The New Gods #3 [Review]
The Fourth World is vast, ancient, and brimming with untold power. But what happens when its godlike hierarchy is shaken to its core? That’s the question Ram V, Evan Cagle, and Riccardo Federici tackle in The New Gods #3, a sweeping cosmic epic that leans into the mythological weight of Jack Kirby’s legendary creations while carving out its own grand vision. With Darkseid’s absence leaving Apokolips vulnerable, an intergalactic inquisition sees an opportunity to strike; and after a stunning victory, the flames of war shift toward New Genesis. Meanwhile, Mister Miracle and Big Barda search for a hidden child, a being that may house the essence of an Old God waiting to reawaken.
A Mythic Tapestry: Ram V’s Writing
Fans of Ram V’s work, in particular his work on The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, understand that he doesn’t just tell stories - he crafts living myths, and this issue is no exception. His writing flows like a lost legend, rediscovered in pieces, demanding the reader’s attention as it unveils grand cosmic forces in motion:
The dialogue and narration carry a poetic rhythm, reminiscent of The Silmarillion or The Metabarons, evoking a sense of deep time and cyclical fate. Every word feels like it was etched in celestial stone long before mortals could comprehend its meaning.
The world-building is dense, rich with history, as beings like Arbor Struta, Parzurem, and Nyctar are introduced not as mere characters, but as primordial entities with legacies stretching beyond the pages of the book.
Themes of displacement, survival, and the never-ending cycle of destruction and rebirth resonate throughout the issue. The war for the cosmos is never truly over - only paused, waiting for the next god to rise or fall.
This is the kind of comic that expects the reader to actively engage with its mythos. Indeed, it challenges you to absorb its world like a divine scripture.
A Divine Vision: The Art of Cagle & Federici
The artwork in The New Gods #3 is nothing short of breathtaking, merging intricate realism with surreal fantasy.
Riccardo Federici’s painted visuals give the book an ethereal quality, reminiscent of Renaissance artwork. His heavy use of shadows and textures imbues the characters with a sense of divinity, as if they’ve stepped out of an ancient mural rather than a comic panel.
Evan Cagle’s linework and compositions add to the dreamlike quality of the book. His ability to blend organic, fluid designs with rigid, mechanical elements makes each page feel like a holy vision of some distant, forgotten past.
The color palette leans into earthy, muted tones, reinforcing the sense of history and prophecy. These gods are not merely characters - they are celestial beings whose very presence is carved into the cosmos itself.
The character designs are particularly stunning, carrying a Dark Souls-like gothic weight. Apokolips’s war-torn ruins feel like the remnants of a dying empire, while New Genesis gleams with an eerie, unsettling beauty. There’s an almost heavy-metal album cover quality to some of the imagery, recalling the grandeur of Moebius and the raw intensity of Warhammer 40K.
Final Verdict: A Cosmic Odyssey Worth Taking
If you’re looking for a straightforward superhero book, The New Gods #3 is not it. This is a story that demands your time, your patience, and your willingness to immerse yourself in its intricate mythos. Ram V’s writing is dense and poetic, while Cagle and Federici’s art transforms each panel into something that belongs in a cathedral of cosmic storytelling.
For fans of high-concept sci-fi and fantasy, this issue is a must-read. It’s the kind of book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished it, a scripture of gods and war that feels at once ancient and boldly new. If you love the philosophical weight of Sandman, the grandiosity of Thor: God of Thunder, and the raw cosmic chaos of Final Crisis, then you need to pick this up.
