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Forever People
The Forever People from Jack Kirby's Fourth World #17 (July 1998), art by Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding; from left to right: Vykin, Beautiful Dreamer, Big Bear, Serifan, Mark Moonrider, Infinity-Man.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceForever People #1 (February-March 1971)
Created byJack Kirby (writer/artist)
In-story information
Member(s)Beautiful Dreamer
Big Bear
Infinity-Man
Mark Moonrider
Serifan
Vykin

The Forever People are a group of extraterrestrial superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. They first appeared in Forever People #1 (cover-dated February-March 1971), and were created by Jack Kirby as part of his "Fourth World" epic.[1]

Publication history

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The protagonists of the series are a group of young New Gods from New Genesis who were on a mission to oppose Darkseid on Earth, and talked, dressed, and acted much like the flower children of the 1960s.[2] In addition to the individual abilities and equipment of the members, the group can join together using the technology of a Mother Box to summon the powerful hero Infinity-Man.[3] The group travels by use of their Super-Cycle.[4] The first issue of their title also introduced the Boom Tube, a type of portal used by the New Gods.[5]

Their own title, The Forever People, debuted in 1971 and lasted 11 issues.[6][7] They mainly fought Darkseid's forces, such as Glorious Godfrey in issue #3.[8] Issues #9 and 10 guest-starred Deadman; according to writer/artist Jack Kirby's assistant Mark Evanier: "We were ordered to put Deadman into New Gods, but we slipped him into Forever People instead, where he was a little less obtrusive. Jack didn't like the character and didn't want to do it. He didn't feel he should be doing someone else's character. ... He doesn't want to trample on someone else's vision. Carmine said the character hadn't sold and he wanted the Kirby touch on it."[9] The series ended on a cliffhanger, with the Forever People stranded on Adon.[10]

In a 1986 interview, Kirby recalled that "the Forever People were the wonderful people of the '60s, who I loved. If you'll watch the actions of the Forever People, you'll see the reflection of the '60s in their attitudes, in the backgrounds, in their clothes. You'll see the '60s. I felt I would leave a record of the '60s in their adventures."[11]

In 1988, a six-issue Forever People limited series by writer J. M. DeMatteis and artist Paris Cullins was published,[12] showing what happens to the Forever People on Adon. This series reveals that the Forever People were originally humans who were saved from death and brought to New Genesis. They returned to Earth to oppose "the Darkness", a sentient but disembodied force of hopelessness. They were aided by a mysterious being, Maya, who is revealed to be the consciousness of their Mother Box.

In Death of the New Gods, the origin of the Forever People was retconned, and it is hinted that the five were to have been the first of the next evolution of the New Gods — godlings becoming more than the sum of their parts. Furthermore, the group are killed by Infinity-Man.

In the Final Crisis Sketchbook, the Forever People (along with other members of the New Gods) are given updated looks, which Grant Morrison calls "more gothic art school student than flower power". In the event itself, Japan's pop culture team, the Super Young Team, are revealed to be the Fifth World incarnation of the Forever People.[13]

The Forever People appear in The New 52 series Infinity Man and the Forever People.[14] Serifan is depicted as female and Vykin's sister.[15][16][17]

Original members

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Members of the Forever People, on the cover of issue #9 (June-July 1972). From top to bottom: Big Bear, Vykin the Black, Mark Moonrider, Beautiful Dreamer, Serifan.
Artists: Jack Kirby and Mike Royer

Beautiful Dreamer

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During the original Kirby run, Beautiful Dreamer had been linked romantically to Mark Moonrider, although outside of hand-holding, the exact nature of their relationship was never directly specified. In the 1988 miniseries, it was established that Dreamer had been married to Big Bear, and together they had a child, named Maya after the spirit of their old Mother Box. Since then, their marriage and daughter has been voided by a retcon during John Byrne's Jack Kirby's Fourth World series. When last shown, Dreamer was romantically involved with Takion.

In the Elseworlds story Superman & Batman: Generations, Beautiful Dreamer and Superman marry and have two children, Lar-El and Vara. They and Beautiful Dreamer are later killed by Darkseid.

Powers and abilities

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Like all the children of New Genesis, Beautiful Dreamer possesses the advanced physiology of a New God; she is extremely long-lived, has a limited degree of superhuman strength, resistance and reflexes. She is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant. She has psionic powers that allow her to create illusions and to scan people's minds to produce familiar images. In addition, she has been able to feel the fluctuations within the Source.

Big Bear

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Big Bear had been married to Beautiful Dreamer, and she had been pregnant with their daughter. A shift in time resulted in the marriage never happening and the child never having existed. This traumatized Beautiful Dreamer for a time. In Forever People #7, he was shown to have been responsible for the historical event that led to the legend of King Arthur.[18]

Powers and abilities

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Bear possesses superhuman strength that is further enhanced by a flow of high-density atoms. He is also the pilot of the Super-Cycle and an avid Earth history buff.

Mark Moonrider

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During the original Kirby run, Beautiful Dreamer had been linked romantically to Mark Moonrider, although outside of hand-holding, the exact nature of their relationship was never specified. In the 1988 miniseries set on Adon, Mark was shown to have fallen in love with, and later married, one of the natives, Mina. They had three children (Merry, Wendy and Starbright), but when the shift in time caused by the Darkness' actions undid the events which 'evolved' the natives, this marriage never occurred, leaving Mark with only his friends.

Powers and abilities

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In addition to being extremely long-lived, Mark has superhuman strength and reflexes and is resistant to conventional injury. Also, he has a keen mind with good leadership skills and he is well-trained in hand-to-hand combat. He possesses a Megaton Touch that enables him to generate lethal bolts of electricity.

