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The New Gods (2024)
The New Gods Vol. 2: Edge of Darkness (The New Gods
It began with a prophecy. From the moment those enigmatic words were delivered from the Source, shock waves rocked the very foundation of the universe. History was written, worlds were conquered, and a new light—in the form of a prophesied child—shone upon the DCU. But this child, and his unimaginable power, has attract-ed the attention of evils both human and Apokoliptian. Now on Earth and working alongside the Justice League Unlimited, can the New Gods save the newest member of their tribe before it’s too late?
Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2026
9 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Ram V
472 books375 followersRam V (Ramnarayan Venkatesan) is an author and comic book writer from Mumbai, India. His comics career began in 2012 with the award-nominated Indian comic series, Aghori. A graduate of the City University of London’s Creative Writing MA, he has since created the critically acclaimed Black Mumba and the fantasy adventure series, Brigands.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 26, 2026
Well that was pretty rubbish, especially considering how good the first six issues were (the first TPb).
We start with the New Genesians arriving on earth, seeking refuge. Why, you might wonder, would beings so much more powerful than humanity; with technology far beyond our capabilities seek refuge from us, and not simply find an appropriate uninhabited planet? Don't worry about it. I understand that DC artists and writers can't help but shoehorn their politics into everything, but if you're going to insist on an immigration allegory, maybe use refugees who need our help and don't just land here and then goad the most powerful government on the planet into trying something to see how it works out for them. And extra marks for Green Arrow calling Hal Jordan a bootlicker for suggesting it might be a good idea to control non-terrestrial super beings (who are at war with other non-terrestrial super beings) from bringing their catastrophic war to our little planet. Chefs kiss!
Kamal's story develops but as a plot device rather than as a character. Serafin is introduced as a means of progressing the story, but his arrival and departure feels empty, without any of the emotional weight that Ram V was aiming for. As disappointing and disjointed as that was, the introduction of Black Racer was a thousand times worse. "Hey look at this guy. This is who he really is. Look at this thing he does." This happens over the course of about five pages in total, and we NEVER see him again. His role could have been replaced by a number of more fitting characters, including the Justice League or the Green Lantern Corp, who are actually frivolously underused in this same book.
The ending is about as enjoyable as getting your socks wet during a walk. It wasn't quite as bad as Kamal being 'the friends we made along the way,' but barely.
I was tempted to give this 1* but there was one line that reminded me why I used to love comics: a colossal Big Barda booming " what good does it do to be able to see the weaknesses in a mountain." It was actually pretty cool and the art was gorgeous.
In general he art was inconsistent and at times ugly, but this was usually due to guest artists, so Evan Cagle still rates fairly highly to me.
Overall it's not worth the money.
We start with the New Genesians arriving on earth, seeking refuge. Why, you might wonder, would beings so much more powerful than humanity; with technology far beyond our capabilities seek refuge from us, and not simply find an appropriate uninhabited planet? Don't worry about it. I understand that DC artists and writers can't help but shoehorn their politics into everything, but if you're going to insist on an immigration allegory, maybe use refugees who need our help and don't just land here and then goad the most powerful government on the planet into trying something to see how it works out for them. And extra marks for Green Arrow calling Hal Jordan a bootlicker for suggesting it might be a good idea to control non-terrestrial super beings (who are at war with other non-terrestrial super beings) from bringing their catastrophic war to our little planet. Chefs kiss!
Kamal's story develops but as a plot device rather than as a character. Serafin is introduced as a means of progressing the story, but his arrival and departure feels empty, without any of the emotional weight that Ram V was aiming for. As disappointing and disjointed as that was, the introduction of Black Racer was a thousand times worse. "Hey look at this guy. This is who he really is. Look at this thing he does." This happens over the course of about five pages in total, and we NEVER see him again. His role could have been replaced by a number of more fitting characters, including the Justice League or the Green Lantern Corp, who are actually frivolously underused in this same book.
The ending is about as enjoyable as getting your socks wet during a walk. It wasn't quite as bad as Kamal being 'the friends we made along the way,' but barely.
I was tempted to give this 1* but there was one line that reminded me why I used to love comics: a colossal Big Barda booming " what good does it do to be able to see the weaknesses in a mountain." It was actually pretty cool and the art was gorgeous.
In general he art was inconsistent and at times ugly, but this was usually due to guest artists, so Evan Cagle still rates fairly highly to me.
Overall it's not worth the money.
