Jack Kirby's New Gods have a new ongoing at DC Comics with the release of The New Gods #1. The New Gods #1, written by Ram V with art by Evan Cagle, and Jorge Fornes (pgs. 1-4), colors by Francesco Segala, and letters by Tom Napolitano that are dazzling from cover to cover. An old god has died, and the reverberations of his passing are felt across the universe, setting forth the soldiers of an intergalactic army and awakening the latent powers of a mysterious child on Earth... so reads the opening line of the synopsis for this new title, and it sets the stage brilliantly. This series spins out of the major event happening with DC's recent All-In Special, namely the death of Darkseid, but it stands on its own as well.
It's completely new-reader friendly. Everything the reader needs to know about these characters is established within this issue; any other knowledge is just bonus context that further enhances the story. The issue starts with a prophecy being delivered to Metron from the Source itself, and it's about as grand and momentous as it could possibly be. The rest of this issue then spreads out in ripples from those key prophetic lines. There's a child on Earth that could bring about the salvation or destruction of the Gods, now Earth and New Genesis will be entangled in conflict. To make matters worse, there's a new force entering the galaxy to fill the void left by the death of Darkseid.
Ram V writes a propulsive first issue that grips readers from the onset. The opening prophecy is engaging, mysterious, and ominous. Its impact is reflected in the cast's reaction to it, which helps build the characters themselves. Based on their reactions, it's easy to discern what type of person each character is. It's an incredibly efficient way to build out characters while still moving the overall narrative forward and keeping things focused.
Without getting into spoilers, this issue does a great job of moving the spotlight around. It showcases the key players in this story, sets the stage, and ends with a gnarly cliffhanger. Ram V's writing is exceptional, expertly building on the foundations laid by Kirby while bringing new, exciting perspectives to the Fourth World. It has the epic feeling that this book should, yet it stays rooted in character drama. It subtly expands the world without feeling superfluous.
The art for this issue is magnificent. The opening pages are tackled by guest artist Jorge Fornes (each issue will have planned guest artists), and they are simply stunning. Jaw-dropping doesn't even begin to cover it, and Cagle keeps that energy for the rest of the book. There is an enormous amount of detail in every page. New Genesis is rendered in breathtaking cityscapes and intricate patterns, the cosmos themselves are represented in illusory shapes and swirling nebulas. Cagle and Fornes's art paired with Segala's colors is truly a sight to behold.
It's not an action-packed issue but the action that appears is fierce and forceful. The impact nearly vibrates off the page as it blends with Napolitano's letter and SFX work. The character work is expressive, the page layouts are dynamic, and there's an added layer of design to environments, pages, and extra detail that gives this book a bonus flavor. It's truly one of the best-looking comics you can find.
The Verdict
Full disclosure: This book has been far and away my most anticipated title of DC's "All-In" initiative, but it easily exceeded the ridiculously high expectations I had set. It's as strong of a start as a series can possibly have. It delivers on awe, emotion, and intrigue. Ram V, Evan Cagle, and co. have set the stage for an all-time run if this issue is any indication of where things are going.
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