles that constitute one, finite story.

Still, social status was only one of the themes of Jack Kirby’s “Fourth World” series of those interlocking comic book titles that included New Gods, Mister Miracle, The Forever People and Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olson.

That story of social status continues, with a new generation of great creators in this week’s release…