Serifan

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Serifan is the youngest member of the group, as well as the most vulnerable. The Dark saw this and possessed Serifan, using him to conquer Forevertown and plague the Forever People. After the Dark was defeated he returned to his normal self.

Powers and abilities

[edit]

Serifan possesses limited telepathic powers, and wields "cosmic cartridges" that serve various purposes when wielded. For example, the cartridges can link Serifan to the Source, create force fields, drain energy, manipulate gravity, modify atomic density, generate intense heat, power vehicles, and stun others. His "Blue Cartridge" can manipulate life force and was used to help Deadman merge with a "Follower", an organic machine designed to act as his physical body.

Vykin

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Throughout the Kirby run, Vykin was referred to as "Vykin the Black". He was the second black superhero to appear in a DC comic book, preceding Kirby's Black Racer by several months. When the Forever People were stranded on Adon, Mark Moonrider thought it would be advantageous to civilize the people of the planet. When Vykin used their Mother Box to do so, it overloaded and was destroyed, killing Vykin in the process, but managing to create Forevertown. When the Dark overtook and reversed the effects of the Mother Box, Vykin was brought back to life. Later, he was reunited on New Genesis with his mother Valkyra, who sacrificed herself to save her lover Orion.

Powers and abilities

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Like all New Gods, Vykin is functionally immortal and all his physical attributes are superhuman. He can manipulate magnetism and is skilled in working with complicated machinery. Vykin has a keen mind and is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant. It is Vykin who carries the Forever People's Mother Box, a kind of sentient computer, and is attuned to her frequencies. He is also a language major and a skilled tracker. He is considered "second only to Metron in wisdom".

Infinity-Man

[edit]

Infinity-Man is Drax, the older brother of Uxas, and became the Infinity-Man after treachery at the hands of Uxas while attempting to harness the Omega Force for himself. No explanation was given as to why he was involved with the Forever People other than Big Bear's offhanded comment that they have an arrangement with him. The Infinity-Man's powers were never fully cataloged other than having some direct link to the Source, and the suggestion that since he originated from outside our universe, he was not bound by its physical laws. He was shown capable of flight, super-strength, enhanced vision powers, infini-beams, the ability to negate gravity and convert it into a repulsive force, restructuring atoms to pass through solid matter, and redirecting the flight path of bullets.

Fifth World

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The Super Young Team are the contemporary Fifth World incarnations of the Forever People.[13] Created by writer Grant Morrison in the early "52" stages of their DC Universe Final Crisis storyline, they are influenced by American super-heroes and Japanese pop culture, and were first mentioned in 52 #6. This group recruits Sonny Sumo, a powerful fighter who assisted the original Forever People in the first series.[19]

Other versions

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The Un-People, a fusion of the Forever People and Marvel Comics group the Inhumans, appear in the Amalgam Comics one-shot Challengers of the Fantastic.[20]

In other media

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Television

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Film

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An alternate universe variant of Mark Moonrider makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in a flashback in Justice League: Gods and Monsters.[citation needed]

Video games

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The Forever People appear as character summons in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[22]

Miscellaneous

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The Forever People appear in the Justice League: Gods and Monsters tie-in comic as experiments created by Doctor Psycho.[23]

Collected editions

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  • Jack Kirby's The Forever People collects The Forever People #1–11, 288 pages, October 1999, ISBN 978-1563895104[24]
  • Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus
    • Volume 1 collects Forever People #1–3, Mister Miracle #1–3, The New Gods #1–3, Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #133–139, 396 pages, May 2007, ISBN 978-1401213442 (hardcover);[25] December 2011, ISBN 978-1401232412 (paperback)[26]
    • Volume 2 collects Forever People #4–6, Mister Miracle #4–6, The New Gods #4–6, Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #141–145, 396 pages, August 2007, ISBN 978-1401213572 (hardcover);[27] April 2012, ISBN 978-1401234409 (paperback)[28]
    • Volume 3 collects Forever People #7–10, Mister Miracle #7–9, The New Gods #7–10, Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #146–148, 396 pages, November 2007, ISBN 978-1401214852 (hardcover);[29] August 2012, ISBN 978-1401235352 (paperback)[30]
    • Volume 4 collects Forever People #11; Mister Miracle #10–18; The New Gods #11; "Even Gods Must Die" from The New Gods vol. 2 #6; DC Graphic Novel #4: "The Hunger Dogs"; "On the Road to Armagetto!" (previously unpublished), 424 pages, March 2008, ISBN 978-1401215835 (hardcover);[31] December 2012, ISBN 978-1401237462 (paperback)[32]

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Forever People are a team of five young superheroes from the planet New Genesis in the DC Comics universe, created by writer-artist as part of his saga. They first appeared in Forever People #1 in February 1971, embodying the free-spirited, countercultural youth of the 1960s and 1970s through their hippie-inspired aesthetics, communal lifestyle, and use of advanced alien technology like the . The team—comprising , , Mark Moonrider, Serifan, and Vykin—travels to to immerse themselves in human society, promote peace and evolution, and oppose tyrannical forces from led by the villain . As , the Forever People represent the benevolent side of an immortal race tasked with maintaining cosmic balance, contrasting the malevolent of . Their signature ability involves channeling their collective energies through the —a sentient, reality-warping device—to transform into the , a towering, Superman-level powerhouse capable of battling godlike threats. This fusion underscores their theme of unity and shared power, often invoked in crises involving interstellar conquest or the sought by . The group has featured in key storylines battling Darkseid's minions like and , as well as team-ups with heroes such as and Deadman, influencing broader DC events like the ' conflicts across the . Revived in modern continuities, such as the era's and the Forever People series (2014) by and , the team continues to explore themes of youthful rebellion, technological wonder, and the clash between utopian ideals and dystopian tyranny, paying homage to Kirby's visionary style while adapting to contemporary narratives. Their adventures highlight the Fourth World's epic scope, blending mythological grandeur with social commentary on freedom and harmony.

