Orion

The Fourth World by Ngozi Ukazu #2

by Ngozi Ukazu

In this highly anticipated sequel to Barda, #1 New York Times bestselling author/illustrator Ngozi Ukazu (Check, Please!) takes readers on an epic sci-fi adventure featuring the fan-favorite New God Orion. When Prince Orion uncovers his sinister parentage, he must decide for himself if he is destined to be a hero—or a villain.

The festivals on New Genesis are merry, and the gods who fill its skies are lovers. But Prince Orion, adopted son of the Highfather, is none of these things. A brooding, battle-hungry warrior, Orion wonders how he was ever chosen to become an intergalactic prince, secretly in fear that he does not belong on the planet he calls home.

And then Orion’s darkest nightmares are confirmed when the Highfather himself brings Orion’s true parentage to light: Not only is Orion from Apokolips, adopted as part of a cosmic pact, but he is the spawn of the tyrant Darkseid. How can Orion face his loved ones as a beast from Apokolips? How can he live with himself when a tar-black evil runs through his veins? And when Darkseid threatens to destroy all New Genesis, Orion will have to answer the ultimate question: Could he ever be a hero? Or was he born to become a monster?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Young Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction, Dc Comics

208 pages, Paperback

Published July 7, 2026

About the author

Ngozi Ukazu is an American cartoonist and graphic novelist. She is the author of the online graphic novel series Check, Please!. She studied at Yale University and the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Reviews

[anna b · Rating 5 out of 5]

wheeeeeeeeeeee these are so funny! Ukazu always makes me laugh

[Ben A · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a DC Comics fan, it’s always hurt just a little bit that Jack Kirby’s Fourth World has been the toughest nut for me to crack as the Super Powers toys were a big entry point and Darkseid and company played a huge role. I enjoyed the Barda volume but it’s safe to say that this Orion graphic novel really made me care about the character in a way I have never before. Here’s hoping that Ngozi Ukazu keeps working on this series, I’ll be here for them all.

Special Thanks to DC Comics and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.

[sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. I’ve read a few of the graphic novels dc has been putting out for younger audiences over the past few years and I gotta say. They kinda suck. They just don’t feel like they were made with the idea of getting these readers into superhero comics. They feel like they’re trying to appeal to teens in spite of being goofy old comic book characters. They lack the quirkiness and messiness of them. Everyone is wearing cool jackets and parroting 6 year old memes. They’re honestly just boring. But despite all that, Orion (and Barda) have somehow pushed through these mundane (and already dated) adaptations and have just been an absolute pleasure. These are the perfect examples of works that can introduce a new and younger audience to comics. Maybe it’s a benefit to being adaptations of weirder and lesser known stories, but man. They just actually feel like a comic book story.

The art also works really well too. It can feel a little cartoony at times but it still fits the tone. You can even see Ukazu taking influence from Kirby. And screw me I just love how she draws Scott 🤓

I did find Orion to be a little more fast paced than Barda, and in turn, didn’t have as much space to breathe. But overall I can’t complain. Ukazu clearly has a love for these characters that I haven’t seen in any writer in such a long time (*cough* tom king *cough*) so even if it can get clunky at times, I just don’t care. I’m having a blast. I want more. Please tell me there’s more

Oh I guess I should also say I got an early copy of this at ALA. thank you so much to the woman who clearly was not suppose to give this to me but did anyway. You’ve made me so happy

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barda was only ok for me but I'm glad I tried this as it was fortunately better, probably because more of the New Gods mythos is explained in a decent way for new readers or those less familiar. I'm now more likely to read any potential sequels than previously.

The art and story isn't bad for YA, the old fashioned speech wasn't as annoying as I worried, but the pacing wasn't good with a lot of random things happening right after one another (especially at the start) that just didn't flow well. A small nitpick is that there was a lot of exposition through dialogue eg Orion saying what his harness can do when flying on it alone in space.

The introduction of New Genesis, the history and a lot of characters was done well and I like how it connected to Mr Miracle's story from Barda while being understandable without it. I do wish Orion and Scott got to talk more with more emphasis on how the pact affected their stance towards New Genesis and Highfather as we got hints, but I'm pleased overall.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

*An ARC was provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

I love Ngozi's take on Kirby's Fourth World- this was delightful.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this one a lot more than I expected. The supporting cast was so much fun (Lightray!!!), the only more meh character was Orion.

[Jaime Dear · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's effective storytelling, baby!

