Genesis (DC Comics)

Infobox comic book title
title=Genesis


caption=Genesis #2 featuring Highfather, art by Alan Davis
schedule=Weekly
format=
limited =y
limited = y
publisher=DC Comics
date=August 1997
issues=4
main_char_team=Highfather Darkseid Superman
writers=John Byrne
artists=
pencillers=Ron Wagner
inkers=Joe Rubinstein
colorists=Patricia Mulvihill
creators =John Byrne Ron Wagner
TPB=
ISBN=
subcat=DC Comics
sort=Genesis (DC Comics)

"Genesis" was a four-issue comic book mini-series crossover storyline published weekly by DC Comics in August 1997. The series was written by John Byrne and drawn by Ron Wagner and Joe Rubinstein. The series was critically panned by fans and comic professionals for the lack of long-term effects on continuity and changing the nature of the powers of superheroes by suggesting that various energies (e.g.; the Speed Force used by the Flash, the energies used by the Green Lantern Corps, and the Quantum Field used by Captain Atom), were actually manifestations of the the Source in the form of a grand unified theory. ["What in the *world* were they thinking? I've long been a fan of the Fourth World characters, and I've long been a fan of John Byrne. This has almost sworn me off of both. In fact, I decided by the end of GENESIS that Iwas no longer interested in JACK KIRBY'S FOURTH WORLD." [http://www.supermanhomepage.com/other/kryptonian-cybernet/kc42.txt SUPERSCRIPTS: Notes from the Editor] ] Due to the critical backlash, the series and concepts introduced within were susequently ignored by DC editors and writers.

Plot

The storyline centers on the New Gods of New Genesis and their enemy Darkseid and involves all of DC's super-powered characters. The storyline introduced the concept of the "Godwave", an interstellar phenomenon that on its first pass, created gods on various planets through the universe, such as the Greek, Egyptian, and Norse pantheons on Earth. The Godwave then reached the edge of the universe and bounced back, creating superhumans on its second pass.

The series focused on how the wave threatens reality when it rebounds back to its starting point on its third pass. Darkseid attempts to seize the power of the Godwave, which disrupts the abilities of various superheroes, either neutralizing them or altering them drastically into other powers. The wave also had the after-effect of making humans feel like something was missing. Some simply think it's a case of the blues, while others despair so badly they commit suicide.

The heroes of Earth and the New Gods of New Genesis battle to prevent Darkseid from accomplishing his plans. Darkseid's forces again stage an invasion of Earth before travelling to the Source Wall to confront the heroes.

References

References

*comicbookdb|type=storyarc|id=26|title=Genesis