Publication history

Original series (1971–1972)

The Forever People were conceived by Jack Kirby as a group of youthful New Gods from the idyllic planet New Genesis, embodying the free-spirited ideals of 1970s counterculture through their hippie-like appearance, emphasis on harmony, and rejection of authoritarian control. This innovative take updated Kirby's earlier "kid gang" concepts from his Simon & Kirby collaborations, transforming them into cosmic adolescents who merge earthly youth rebellion with mythological grandeur in the broader framework of the Fifth World saga. The series debuted with Forever People #1 (February–March 1971), marking the first standalone title in Kirby's interconnected Fourth World lineup at DC Comics, alongside New Gods and Mister Miracle. Spanning 11 issues through November–December 1972, the original series chronicled the team's adventures on and beyond, introducing pivotal elements of Kirby's mythology such as the Boom Tube for instantaneous interdimensional travel, the sentient Super-Cycle as their versatile transport, and the as a multifunctional computer device central to their powers. Key story arcs focused on the Forever People's clashes with Darkseid's tyrannical forces from , including confrontations with the sadistic and the propagandist , often highlighting themes of freedom versus domination. Notable crossovers featured alliances with in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen and Deadman, underscoring the series' integration into the while showcasing Kirby's dynamic artwork and narrative experimentation. Kirby's storytelling innovations blended the era's countercultural ethos—evident in the team's communal lifestyle and vibes—with epic cosmic battles, using the to summon the adult as their collective alter ego for high-stakes combat. The series concluded abruptly with issue #11, leaving the team on a as they became trapped on the distant planet following a fierce battle against the Apokoliptian warrior Devilance the Pursuer, with seemingly lost in the conflict. This unresolved ending reflected the cancellation amid shifting editorial priorities at DC, yet it encapsulated Kirby's vision of perpetual struggle against oppressive forces.

1988 miniseries

The 1988 Forever People is a six-issue limited series published by DC Comics from February to July 1988, written by with pencils by Paris Cullins and inks by Karl Kesel. Picking up directly from the of Jack Kirby's original 1971–1972 series, in which the team was trapped on the distant planet by , the story explores their long-term entrapment and personal growth over more than a . The narrative depicts the Forever People gradually assimilating into Adon's peaceful, pastoral society, where they have formed families and taken on human-like roles, reflecting themes of maturity and the passage of time akin to a superheroic take on The Big Chill. Central to the plot is the revelation of the team's human origins: they were originally mortals from Earth's ancient history, rescued from death by the New Gods of New Genesis and transformed into their youthful, super-powered forms. For instance, Big Bear is retconned as a figure from Arthurian legend, his exploits inspiring the tales of King Arthur, while other members draw from various historical or mythical roots. This backstory integrates the characters more firmly into DC's post-Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity, emphasizing their dual heritage as both cosmic beings and echoes of humanity. The series introduces Adon as a serene world of harmonious natives who celebrate the team's arrival as a "Rebirth Day," highlighting cultural contrasts with the Forever People's hippie-esque ideals from Kirby's era. Personal developments include marriages—Beautiful Dreamer weds Big Bear, and Mark Moonrider pairs with a local named Mina—underscoring their temporary shift from adventurers to settlers. The story builds to conflict when a malevolent force called "the Dark" threatens , forcing the team to reunite and confront their past. With the aid of their and the manifestation of , they overcome the threat, merge their life-forces to escape , and return to empowered to defend it against cosmic evils. This resolution not only closes the original series' dangling thread but expands the team's lore by blending Kirby's mythology with 1980s themes of aging, identity, and redemption. Critically, the miniseries was praised for honoring Kirby's vision while updating the characters for modern readers, effectively bridging the gap between the original cosmic adventures and DC's evolving shared universe; DeMatteis's script was noted for its emotional depth and philosophical undertones, though some felt the art, while dynamic, lacked Kirby's bombastic energy.

The New 52 (2014–2015)

In 2014, DC Comics relaunched the Forever People as part of The New 52 continuity with the six-issue miniseries Infinity Man and the Forever People (#1–6, cover-dated August 2014–February 2015), written by Dan DiDio and Keith Giffen. The series reimagined the team as recent graduates from New Genesis's Academy of Higher Conscience, sent to Earth to guide human evolution, integrating them into the post-Flashpoint DC Universe while expanding on Jack Kirby's Fourth World mythology. The narrative centers on the four young —Beautiful Dreamer, , Mark Moonrider, and Serifan—arriving on via a , only to uncover a malevolent force threatening the . They summon , who serves as both a powerful ally and a complex antagonist, embodying the duality of protection and destruction within New Gods lore. The story explores themes of cosmic balance and human potential, with the team confronting Apokoliptian influences in a modernized take on their youthful, countercultural origins. Artistically, the series blended Kirby's iconic style—featuring elements like "Kirby Krackle" energy effects—with contemporary action sequences, primarily penciled by Scott Koblish for interiors and Giffen for the framing issues. It tied into the broader DC landscape following the Forever Evil event, hinting at escalating conflicts with Darkseid and Apokolips amid the New 52's multiversal threats. The miniseries received mixed reviews for its dense exposition and nostalgic tone but was praised for revitalizing obscure New Gods elements. It was canceled after six issues due to low sales figures, consistent with DC's broader culling of underperforming titles in early 2015.