April 7, 2026
The next volume in Ram V's New Gods odyssey delivers on the positive start of "The Falling Sky". "Edge of Darkness" builds on all the drama set up in the previous issues and provides a satisfying and compelling conclusion to the arc surrounding a mysterious child at the heart of a cosmic prophecy. What Ram V does well in this book is play upon the relationship and differences between the sons of Darkseid and Highfather, Orion and Mister Miracle. Somewhat this story serves as a passing of the baton (following Darkseid's death and Highfather's retirement) to the two most powerful New Gods. Orion is the warrior, a leading general that will no doubt play a large part in the war to come. Mister Miracle is their heart. This is best displayed towards the end where both attempt to rescue the child from ripping a whole between the main DC Universe and what is implied to the reader to be the Absolute Universe (and the key to Darkseid's return), and it is Mister Miracle who provides the emotional strength to save the universe and ultimately be granted the title of Highfather. It felt like a full circle moment for a character who has struggled with his identity as a child of New Genesis or Apokolips. However, there does feel shortcomings to this story - largely the main antagonists of the previous volume essentially all but disappear and only get a slight bit of action towards the end, despite us being told they are nigh impossible to beat. It feels like too much is being squeezed into one story and that the writer really wants to focus on the more interesting elements that are coming into play for the wider future of DC Comics but is constrained by what he has wrote prior. Still, this is a thoroughly exciting contemporary title I'll continue to keep my eye on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
[Review covers the entire series]
War has come to New Genesis. A baby has been born that looks to change everything. Darkseid wants it. Highfather wants it. Scott Free and Big Barda, celebrating their own newborn child, need it. This'll end well for everyone.
This is some great stuff - when Ram V gets philosophical, you know you're going to sit up and take notice. There are discussions of meaning in the universe, the price of just one life, and what people will do to protect the people they care about, all wrapped up in a cosmic odyssey (not that one) that reaches out across the stars. I'm not as familiar with the New Gods mythos as the rest of the DCU, but I can tell V's done his research here. The ending promises to feed more into the overall plan for Darkseid as a part of DC All-In, so while this can be read as a self-contained story, it's definitely got greater implications elsewhere too.
The artwork is primarily Evan Cagle, though he drops away in the middle of the series to just do a few pages per issue, which is a bit disappointing. He's got a distinctive, sweeping style that really adds to the gravitas of everything that's going on, and while the other artists are formidable in their own right, they're not as series-defining on their own.
Not my favourite of V's work at DC, but still a very solid run that I expect even Jack Kirby himself would enjoy.
War has come to New Genesis. A baby has been born that looks to change everything. Darkseid wants it. Highfather wants it. Scott Free and Big Barda, celebrating their own newborn child, need it. This'll end well for everyone.
This is some great stuff - when Ram V gets philosophical, you know you're going to sit up and take notice. There are discussions of meaning in the universe, the price of just one life, and what people will do to protect the people they care about, all wrapped up in a cosmic odyssey (not that one) that reaches out across the stars. I'm not as familiar with the New Gods mythos as the rest of the DCU, but I can tell V's done his research here. The ending promises to feed more into the overall plan for Darkseid as a part of DC All-In, so while this can be read as a self-contained story, it's definitely got greater implications elsewhere too.
The artwork is primarily Evan Cagle, though he drops away in the middle of the series to just do a few pages per issue, which is a bit disappointing. He's got a distinctive, sweeping style that really adds to the gravitas of everything that's going on, and while the other artists are formidable in their own right, they're not as series-defining on their own.
Not my favourite of V's work at DC, but still a very solid run that I expect even Jack Kirby himself would enjoy.
Review of advance copy
A tale of cosmic proportions brought to earth! While the scale is brought down a bit this time, and interacts a bit more with the justice league, the tale of the two future leaders of New Genesis is still the core.
Part of the story is hinging on potential, clearly the whole story is not done yet. that'll determine how some feel about it. what we do have is still entertaining, and every issue has one to four pages where ram V is waxing poetically about the nature of these gods. Those pages are the reason you read this, and this is one of the few series I have read that effectively uses different artists where it isn't jarring.
I am a little annoyed this early on that the magical new God kid, is nothing more than really a MacGuffin. He feels much more of a plot device more then a character. But I did stay for Scott Free and Orion's dynamic and parallel theming. my feelings on this series as a whole will crystallize better if and when we get more of it in the future. it's all very cool to look at, but the plot is not done, has the potential to be something more given we get more.
Part of the story is hinging on potential, clearly the whole story is not done yet. that'll determine how some feel about it. what we do have is still entertaining, and every issue has one to four pages where ram V is waxing poetically about the nature of these gods. Those pages are the reason you read this, and this is one of the few series I have read that effectively uses different artists where it isn't jarring.
I am a little annoyed this early on that the magical new God kid, is nothing more than really a MacGuffin. He feels much more of a plot device more then a character. But I did stay for Scott Free and Orion's dynamic and parallel theming. my feelings on this series as a whole will crystallize better if and when we get more of it in the future. it's all very cool to look at, but the plot is not done, has the potential to be something more given we get more.
March 31, 2026
Took me a little to get back into the groove of this one. The second part of this killer run does away with the mythological catching up, and goes straight into the action. The new-New God child has been kidnapped, and our heroes will do everything in their power to prevent him from falling into the hands of Darkseid. I kind of expected it to end on a big cliff hanger leading into an event or something, and I'm glad I was wrong. Ram V managed to tie this into the currently ongoing greater DCU narrative, while still keeping it entirely enjoyable as a standalone. Evan Cagle's art remains absolute peak, his Big Barda alone makes this whole run worth it !
