Darkseid, the villain who is central to the New Gods story, is gone! In last year’s All In Special #1, he had merged with the Spectre, and takes on all of the Justice League. A magical group of Zatanna, Deadman, Dr. Fate, and Raven formed to separate Darkseid. Wonder Woman and Batman take on Darkseid to buy time as Zatanna gives power to Superman. He frees Darkseid who thanks them with the words, “Darkseid ends.” There is a thunderous BOOM like a powerful Boom Tube. It leaves behind what the Flash recognizes as a rip in time and space. Darkseid was the villain created by Jack Kirby in Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 (1970).
Orion reports that the New Gods have no sign of Darkseid. He says that creation needs a Darkseid and that it will create a Darkseid if he is gone. He leaves to discuss matters with Highfather on New Genesis. Darkseid had corrupted an universe that has become the Absolute Universe with new versions of familiar characters. Orion and the New Gods first appeared in New Gods #1 (1971) by Kirby. The New Gods #1 launched with the creative team of writer, Ram V, and artists Evan Cagle and Jorge Fornes. Ram V is the writer of Detective Comics. Cagle is the one of the pencillers of Superman and the Authority #2 (2021). Fornes provided artwork for Batman #124 (2022).
Nimit Malavia is the cover artist for the regular edition, it has Highfather looming over a descending group of New Gods; Orion, Mister Miracle, Big Barda, and at the bottom is Metron. It begins with narration that Amaxazu created the stars. Then, she witnessed another universe, a close-up of Darkseid creating it. Amaxazu, a female with flower-like petals across her face, like Starro, and New Gods-like outfit is in an asteroid formation and ends her life with a supernova. She is introduced in this issue. Amaxazu begins to drift away and the red fragments, her dreams, drift across space. It goes to the Source, which lies beyond the Source Wall that was introduced in New Gods #5 (1971).
The techno-organic wall sends out a ray to the starry form of Metron. He is the New God in the Mobius Chair. Text reads, “The Old Gods died…” There is narration from Himon, New God advisor to Highfather, about the Source. He theorizes that it came from the void, what he calls the great darkness, the Great Darkness Saga was the epic Legion of Super-heroes that featured Darkseid. Himon goes on that it is the “first knowledge” that contains all ideas, in other words everything, everywhere, all at once, which only gods can understand. We see Metron struck by the light, a closeup of him screaming as it flows into him, and then the Mobius Chair struck by it. These surreal pages feature the artwork of Fornes.
There is a splash page, a closeup of Metron’s face pierced by woven circles and text encircling a sphere. It notes that when “eldest ichor is split”, the death of Darkseid?, then “the last avatar” is made, which may be in this issue. Then, there is the “great steed” which will bring “the reckoning of all”, the end of the Absolute Universe? A prophecy that will end this universe?, interesting. This shifts to New Genesis with the floating city of Supertown. The Kirby origin had the formation of New Genesis and Apokalips, the world of Darkseid, which emerged from the destruction of other worlds. This was hinted at as Ragnarok from the Marvel Thor title that Kirby worked on before leaving for DC.
Racing towards the city are two streaks of light, the speedsters Lightray, red haired with a body of light, just ahead of Fastbak, a helmeted hero in green uniform, he has aeropads on his boots to fly at high speeds. Lightray says to Fastbak that he can take over the morning patrols. His fellow New God asks if he talk to Highfather about it. Fastbak says that he was sent to find Lightray because Highfather has as visitor. We see on a platform before a cosmos is Highfather contemplating the stars. Metron walks up steps to tell him about the death of Darkseid. He tells Highfather about the prophecy from the Source. Metron says the “forces of creation” are out of balance. We see an approaching army including a large figure with an axe, a “new hand of darkness”, and then he says the prophecy.
Then a closeup of Highfather with his eyes closed and then the symbol a circle around a triangle. Darkseid’s symbol was the omega which had a half-circle so this looks like completion of it. The child could save them or destroy them. Metron leaves and sits on his Mobius Chair. Highfather asks the burly Akala about his champion. Lightray appears and bows before Highfather who places his hand on Lighray’s head and says the task is not for him. He asks for Orion. The hero was Darkseid’s son traded to New Genesis in exchange for Highfather’s son.This was to broker peace between the two world. He wears the helmet to hide the features of his father. Uxtrum VI, the moon of the Blombar Mining Corporation, a new setting for DC. There are mine workers speakign in Blomkarian.
There is a crash below as we see shrieking parademons. They are endless hordes from Apokolips. Orion in his helmet and red suit takes on a swarm of parademons shouting to them that Darkseid is dead! He pauses at the words of Highfather that are the size of sign! He activates his Mother Box, the all purpose device, in his hand and the face of Highfather looms behind him like the entity in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989). Orion reports that the parademons have spread from Apokolips across space. A closeup of Orion’s face as Highfather tells him about a task he has to take without question. This shifts to Glendale, California as we see Scott Free calling out for Barda as he struggles with cleaning the baby who is crying. He calls out to Barda who is crashing on the couch. Mister Miracle, the son of Highfather, was sent to Apokolips.
He fell in love there with Big Barda, the leader of Darkseid’s Female Furies. Scott ended up on Earth with Barda and became the greatest escape artist at a circus. His first appearance was in Mister Miracle #1 (1971). Barda was introduced in Mister Miracle #4 (1971). This is the first appearance of baby Olivia Free, collector’s item! He sets Olivia to sleep, disposes of her diaper, and tucks in Barda. Then goes to park bench to collapse. Orion joins him and tells Scott about the prophecy, the child, and Highfather’s task. He takes off his helmet and says he has to kill the child. Orion says only Mister Miracle can escape him. Scott refuses since he has a wife and child, he has his hands full. We see a backdrop of Mister Miracle’s circus billboard. Orion transforms his face into his gnarled form as Darkseid’s son. He knows he will kill the child. Only Mister Miracle can save the child of the prophecy! The New Gods #1 brings a cosmic dimension to DC, a prophecy that coudl end his universe, and a conflict between Orion and Mister Miracle!
Five Mobius Chairs out of Five!
#TheNewGods, #AndTheNewGodsWereBorn, #TheFallingSky, #RamV, #EavanCagle, #JornesFornes, #AllInSpecial, #Orion, #Lightray, #MisterMiracle, #BigBarda, #Fastbak, #Metron, #Highfather, #Akala, #Amaxazu
No comments:
Post a Comment