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to start this review by admitting a total blunder on my part: I requested this book purely based on the author. Having absolutely loved Ngozi Ukazu’s Check, Please! and enjoyed Flip: A Graphic Novel, I jumped at this without reading the description. What I failed to notice is that this is a DC Comics property centered around a superhero from the 1970s. I am not into superhero comics, I don’t follow DC or Marvel, and to make matters worse, I didn't realize this was the second volume in a series (following Barda). Because I lacked all that prior context, I was completely lost at the beginning.

That being said, a solid 3 stars feels fair because the book's flaws aren't really the author's fault—it just wasn't the right genre for me.

On the positive side, the art is great. It features Ukazu's distinct, wonderfully expressive, and cartoonish style that is just inherently fun to look at. The book is also very well-organized and sets up a future sequel that will likely be very interesting for actual DC fans. The absolute salvation of the story for me was the "nature vs. nurture" theme. Orion’s emotional struggle, dealing with the revelation of his true parentage and fearing he is inherently born to be a monster, felt like the most grounded part of the book. I suspect this deeper emotional layer is exactly what Ukazu brought to the table to make the character work for a more contemporaneous audience.

Unfortunately, the rest of the book suffered from the typical tropes that push me away from the superhero genre. The dialogue was incredibly theatrical and cringey, which made it very hard for me to connect with the characters. Once I realized this lore originated in the 1970s, everything suddenly clicked: the universe is inherently silly and nonsensical. Names and concepts like "The Mother Box" or "Boom Tubes" had me thinking, what on earth are you talking about? Between the flat, unidimensional villains and the overall predictability of the plot, it just felt a bit uninspiring.

If you are a DC fan who loves vintage comics, you will probably love this. But if you are a casual graphic novel reader who doesn't care for superheroes, learn from my mistake and double-check the description first lol

[Xiibalba · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this is the sequel to Barda by Ngozi Ukazu and I went in really curious because Scott Free and Big Barda are some of my favorite DC characters ever (specially Barda) and I had literally never read anything from Orion's POV before. He's always been background noise in the Mister Miracle and Barda stuff I'd picked up, the angry son of Darkseid raised on New Genesis, and I kinda assumed he'd be a one note rage machine. Spotlighting him here was a nice surprise.
What I loved is how hard it leans into nature vs nurture without getting preachy. Orion grows up being told he's something he's not, and the whole arc is him figuring out who he actually is under what everyone needs him to be. It's a story about self knowledge, self acceptance, and how society decides who you get to be before you even get a vote. His friendship with Lightray is also genuinely cute, a little softness in all the Apokolips grit.
Landing on 3.5 (rounding up to 4) because the emotional core works but the pacing felt rushed in the middle and the New Genesis section was lighter than I wanted before the tonal switch. It also reads more YA than Barda did, which is fine but not always my favorite mode. Still, if you've only ever lived in Scott and Barda's heads like me, worth picking up just to see Orion as a person and not a plot device.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

[Katie Perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy!
I'm a big DC fan, so I was quite excited to see that my request on this came through. I've not read Barda, and I can confidently let other reads know that you don't have to read that before reading this one (although I will definitely be checking that one out next!) I would probably recommend having a passing familiarity with the characters, though. Orion does a good job of brief introductions, but things may click better if you already know some of our key players.
This is a YA graphic novel, and has exactly the kind of character story I would have eaten up when I was the target age demographic for it. Our hero is full of self loathing and angst, and a heritage he doesn't want. Ukazu does a great job at taking us through a journey of self-discovery with Orion, and I like the side characters who pop up here and there in the story. I do wish it was slightly longer, I would have loved to spend more time with these characters. The current length makes a lot of the story seem too shallow, but I think with more padding it could lend itself to making the story feel deeper. The artwork was a little hit or miss for me, I mostly thought it looked really good, but there were a few times that I felt like the quality of it dipped down a bit.

[Lexa Riffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prince Orion is an adopted son of the Highfather. Living on a planet full of song, dance, and merriment, Orion does not quite fit in. Where others are enjoying peace, Orion craves the battle field. While living on New Genesis he hides this side of him to try to fit in and not disappoint his father.

During the festival, Orion learns of his origins. Not only does he feel like he dosnt fit in , hes not even from New Genisis. He is truly the prince of Apokolips, the son of Darkseid. Now feeling even more like a monster and wonders if he can ever truly become the hero he desires to be.

This graphic novel rendition of a 1970s DC hero was beautifully updated art style and story format wise. Ngozi Ukazu kept the heart of the story in the right place while also modernizing it for todays reader. The pacing and structure were well done, we start in a battle and there are very few lulls in momentum, keeping this as a quick and enjoyable read.

