Life after Darkseid should have made the DCU safer. That isn’t the case if you ask High-Father. The Nyctari have attacked with vicious results. Lightray was killed in combat. The gods of New Genesis have been forced to evacuate. Their new destination is Earth. It might sound like a safe haven. Due to High-Father’s actions, it is very far from that notion.
The New Gods #8 by Ram V., Evan Cagle, Stipan Morian, Francesco Segala & Tom Napolitano continues their galaxy spanning saga.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the philosophical drama.
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
In the course of this series, Ram V has challenged the Gods on a few new levels. None might be more questioned than Izaya (aka HighFather). His actions since issue one have come with terrible costs. Orion vs. The Miracles. Lightray’s death. The evacuation of New Genesis. All have paid a heavy toll. Seeing how he has been humbled by the fall, Izaya comes off in a refreshing perspective. It also harkens the notion that he may be the traitor in the midsts.
The Justice League injection to the story hasn’t found its’ groove until now. Seeing Superman and company decide on the Gods’ residency rolls into a reset of sorts. The writing shows the wear on Highfather and his ultimate choice. It offsets the tease of a returning Maxwell Lord into the DCU fold. The small superhero break provides a pause before adding onto the mounting drama. Once in its’ final stages, V’s writing solidifies Izaya’s transformation. The touching moment gives pause before the oncoming storm that will shatter all.
Morian is this issue’s guest artist. The opening pages give a superb recap of Izaya’s loss. It helps to add some thoughts into his current choices. Cagle jumps in from here and gets to a lingering dilemma. Watching the JL call concerning the Gods helps to establish the new stat quo. There is a large sense of hope building until the timeline shifts to a superhero portion.
Readers watch as Mr. Terrific and Ms. Martian head into Lord Industries. The art delivers on solid action while cyphering through this set-up. It is brief but effective. From here’ the focus is back on the Gods “housewarming”. The two page splash conveys the lighter tone with some humor thrown in. It offsets Izaya’s big decision. Readers see the effects of this move in the closing pages. The moment cements the change of mind one goes through while presenting a calm before the storm.
OVERALL GRADE: 8.5
All eyes of New Genesis are focused solely on Izaya as a drastic call is made. Ram V sets a more grounded aprroach with the god’s mindstate with the writing. The art mirrors the cost of life and its’ weight on a God’s shoulders. This series continues to challenge while sprinkling in a sizable amount of superhero plots.
Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on The New Gods #8. Thanks for reading!