The New Gods #10 is a cosmic adventure that still manages to feel incredibly personal. While the main plot is all about a frantic rescue mission, writer Ram V and the creative team masterfully pull back the curtain on one of the series’ most tragic figures: the New God, Serifan.
The issue kicks off with a powerful flashback to a young Serifan, and it’s an absolute knockout. We see him as a kid, obsessed with Earth’s pop culture, old Westerns, sci-fi flicks, and tales of astronauts and explorers. His fellow New Gods think his fascination is weird, but we see it as a desperate search for something his own world lacks: a sense of adventure and heart.
Artist Evan Cagle’s work in this sequence is simply beautiful, capturing a young Serifan full of life and wonder, and then showing us, in just a few pages, the exact moment that light begins to fade from his eyes. It’s a direct and consequential choice that gives his betrayal a tragic weight, showing us that his actions weren’t born of malice, but of a deep melancholy and a profound disappointment with a world that didn’t live up to the nostalgic past he had envisioned.
This theme of a beautiful, bygone era clashing with a messy, modern reality is woven throughout the issue. It’s this disillusionment, this feeling of having died a little, that has driven Serifan to his actions.
While the emotional core of the issue is with Serifan, the main plot is anything but slow. When the all-powerful child Kamal is kidnapped by the villainous Maxwell Lord, the New Gods, led by Orion, team up with their Justice League allies for a desperate rescue. This is where artists Pye Parr and Evan Cagle’s contrasting styles begin to muddle. The shift can be a bit jarring at first, but it effectively signals the tonal change from a somber character study to an explosive chase. Colorist Francesco Segala’s work is also key here, with the muted tones of the past giving way to the bright, intense colors of the present-day conflict. Letterer Tom Napolitano also deserves a shout-out for adding an extra layer of sensory detail, with punches landing with a satisfying effect or alarms blaring with a frantic BLARP!
The rescue mission is a thrilling showcase of the heroes’ abilities, including a cool moment where Big Barda and Wonder Woman team up. The issue ends on a fantastic cliffhanger with the arrival of Granny Goodness and the Furies, setting the stage for an epic final showdown.
Overall, this issue is a masterful example of balancing cosmic spectacle with genuine emotion. It’s a story about a disillusioned god who has lost his way and a team of heroes who are determined not to lose hope twice. The opening sequence is some of the best storytelling this series has offered so far, perfectly humanizing Serifan and giving him a depth that makes his betrayal feel much more impactful.
However, the rest of the issue feels a bit off, with the momentum stalling after that incredible start. While the action is well-drawn and the artists’ styles are a fun nod to the King Kirby aesthetic, the pacing and character moments in the latter half feel a bit inconsequential compared to previous issues.
Despite this slight dip, Ram V’s work with these larger-than-life characters and their supporting Justice League members is still a great read. He’s made some smart choices, like focusing on a consistent core group of Justice Leaguers (Mr. Terrific, Ms. Martian, and Wonder Woman) instead of just using a rotating cast of cameos. Even with its uneven pacing, The New Gods #10 is still a good read that leaves you on the edge of your seat, eagerly awaiting the next chapter.
‘The New Gods’ #10 Review: The Last Cowboy and the Dangers of Nostalgia
Even with its uneven pacing, The New Gods #10 is still a good read that leaves you on the edge of your seat, eagerly awaiting the next chapter.
