The Origin Story of DC’s New Gods
The origin story of the New Gods goes back billions of years into the history of the main DC Comics Universe. Readers don’t need to know every bit of it to grasp the modern day events or characters, so for simplicity’s sake, we’ll do our best to summarize.
Jack Kirby’s dream of a cosmic power play between mythological gods and goddesses actually began with a divine realm, known as the “First World.” If you’re a fan of ancient history and mythology, Kirby’s inspirations are obvious enough. The beings of the First World eventually ascended to become Old Gods, thus starting the Second World and taking on the names and style of Norse mythology (Loki, Odin, etc.).
Soon they had their own Ragnarok-scale war that decimated their planet (including its King Yuga Khan), and the remaining lifeforms manifested two new worlds: the planets New Genesis… and Apokolips.
This new status quo was dubbed the Third World, and over time, history repeated itself as the inhabitants also ascended to godhood - and stepped straight into the timeline of the DC Comics Universe every fan knows. These so-called “New Gods” of New Genesis and Apokolips marked the creation of the Fourth World, and a unique blend between ancient deities and modern superheroes.
The New Gods played a direct role on DC’s superheroes (the explosion of the Old Gods’ Ragnarok created a ‘God Wave’ that spread the potential for gods and superhumans across the universe) but believe us, there’s enough story in their own world to keep fans satisfied. In fact, there’s ONE story that drives the rest of the Fourth World for good.
It’s the story of the respective leaders of each planet. The ruler of the paradise New Genesis, Izaya the Highfather. And the ruler of the fiery hell-world Apokolips, Lord Darkseid. Obviously, the morality play of ‘good vs. evil’ is obvious in Kirby’s version of Heaven and Hell, but it’s the truce that the two leaders came to which marks the final piece of the New Gods story.
A bargain that required each ruler to give a son to the other, to raise as their own. And it’s those sons who soon became the stars of DC’s New Gods universe.
Scott Free, Son of Highfather
Even casual fans of DC’s characters will know Darkseid thanks to his countless battles with the Justice League. But if there’s one certified “superhero” that can be ranked among DC’s best as well as the New Gods, it’s the son of Izaya the Highfather. The son he agreed to send to Darkseid to finally end the millennia of war between their worlds.
His name was ‘Scot,’ and he got the undeniably worst part of the deal. Leaving behind his home and family at age seven, Scot was thrown into a cell and tortured like all residents of Darkseid’s planet of slavery and pain. As testament to the light and strength that New Genesis instilled in him, Scot never broke - he broke free. From his cell, his prison, and every other lock that ever stood in his way.
He became a master of unsolvable locks and escapes, with his New God abilities stretching believability way past its breaking point. Eventually he left Apokolips for Earth (by which point Darkseid had already just gone back to warring anyway). Taking the name Scott Free, he became the superhero known as ‘Mister Miracle.’
But pain wasn’t all Scot found on Apokolips… he also found the planet’s greatest warrior. A hulking powerhouse named Barda. The deadliest member of Darkseid’s elite guard - and the love of Scot’s life.
Big Barda, Greatest Warrior on Apokolips
Barda, or as she’s best known by fans of DC Comics, Big Barda, went through the same nightmare childhood and torture. But where his was meant only as cruelty, Barda’s was intended to be training for a future as an unstoppable soldier. She was taken from her parents as a child and raised only by ‘Granny Goodness,’ the cruel commander of Darkseid’s Female Furies.
It was in that service that she first met Scot - and her own inherent goodness formed an instant connection. When Scot left Apokolips for Earth, Barda went with him. The two were married and ever since have been one of DC’s most reliable, healthy, happy relationships. And with Barda towering over Scott, and being the far superior warrior and military tactician, make for a surprisingly progressive role reversal considering the times in which they were introduced.
The characters of Apokolips besides these two are mainly archetypes, or simple role players. Steppenwolf, Darkseid’s general and uncle. Kalibak, Darkseid’s wild and brutal son. And the other members of the Female Furies who never miss a chance to attempt revenge when their paths cross with Barda.
Scot did alright for himself, all things considered. As for the son of Apokolips who took his place…
Orion, Son of Darkseid
On paper, most might expect a similar path to play out for Orion, the son of Darkseid transplanted into the palace life of New Genesis. If the light inherent in Scot refused to be extinguished even on Apokolips, then surely the darkness in Orion couldn’t be erased by paradise. Except that’s exactly what happened, showing Darkseid really didn’t calculate his odds in the bargain.
That isn’t to say that Orion became a perfect citizen of New Genesis, since he inherited some traits from his father. Orion presents as a shrewd man of action, possessing a temper and innate instincts of rage and violence that reveal his Apokoliptian lineage. But thanks to his belief in the ideals of New Genesis, not just the laws, he channels those urges into combat against the forces of Darkseid.
Earning himself the honor of being the greatest warrior New Genesis has, as well as the nickname ‘The Dog of War.’ He’s just as strong and superhuman as any other New God (on par with Superman), but in a world where most are nearly invincible, it’s Orion’s signature helmet and Astro-Harness that became his trademarks.
Lightray of New Genesis
Orion takes the spotlight as the New God of New Genesis most likely to pop up in a mainline DC superhero comic, bringing galactic threats along with him. But he’s not alone: the New God ‘Lightray’ gained just as much fame as Orion’s closest friend and fellow warrior. In the earliest appearances of Orion, his tendency to become enraged and violent was only stopped by Lightray, meaning he’s to thank for Darkseid’s son never living up to his father’s expectations.
Where Orion’s powers are connected to his tech, and Scot’s are as much a mental skill as an inherent power, Lightray can travel at immeasurably high speeds (effectively a ‘speedster’ of the New Gods). He can also project energy from his hands, confirming a New God and a superhero may appear the same (despite one being nearly immortal and ancient).
He also helps illustrate the larger point Kirby sketched out, and has since been formalized by other writers. Where Darkseid and Apokolips poison all they can, the light of New Genesis is a beacon of hope. And while it may not be all-powerful, the will of good in the Fourth World is to be taken very seriously.
Which is why Darkseid wants so badly to destroy it. Thank goodness there are heroes– sorry, New Gods like Scott Free, Big Barda, Orion, and Lightray to stop him.
