Welcome to the Fourth World! Spinning out of the events of the DC All In special is New Gods #1, the biggest step forward in the cosmic saga of what’s going on with the DCU. After Darkseid’s death, New Genesis is facing a world they’ve never seen: a world without opposition. So they fabricate some.
So, if you just read that paragraph and have no idea what some of those words meant, you’re not alone. The New Gods are a very loud, oft in-the-corner section of DC with some really huge ideas. Part of the core fun of that, even from when Kirby invented them back in the 70s, is to just smile and go with it when you feel like you’re missing something. You’re dropped into this world and caught up on the way, with relationships being laid out through scenes rather than some quick recap of who the New Gods are. My advice? Treat this like a wholly new thing, go with it, and fill in the gaps on the way.
And, for big fans of the New Gods, congratulations! They’re back, and it’s a great and bold new step for all of our favorite characters. And Lightray. No matter who your favorite New God is, get excited. Ram V and the whole team seem to really understand the whole pantheon, and it feels like they have some big plans for everybody. My personal favorite, Mister Miracle, has a great role. Orion, a character I rarely click with, really drew me in. And Lightray was there.
This new book has the job of balancing both the literal Gods of the DCU with a story of a father, mother, and daughter just trying to survive each day. And how those things can interrupt each other. For fans of Tom King and Mitch Gerads’ Mister Miracle… Here's your next stop.
I’ll be honest: since this book was announced, I’ve been saying it’s either going to be incredible or meh. Ram V is a writer that always takes big swings, but lately–at least for me–he’s been striking out. This is maybe not a home run, but a double. He hits it real well, runs, and there’s still game left. Still time to score, which is good because this is an ongoing book. There’s a ton of really, really great stuff set up in this issue and it’s my favorite thing I’ve read by Ram V in a minute. This is a cast of characters and world that really, really play to his strengths, and he picks up all of that in a wonderful way. If you’ve read some of his creator-owned works (Many Deaths of Laila Star, Dawn Runner, Rare Flavours, etc.), this is more geared towards those than his previous DC work.
Joining the gorgeously-prosed Ram V on this project is series artist Evan Cagle, who is overwhelmingly talented and looks like nobody else in the industry right now. Every page is gorgeous. There’s a sequence in this issue with Orion that, done by a lesser artist, really could have fallen on its face, but is done so well. V and Cagle have worked together a handful of times, now, and they really know how to play to each other’s strengths. And it shows. This is a beautifully-drawn book that’s worth the price of admission for the art alone.
Joining Cagle, every issue of New Gods will have a short sequence by a guest artist that highlights something going on in the Fourth World. This issue’s guest artist is Jorge Fornés, who opens this issue with four gorgeous pages of Kirby goodness. Tying both parts together is colorist Francesco Segala, who perfectly draws on all of the wonder of these characters and helps to make Cagle’s textured art even prettier. Tom Napolitano letters this book expertly with a style that really fits the tone and feel of this story.
This is a loud, gorgeous, and unique example of how strong DC’s line is right now. This book doesn’t feel like anything else being published–anywhere–but still feels like it fits neatly into the larger DCU. I really, really enjoyed this book and cannot wait for the second issue, and the third, and to see what this amazing creative team has planned for all of Apokolips and New Genesis. I’m super excited for the future of the New Gods.
Take a step, check it out, and let us know what you think! This is one I’m really excited to talk to people about, because I think you’ll really enjoy it if you give it a real chance. It’s on sale NOW for $3.99, a wonderful addition to the All In line.
Thank you for reading!
-Lukas
New God of Great Picks!
Picktar? Mister Picks? Gpick? Granny Pickness? I’ll keep workshopping.
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