Summary
Spinning out ofSan Diego Comic-Con, DC’s ‘What’s Happening in the DC Multiverse’ panel just revealed a new series starring the iconicNew Gods- the enemies, allies and family of the publisher’s epic god of evilDarkseid. In the panel - led by DC’s editor-in-chief Marie Javins - writer Ram V (Aquaman: Andromeda) announced the new series and shared some thrilling promotional art.
Written by Ram V and drawn by Evan Cagle (Detective Comics),The New Godswill offer a fresh look at the iconic characters, originally created as part ofJack Kirby’s celebrated Fourth World project. Prominental art by Pete Woods shows Highfather, Orion, Barda, Mister Miracle, Metron and Lightray standing in front of the Source Wall - a metaphysical barrier that delineates the official DC multiverse from the endless mystery beyond.
Artist:
Evan Cagle
The New Godsis part of DC’s new All In initiative, which will establish a new status quo for the mainstream DC Universe, as new creative teams offer jumping-on points for major characters. This initiative will coincide with the launch of a newAbsolutecontinuity. Spinning out of theAbsolute Powerevent, it’s important to note thatThe New Godsis still set within DC’s pre-existing canon, giving the characters a new direction and purpose butnottotally reinventing them, as is being done inbooks likeAbsolute Wonder WomanandAbsolute Batman.
DC Launches a Brand New ABSOLUTE UNIVERSE, Completely Reinventing 86 Years of History
DC Comics has officially announced a brand new ABSOLUTE UNIVERSE line, with Scott Snyder returning to Batman as a key part of the new universe.
Jack Kirby’s New Gods Get New Series from Detective Comics' Ram V
Darkseid’s Family Return for DC’s All In Initiative
Launched in 1970, the Fourth World was the brainchild oficonic comic creator Jack Kirby, who had only just left Marvel.Kirby used his new start at DC to create a sprawling sci-fi saga of godlike beings, including Darkseid (the fascistic god of evil and ruler of Apokolips), Highfather (Darkseid’s heroic opposite and ruler of New Genesis), Orion (Darkseid’s biological son, raised by Highfather), Big Barda (a soldier trained on Darkseid’s Apokolips who eventually rebels), and Mister Miracle (Highfather’s son, traded to Darkseid in childhood as part of a ceasefire agreement.) Kirby’s Fourth World has since formed the backbone of DC’s most ambitious stories, with Darkseid in particularly becoming a legendary force of evil within DC canon.
However, despite the New Gods' place in DC canon, the publisher has often stumbled in telling genuinely New God-centered stories, with even theDCEU’s plannedNew Godsmovie eventually suffering cancelation. Tom King and Mitch Gerads’Mister Miracleis one of DC’s most celebrated comics of all time, but even that 2017 series was set in its own continuity, not truly interacting with the wider DC universe.
It will therefore be exciting to see a creator as acclaimed as Ram V put his stamp on theNew Gods, especially with All In providing a remit to shake up their status quo. More news about Ram V and Evan Cagle’sThe New Godswill surely follow as the series heads for launch later this year.
