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Review – The New Gods #8: The Gathering

Review – The New Gods #8: The Gathering

Geek Dad2 days ago
The New Gods #8 cover, via DC Comics.
Ray: The first arc of this series was a no-holds-barred cosmic war, showing the New Gods in a battle for survival on both New Genesis and Apokalips like we rarely do. After Lightray fell i combat, the fallout forced both factions to decamp to a safe zone – Earth. There, they found refuge – the New Genesis refugees with the Justice League, and the Apokalips survivors with an opportunistic Maxwell Lord. It's clear that all the residents of New Genesis are grieving – but none more than Highfather, who viewed Lightray like a son. A flashback shows this isn't the only loss he's grieving, and that leads him to make a dramatic decision – he's stepping down as Highfather, and allowing someone else to lead New Genesis into its new era. Now named Izaya once again, he seeks quiet contemplation rather than leadership – and the most peaceful planet in the galaxy is suddenly thrown into flux. Love lost. Via DC Comics.
To calm nerves, Mister Miracle proposes a ceremonial feast traditional on New Genesis, and that gives us the opportunity to see these alien heroes in a very unusual setting – at peace, as well as bringing in some lesser-used Kirby creations. There are a lot of great character bits along the way, especially for Big Barda. But at the same time, the Justice League's representatives are investigating the other arrivals that have gone to ground – and Max Lord is becoming involved with them in a way I didn't expect. He's always the type to make deals with devils – but if the last panel of this segment is what it looks like, this may be a new low for him. This issue has plenty of suspense, but it definitely is the lowest-key issue of the run so far. I think that's something that works very well, as after the chaos of this first arc, pulling back on the impact of the war was essential. I think this run is going to become essential read for fans of the Fourth World.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
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Review – The New Gods #8: The Gathering
Review – The New Gods #8: The Gathering

Geek Dad

time2 days ago

  • Geek Dad

Review – The New Gods #8: The Gathering

The New Gods #8 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: The first arc of this series was a no-holds-barred cosmic war, showing the New Gods in a battle for survival on both New Genesis and Apokalips like we rarely do. After Lightray fell i combat, the fallout forced both factions to decamp to a safe zone – Earth. There, they found refuge – the New Genesis refugees with the Justice League, and the Apokalips survivors with an opportunistic Maxwell Lord. It's clear that all the residents of New Genesis are grieving – but none more than Highfather, who viewed Lightray like a son. A flashback shows this isn't the only loss he's grieving, and that leads him to make a dramatic decision – he's stepping down as Highfather, and allowing someone else to lead New Genesis into its new era. Now named Izaya once again, he seeks quiet contemplation rather than leadership – and the most peaceful planet in the galaxy is suddenly thrown into flux. Love lost. Via DC Comics. To calm nerves, Mister Miracle proposes a ceremonial feast traditional on New Genesis, and that gives us the opportunity to see these alien heroes in a very unusual setting – at peace, as well as bringing in some lesser-used Kirby creations. There are a lot of great character bits along the way, especially for Big Barda. But at the same time, the Justice League's representatives are investigating the other arrivals that have gone to ground – and Max Lord is becoming involved with them in a way I didn't expect. He's always the type to make deals with devils – but if the last panel of this segment is what it looks like, this may be a new low for him. This issue has plenty of suspense, but it definitely is the lowest-key issue of the run so far. I think that's something that works very well, as after the chaos of this first arc, pulling back on the impact of the war was essential. I think this run is going to become essential read for fans of the Fourth World. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!

Review – Absolute Superman #9: Hero or Warrior
Review – Absolute Superman #9: Hero or Warrior

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Review – Absolute Superman #9: Hero or Warrior

Absolute Superman #9 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: Of all the Absolute books, this one might be jacking up the tension the most with every issue. Its Superman is a haunted refugee who lacks a home or any roots on Earth, its Jimmy Olsen is an embittered rebel soldier, and its Lois Lane was a functionary of Lazarus Corp – and the powerful corporation wants her back. This series' take on Ra's Al Ghul, the leader of the shadowy cult-turned business, reminds me a lot more of Vandal Savage at points. He's incredibly corrupt, wildly ambitious, and believes the whole world should see him as a God. The pressure he puts on Lois is terrifying at times, and he gives her no chance to acquiesce. But Superman has bigger concerns – like the Kryptonite bullet currently in his chest. Superman has been shot like this before, but we've never seen him have to perform Father-Box-Assisted surgery on himself in the middle of a highway chase. Emergency surgery. Via DC Comics. Superman has always been the most ethical of DC's heroes, strictly rejecting killing unless the circumstances are so dire that refusing would condemn countless others to death. But we've never seen that code tested quite like it is here. This is a brutal, cruel world where the only hope is a resistance force that doesn't play by old-school ethics. Led by Primus, the mysterious leader of the Omega Men, they're hesitant to conform to Superman's rules and Primus gives him a brutal speech about how his tactics won't be enough to win this fight. But it's Jimmy Olsen who gives the best speech of the issue, describing himself as a young man who was full of hope – until he saw the true face of the world. It might be a too-relatable speech for a lot of people, and that's the biggest strength of this series. It portrays a battle that Superman might not be able to win – a world that's already been corrupted beyond his help. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!

Review – Batman Gotham by Gaslight: A League for Justice #1
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Review – Batman Gotham by Gaslight: A League for Justice #1

Gotham by Gaslight: A League for Justice #1 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: This 19th-century Elseworlds started out as a gritty Gotham adventure – but with this new chapter, the scale has increased to an almost staggering degree. After taking about half a year off, a new arc begins as the entire Justice League of this era has gathered in Smallville. There's just one problem – very few of them can stand each other. As Harley Quinn's criminal gang ravages the town on behalf of Lex Luthor, Superman is focused on stopping them. This version of the character is very similar to the classic 1930s version, more a brawler than a superhero. But he's the only one focused – as this version of J'onn J'onnz views him as a murderer, complicit in the ancient Kryptonian genocide of the Martians. As a flashback journal by Adam Strange makes clear, this is a darker world – and every character in this world is haunted by the times in a way they usually aren't. Haunted. Via DC Comics. The most interesting segment of the issue is the showdown between J'onn and Alan Scott. Alan's ring has given him memories of the past wielders – including Jong Li, the last human wielder, who died in battle with J'onn ages ago. Alan in this world is a distinctly less honorable man than he usually is, but there's a brilliant flashback segment to his childhood with an abusive father that shows how he became so embittered and how he's choosing to rise above it now. This issue packs a lot of character work into an oversized first issue packed with action, but the scale of the issue escalates even more with the final page – as Lex Luthor arrives in town and debuts a new weapon that fits the aesthetic of this world perfectly. This is very much just the next issue of this series, so I highly recommend reading the previous mini before jumping in here – it's a great ride and another win for the Elseworlds line. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!

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