New Gods Book One: Bloodlines

New Gods (1989) #1-14

by Mark Evanier, Paris Cullins (Illustrator)

The New Gods return for a new era in this collection of stories that reimagined Jack Kirby's famous creations for a new era!

The New Gods return for a new era! Writer Mark Evanier, former production assistant to New Gods creator Jack Kirby, teams with artist Paris Cullins to revive Orion, Darkseid, Metron, Kalibak, and more in this collection of key late-80s stories, set in the wake of the Cosmic Odyssey event. Stories include Orion leading an expedition to Earth and the six-part "Bloodline Saga."

Collects New Gods #1-14.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Superheroes

368 pages, Paperback

First published April 13, 2021

About the author

Mark Stephen Evanier is an American comic book and television writer, particularly known for his humor work.

Reviews

[Chad]

Spinning out of Cosmic Odyssey, New Gods follows Orion around as he struggles with his dual nature, the son of Darkseid but raised by Highfather. Mark Evanier was an assistant to Jack Kirby when he created the New Gods and extrapolates his concepts. I do like that Evanier uses some obscure characters like Mantis and Forager. Paris Cullins art is sloppy at times and he can't draw Lightray's head in correct proportions at all. His art reminds me of an early Daniel Warren Johnston actually.

[John]

Taking place AFTER Jim Starlin and Mike Mignola's Cosmic Odyssey (which was SUPPOSED to be a Cosmic Book of Magic).

This run has a MUCH more contemporary (of at least the 80s and 90s) art style. It loses some of it's more "mythic" feel and feels more akin to a sci-fi series. They're more of a technological gods then mythological/magical.

As such, the series loses some of it's grandiosity and Jungian resonance, and becomes a little more violent and crasser (especially with the Bloodline Saga). It's kind of about the decline of New Genesis--no longer quite as idyllic with a Civil War brewing. It also involves Yuga Kahn returning (who is the First God of Evil) and at least one "Old God" returning.

[Alan Duran]

I read this back in the late '80s and early '90s when these stories were first published. I don't think I was quite as taken with Paris Cullins art back then, but I know it does owe its look to Kirby and the original stories while having its own creative beat. The art is very dynamic. The Bloodlines story was very entertaining and its nice to see Mark Evanier steering Kirby's creation. It looks like Starlin was originally going to be the series writer since he penned issues #2-4, with Evanier doing issue #1 and then regular writer from issue #5 onward. Issues 2-4 tie in directly with Cosmic Odyssey.

[Shannon Appelcline]

In many ways, Evanier offers a good New Gods. He knows the characters and their universe well, and when he introduces new ones, they seem to fit right in.

On the other hand, his writing is nothing like Kirby's. Where Kirby was exciting and dynamic, Evanier is slow and ponderous. There's some good material, on Orion's mother and his self-image and his changing characterm, but it's just a drag to get to much of it.

[Greg Trosclair]

This book was much better than I remember. Is it great no but I think Evanier and Starlin do a fine job doing a Kirby impression. Paris Cullins does a really solid job on the art too. I really couldn't have been happier about this book. The Byrne New God Gods and Simonson Orion are excellent but do not overlook this solid book.

[Lucy Batson]

Hot take: The New Gods can be a pretty limited concept, but Mark Evanier manages to make this take pretty good. Additionally, I can't think of a more unenviable position for a comics artist than "following Jack Kirby", but Paris Cullins punches way above his weight class here, showing far more of what he's capable of than books like Blue Devil or Blue Beetle allowed him to.

[alejandro galvez]

Very fun book.

I loved it. The art and story were great. I learned a lot about Orion. Such a fascinating character to me. Pick it up if you want to learn about him or the Fourth World.

[Walter Gay]

Really don’t want to have to read book 2

[Cool Frog]

Some surprisingly subtle storytelling, and a case study in how a penciller's art can look almost completely different from inker to inker.

[Bob]

Good to catch up with one of my favourite comics
as a kid. Not quite up to JKs level of drawing but
very good. Enjoyed the Bloodlines story.