This week: The Fourth World returns with Ram V and Evan Cagle’s The New Gods #1.
Note: The following review contains spoilers. If you want a quick, spoiler-free buy/pass recommendation for the comic in question, check out the final verdict at the bottom of the article.
new gods #1
Writer: Ram V
Artist: Evan Cagle
Guest Artist, pages 1-4: Jorge Fornes
Colorist: Francesco Segarra
Author: Tom Napolitano
Cover artist: Nimit Malavia
This week, DC released two debut issues in a series based on characters created by Jack Kirby, and they couldn’t be more unique. The Challengers of the Unknown are a group of adventurers and powerless humans who believe they are living on borrowed time after surviving a plane crash. On the far other side of the galaxy lies The New Gods, the centerpiece of Kirby’s expansive Fourth World story, a sci-fi space opera about powerful aliens who embody the very concepts of good and evil. Many have attempted to follow in The King’s footsteps with their own interpretations of the denizens of New Genesis and Apokolips, but this latest foray into the outer reaches of the DC Universe is by writer Ram V and artist Evan Cagle. It’s done by a team that doesn’t waste any time. It blazes new trails while presenting a vision of a fourth world reminiscent of Kirby’s original work.
The tone of The New Gods #1 is one of sheer spectacle from the get-go. V’s script feels epic, almost mythical, and guest artist Jorge Fornes’ visuals depict panel borders collapsing in the presence of the Source Wall, an ancient being floating in the very outer limits of the universe. is emphasized. Cagle’s first page is an end-to-end illustration of Metron receiving a prophecy translated from The Source, further emphasizing the limitlessness of storytelling. The stakes of this story are not limited by traditional comic book language.
From these opening pages, the focus of the issue gradually narrows, moving to Highfather and Lightray on New Genesis, then Orion on a distant alien moon, and finally Scott Free and Barda on Earth. . After all, even Kirby’s New Gods is earth-based, and V and Cagle highlight the humanity of these gods in warm and relatable ways. Focusing on Scott and Barda, arguably the most human of these gods and the stars of Tom King and Mitch Gerrad’s blockbuster Mister Miracle series, readers will love this debut issue. It helps a lot in making it easier to read.
But don’t get me wrong. These are gods, and Cagle presents them as such. Cagle’s work is highly stylized, and his characters are uniquely physical and highly emotional. Lightray is lithe and beautiful, Highfather is dignified, proud, and a little tired, while Metron is lanky and not particularly otherworldly. Most impressive is Cagle’s interpretation of Orion, a gigantic figure who moves with ferocious force during battle, but surprisingly soft in his scenes with Scott on Earth. The action, in which Orion dispatches a group of errant parademons, is very manga-inspired, and you can feel the power of his blows and the intensity of his anger coming off the page. Colorist Francesco Segarra’s work perfectly complements Cagle’s linework, conveying the majesty of New Genesis, the fire of Orion’s battle, and the warmth of Scott’s life on Earth. This book is a visual feast.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about this debut novel is that it is easy to read, even for readers who are not familiar with the Fourth World. The series uses the events of the DC All In one-shot as a jumping-off point, with characters reacting to Darkseid’s apparent death in the pages of that book, and the series connecting with what’s happening in the mainline. It’s easy to see how closely connected they are. The DC Universe may help bring in readers who are following the entire All-In story. That said, this issue clearly threatens this corner of the world. It’s hard to imagine Batman appearing in this book at this point, but frankly it’s a refreshing thought.
The New Gods #1 is a great debut issue from a creative team with a clear and unique vision for these characters and their world. There’s so much going on here that it seems impossible to predict where the series will go next, but we know it’s going to be an incredible journey in the hands of this team. No doubt about it.
Final verdict: Buy.
round up
As for other Kirby works returning today, Christopher Cantwell, Sean Isaacse, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Hassan Otsman Elaou introduce Challengers of the Unknown #1, a key part of the All In storyline. This exciting direction explores how these unpowered humans fit among the superpowered heroes of the Justice League. It’s funny, profound, and a powerful setup for what’s to come. Cantwell’s other DC book this week is Plastic Man No More! #4, the final installment of the Black Label series by Alex Lynds, Jacob Edgar, Marcelo Maiolo, and Becca Carey. The book was fun from start to finish, highlighting the dichotomy of Plastic Man and telling a heartfelt story about a father’s love for his son. Even if the ending is unpredictable, it feels inevitable, and this is due to the strength of the creator’s skill. What a wonderful book from beginning to end. And on the other end of the DCU, we have Green Lantern/Green Arrow: World’s Finest Special #1. This is a throwback one-shot to the character’s iconic hard-traveling hero days, where Deathstroke hunts Hal and Ollie in the first story. The second featured a guest appearance by Barry “The Flash” Allen. I don’t know if I can say that this book has much meaning, but in the end the editor’s note says that this book is all in preparation for 1980’s New Teen Titans #2. It is written. That said, writers Jeremy Adams, artists Lucas Meyer and Travis Mercer, colorists Marcelo Maiolo and Andrew Dalhouse, and letterer Lucas Gattoni provide a very entertaining diversion that takes you away from reality for a few minutes. All distractions are never meaningless.
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