For newbies to Orions story you will not be missing any background info if you don't have it. This sets up very well for more Orion volumes as well as leaves openings to learn about other characters that have not been modernized in white some time.

[Charissa Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book courtesy of NetGalley for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Overview: Many know of Darkseid from DC comics. Fewer know of the New Gods of New Genesis. Orion has lived in the home of Highfather for all of his known life. When he returns home after an assault from Apokolips, he learns a horrifying truth. He is the sone of Darkseid, raised by Highfather as part of a peace treaty. Who is Highfather's actual son? And does Orion have to be a force for destruction, based on his lineage? Let's find out.

Story Telling: This is a comic book in DC comics New Gods line.

Artwork: This is a western style full color comic.

Dislikes: Darkseid didn't even keep his side of the treaty. Scott Free was to be raised as Darkseid's son. Unless all of Darkseid's children were raised in Granny Goodness' orphanages, then he broke the treaty long ago.

Likes: Highfather proved that nurture could overcome nature.

Barda and Scott were fun to follow.

Metron seemed to be a little sneaky, and strove to give hope to the hopeless.

Conclusion: This was a fun book. If you are a fan of the New God's, or DC comics in general, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.

[Mohan Vemulapalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Orion", the second volume in Ngozi Ukazu's relaunch of Jack Kirby's "New Gods" saga is as creative and compelling as the first volume while telling a considerably more nuanced and complex tale than the first volume. The real strength of this book is its portrayal of Orion, who emerges as a driven and fundamentally good protagonist who is consumed by rage and his own self hatred. Although not hugely detrimental to the book's impact, the portrayals of High Father and Darkseid both lack depth and neither character is portrayed in an entirely convincing way. The other supporting characters are fairly well done. In particular Scott Free and Big Barda spice up the action a bit and Light Ray, Orion's bestie and loyal cheerleader, supplies an essential amount of humor and some suppressed romantic tension. Overall, this is a fun and engaging read that should delight old fans as well as those who are new to the Fourth World.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, DC Comics, for providing me with a DRC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Jeremy Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Iconic Character Brought to New Life!

Orion by Ngozi Ukazu is such an unexpected blast of fun, giving readers an exciting, fresh way into the Barda storyline by shifting the focus to Orion himself. The story starts off with this almost fluffy, charming energy on New Genesis. It is lighter, playful, and deceptively calm, and then Orion loses his temper. Orion’s journey drags him straight into the grit and violence of Apokolips. That shift is where the book really shines, morphing into something darker and more emotionally intense without losing its momentum. Ukazu balances heart, humor, and brutality incredibly well, creating a grittier take on these characters that still feels welcoming and wildly entertaining. It’s a blast from start to finish, and a perfect example of how expanding the perspective can breathe new life into an already iconic corner of the universe.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over the years I have read many different books with Orion at their center, and I found them uniformly dreadful. I actively dislike Jack Kirby's Fourth World in general, and I would have sneered at anyone who suggested I would one day enjoy stories about it.

Well, Ngozi Ukazu has done the impossible.

First, I enjoyed her Barda book, and now she has made the New Gods' rage-meister a relatable and sympathetic character while keeping him just as angry as ever. I went in gritting my teeth and came out eager to see who will be the focus of the next volume in this series.


Disclosure: I received access to a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.com.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an e-ARC and am giving my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity

I’ll be honest, I did really like this. However, Orion and Lightray continuously calling each other “brother” really icked me out. It felt out of character and just… not homophobic, per se. It just felt weird and threw me off for the rest of the story. It’s such a stupid complaint, and I’m aware of that, but it just feels weird to randomly have two characters that are widely discussed whether it’s platonic or romantic to randomly start calling each other “brother.” And it surprised me coming from this author, too. However, otherwise, I did enjoy this. The artwork was, as always, incredible.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ngozi Ukazu brings her signature style of artwork to her sequel to Barda. As a fan of her work, I enjoyed the comic. As a person who does not have an in-depth knowledge of DC comic characters, I had a hard time understanding what was happening due to knowing all the characters. There were familiar faces from Barda but the new characters needed a bit more background to help me understand. The dialogue was also hard to follow at points due to the formal, almost Victorian vibe that it had. However, I do think readers who are DC fans and know the characters will enjoy story and the style in which it is presented.

[Jada Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve seen this play out on Justice League Unlimited, but it’s cool to see an even deeper look into Orion’s origins. Especially his Mom’s side, which I never saw before. So, that was def interesting.

