Warning: Spoilers for The New Gods #5Now that Darkseid has been killed in the main DC Universe, it's finally safe for his estranged and presumed-dead son, Grayven, to return. Unfortunately for everyone else, Grayven is coming back with a terrifying new power, and an army that has already killed a New God.
The beloved New Gods created by Jack Kirby have existed on a plain above the normal DCU since their debut in 1971: the villainous Darkseid plotting from his hell planet of Apokolips, the benevolent New Gods resisting from their paradise of New Genesis. But with Darkseid now pulling the strings in DC's Absolute Universe, a horrifying new army has emerged to wipe out the New Gods like Darkseid never could. And to do it, they've recruited Darkseid's forgotten son, Grayven, with all new powers.
The creative team of Ram V, Evan Cagle, Andrew MacLean, and sco Segala deliver a piece of DC Comics history with The New Gods #5. Not only transforming Grayven into a new form of villain, but having Lightray, just the second New God ever to appear in Kirby's first issue, step in to fight him. Tragically, the fight will be Lightray's last.
The Return of Grayven, Darkseid's Forgotten Son
The Son of Darkseid Has Been Missing For Almost 20 Years
For many readers of modern DC Comics, the fact that Darkseid has a son (aside from the New God Orion, and his animalistic attack dog Kalibak) will be a shocking bit of news in itself. And they can't be blamed, because aside from a background cameo in The Green Lantern #3 in 2019, Grayven has been out of commission since he was (seemingly) killed back in 2007. The third biological son of Darkseid, born to an unknown mother, Grayven has actually delivered on the idea of 'Darkseid's son' more than either of his half-siblings.
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Still, New Gods #5 reveals that Grayven has been busy, scooped up by the seemingly unstoppable forces of the Nyctari. Referring to themselves as 'the Nightborn,' these intergalactic ravagers are spreading a divine mission to wipe out the New Gods, first on Apokolips, then New Genesis, and ultimately Earth. Grayven is given the chance to kill the New Gods' Highfather, using his new 'darkness' and his Omega Beams, but the heroic Lightray leaps in to take his place.
The Rebirth of Grayven Brings The Death of A New God
Lightray is Killed, Ending The Life of One of DC's First New Gods
Proving his powers by blocking Grayven's Omega Beams, Lightray is impaled and killed by the sword of the Nyctari leader, Karok Ator, and not the son of Darkseid himself. It will have to be left up to readers to decide if this is the result of a sneak attack between s, or a fair kill. But it's possible that by stepping in, Grayven has been issused a scathing judgement by his new commander. Either way, the sacrifice should be valued as exactly that, since Metron soon reveals to a reluctantly-rescued Highfather that Lightray knew this fight would kill him, and entered it willingly for his people.
While tragic in its own right, the death of Lightray may be just the first of many, many more. Aside from an armada and army capable of annihilating the New Gods' homeworlds, the Nyctari have one more edge. When obliterated by Highfather's energy, unleashing the full power he draws from the Source, the Nyctari proved to be unkillable, simply rebuilding themselves through their connection to the 'darkness.' How fitting, then, that Lightray should be the first to fall.
The New Gods #5 is available now from DC Comics.
