DC's 'New Gods' could be the perfect introduction for Mister Miracle, a pivotal figure in the war against Darkseid
The Marvel Cinematic Universe might be preparing to introduce the world to cosmic superheroes with 'The Eternals' but DC has its own race of space gods that will be introduced in an upcoming movie directed by Ava DuVernay. The New Gods are a race of cosmic beings who were introduced in Jack Kirby’s ‘Fourth World’ saga.
In the comics, the New Gods, who hail from the world of New Genesis, are locked in a never-ending war with the hellish world of Apokolips and its tyrannical ruler Darkseid. DuVernay confirmed on Twitter that the ‘New Gods’ movie will feature Darkseid and his loyal strikeforce of women warriors known as the Furies.
Responding to a question regarding the Furies’ inclusion in the movie, DuVernay said, ”How could any self-respecting Barda fan not include the Furies?! I’m looking forward to them so much.” Another user quizzed the director about Darkseid’s involvement, to which DuVernay responded with the cryptic phrase “Darkseid is.”
That phrase is one that constantly pops up in Tom King’s ‘Mister Miracle’ series, which won the writer an Eisner Award during the San Diego Comic-Con 2019. King and DuVernay are collaborating on the script for ‘New Gods’ which is currently in development.
It is expected that the movie will take inspiration from the ‘Mister Miracle’ series, which could mean ‘New Gods’ will introduce Scott Free aka Mister Miracle as its lead character. Born as the son of the Highfather of New Genesis, Scott could have had a happy life growing up on the paradise-like world.
Unfortunately, he was sent to live on Apokolips as the result of a deal struck between his father and Darkseid. Growing up in the torture pits of Apokolips, the son of the Highfather earned the nickname “Scott Free” because of his uncanny ability to escape any trap he is put into.
Upon reaching adulthood, he managed to escape the hellish wasteland for good and make his way to Earth, where he would become the escape artist and superhero known as Mister Miracle, eventually marrying the love of his life, former Fury Big Barda. In King’s ‘Mister Miracle’, Scott and Barda have a child and struggle to balance family life with their superhero careers.
It is a deeply philosophical narrative, starting with Scott’s attempted suicide in the very first issue and examining the character and his mental health throughout the rest of the series. The storyline combines and contrasts “slice-of-life” realism with all the glamor and drama of superhero battles in a way that is rarely seen in the graphic medium.
The comic book also gives us a good look at Scott and Barda’s extremely adorable relationship. Some scenes find the couple discussing their personal lives while fighting supervillains and storming fortresses in an off-hand and realistic way. They’re conversations any couple would have in their normal lives but the fact that these two are so far from “normal” makes it all the more interesting.
Scott’s escape to Earth is the event that restarts the war between New Genesis and Apokolips in the comics, which makes him excellent means to introduce Darkseid and the rest of the Fourth World. If DuVernay and King are indeed taking inspiration from the ‘Mister Miracle’ series in the scripting of ‘New Gods’, the film has the potential to not just be a great superhero movie but also an excellent story of love, identity and mental health set against the backdrop of an epic war.
'New Gods' is yet to receive a release date but seeing as the script is still in development, we can probably only expect to see the movie hit theaters at the earliest by late 2020 or early 2021.
