DC Introduces New God to Continuity, Fueling Discussion on Darkseid’s Potential Replacement

Warning: Spoilers for The New Gods #1 ahead! As the dust settles after Darkseid’s demise, a new player emerges in the realm of the New Gods, stirring up the cosmic balance of the DC Universe. With Darkseid’s departure, a prophecy foreshadows chaos not only for the Fourth World but also beyond, heralding the unexpected awakening of a New God.

In the premiere issue of The New Gods #1 by Ram V and Evan Cagle, Metron receives alarming news about a New God poised to awaken on Earth, potentially heralding a new era of darkness. Highfather urgently dispatches a message to Orion, Darkseid’s son, instructing him to eliminate the god child on Earth without delay.

The narrative shifts to India, where a young couple finds themselves fleeing from soldiers. Kamal, their son, witnesses the brutal murder of his father. In a moment of intense emotion and transformation, he begins to radiate a powerful glow, ultimately emerging as a New God as he unleashes his capabilities to eliminate his attackers.

The Impact of Darkseid’s Departure

The Role of Kamal in the New Order

Comic book panel: Darkseid dies, exploding.

The events leading up to Darkseid’s downfall were catalyzed by a significant act from The Flash, who sacrificed himself during the Absolute Power storyline. This act severed the Prime DC Universe from the multiverse, inadvertently driving Darkseid to madness as he obsessed over gaining more power. To achieve this, he merged with the Spectre, only for their combined form to end up at the Justice League’s Watchtower—resulting in Darkseid’s physical destruction.

Although Darkseid is gone, remnants of his power lingered and crashed into a younger Earth, triggering the emergence of what can be termed the Absolute Universe. In the wake of this cosmic upheaval, the omnipresence of Metron’s prophecy suggests an era of unrest, with the DC Universe struggling to realign itself after Darkseid’s passing. Historical narratives, like in Kingdom Come, raise questions about who might succeed Darkseid, with Orion’s tragic fate suggesting a dark path ahead. However, in contrast to his father’s tyrannical legacy, Orion seems unlikely to follow suit, paving the way for Kamal to potentially hold Darkseid’s mantle.

The Threat of Kamal

Comparing the Powers of Darkseid and Kamal

Metron Discovers the Source Wall's Prophecy DC

Darkseid, a formidable force in the DC Universe, spent centuries strategizing ways to dominate everything in his path. However, the ominous prophecy from Metron hints at a darker reckoning with Kamal’s awakening, perceiving him as a significant catalyst of change—or destruction. With Kamal’s undeniable power demonstrated through his effortless defeat of armed soldiers, the question looms: what will happen as he continues to develop and harness his abilities?

The situation has become dire, and as foretold, it appears the aftermath of Darkseid’s death could lead to catastrophic consequences for the DC Universe, possibly signaling an era of annihilation unless someone can rein in this new power.

For those interested in exploring this narrative, The New Gods #1 is now available from DC Comics.

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