As well as playing a prominent part in "Countdown", the story thread centering on the Death of the New Gods is playing out in other books. "Outsiders: Five of a Kind: Week Three: Thunder/Martian Manhunter" featured the deaths of New Gods Grayven and Speed Queen at the hands of a mysterious God-Killer, while the New God Knockout was killed in "Birds of Prey" #109. This appears to be leading into the "Death of the New Gods" limited series written and drawn by Jim Starlin, which saw the demise of all of the characters created by Jack Kirby for his "Fourth World" metaseries. After the conclusion of the "Death of the New Gods" limited series, DC editorial revealed that the "Fourth World" concept would be replaced by a "Fifth World" concept some time in the future.