May 2, 2026
Un tome plus "accessible" que le premier dans la mesure où c'est maintenant l'heure de l'affrontement, c'est donc plus "blockbuster" mais toujours avec une identité forte grâce aux touches d'introspection et de philosophie de Ram V.
On s'inscrit en plus dans l'actuelle grande intrigue DC mais sans jamais dépendre de quoi que ce soit d'autre.
Un très bon récit qui vieillira probablement très bien !
On s'inscrit en plus dans l'actuelle grande intrigue DC mais sans jamais dépendre de quoi que ce soit d'autre.
Un très bon récit qui vieillira probablement très bien !
Review of advance copy
The finale of the New Gods story by Ram V is a fun and interesting set of ideas and from the stories of various gods to thoughts on destiny and who you are or who you could be. I enjoyed it for the most part. The art continues to be stunning.
November 20, 2025
The New Gods are an extremely fascinating set of ideas and lore, but I'm still waiting for a story to fully match that potential. This one comes as close as any yet.
Review of advance copy
glad it isn't over
this book has way to many things to talk about and it needs a lot more issues than just 12 in order to truly reach its full potential
this book has way to many things to talk about and it needs a lot more issues than just 12 in order to truly reach its full potential
February 9, 2026
need more now
Review of advance copy received from Sonstiges
Read as Single Issues
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
An interesting story overall. Cagle's art continues to be the best part of the series. Unfortunately the fill-in artists don't live up to his standard, but also don't detract from the story.
April 18, 2026
This book is incredible!!! A true epic, this book fits perfectly with the beautiful Fourth World Jack Kirby created. It explores existence, meaning, fate vs freewill, fatherhood, brotherhood, friendship and so many other topics! It also tells a wonderful and suspenseful story and develops the fourth world characters in a way that is true to who they are while mixing in the justice league true to who they are. This book fits perfect with DC’s incredible All In/Absolute Universe storyline and teases even more to come. I love the Fourth World and this series felt like I was reading modern Jack Kirby - I even cried while reading issue #12. The art is gorgeous and unique throughout and the guest artists do incredible work on their pages. I can’t recommend this book enough!!
April 3, 2026
Ram V is one of my favorite contemporary comic writers. He, and Evan Cagle and the other artist contributors here deserve better than whatever editorial intervention led to this very sloppy ending.
The new antagonists of this run seemed poised for an interesting arc, ideologically representing apathy, indifference and stoicism in the face of struggle positioned against the hope and wonder of the new gods. But then they’re tossed aside as the book returns to old enemies.
There’s also the pointlessness of adding the justice league to this book as they play no major role in it and function largely as background characters likely included to help sell the book based on covers.
One thing Ram V does here that I wasn’t a fan of was the necessity for readers to have prior familiarity with the new gods and their factions for some of what’s included here to make an impact. One character betrays the new gods but it didn’t mean anything to me because he’s just a guy here. Who cares?
Gillian, who was tasked with a similar goal in modernizing the Eternals, who are either basis for the new gods or the other way around (I can’t remember), did a much better job bringing those characters to modern storytelling in a wonderful way.
I hope Ram V and Cagle return to another creator owned project because this was a mess with an abrupt end and a status quo shift that I suspect won’t be paid off well in whatever follows.
The new antagonists of this run seemed poised for an interesting arc, ideologically representing apathy, indifference and stoicism in the face of struggle positioned against the hope and wonder of the new gods. But then they’re tossed aside as the book returns to old enemies.
There’s also the pointlessness of adding the justice league to this book as they play no major role in it and function largely as background characters likely included to help sell the book based on covers.
One thing Ram V does here that I wasn’t a fan of was the necessity for readers to have prior familiarity with the new gods and their factions for some of what’s included here to make an impact. One character betrays the new gods but it didn’t mean anything to me because he’s just a guy here. Who cares?
Gillian, who was tasked with a similar goal in modernizing the Eternals, who are either basis for the new gods or the other way around (I can’t remember), did a much better job bringing those characters to modern storytelling in a wonderful way.
I hope Ram V and Cagle return to another creator owned project because this was a mess with an abrupt end and a status quo shift that I suspect won’t be paid off well in whatever follows.
April 15, 2026
Great art and story, I'm excited for the future of the New Gods.
April 5, 2026
taking steps towards unity
the fractured gods of new genesis attempt to come together in order to save its newest member.
a decent story but it can feel underwhelming.
the fractured gods of new genesis attempt to come together in order to save its newest member.
a decent story but it can feel underwhelming.
March 31, 2026
3.25.
A lot of at times confusing lore while looking to intersect with the Absolute universe sooner than I’d like.
A lot of at times confusing lore while looking to intersect with the Absolute universe sooner than I’d like.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews