Death of the New Gods is a 2007 storyline, starting as part of Countdown to Final Crisis (Volume 1) but mostly told in Death of the New Gods (Volume 1), written and drawn by Jim Starlin. A mysterious assassin has begun eliminating the New Gods, taking no prisoners. While Jimmy Olsen and Forager investigate within the pages of Countdown, the main storyline in the eight-issue Death of the New Gods, has Mister Miracle, Orion, and Superman investigate the problem in the Fourth World.
History
Synopsis
Infinity Man is suspected by Superman, Mr. Miracle, and Orion to be the mystery killer behind the recent deaths of the New Gods. However, the Mother Box used to summon him appears to have been destroyed and the Forever People murdered. Later it is revealed that Infinity-Man is, in fact, the killer of New Gods. He had been posing as Himon to avoid detection. Gog challenged him to battle as a "false god", but after defeating him, Infinity Man teleported away. His motive in killing the New Gods remains unclear, however, he claims to be acting on behalf of the Source itself, revealed as the "good" half of an entity that previously encompassed the Source and the Anti-Life Equation, and his killing were aimed to reunite both aspects.
Meanwhile, Darkseid orchestrated events to his liking, observing what was happening across the universe as the death of the Fourth World drew near, plotting to remake the universe in his own image. As New Gods were killed across the galaxy, Darkseid marshaled his forces on Apokolips, even resurrecting Virman Vundabar despite his earlier attempt to assassinate Darkseid--notably putting his forces in defensive deployments. In conversation with Metron, he then indicated that he knew more than his fellow New Gods about what was transpiring with the mysterious God-killer, which he refused to share, content in knowing more than Metron for once. It has since been revealed that Darkseid appears to be manipulating almost all the key characters in Countdown to Final Crisis on a giant cosmic chess board. He has given his protection to Jimmy Olsen, vaporizing a parademon for attacking him, and he has ensured that Karate Kid, carrier of the Morticoccus virus, survives. His reasons for both these are unknown. Later he attempts to recruit Mary Marvel as his sorceress using his pawn Eclipso, but she turns on him and escapes. He has also assigned Desaad to ensure the "Great Disaster" comes about, and assigned Granny Goodness to recruit new Female Furies from Earth in the guise of Athena. It has been indicated Darkseid seeks the rise of the "Fifth World", possibly on Earth, and is harnessing the Great Disaster and the Death of the New Gods to bring this about.
Issues
Main Storyline
- Death of the New Gods #1
- Death of the New Gods #2
- Death of the New Gods #3
- Death of the New Gods #4
- Death of the New Gods #5
- Death of the New Gods #6
- Death of the New Gods #7
- Death of the New Gods #8
Recommended Reading
- Death of the New Gods (Volume 1)
- Countdown (Volume 1)
- Countdown Special: New Gods #1
- New Gods (Volume 1)
- Mister Miracle (Volume 1)
- Forever People (Volume 1)
- "Tales of the New Gods"