Post-New 52 appearances

Following the conclusion of their New 52 series Infinity Man and the Forever People in 2015, the Forever People have not starred in a dedicated series, instead featuring in sparse, minor roles or references within broader narratives centered on the mythology. In the era, the team received brief mentions in New Gods-related titles, such as Tom King's (2017–2019), where elements of New Genesis and conflicts contextualize their place in the cosmic hierarchy without direct involvement in the central plot. During the 2020 Dark Nights: Death Metal event, the Forever People are referenced as part of the entities affected by widespread casualties and resurrections amid the multiversal crisis orchestrated by and Perpetua. The 2021 Infinite Frontier continuity reboot further integrated the into the but relegated the Forever People to niche supporting status, with no major story arcs featuring them through 2025, underscoring their limited role in ongoing developments.

Fictional background

The Fifth World mythology

The Fifth World mythology forms the cosmic backdrop for the Forever People, evolved from Jack Kirby's 1971 Fourth World saga, with the Fifth World representing a later iteration introduced in Grant Morrison's Final Crisis (2008). This mythology posits that the New Gods arose from the cataclysmic destruction of earlier divine realms, including the world of the Old Gods, which shattered in a Ragnarok-like event, giving way to the bifurcated planets of New Genesis and Apokolips as the core of the Fourth World. The New Gods, as transcendent beings, embody ideals of good and evil in perpetual conflict, with their existence tied to the infinite Source—a primordial energy beyond creation that fuels their power and philosophy. Central to this mythology are New Genesis, a verdant ruled by and dedicated to , tolerance, and enlightenment, and , a fiery industrial hellscape under Darkseid's tyrannical rule, where servitude and conquest prevail. These opposing worlds, once part of a single shattered planet called Urgrund, are connected through technologies like Boom Tubes—wormhole portals enabling instantaneous travel with a characteristic explosive sound—and the Source Wall, an impenetrable barrier encircling the universe that guards the mysteries of the Source and limits even godly exploration. The Forever People, as young from New Genesis, function as emissaries dispatched to lower realms like to champion , harmony, and resistance against Apokoliptian oppression, embodying the mythology's youthful, exploratory spirit. Kirby's framework evolved in subsequent DC events, particularly Grant Morrison's (2008), where the Fourth World's destruction during a "War in Heaven" ushers in the Fifth World—a rebirth of the New Gods on Earth in human forms, merging divine archetypes with mortal reality and amplifying multiversal threats like Darkseid's Anti-Life Equation. This transition underscores the mythology's theme of cyclical renewal, positioning the Fifth World as humanity's potential ascension amid cosmic upheaval, with remnants of New Genesis and Apokolips influencing broader DC narratives.

Team origins and dynamics

The Forever People were originally conceived by as a team of young from New Genesis, selected by to represent a youthful, rebellious spirit in the ongoing conflict against . In the post-Crisis continuity established in the 1988 miniseries, the team members were revealed to be humans rescued from various points in Earth's history—such as from a medieval era—and brought to New Genesis for upbringing, instilling in them a sense of and defiance against tyranny. This diverse selection underscored their role as embodiments of , raised collectively to foster ideals of freedom and unity as part of the ' mythology. Their emphasized hippie-like camaraderie and democratic , reflecting the countercultural of the early 1970s, where the members operated as equals in a non-hierarchical structure, often resolving conflicts through consensus rather than authority. For dire threats, they would unite via their to merge into the powerful , symbolizing the strength derived from collective action over individual heroism. This transformation mechanism highlighted their interpersonal bonds, requiring perfect harmony among the group to activate, and reinforced themes of by contrasting their free-spirited approach with the rigid oppression of Darkseid's forces. Across continuities, the team's adventures evolved significantly, adapting to narrative shifts while maintaining their core rebellious identity. In the original 1971-1972 series, they frequently ventured to to thwart Apokoliptian schemes, but following the cancellation, they were depicted as stranded on the planet from 1972 until their return in the 1988 miniseries, where they rebuilt their resolve amid isolation. reboot in 2014 reimagined them as students dispatched to for a mission to advance , leading to extended Earth-based adventures that intertwined with broader DC events, emphasizing their role as cultural insurgents against cosmic . Kirby's vision positioned them as eternal symbols of freedom, challenging oppressive powers through youthful vitality and communal solidarity.

Key artifacts and resources

The Forever People's operations rely on advanced New Genesis technology that blends mysticism and science, enabling their interdimensional travel, combat capabilities, and transformation. These artifacts, created by the New Gods, draw power from the metaphysical Source and are integral to the team's youthful, countercultural ethos. Central to their arsenal is the , a sentient living computer that serves as both guardian and multifunctional tool. This device, larger than standard models to accommodate group use, generates Boom Tubes for instantaneous interdimensional travel, facilitates rapid healing of injuries, and manipulates reality through computed energy fields and protective barriers. Vykin the Black acts as its primary carrier and protector, ensuring its secure deployment during missions. The also enables the team's collective merger into by channeling the Source's infinite energy, allowing the five members to unify their essences in a ritual that swaps their atoms with the cosmic entity, amplifying their power to superhuman levels for dire confrontations. Complementing the Mother Box is the Super-Cycle, a communal quasi-sentient vehicle that functions as the team's primary mode of transportation. This three-wheeled craft, capable of ground travel or flight at supersonic speeds, features adaptive for autonomous , phasing through solid matter, and generating protective shields. It supports space travel via Boom Tubes, deploys offensive weapons like high-energy cannons, and can even self-repair or reproduce under duress, embodying the harmonious bond between the Forever People and their technology. Serifan's Cosmic Cartridges provide on-demand capabilities, consisting of twelve silver, bullet-like devices stored in his hatband, each attuned to universal energies for versatile creation. These cartridges enable the fabrication of tools such as emitters to incapacitate foes, atomic shields for defense, life-force projectors to reanimate objects or allies, and integration modules to repair or interface with machinery like damaged Aero-Vans. Their adaptability underscores the team's improvisational style in blending with .

