Ram V’s The New Gods

Issue #1

The art has its highs and its lows but the coloring is A+. I like the Orion characterization so far. The Dog of War, the Son of Darkseid, and still a noble man. Let’s see how his hunt compares to Mister Miracles escapes. 

Issue #2

At first, I really didn’t like the name Olivia. But Liv Free? Okay, you got me. The Scott and Bards relationship is great, I feel like a lesser writer really would have left her behind. I wonder what the bigger plot is, what more is at play here. 

Issue #3

Comic book fans vs reading I know, but this is a lot of world salad to me. It’s not an engaging myth, it’s just so much needless depth. Maybe as I grow more accustomed to the characters and just overall newness, I’ll change my tune. 

Issue #4

This is really weird, pretty loose but I’m enjoying it so far. Hoping to get something that really tethers me to the narrative.

Issue #5 

I’m just really loving some of these designs and the angle that they’re taking with a lot of these looks. Lightest finally being caught by death is a “random” but cool little point here. 

Issue #6

Not to say that the writing is bad, but the art is really leaving a lasting impression on me. The visual art and visually storytelling is just levels above anything else here. It’s constantly expressive and expansive. Just opening up an entirely new (fourth) world. 

Issue #7

I can dig this Cyborg design, a mix between classic and modern. Miss Martian, please tell me there isn’t a Mister Martian because wow. “Refugees are welcome.” -My GOAT John Stewart. Great John moment here, always love when he’s recognized as an architect. Orion had a great moment with the child. This is such a weird book structurally, it’s like sci-fi drama meets slice of life. It’s not clean but it does work.

Issue #8

I love the wistfulness in this one. I have to reiterate how weird the narrative flow is, and still how engaging it’s able to remain. 

Issue #9

Seeing his true face, I wonder if Kirby mentioned it in his original run (that phrasing I mean.) It came as a shock to hear it again after rereading Tom King’s Mister Miracle recently. I have no idea what the Maxwell Lord angle is. 

Issue #10

Love the shot at Elon Musk and A.I. The art wasn’t hitting in this one unfortunately.

Issue #11

The art bounced back. 

Issue #12

Such a strange book. Orion remains a tragic character. So much yet so little happens here, character arcs are very free flowing. It’s hard to gather everything but there are some unimaginably beautiful wisps.