NEW GODS #12 - Review

• Written by: Ram V

• Art by: Evan Cagle, Phil Hester, Ande Parks

• Colors by: Francesco Segala

• Letters by: Tom Napolitano

• Cover art by: Nimit Malavia

• Cover price: $3.99

• Release date: November 19, 2025

The New Gods #12, by DC Comics on 11/19/25, is the series finale’s boiling point, and it’s got more high-stakes soul searching than a Wall Street analyst staring down lunchtime.

First Impressions

From the jump, the comic slaps you with gods in existential crisis and mortals wriggling under cosmic pressure. The dialogue does not spare melodrama. every page tries to punch you with urgent decisions and tangled allegiances. Expect high energy and mythic angst, not calm reflection.​

Recap

Previously, Otis Tennant (human host for the Black Racer) felt death’s whisper in the Texan quiet, setting up a clash that blurred cosmic and human stakes. Mad Harriet’s scrap with Big Barda, Bernadeth’s shadow games, and Maxwell Lord’s machinations pulled Orion, Scott Free, and Desaad into a singularity of betrayal and philosophical jabs. Kamal’s unleashed power warped reality, leaving the heroes bracing for war and the issue closing on a promise of annihilation if the spirit of Darkseid should claim Kamal's body and power in the name of resurrection.​

Plot Analysis

The issue opens in chaotic memories of the past, gods and mortals scattered across war-torn landscapes and mind-bending realms. Orion’s struggles are front-and-center, wrestling traps from both his enemies and himself, laying bare the fear behind every mask. Scott Free is once again the target, with Desaad deploying elaborate traps and cosmic philosophies, leading to sharp escapes and introspective monologues.

As the cosmic battle rages, Kamal is driven ever deeper into the singularity crafted by Maxwell Lord, with power threatening to consume everyone. Terrific and the Mother Box orchestrate desperate countermeasures, opening portals and gathering allies as battles erupt across Apokolips and at Heaven’s Gate. Barda, Diana, and others must reassess loyalty, purpose, and fate while the tides of doom threaten to swallow reality.

Zooming out, Maxwell Lord’s grip slips and Lord’s schemes unravel, exposing the true stakes: the singularity, Darkseid’s awakening, and the fate of Kamal now a vessel for eight "opulences" from gods unknown. Scott Free, through sacrifice and resolve, helps the boy resist annihilation and reveals the true power of will, even as destinies collide and ancient prophecies bear fruit.

The climax strips all cosmic detritus down to the core: the Source itself. Kamal’s innocence pitted against annihilation, gods grappling with past mistakes, and Scott Free ascending as Highfather (maybe), and a contest of leadership and legacy that leaves the universe breathless as Darkseid awaits the final move. Resolution is bittersweet, hope flickers, and the promise: the new gods will return.​

Writing

This issue’s pacing toggles between breakneck fights and introspective slow burns. Dialogues are weighty, sometimes overstuffed with cosmic jargon, but they anchor the stakes around free will, existence, and the pain lurking behind heroics. Narrative structure bolts from one desperate act to another, sometimes at the expense of clarity, but rarely at the expense of tension.​

Art

The artwork is intricate, blending sharp action panels with spacious cosmic vistas. Composition shines in moments of conflict, layering characters over moody backgrounds and accentuating pivotal beats. Colors swing between vibrant and muted, marking tone shifts, though occasional crowding of panels muddles visual clarity, it generally serves the story’s chaos.​

Character Development

Orion and Scott Free get the lion's share of emotional meat, their personal growth exposed through fear, failure, and eventual acceptance. Kamal’s arc is sympathetic. He's not just a pawn, but a child forced into heroics. Secondary characters see less nuance but reflect ongoing series themes: gods struggling to be more than their titles, mortals fumbling with destiny.​

Originality & Concept Execution

The premise is a familiar swirl: gods, end-times, cosmic choices. What sets this issue apart is its commitment to exploring existential dread with a youthful lens. The source and singularity themes feel fresh, but execution occasionally wallows in high-concept ambiguity, sacrificing some readability for grandeur.​

Positives

The issue delivers on finality and emotional resonance, pinning high drama to decisive character moments. The climax’s handling of the Source and Kamal’s innocence provides memorable cosmic catharsis. Scott Free’s ascension (maybe) and the message of potential over destiny resonate as moments of authentic progression for longstanding fans.​

Negatives

At times, convoluted dialogue and excessive scene-jumping drag down pacing and dilute impact. Visual density in action sequences can overwhelm clarity, isolating key beats in noise rather than spotlight. Some secondary characters never get closure, leaving loose threads and complicating emotional payoff.

About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

The Scorecard

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): [2.5/4]
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): [3/4]
Value (Originality & Entertainment): [1/2]

Final Verdict

The New Gods #12 delivers a cosmic punch that rewards readers prepared for mythic melodrama and existential questions. If your budget tolerates a little narrative self-indulgence and art that sometimes spills off the rails, you’ll find emotional rewards atop the mounting chaos. Completionists and fans of ambitious storytelling should find it worth their time; casual readers may want to survey the battlefield first.

6.5/10

We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media: 

Connect With Us Here: Weird Science DC Comics / Weird Science Marvel Comics

If you're interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.

Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com

---

As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.