Core members

Beautiful Dreamer

is a young New God from the idyllic planet New Genesis, characterized by her serene and ethereal appearance that reflects the harmonious culture of her people. Created by , she first appeared as a core member of the Forever People, a youthful team embodying the ideals of peace and exploration in opposition to the tyranny of . Her background includes close bonds with her teammates, including romantic ties to Mark Moonrider, with whom she shares a deep emotional connection during their adventures. In a later storyline, she entered a temporary marriage to while the team was stranded on the colony world of , resulting in the birth of a child named Maya; this development was subsequently retconned in post-Crisis continuity. As the emotional core of the Forever People, provides essential psychological support to her teammates, helping them navigate the stresses of interdimensional travel and conflict. Her role extends to tactical deception in battles against forces, where she employs her abilities to disorient enemies and create diversions, often turning the tide in encounters with Darkseid's agents. This supportive function underscores her position as the team's empathetic anchor, fostering unity amid the chaos of their missions on and beyond. also contributes her unique energies to the , enabling the Forever People's collective transformation into the powerful when facing overwhelming threats. Beautiful Dreamer's powers stem from her New God , granting her enhanced capable of withstanding intense physical trauma and exceptional longevity that far exceeds human lifespans. Her signature ability is psionic illusion-casting, through which she projects three-dimensional illusions derived from the thoughts, fears, or desires in others' minds, effectively altering perceptions to simulate . Complementing this, she possesses mind-scanning faculties that allow for empathetic insight into emotions and the detection of hidden intentions or presences, aiding in both interpersonal dynamics and strategic . She plays a central role in the original 1971–1972 series by , particularly in issues exploring countercultural and drug-themed narratives, such as those addressing societal ills through her illusions that expose hidden truths and foster awareness. is also pivotal in the 1988 miniseries, where she navigates survival challenges on alongside her teammates, using her abilities to maintain morale and counter environmental and interstellar threats during their isolation from New Genesis.

Big Bear

Big Bear is a New God from New Genesis, depicted as the gentle giant and powerhouse of the Forever People, a group of youthful pacifists created by . His character draws inspiration from 1960s-1970s , resembling figures like and of the , embodying a free-spirited, communal as the team's driver. In one adventure, Big Bear is transported to ancient Britain during the Roman withdrawal, where he aids a warrior named Arta—interpreted as a proto-Arthur figure—by helping him draw a sword from a tree trunk, forging a knightly bond in a pre-Camelot setting. As the team's primary muscle, serves as pilot of the Super-Cycle, their versatile flying vehicle used in group maneuvers and battles. In the 1988 miniseries, a retcon establishes him as married to teammate on the planet , where they contribute to rebuilding a primitive society and anticipate a , highlighting his nurturing side amid family-building efforts. Big Bear possesses New God-level and stamina, enhanced by his ability to channel high-density atoms into his atomic structure, rendering him impervious to harm and allowing him to bolster objects or allies with added density. He excels in as a brawler, leveraging his physical prowess in confrontations. These traits shine in his prominent roles during the original 1971-1972 series, where he tackles Earth-based threats alongside the team, and in the 1988 storyline focused on Adon's development.

Mark Moonrider

Mark Moonrider serves as the charismatic leader of the Forever People, embodying a free-spirited vibe that reflects the youthful, exploratory ethos of his team from New Genesis. Raised on New Genesis and trained at the Academy of Higher Conscience, he joined the Forever People after graduation to aid in Earth's spiritual and evolutionary growth. His leadership style emphasizes intuition and philosophical engagement, often positioning him as the first to confront threats through dialogue and moral reasoning before escalating to action. In his role within the team, Moonrider coordinates missions with strategic precision, guiding the Forever People through interstellar adventures and earthly conflicts. He shares a romantic link with Beautiful Dreamer, which underscores the interpersonal dynamics that strengthen their group cohesion. Additionally, in one continuity, he briefly married Mina, a native of the planet Adon, with whom he had three children and served as mayor of the founded community Forevertown; this development was later retconned in subsequent storylines, restoring the team's youthful status. Moonrider's powers stem from his New God , granting him enhanced , heightened senses attuned to fluctuations in the Source, and exceptional leadership intuition that allows him to anticipate team needs and enemy tactics. His signature ability, the Megaton Touch, enables him to discharge powerful bio-electric blasts from his fingertips, with controllable intensity ranging from stunning shocks to disruptive energy bolts capable of liquefying or shattering objects. These capabilities make him a versatile frontline fighter, complementing his strategic oversight. Moonrider prominently leads the team in Jack Kirby's original cosmic chases, such as pursuits involving Darkseid and Apokoliptian forces in the Fourth World saga, where he directs efforts to protect Earth from existential threats. In the New 52 era, he spearheads incursions defending Earth from interdimensional dangers, including battles against the forces of Apokolips in the Infinity Man and the Forever People series.

