Okay New Gods #5 thoughts but prob not very thorough bc spoons and all
The art for the meeting between Highfather and Karok was far and away the best thing about this one for me oh my god
I really liked the flashback and lightray building this curiosity and dissatisfaction with death. I think Highfather and Metrons views on it are fitting enough but Orion certainly believes gods go back to the Source so him saying nothing happens, that they simply cease and nothingness claims them doesnt make as much sense. He knows the Racer but believes he brings nonexistence and thats it? Hard to believe. I really like the Racer's portrayal so far, but I feel like visually the guest artists have a lot more design leeway (except for Orion?) so when Cagle draws him it'll probably be very different just like how Metron's design is more modern.
I don't think Metron would tell Lightray of his death and give him the choice unless his motivation is specifically to get Highfather to Earth. Im really going to be scrutinizing Metron's actions once this is done bc he set a lot of things moving and they better not be in conflict. Metron isn't the kind to gently tell someone of their fate, and he isn't the kind to encourage a leader to be who the people need. Those appeals to emotions must be done for his own reasons, otherwise they stick out like an out of character side thumb.
On one hand im glad there is a bit of a mix up, where Orion is now operating with a hurt heart bc his home is attacked and getting overtaken, and that he misattributed the extra power released by Highfather as support for his mission. But on the other hand, I dont want him to be the villain. The saving grace is that he did come to Scott in the beginning, he showed that he isnt a savage bad guy. He has complicated feelings. So we better come back around to sorting it all out once Highfather arrives. Taming the beast and all that.
But there'd also better be trouble when Orion finds out Lightray died and that Highfather "let him". So maybe Highfather isn't going to be able to calm Orion.
And well we have Superman now. I know, I know, he was part of the original 4W in a way. But tonally it just so jarring to see him. It's a complete different vibe to get the justice league involved in what was so far an encapsulated story. I know its part of the larger All In/Absolute initiative but I was having a good time without that. Something Ram V said prior to release is that the New Gods dont necessarily know there are different realities, so I keep waiting for that with the normal universe and Absolute universe
I can't wait to see Lightray race the Black Racer next issue.
All these still feel so short for how much ground is covered. They do say time passes differently on the god worlds so that covers how a full invasion can happen to both planets in the time it took for Orion to have his altercation with Scott and Barda.
Im waiting on Max and Serifan and Forever People to pop up.
#6 is going to need to lead into a soft arc change. The writer said Orion and Scott have conflict in the middle of the story where they don't see eye to eye, but i thought he insinuated theyd need to work it out.
Anyway, i wont be buying the trades bc the single issues are more fun. And ive calmed down about the variant covers, so im normal now lol. Uh theres still a lot to say probably but thats enough for now. What comes next has a lot riding on it.
