If you were to describe The New Gods to one word, it would be “change”. New Genesis is gone. Darkseid is dead, among others. Hope seems lost, but with the aid of Superman and Earth, there still seems to be some hope. In The New Gods #8, characters let their hair down and reset as the enemy prepares for one more attack.
The New Gods #8 opens with Izaya before he became the Highfather. We witness the loss of his wife Avia and the long walk to his becoming Highfather. The words are poetic, and the story is mythic in nature. It’s epic, though solemn and quieter than in previous issues. This scene hangs over the entire issue as Highfather is in a bad way mentally, though in the final moments of the issue, there is still hope.
Largely, this issue is about resetting. The New Gods are coming to grips with their new location and new status. Things are very dire, but many still persist and have hope for a future. This is tied to their children, but Superman adds a nice bit of old-fashioned American hope. Action is limited, but there are plenty of character moments as the characters break bread in one scene.
Epic!
Credit: DC Comics
There is some action involving Mr. Terrific, which moves the plot forward ever so slightly on the good-guy side. The action is rather quick, but there’s an impressive use of powers, transforming a gun worth checking out. The villain’s side also gets some page time, setting the stage for a battle yet to come.
Smartly, writer Ram V and artist Evan Cagle bookend the issue with Highfather, making it more about him than the comings and goings of villains and heroes. He firmly stamps this issue as a turning point for the New Gods and, in the grand scheme of things, elevates the issue. Cagle’s art in the final two pages is beautiful – sad, but also joyful. It makes the issue more about how we should never give up, as there’s always something around the corner worth fighting for.
The New Gods #8 is a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant chapter that slows down the pace to explore grief, legacy, and perseverance. With moving artwork and a Highfather-centered narrative, it reminds us that even amidst despair, hope can still take root.
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