Serifan

Serifan is the youngest member of the Forever People, a group of youthful New Gods from New Genesis who embody the idealistic spirit of their homeworld's younger generation. As a childlike figure hailing from this vibrant epoch, he first appeared in Forever People #1 in 1971, where he joined his teammates in their adventures on Earth. In some narratives, particularly the 1988 miniseries, Serifan becomes scarred by the death of teammate Vykin and is influenced by "the Dark," a malevolent force that temporarily isolates him from the group. His inventive approach consistently favors non-violent resolutions, aligning with the team's pacifistic ethos by deploying clever gadgets to defuse conflicts. Serving as the team's primary gadgeteer, Serifan provides on-the-fly technological solutions during their surreal escapades, often turning the tide of battles through ingenuity rather than brute force. In the original series, he acts as while innovating devices that adapt to bizarre threats, such as using cosmic cartridges to combat antagonists like in Forever People #6. By the 1988 Forever People miniseries, his role evolves to emphasize survival technology amid darker, more grounded plots, showcasing his growth as an essential problem-solver for the team's endurance. Serifan's powers stem from his New God , granting him enhanced durability and immortality typical of his kind, allowing him to withstand intense physical confrontations without aging like humans. He possesses limited , enabling basic communication and sensory awareness as a "sensitive," though it is not potent enough for complex mind control. His signature ability revolves around cosmic cartridges—compact, bullet-shaped devices carried in his hat—that he loads into a specialized launcher to instantly manifest inventions like energy shields, anti-gravitational fields, or transporters for evasion and protection. These cartridges occasionally synergize with the team's for amplified effects during critical moments. In key stories, such as aiding the spirit Deadman in Forever People #10, his cartridges demonstrate versatile, creative applications that highlight his role as an innovative pacifist.

Vykin

Vykin the Black is one of DC Comics' early Black superheroes, debuting as a core member of the Forever People and marking a significant representation in the publisher's roster during the early 1970s. Portrayed as stoic and philosophical, he embodies a contemplative demeanor amid the team's youthful adventures, often reflecting on the cosmic implications of their missions. Vykin carries the team's , a sentient computer device central to their operations and connectivity to the Source. As the Forever People's tech custodian, Vykin manages communications and integrates heavy technology into battles, utilizing his exceptional intelligence to maintain and deploy their advanced equipment against threats from . His role emphasizes strategic tech support, ensuring the group's gadgets and the function seamlessly during confrontations. Vykin's powers stem from his New God physiology, granting him , durability, and heightened intelligence. He possesses magnetism manipulation, allowing him to achieve flight by repelling against metallic surfaces, generate protective force fields, and control metal objects for offensive and defensive purposes. Additionally, he excels at interfacing with the to access its computational and capabilities. The 's shared use among the team enables collective functions like Boom Tube travel. Vykin features prominently in Fourth World crossovers, including New Gods #1 where his magnetic abilities aid in broader New Gods conflicts, and in The New 52's tech-focused issues of Infinity Man and the Forever People, where he navigates advanced Earth technologies and team tensions.

Infinity-Man

Infinity-Man is a powerful cosmic entity in DC Comics' mythology, representing the merged of the Forever People, a group of youthful from New Genesis dedicated to promoting peace and freedom. Created by writer and artist , Infinity-Man debuted in Forever People #1 (February 1971), where he was summoned by the team to combat interstellar threats during their adventures on . This fusion form embodies the collective will and amplified abilities of the five core members, activated through their —a sentient computer device linked to the infinite energies of the universe—allowing the team to transcend their individual limitations in moments of dire need. In certain continuities, particularly post-Crisis on Infinite Earths retcons, Infinity-Man's identity draws from Drax, the older brother of Uxas (who later became ), a figure from who was betrayed, severely injured, and empowered by the alien warrior Astorr to become the original Infinity-Man as an act of cosmic justice against his sibling's tyranny. This backstory positions him as a counterforce to Apokoliptian aggression, with later iterations, such as in , emphasizing the bio-fusion aspect where the Forever People's channels the Source—the primal life force of creation—to manifest Infinity-Man as their unified avatar. Within the team's dynamics, he functions as an emergency powerhouse reserved for ultimate confrontations against god-level adversaries from , such as Kalibak, whom Infinity-Man decisively defeated and killed during the cataclysmic events of Death of the New Gods (2008). Infinity-Man's abilities are vast and godlike, including superhuman strength on par with Superman's—demonstrated in pre-New 52 clashes between the two—along with flight enabled by manipulation, near-invulnerability to physical harm, and the capacity to phase through solid matter. He projects devastating infini-beams of cosmic energy for offensive blasts, wields advanced gravity control to alter environments or immobilize foes, and possesses innate dimensional travel capabilities, allowing instantaneous shifts across planes of reality or between worlds like New Genesis and . These powers, amplified by his connection to the Source, make him a pivotal force in high-stakes battles, as seen in his debut role against interstellar invaders, his assistance in the Forever People's 1988 miniseries escape from a reality-warping entity, and central conflicts in The New 52's Infinity Man and the Forever People series (2014–2015), where he confronts existential threats to both and the gods. His apparent death in Death of the New Gods marked a somber turning point in lore, underscoring the fragility even of divine beings amid universal upheaval.

