The New Gods #1 Review-Is There A Future for New Gods?
From DC Comics
Written by Ram V
Art by Evan Cagle
After months of anticipation, The New Gods ongoing series at DC Comics returns this week in all of its cosmic splendor from two of the most imaginative, innovative minds in the comic book field. This series picks up directly after the events of the DC All In Special so there are some inherent spoilers moving forward, so if you want to familiarize yourself, check out my previous review of that excellent event title.
The New Gods was created by Jack Kirby in 1971, predating his creation of The Eternals at Marvel Comics by five years. It is evident from both of these series that Jack Kirby was wrestling with the nature of reality and the future of mankind in the universe, and he relayed his reservations in stunning, forward thinking, unique fashion as only the master of comics could.
The storied legacy of these characters is partly what makes the return to the series so daunting for both artist and reader. Made more complicated by the intervening years of comic book media, where the New Gods have taken on new life, though primarily focused on a select few, namely, Darkseid, Mister Miracle, and Orion (though Metron has also certainly been featured heavily). It is a valid enough question to ask whether the New Gods have a place in the modern world of DC Comics, or if they are far-reaching, antiquated concepts better left to their golden age.
However, it is abundantly clear from Issue #1 that Ram V and Evan Cagle have every intention of making The New Gods as essential a property at DC Comics as the “big three” with a sprawling, epic narrative that introduces many boldly designed, enterprising new characters as well as reintroducing fan favorites. Additionally, the team reinforces the pervading sentiment that has predated this inaugural installment, that they are precisely the kind of evocative, intelligent artistic figures to helm such a beloved and avant-garde title as The New Gods.
If I had to distill what I believe is the most compelling component of The New Gods series, I would remind fans what the entire intent of superhero comics is really about at its fundamental level, which is the art of mythmaking. Which becomes an even more overt and intentional practice with a title like The New Gods as it explores esoteric, thematic concepts personified as figures, places, living cosmic entities, the very stuff of which dreams are made of. Luckily, we have the thoughtful perspective of a talented modern writer like Ram V to guide us through and make sense of it all, who has showcased his unique, evolving vision on popular serial titles such as Detective Comics, Venom, Swamp Thing, and previous original work with Evan Cagle with Dawn Runner.
If you are in any way interested in the greater DC Comics universe and its organizing principles or its fundamentally pulp science fiction aesthetic, then The New Gods is surely destined to be your new favorite title from the legacy publisher. Additionally, if you have encountered quirky, legendary characters such as Mister Miracle, Big Barda, Orion, or of course, Darkseid over the years and not necessarily understood their characterization or origins, then The New Gods have finally arrived to shed revealing light into the dark recesses of the DC Comics mythos.
Let’s talk more specifically about this beautiful debut issue, which means,
WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!
Our story begins with the flash of a distant star, no, a distant universe as it flashes with the unbridled energy of Darkseid’s departure from the DC Comics reality. A primordial creature, referred to as Amaxazu, glides through the blackness of space as she sheds thousands of leaves from her floating island of a body, approaching the fabled Source Wall, where Metron is already present. Metron gazes at the eldritch wall at the boundary of the universe, and is granted the light of a vision, declaring that “the last avatar” will soon be created and with its arrival, the “reckoning” of the universe will follow suit.
The singular talents of Evan Cagle are on full display in these first few pages, shifting between different art styles to depict the dizzying, foundational, abstract nature of Metron’s revelation, as well as creating the haunting vision of Amaxazu who goes largely unexplained but is memorable nonetheless.
Next we arrive at New Genesis, the floating citadel paradise within the DC Cosmic universe, where we watch Lightray and Fastbak approach the kingdom on route to the Highfather’s chambers. Inside, we find the Highfather staring out at eternity, waxing about the many changes he has witnessed, as Metron approaches with a foreboding warning. As the Highfather rebukes Metron, he relays his truth, that with the death of Darkseid, forces throughout the cosmos move to take back what was once theirs, which will end in the decimation of New Genesis. Additionally, he recounts his vision, heralding the birth of the last New God and the change that will come with it.
Once again, it must be noted how much detail and characterization and rich imagery Ram V is able to pack into so few panels. Both the Highfather and Metron are characterized sp efficiently and effectively in this scene, putting the Highfather’s serene, inherent authority at odds with Metron’s otherworldly, all-seeing nature. In this pivotal expository scene, we once again are introduced to a new character, Akala, who appears to be a vassal or protector of the Highfather, that I hope we see more of in the future.
Lightray arrives after Metron’s departure, pledging himself to the Highfather’s cause. However, the Highfather regards Lightray with a wisened, fatherly estimation, and calls instead for his true champion, Orion. I really love this quiet moment that wordlessly highlights the Highfather’s discerning nature and Lightray’s eagerness to prove himself in tandem.
Cutting now to Orion, we find the Champion of New Genesis decimating Parademons, the agents of Darkseid, on a far off world under his godly protection. However, Orion’s slaughter is interrupted by the call of the Highfather, who relays that he needs his help, “without question,” a request that Orion agrees to.
For those of you unfamiliar with some of the key components of The New Gods mythos, I should clarify that Orion is the son of Darkseid, gifted to and raised in New Genesis, while the son of the Highfather, Scott Free, was gifted to and raised in Apokolips as a means of bartering peace between the two warring ancient realms. A practice which has fostered a complex relationship between both parent and child as well as between either displaced offspring.
Which is what makes the following scene between Scott and Orion so touching. Knowing that after all that each individual has suffered and been made to face, they are still good men, who regard each other as family above all.
Checking in with Scott Free (Mister Miracle) on Earth, we find him not too far removed from the familiar, humanizing circumstances of the acclaimed Mister Miracle series (from fan favorite writer, Tom King) as he wrestles with the reality of fatherhood to an infant daughter named, Olivia Free. Stepping outside, Scott checks in with Orion, who reveals that the Highfather has asked him to find the foretold new, child New God on Earth- and to kill him.
Orion appeals to Scott’s trademark, hard-earned humanity, and beseeches him to find the child himself and to take it into hiding in order to protect its life. Scott, remarks that he can’t just abandon his family, especially when his wife, Big Barda, is currently employed as a member of the Birds of Prey and doesn’t have time to take care of their child. Moreover, Scott insists that for the first time in his life, he isn’t trying to escape anything, he has the life he always wanted. However, Orion counters by reconfiguring his face to its true countenance, as the child of Darkseid, reminding Scott that he has never once failed the Highfather, and that the Highfather is counting on the child of Darkseid to do what must be done.
The battle of wills in this scene is truly a thing of beauty, revealing just how intimately Ram V has acquainted himself with the motivations and stakes of these characters. Most importantly, the decision at hand is a difficult one, where neither character can win from a moral standpoint, presenting a classic conundrum of action versus inaction.
In our final pages we are quickly introduced to our child who would be a new god, as his father is gunned down by mysterious militia forces in the forests of southern India. As the child, Kamal, tragically calls out to his fallen father- he is overcome with power, transforming him into a blue skinned, floating avatar as the text crawl below heralds, “And the New Gods Were Born,” as a bookended, dramatic statement.
The pace of this issue is perhaps its greatest strong suit, diving into the heart of the action with all of the major players involved, and even arriving at the birth of the dramatically prophesied child new god by issue’s end. If this is to be our indication as to the style and content of The New Gods series moving forward, then I think it is safe to say that comic book fans will be content with a moving, eloquent, spectacular body of work for the foreseeable future.
Please support your local comic book stores and discover, The New Gods #1 on shelves now!
-Nicholas Aaron Hodge
