As a seasoned comics enthusiast who has traversed the labyrinthine narratives of the cosmos, I found myself captivated by the debut issue of “The New Gods.” With a rich history steeped in mythology and legends, Ram V’s work has always been a beacon for me. His ability to breathe life into deities and monsters alike is nothing short of remarkable, as evidenced in his works such as “Rare Flavors,” “These Savage Shores,” and the intriguingly titled “The Many Deaths of Laila Starr.
Exploring Jack Kirby’s Fourth World series is a challenging endeavor for any comic book creator, as many have struggled to capture his unique creative spark, often crashing against the Source Wall in their attempts. However, Ram V, with his background in crafting tales involving gods and legends (as seen in works like Rare Flavours, These Savage Shores, and The Many Deaths of Laila Starr), is an exception. This makes the news of his collaboration with Evan Cagle and Francesco Segala, artists he worked with on Dawnrunner, particularly exciting for those familiar with V’s work, who might have been initially apprehensive. And even those unfamiliar with V’s work found themselves eager after just a glimpse of Cagle and Segala’s artwork in the previews. Of course, high expectations can be burdensome, but the quality and thematic depth of The New Gods #1 swiftly dispels such apprehensions.
In this version, the title “The New Gods” carries a certain weight. Whatever is new eventually becomes familiar, and that’s exactly what’s happening to the deities of New Genesis and Apokolips. Darkseid’s demise has upset the cosmic equilibrium between good and evil in the DC Universe. Just as a vacuum cannot tolerate moral ambiguity, a new god is poised to appear, which might relegate the New Gods to the same fate as their predecessors. This leaves Highfather and his kin – biological or adopted – to respond accordingly.
In the first installment of “The New Gods,” the story’s vastness is immediately established through a prologue detailing the demise of a deity named Amaxazu, artistically portrayed over four pages by guest artist Jorge Fornés. He creatively manipulates the comic strip format by breaking the gutter as Amaxazu disintegrates, symbolizing that we are treading near the boundaries of this fictional cosmos, and the structure itself is under threat. With Cagle at the helm, the subsequent pages exude a lively and contemporary grandeur. New Genesis appears billowy and celestial, as if the entire planet floats on top of a mountain, enveloped in clouds, and similar subtle artistic playfulness can be seen throughout, such as Orion’s name becoming almost palpable within his introduction panel.
[RELATED: Ram V’s All In New Gods are Epic, Relatable, and Incredibly Messy]
As the tale unfolds with its grand, legendary flair, it also reveals a heartfelt essence. Highfather possesses a mission, a vile act that doesn’t suit the divine beings hailing from New Genesis, such as steadfast Lightray. Instead, this burden is shouldered by Orion, who was raised by Highfather but was born to Darkseid. This implies something subtly ominous about their bond, for Highfather to entrust Orion with such a task without reservation. Orion then seeks help from Mister Miracle, Highfather’s biological son, which speaks volumes about the chasm between who he yearns to be and who Highfather perceives him as, thereby highlighting the profound difference in their perspectives.
it progresses too quickly. The narrative seems significant enough to warrant deeper reflection, and more attention could be given to character interactions, decisions being made, and references to ancient history. This rapid pace may stem from an extended introduction, but even so, there’s still a rich thematic depth to explore.
In the first issue of “The New Gods,” Ram V and Evan Cagle make a divine entrance, offering a visually stunning presentation and innovative concepts that breathe new life into Jack Kirby’s enduring mythology. It appears they are ready to stir things up in DC’s celestial realm, leaving readers excitedly anticipating the mysteries that will descend from above.
Published by DC
On December 18, 2024
Written by Ram V
Art by Evan Cagle
Colors by: Francesco Segala
Letters by: Tom Napolitano
Read More
- BCH PREDICTION. BCH cryptocurrency
- ENJ PREDICTION. ENJ cryptocurrency
- CTXC PREDICTION. CTXC cryptocurrency
- UNI PREDICTION. UNI cryptocurrency
- RIF PREDICTION. RIF cryptocurrency
- TRU PREDICTION. TRU cryptocurrency
- WRX PREDICTION. WRX cryptocurrency
- GFI PREDICTION. GFI cryptocurrency
- JASMY PREDICTION. JASMY cryptocurrency
- EUR HUF PREDICTION
2024-12-18 22:40