Alternate iterations

Super Young Team

The Super Young Team was first introduced in 52 #6 (2006) as a group of Japanese teen superheroes, with early mentions highlighting members such as Big Atomic Sunny and Little Miss Voyager. These young heroes were depicted as a pop culture-infused squad navigating the chaos of the arc in 52, where they operated alongside international teams like China's amid global supernatural threats. Mentored by remnants of the original Forever People, including the wrestler Sonny Sumo, the team received guidance that connected their activities to broader legacies, emphasizing youthful rebellion against authoritarian forces. Positioned as a Fifth World-inspired analog on Earth, the Super Young Team emerged as a new incarnation of the Forever People following the events of (2008), blending Japanese pop culture elements like fashion and celebrity with the idealistic ethos of mythology. In #2-7, they played a key role by aiding (Shilo Norman) against Darkseid's forces, utilizing a and Boom Tube technology to escort refugees to -51 and inscribe an shield sigil taught by their mentor. This storyline solidified their ties to the Fifth World, portraying them as modern successors who adapted the originals' communal spirit to contemporary tropes, with their Wonder Wagon vehicle echoing the Super-Cycle's design. Post-, the team featured prominently in Final Crisis Aftermath: Dance (2009), where they confronted a Mister Mind-controlled Rising Sun and undertook a global tour that led to a temporary breakup and reunion, uncovering a conspiracy. Unlike the original Forever People, who possessed innate New God physiology and cosmic powers, the Super Young Team adopted a more conventional approach, relying on gadgets, training, and cultural flair without direct divine heritage, which made them more accessible yet less otherworldly in their heroism. The original team's influence is evident in their formation as a youthful, countercultural unit inspired by New Genesis ideals, adapted for an Earth-based context.

Amalgam and crossover versions

In the 1997 Amalgam Comics one-shot Challengers of the Fantastic, the Forever People were reimagined as the Un-People, a villainous fusion of the DC team with Marvel's Inhumans, serving as antagonists allied with Apokolips forces under Darkseid's influence. This hybrid group consists of Vykin the Black Bolt (combining Vykin and Black Bolt), Dream Crystal (Beautiful Dreamer and Crystal), Big Gorgon (Big Bear and Gorgon), Medusa Moonrider (Mark Moonrider and Medusa), and Triserinak (Serifan and Triton), who wield combined powers such as destructive screams, energy manipulation, and illusion-casting while enforcing Apokoliptian control on Earth. The Un-People's role emphasizes a darker, oppressive twist on the original team's youthful rebellion, portraying them as enforcers suppressing interdimensional threats alongside the Challengers (a merge of the Fantastic Four and Challengers of the Unknown). Across these non-canonical versions, thematic variations often amplify the team's ethos, recasting their hippie-inspired freedom as either rebellious heroism or inverted villainy in hybrid or alternate settings.

Adaptations

The Forever People made their animated debut as a non-speaking cameo in the two-part episode "Twilight" (Season 2, Episodes 1-2, aired July 5, 2003), appearing briefly at the end as residents of Supertown on New Genesis. In this DCAU appearance, the team is depicted briefly to tie into the larger mythology, showcasing their role as young allies of New Genesis without dialogue or individual actions. The team received a more substantial role in the animated series, first appearing in Season 1, Episode 17, "Disordered" (aired November 11, 2011), where they arrive on Earth via the Super-Cycle to recover New Genesis technology stolen by and Desaad's forces, leading to an initial conflict with before teaming up against the villains. Here, the Forever People demonstrate their powers, including summoning the by merging with the Source, and interact directly with the teen heroes, highlighting their hippie-inspired, youthful vibe adapted from Jack Kirby's original comic creations. The episode emphasizes their dynamics, with Serifan geeking out over Earth culture and the group using their for teleportation and illusions. In Season 3 (Outsiders, 2019), returns individually in Episode 5, "Away Mission" (aired January 11, 2019), visiting on a personal level to discuss relationships and offer guidance, positioning him as a mentor figure amid the season's meta-trafficking plot involving tech. This brief role reinforces the team's ongoing alliance with Earth heroes but does not feature the full group or major story arcs. No significant animated appearances of the Forever People have occurred since the series' fourth season concluded in 2022, with no major arcs developed as of November 2025. Voice casting for the Young Justice appearances brought distinct personalities to the characters: as Beautiful Dreamer, conveying her serene and illusory powers; as , delivering a boisterous, affable tone; as Vykin, with a commanding presence for the team's tech handler; and as Serifan, adding a quirky, enthusiastic edge. Mark Moonrider had no dialogue in these episodes. Fagerbakke reprised for Season 3. Animation styles adapted Kirby's bold, cosmic designs to fit each series' aesthetic: the DCAU's clean, angular lines in streamlined the team's groovy 1970s looks into heroic silhouettes suitable for ensemble cameos, while Young Justice's fluid, expressive animation—blending Western and influences—gave them vibrant colors, dynamic poses, and exaggerated features to emphasize their youthful energy and otherworldly origins.

Film

The Forever People have made limited appearances in DC animated films, most notably in the 2015 direct-to-video release Justice League: Gods and Monsters. In this alternate-universe story, an alternate version of Mark Moonrider makes a brief, non-speaking cameo during a flashback sequence depicting Darkseid's experiments on captured New Gods from New Genesis, portraying him as a victim of horrific scientific torment that underscores the film's grim tone. The film's prequel comic miniseries, Justice League: Gods and Monsters #1–5 (2015), provides a more extensive role for the full team, reimagining them as a group of enhanced humans—initially aged and decrepit individuals subjected to a radical renewal process—who become unwitting victims of mind control orchestrated by the villain Doctor Psycho, leading them into conflict with humanity and internal strife. This depiction transforms the traditionally youthful, heroic New Gods into tragic figures manipulated as tools in a broader scheme, contrasting sharply with their adventurous, freedom-loving portrayals in the original comics. As of November 2025, the Forever People have not appeared in any live-action films, despite ongoing interest in adapting Jack Kirby's Fourth World saga to the screen. A notable unproduced project was the 2018 announcement of New Gods, a live-action film directed by Ava DuVernay that would have explored core Fourth World elements, including potential roles for the team, but it was officially shelved by Warner Bros. in 2021 amid DC's restructuring of its cinematic universe.

