Are any of the New Gods based on real-life people?
Gregg – Big Barda is an amalgamation of Roz Kirby and singer Lanie Kazan. Rumours have swirled that Mark Moonrider is Mark Evanier, but Kirby denied this. Stan Lee was the inspiation for Funky Flashman and his servant Houseroy was Roy Thomas, and Mr. Miracle was inspired by Jim Sterenko. Mario – Supposedly, Mister Miracle is Jim Steranko, Mark Moonrider is Mark Evanier, Himon is Jack Kirby’s father, and Barda is Roz Kirby in Lanie Kazan’s body. Furthermore, Funky Flashman may be Stan Lee, with Roy Thomas playing his servant Houseroy. Jack Bohn – The Black Racer: the Angel of Death, soul guides of various mythologies; the Silver Surfer; if the New Gods have arisen from the ashes of the Norse gods, then his use of skis (cross-country and not merely downhill) is appropriate. Darkseid: Totalitarian rulers of the twentieth century such as Hitler and Stalin. Desaad: The Marquis de Sade, 18th century French noble whose name is the origin of the word “sadism”. Mr. Miracle: Harry Houdini, famou
