New Genesis
| New Genesis | |
|---|---|
| File:Map newgenesis.jpg Map of New Genesis as drawn by John Byrne | |
| Created by | Jack Kirby |
| Genre | Comics |
| In-universe information | |
| Race(s) | New Gods |
| Locations | Necropolis |
| Characters | Highfather Mister Miracle Lightray |
New Genesis is a fictional planet in the DC Comics Universe (or rather, in a parallel dimension adjacent to it). It is the home-planet of the New Gods from Jack Kirby's Fourth World metaseries.
History
New Genesis and its dark counterpart, Apokolips, were spawned by the destruction of the world of the "Old Gods" (initially implied to be the gods of classical mythology, though versions of these characters have since been revealed to still exist in the DC Universe). New Genesis and Apokolips are locked in an eternal war, symbolizing the struggle of good and evil on a grand mythic scale.
New Genesis is ruled by a being known as the Highfather, a spiritual leader who maintains his people's connection to the primal energy field known as The Source. The original Highfather, Izaya the Inheritor, has since perished and been replaced by Earthling superhero Takion, a living conduit of The Source.
In contrast to the industrial wasteland of Apokolips, New Genesis is a veritable paradise covered in lush forests and grasslands. The only urban location is Supertown, a floating city designed not to affect the planet's surface.
Inhabitants
There are two types of inhabitants of New Genesis. The first are called the "gods" or "New Gods" (the upper class), a race of powerful immortals. The gods live in Supertown. The "bugs" (the lower class) evolved from "micro-life" spread on the planet's surface during the gods' war. They live on the planet's surface, in hives or the "Bug Mound." There is occasionally prejudice between these two races, as many of the gods consider the bug-people to be a lesser species.
Travel
As it exists in a parallel dimension, travel between New Genesis and other worlds is only possible via technology known as the boom tube, dimensional gateways whose creation is signified by a sonic boom. It has been revealed that in their world, the gods of New Genesis are of gigantic stature and that travel through the boom tubes rescales them to mortal proportions.
Ragnarok
Both Apokolips and New Genesis were seemingly destroyed in a final conflict, similar to that which destroyed 'Urgrund home of the Old Gods prior to Grant Morrison's Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle mini-series. However, the final issue of that series implied that the story's earlier events were merely visions seen by the hero as part of an elaborate test by the New God Metron. How much of the battle really happened and the current status of the New Gods remains to be seen. It has been established by events in Countdown and Countdown to Mystery that Apokolips and much of darkseids forces still exist.
Necropolis
The Necropolis is an underground labyrinth located on New Genesis, it is home to the Dreggs, last surviving Old Gods. The Dreggs survived the sundering of Urgrund but were rendered mindless. Below the Necropolis are the Black Ways, a labyrinth which was the prison of Sirius, one of the last few surviving Old Gods, stuck in the form of a large wolf. Sirius sacrificed himself in order to save the life of Orion. As seen in Orion #10, (March 2001). Powerful artifacts created by the Old Gods have been found in the Necropolis. A sword found in the ruins of Asgaard briefly gave John Hedley superhuman powers, which he used to challenge Orion. As seen in New Gods #16, (May 1990). And Kalibak discovered the Thunderbelt, a device which increased his strength and durability. New Genesis also has many ruined cities from the time of the Old Gods, Lonar found his mystical war horse Thunderer in one of these ruins.
Alternate versions
In Amalgam Comics, New Genesis is combined with Asgard to form New Asgard.