Video games

The Forever People have appeared in video games primarily through summonable roles that leverage their comic book powers for puzzle-solving and assistance. In Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure (2013), developed by 5th Cell and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, individual team members—such as Mark Moonrider, Beautiful Dreamer, Vykin, Serifan, and Big Bear—can be summoned by players to interact with the environment and overcome challenges. These characters provide unique abilities inspired by their origins, enabling creative gameplay solutions; for example, generates illusions to confuse enemies or alter puzzle scenarios, while Vykin employs to move objects, and delivers for combat or heavy lifting. The team's and Super-Cycle are also available as summonable items, facilitating energy projection or aerial traversal, which underscores their collective synergy in aiding Maxwell, the protagonist, against threats like Brainiac. This integration captures Jack Kirby's imaginative essence, blending cosmic adventure with the game's object-manipulation mechanics to emphasize and inventive problem-solving over direct combat. As of November 2025, the Forever People have not featured in any major DC titles since Scribblenauts Unmasked, limiting their interactive presence to this single entry.

Collected editions

Omnibus volumes

The omnibus volumes collecting Jack Kirby's Fourth World saga provide comprehensive hardcover editions that include the complete run of The Forever People series alongside interconnected titles such as New Gods, Mister Miracle, and Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen. These collections preserve Kirby's original 1970s vision of cosmic mythology, featuring high-quality reproductions of the artwork and stories. Jack Kirby's Omnibus Vol. 1 (2007, DC Comics) gathers the early installments of the saga, including Forever People #1–3, as well as #133–139, #1–3, and #1–3; this 396-page edition introduces key elements like the Forever People's arrival on and their conflict with Darkseid's forces ( 978-1401213442). Subsequent volumes continue the narrative arc. Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 2 (2007) collects Forever People #4–6, alongside New Gods #4–6, Mister Miracle #4–6, and Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #141–145, spanning 396 pages and delving deeper into the youths' adventures with the Anti-Life Equation (ISBN 978-1401213572). Vol. 3 (2008) includes Forever People #7–10, with New Gods #7–10, Mister Miracle #7–10, and Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #146–148, in a 396-page format that escalates the interstellar threats (ISBN 978-1401214852). The series concludes with Vol. 4 (2008), featuring Forever People #11, New Gods #11, Mister Miracle #11–14 (plus later stories and The Hunger Dogs graphic novel), totaling 424 pages and incorporating restored artwork from select issues originally inked by Mike Royer (ISBN 978-1401215835). For a consolidated presentation, The by Omnibus (2017, DC Comics) compiles the entire original Fourth World run—including all 11 issues of The Forever People—into a single 1,481-page hardcover, encompassing #133–139 and #141–148, #1–11, #1–14, and additional material like The Hunger Dogs (ISBN 978-1401274757). A 2021 new printing of this edition expands to 1,536 pages with corrected sequencing for certain stories, maintaining the high-fidelity scans without major new restorations or annotations as of 2025 (ISBN 978-1779512611).
VolumePublication YearForever People Issues CollectedTotal PagesISBN
Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 12007#1–3396978-1401213442
Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 22007#4–6396978-1401213572
Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 32008#7–10396978-1401214852
Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 42008#11424978-1401215835
The by Omnibus (2017/2021 printing)2017 (reprint 2021)#1–111,481 (1,536 in reprint)978-1401274757 (2017) / 978-1779512611 (2021)

Trade paperbacks

The Forever People series has been compiled into several standalone trade paperback editions, each focusing on key runs from the team's history. The original 1971–1972 series by Jack Kirby was first collected in the trade paperback Jack Kirby's The Forever People (DC Comics, 1999), which reprints issues #1–11 of The Forever People (Vol. 1). This 288-page volume features Kirby's original art and stories introducing the New Gods from New Genesis, including their adventures on Earth against Darkseid's forces. It was released on September 1, 1999, with ISBN 978-1-56389-510-4 and a cover price of $14.95. A updated reprint edition, The Forever People by (DC Comics, 2020), collects the same issues (#1–11) in a 304-page format, preserving the black-and-white tales of the young adventurers Mark Moonrider, , , Serifan, and Vykin the Black. Released on November 10, 2020, it carries ISBN 978-1-77950-230-8 and a cover price of $29.99, with restored artwork emphasizing Kirby's fantastical mythology. The New 52 relaunch, and the Forever People (2014–2015) by and , saw a dedicated and the Forever People Vol. 1: (DC Comics, 2015), gathering issues #1–6 along with additional extras like sketches and commentary. This 224-page volume, ISBN 978-1401254803, highlights the team's student exchange on uncovering multiversal threats, but it was a limited print run and is now primarily available through secondary markets or digital reprints on up to 2025.

Recent editions

In 2025, in collaboration with DC Comics released Jack Kirby's The Forever People Artist's Edition (hardcover, August 19, 2025), a 208-page collection featuring high-resolution scans of Kirby's original artwork from select issues of the original series (#1–5 and #8–9), showcasing the creative process behind the saga (ISBN 979-8887240053).

References

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