Genesis (DC Comics)

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Genesis
Genesis #2 featuring Highfather, art by Alan Davis
Publisher DC Comics Schedule weekly Format mini-series Publication dates Issue #1-4 October 1997 Number of issues 4 Main character(s) Highfather Darkseid Superman Creative team as of October 1997 Writer(s) John Byrne Penciller(s) Ron Wagner Inker(s) Joe Rubinstein Colourist(s) Patricia Mulvihill Creator(s) John Byrne Ron Wagner

Genesis was a 4-part comic book event miniseries/crossover published by DC Comics, which had tie-ins with most of DC's ongoing series set in the DC Universe. The miniseries itself was published weekly in August 1997, written by John Byrne, with art by Ron Wagner and Joe Rubenstein.

Contents 1 Plot 2 Trivia 3 Criticism 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Plot

The storyline centered on the New Gods and their traditional enemy Darkseid, but involved all of DC's super-powered characters either directly or implicitly. It retconned the source of all super powers in the DC Universe to "the Godwave", an interstellar phenomenon that had previously created gods on various planets through the universe (e.g. on Earth the Greek, Egyptian, and Norse pantheons). This wave eventually traveled far enough along that it reflected back. On its second pass, it empowered superheros of all types in the 20th century. This phenomenon manifested itself in various ways, as a kind of grand unified theory tying together the Source, the Green Lanterns' power rings, the Speed Force, the power of Shazam, Kryptonian abilities, gifts from the Olympian gods, etc.

The focus of the series is how the wave is threatening reality when it finally rebounds back to its originating spot.

Darkseid's attempt to seize the power of the Godwave disrupts these abilities, either neutralizing them or altering them drastically into other powers.

The heroes of Earth and the New Gods, those still active, battle to prevent Darkseid from accomplishing his plans.

The wave also had the after-effect of making humans feel like there was nothing left to live for.

[edit] Trivia

• The story was described by Byrne as "the most important and significant thing that has ever happened to these heroes, but it doesn't really change anything," quoting a statement by Jim Shooter about the best kinds of superhero stories.

[edit] Criticism

• The main story and the tie-ins were widely criticized, for the retcon changing the nature of the various heroes' powers, for the lack of other consequences of a story which had been promoted for its importance, and for the quality of the story itself.^[1][2]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• The Unofficial Genesis index
• The Superman Database - Full list of every issue of “Genesis” ever published w/ Cover Art and more.