And so the children of New Genesis and their beleaguered Father find themselves on Earth… Where events that began in the Second World still echo to this day. The brothers at war cast aside their differences, now unified by the sight of their kin. How do you shake the Gods out of their complacency? You make a prophecy that tells them they're doomed. How do you bring together an unlikely pair of saviors? You give them a threat to unite against. The last avatar — our weapon against the darkness — is beset by dangers on all sides. And yet, in this moment, surrounded by refugee Gods and the Earth's greatest heroes… He is safe. Not a bad consequence. Not a bad result. Not even for a Doom-Crow.
Spoiler free: I know we’re one issue in but I cannot recommend The New Gods enough, it’s already become my favourite comic currently running and I loved literally everything about the first issue, 10/10. It’s so epic and grounded at the same time and characterisation of everyone involved is spot on. It’s also I think a really good jumping on point if you’re not a New Gods fan, Ram V has said that you don’t need any prior knowledge before reading this comic and that really rings true for the first issue. And THE ART!!! Omg Evan Cagle and Jorge Fornés really cooked with the pencils and inks and the colour by Francesco Segala are AMAZING.
Spoiler inclusive/my favourite moments:
Warning I’ve only read it once so far so my thoughts are little more than AAAAH!!!
Metron is such a little shit stirrer as always. And I love this vague ass prophecy. Everything about the beginning showing the grand scale of the New Gods and then contrasting it with the Frees on earth is chefs kiss. It’s also such a good way to kick start the run.
LIGHTRAY!!! This art is stunning in literally every panel but omg he’s so cute. And he’s such a ray of sunshine (literally). All he wants to do is help. Also the choice to make him literally glowing is fantastic.
This whole section with Orion is probably my favourite part art wise (which is really saying something cause again the comic is gorgeous). But Cagles art is so dynamic and full of life I just love it. Also Orion’s design is amazing.
OLIVIA!!!! Cutest baby ever!!!!!!! I will protect her with my life!
Like I said before the way Ram V and Evan Cagle contrast the vast expanse of the universe and the mythic levels of the new gods with the domestic life of the Frees is amazing and so impactful. And Orion being in the background and giving them their time was adorable. (Also this Scott design!!!! AHHHH)
I absolutely adore the way Ram writes them as actual brothers. Their voices and the way they speak with each other has so much more calm and closeness than most of their other appearances ever do. And the way Scott really couldn’t care less about the prophecy until Orion tells him what he has to do, it’s such a perfect characterisation of him!
AHHHH! Again, cannot stress enough what an amazing characterisation of Scott this is. He’s finally found himself at a point where he doesn’t want to escape and he’s forced to leave anyway. I have to also give props for the large print introductions for Scott and Orion, both of which are visually stunning and represent them perfectly. Also the “and you” AHHHHHHH!!!
I know I’m repeating myself but it cannot be stressed enough how lovingly, amazingly, and accurately Ram V is writing these characters. Their voices are PERFECT. Orion not wanting to go through with killing a child so he makes Scott stop him and Scott not wanting to go but not being able to stop himself. “The one thing you can never escape, Mister Miracle, is who you are.” Just kill me now.
MAX??????? What the hell are you doing here???? No but not only am I always happy to see my favourite piece of shit but also I love this. When Max was first introduced he was chasing power and ignoring all empathy because he was being manipulated by a computer created by Metron to gain the knowledge of earth. So I think having him (at least I’m 90% sure it’s him) act out the wills of the gods (whoever it is that’s telling him about the child) is absolutely perfect.
And I could not be more excited. Like I said this is already my favourite comic book running and one of my favourites of all time and we’re one (1) issue in. I’ve already got both the main cover and the Cagle acetate cover ordered through February (wanted to get more but couldn’t financially justify it). The fact that I have to wait another 4 weeks for the next one is criminal. But I urge everyone to go read this!
Metron is the god of knowledge and technology. He is aloof and enigmatic, and ALWAYS seen with his greatest invention, the Mobius chair, which allows him to travel the astral winds of all time and space. BUT when DC rebooted everything after the infamous Flashpoint event, things changed. In Justice League: Darkseid War, writer Geoff Johns clearly decided Metron wasn't good enough. Instead, a villain from a decades-old event was renamed Mobius and was said to be the inventor. WHY? Was Metron's backstory and his treacherous dealings with Darkseid (one of DC's biggest bads) to get the element that powers his invention and the subsequent betrayal to the other New Gods not compelling enough for Johns? Did he think he could write a better backstory?? Well he didn't. But if we continue the story arc, we see Metron try to help the Justice League, who he has worked with amicably in pre-Flashpoint comics. Mr. Miracle who is also a New God is part of the League and does try to vouch for Metron a bit, but even still they decide the best course of action is to TIE HIM UP AND STEAL HIS CHAIR. WHAT?! Wonder Woman, I love you, but what is going on. Green Lantern remarks that Metron doesn't know anything, the chair has all the knowledge. Excuse me? No that is NOT how that works. So then Batman sits on the chair and gains ALL the knowledge. Batman does. Batman. Anyone familiar with DC Comics fandom knows we have an oversaturation of Batman, so yeah of course it's everyone's golden boy who sits on the chair. Anyway, more hijinks ensue and they basically leave Metron tied up and I guess left for dead? He frees himself, has a covert meet up with freaking Owlman (yes, Owlman from Watchmen) on the Moon for some reason. He's giving Owlman the Mobius chair (which btw he would not freaking do that), and then they both sense someone behind them... and get obliterated! Like actually dead! OFF SCREEN!! It just cuts back to two steaming piles of dust. WHAT EVENNNNNN. So, yeah I guess Geoff Johns said you know what? Eff this character. We're going to strip him of his invention and any backstory he had plus all his meaningful interactions with other characters. AND THEN KILL HIM OFF. And the worst part is, hardly any fans EVEN KNOW ABOUT HIM because writers love to remove him and overlook him, but still use all his stuff. Like, oh man I didn't even mention how much DC loooves using Boom Tubes. GUESS WHO THE INVENTOR WAS. YEAH. IT WAS METRON. Okay, I just. I'm done. I can't.
Propaganda:
Metron is basically made to be a tumblr sexyman. He's weird, arrogant, and probably the most intellectual of DC's characters. He was originally created by Jack ""The King"" Kirby back in 1971 and in pre-Flashpoint canon has been integral to several major events. He's morally gray, but sees the beauty in life and the universe. He likes to say he's an impartial observer, only valuing knowledge, but two seconds later there he is getting involved. He's wry and dramatic, and I just think he's neat.
I am reading Superman (v. 2) #65 and Brainiac's facial hair just reminds of facial hair of Green Arrow, Oliver Queen. Also, Metron's eyebrows are shaded in a way it kinda looks like the silver lining of his outfit. It is very goofy to me that his eyebrows are colored and shaded in a way it appears like silver-iron