It def gave more Teen vibes, but I still enjoyed Orion’s fight for his true self after finding out his hidden identity. The whole Mother Box’s connection to Orion was intriguing as well… All I can think about is how they call them “Boom Tubes” in the show lmfaoo.

Orion and Lightray def gave off that Bromance energy lmfao. Their friendship was cute though. They definitely give off Golden Retriever x Black Cat lol.

[Ryofire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've followed some of Ngozi's online love of Orion and Lightray, and it gave me a new appreciation for the Fourth World and the characters in it, and it was fun to finally read this entry in the series. "Barda" was quite excellent, but I definitely enjoyed "Orion" more. The art looks more polished, the writing is better, and I enjoy the cast and how they interact. It's a great story, and a wonderful modern graphic novel of the characters. Considering a number of lines are direct quotes from older Orion comics, it feels like a fun update of things.

If you liked "Barda", I'd suggest picking this up, too. And if you haven't read "Barda", I suggest reading that, as well.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Orion” has some good artwork. I liked the looks of it, but the story just seemed like I had read it before. It felt like the author had pulled from other stories through the years and put it into “Orion” as a character and book.

I did enjoy the return to an actual comic book character. Lately, every graphic novel that I have read seemed more for adults. I definitely appreciated the effort of DC and the writer.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.

[Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved Ngozi's Barda and was excited to read Orion. I thought this was a good entry into Orion and the New Gods lore for a beginner comic read. It doesn't require a lot of background knowledge, and really introduces you to each of the characters. I really enjoyed the way Ngozi wrote Orion's struggle and him coming to terms with everything. The way Orion and Lightray's relationship was written was very sweet. As always, I loved the art for the book. I can't wait for my friends to be able to read this when it's released.

[gregory_paperback · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would almost describe this book as a young reader version of a Shakespeare tragedy.
Orion is full of rage and feels out of place on New Genesis because of it. He doesn’t understand how he can represent a place of light and peace with all these dark emotions.
Only when he learns of his true origins does he figure out what to do with them. He is such a complex character who can’t see himself as anything but a monster but with the help of his friends he can accept himself and be the hero he wants to be.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was interesting to see the conclusion of the stories that were set up in the first book. And interesting to see how the other side of the equation set up in the storyline worked out. Well it wasn't explicitly stated I definitely think there was some romantic tension between Orion and another male character which would lead to it being an lgbtqia book. I liked the storyboards and characterizations and it would be interesting to see where the story leeds too.

[Jadyn❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ngozi Ukazu’s work so much. I have never cared about Orion before but this book had me crying over this guy. That’s her power. Her love for these characters and stories is so evident here (I’ve read every one of these DC YA graphic novels and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one of the editor note-style text boxes referencing past comics in any of them before!) that it’s infectious. I don’t know what she’d write about next to keep the series going but I hope she does.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ukazu's second book in the Fourth World setting, this one focusing on Orion. This is a character that I'm familiar with but I've never really connected to before. Ukazu really succeeds on making him a more accessible character without losing any of the original Kirby flavor. I had said that the previous book in this series, Barda, was surprisingly straightforward. This is even more so, and I don't say that as a criticism. It's clear that this entire series is a real labor of love for Ukazu.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Once again Ngozi Okazu's art is incredible and captures the pain and anguish of these characters. The story was fun and acted as a wonderful introduction to characters many are unfamiliar with in the world of DC comics. A fantastic read.

[elijahsreads · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was okay at most. i think maybe knowing more of the character going into this story would have helped and maybe having read the authors other DC graphic novels would have helped too.

the artwork was so fun and colorful at times and definitely isn’t something to miss. will definitely try to read this again after picking up the authors other series

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 2nd book in Ukazu's YA reimagining of the Fourth World feels Shakespearean, probably because of the way Orion speaks. Most of it is Orion brooding. It doesn't really bring anything new but it isn't bad either. The only thing I actively disliked were the complete lack of backgrounds in the panels.

[Bin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ Ngozi Ukazu is truly one of my favorites authors so the art style is absolutely stunning and lends itself well to the DC world. Their old English/other worldly way of speaking threw me off a bit but was enjoyable when it mixed with how people were speaking on earth. Will definitely continue the series! I also need some fan art of Lightray and Orion smooching ASAP

[Annemarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I feel like Orion stayed off a bit weaker than Barda did, once I was about halfway through I started really enjoying this one. Orion is an interesting character, lost at the start. Because of that, it feels a bit hard to connect with him at first, but over time, that works out really well.
Still love Mad Harriet even though she was barely there xD