The New Gods #9 from writer Ram V, artists Pye Parr and Evan Cagle, colorist Francesco Segala, and letterer Tom Napolitano gives us a much needed break from the despair of previous issues, while also forging a path forward as the start of a new, shorter storyline. The issue is a breather for our heroes and also works as an opportunity for the villains to get their act together and form a new plan to kill the New Gods.
The issue starts with a Nyctari leader giving us their backstory, talking about how Darkseid razed their planet and took them all as slaves. Once he’s finished with his story, he demands one of his generals go and find the New Gods, wherever they’ve landed. That place just so happens to be Earth. While the New Gods discuss their next steps, Scott talks with the newest addition to the New Gods. Back with the Nyctari, we discover that an undercover Green Lantern has been intercepting the Nyctari’s signals, sending them back to other Green Lanterns.
WRITING
Ram V takes a step back from this run’s typical action to give us an issue with some more personal drama. It’s smart storytelling from him, because he raises the stakes between characters in a small way now that’s sure to pay off in a couple of issues—specifically with Mister Miracle and the newest God they’re aware of, Kamal. Mister Miracle swore to protect him, but Kamal finds himself resenting Scott Free as he clearly doesn’t feel very protected with an entire alien race and forces on Earth after him. Not only that, but you sort of see Orion relate to Kamal as well. Kamal is an ancient god meant to become Darkseid, and Orion’s appearance makes him sort of understand and be empathetic of that. Ram V using Kamal as this character for the readers to relate to is a nice change of pace. While we’ve been connecting to these characters for decades now, it’s nice to see this world through the eyes of someone new, also destined to destroy.
While this is a slower issue on a cosmic scale, that doesn’t mean anything on Earth gets easier. Maxwell Lord, for some reason, still wants Kamal and will stop at nothing to get him. It’s an issue for us readers to find our footing, but just as quickly pulls the rug out from under you.
ART
Evan Cagle does the first three pages of this issue, and what he does is magic. He tells the story of Nyctari leader, and provides some beautiful and haunting art of Darkseid massacring his people. It’s really strong work and paneling that you would expect from Cagle. The panels in his section aren’t straight and neat, rather crooked and wobbly. They look almost like pieces of paper taken from a storybook, which really works in helping to tell the flashback.
Parr covers the rest of this issue, and he really succeeds in setting the tone for the issue past the initial story Cagle tells. Parr specifically does great work with the New Gods on Earth. He gives their new home plenty of personality through the lush greenery of it, but lets us know that it’s a small space too and that there isn’t enough room for all of them by keeping everyone in a very close proximity. There’s one specifically great page where we see Orion contemplate everything that’s happened, and as he thinks his face sort of morphs into its original, ugly form. It’s seamless and internal, but Parr visualizes it spectacularly.
COLORS
Parr colors his own section of the book as well. He does a good job of lighting characters in ways that sort of tell their true intentions. While most characters are completely found in the light of their new home, others are covered with darker shadows draped over them. Back to that Orion page Parr made from earlier, he colors it just as beautifully. While Orion is first colored the same as everyone else, his look then evolves to be filled with neon colors as his true form shows. It’s really well done.
Segala handles Cagle’s section of the book, and he drapes the entire story in a sort of reddish tint as Darkseid goes on his rampage. it shows that the entire event was incredibly traumatic, and the red of Darkseid’s Omega Beams is scarred into the character’s mind.
LETTERS
Napolitano makes a few great choices in this issue. You’d expect this alien race to be rabid and uncivilized, but they aren’t. They’re incredibly intelligent and won’t stop until they’ve hunted and gotten their revenge. Napolitano is careful to give them large bubbles and boxes that are not only placed well, but also make it feel as though they don’t waste or mince words. Not a lot is spoken, but Napolitano spaces and places the text so well throughout the issue that it really helps the impact of each sentence spoken. Later in the issue, a character’s change of heart is also reflected in the boldness of their letters, shocking us. Napolitano really works hard to make sure every sentence is felt and understood.
CONCLUSION
The New Gods #9 from DC Comics works as a sort of break issue between two big storylines, while also serving as a strong start for one to close this initial run of the book off. Every character is feeling deep things right now, and it all comes across through the art and letters just as much as it does with the words. V, Parr, Cagle, Segala, and Napolitano should be proud of this story they’ve put out that’s about things being taken from you unfairly, and how you learn to move forward with what’s left.
