Orion: The Gates of Apokolips

Rating:
Summary: The stories don't live up to the hype.
Review: ...Orion is one of the most powerful and compelling characters in the DCU! What makes Orion so intriguing is his state of conflict between good and evil. Though Orion is a "hero", he's likely to treat his foes with measures as ruthless as the most heartless of evildoers. But though he is a "dark hero" he's no angst-driven crybaby. Orion is a creature of sheer will whose first impulse is to directly attack whatever threatens him. Walter Simonson has captured the spirit and character of Orion beautifully. This collection is a must have for both fans of Kirby's Fourth World and newcomers alike.

Rating:
Summary: Orion is awesome
Review: ...Orion is one of the most powerful and compelling characters in the DCU! What makes Orion so intriguing is his state of conflict between good and evil. Though Orion is a "hero", he's likely to treat his foes with measures as ruthless as the most heartless of evildoers. But though he is a "dark hero" he's no angst-driven crybaby. Orion is a creature of sheer will whose first impulse is to directly attack whatever threatens him. Walter Simonson has captured the spirit and character of Orion beautifully. This collection is a must have for both fans of Kirby's Fourth World and newcomers alike.

Rating:
Summary: Orion is awesome
Review: ...Orion is one of the most powerful and compelling characters in the DCU! What makes Orion so intriguing is his state of conflict between good and evil. Though Orion is a "hero", he's likely to treat his foes with measures as ruthless as the most heartless of evildoers. But though he is a "dark hero" he's no angst-driven crybaby. Orion is a creature of sheer will whose first impulse is to directly attack whatever threatens him. Walter Simonson has captured the spirit and character of Orion beautifully. This collection is a must have for both fans of Kirby's Fourth World and newcomers alike.

Rating:
Summary: Better Than Kirby?
Review: Dare I say it? Walt Simonson writes and draws Jack Kirby's characters even better than the King himself. Now don't get me wrong, I like Kirby. I wrote a very positive review of the trades that collects the first half of his original New GOds series, but this is even better! In many ways it is a sequel to Kirby's work and also follows a similar style at some points. It is, however, much faster paced, and free of some of the out of date comic book conventions that were prevelant during Kirby's time. Simonson's art is also stunning ... for the most part. Ironically, the cover of the trade is one of the book's worst pieces of art so don't let that turn you off. The other covers, collected inside, are much better. I guess they weren't used because they were not as representative of the whole story.
In this fantastic story Darkseid finally discovers the secret of the anti-life equation and goes about taking over earth. This is one of the paralels that this book has with KIrby's original New Gods, which also featured a Darkseid plot on earth. I totally disagree with one of the other reviewers who critisized the book for having a long fight scene. True, the fight scene took up a whole chapter, but it came at the end of a well written storyline. Taken on its own, it would be boring but as a whole it is a fitting climax to a well written, intellenget story.
This book also features short Tales of the New Gods, which spotlight different New GOds characters. Sometimes it character development and at other times it gives us interesting glimpses into the origins of these classic characters.
In fact, these short stories are even better than the main storyline. This is a brilliant story about ORion's birth and another about Granny Goodness's past. Guest artists on these short stories include FRank MIller, Jon Bogdanove and Klaus Janson.

Rating:
Summary: This book was only the setup for a MASTERPIECE to follow!
Review: This book collects the early issues of the Orion series, which depict his rise to the throne of Apokilips, but this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Since the series is over, it's unlikely the rest of the run will be collected in trades, and that's a shame because the next twenty issues or so were as good as comics can get, every bit as "mature and intellectual" as Sandman, but in an all-ages superhero-oriented comic! Sound impossible? I thought so too.

Orion goes on to master the Anti-Life Equation, which makes him the total master of all life. No free will can exist before him. Everyone does his bidding and is happy to do so, no matter what their previous opinion might have been. If he ordered it, you would gladly murder your whole family and be glad for the opportunity to serve.

That kind of ultimate power is a villain's dream come true, but how can a HERO handle it?

The Orion series is Lord Acton put to the test, proving that ANY use of ultimate power leads to ruin. Absolute power corrupts absolutely and the intentions of the wielder are utterly irrelevant. Whether you use absolute power to bring about the most perfect virtue or the worst sin, you are equally corrupt and equally guilty.

This is what Orion lears the hard way.

Comics have never been smarter. DC Comics, please let the world read this masterpiece in collected form!

Rating:
Summary: This is what comics & Science Fiction are about!
Review: This is a magnificent piece of storytelling! Walter Simonson takes these characters and uses them like only Jack Kirby has before. Not only that but he makes you care for characters that you have never seen or liked before and then,(nah, that would be a spoiler!) Suffice it to say unlike most comics things actually change! Characters may live or maybe not! In wars people (and gods)die! Simonson realistically remembers and writes this way. At long last Darkseid is near to achieving ultimate power, as always Earth is involved. The reason is that Earth and it populace gives scale when they interact with the gods. This story surprisingly enough, requires no past knowledge of these characters. As a matter of fact no prior knowledge is a good thing in this case, as many seemed biased against these characters. At long last we have a final(?) resolution to a conflict that started in the early 70's. This is an epic adventure and one that is just beginning! This is one comic that would work better as a novel. It seems it may be much too science fiction like for many comic fans. A pity really since Kirby's characters predate Star Wars and the Luke/Vader and Orion/Darkseid parallels seem so clear! Science fiction fans should give this a chance, those who like Star Wars should enjoy this book.

Rating:
Summary: The stories don't live up to the hype.
Review: this was really a disapointing run of Orion stories. THE Mystery of wither Orion and Darkseid are really father and son is never resolved. Just a big fight scene at the end,which is very under-welming.

Rating:
Summary: Takes the wrong approach
Review: Walter Simonson is best known for working magic with THOR, and he deserves everlasting praise for that run. Plots were complex and tight, they didn't speak down to the reader, and the art/design was fantastic. I felt from the start, however, that his ORION series was misdirected. I can admire Simonson greatly for wanting to try his hand at reviving the New Gods, and in all honesty, that's what this book should really be - THE NEW GODS. No matter how hard the editors and writers at DC try to build Orion up, either through plot twists, redesigns, or bringing him to the fore, he will always be a secondary player in the DCU. Even though NG creator Jack Kirby used Orion as a focal character in the original NEW GODS series, it was a book about multiple characters and their interactions with each other. Orion doesn't have the strength to carry this series, and it shows in the storyline; especially in the fact that it includes numerous short tales focusing on other characters. I'm especially disappointed that the first issue instantly slaps you in the face with Darkseid receiving the anti-life equation (after ALLLLLL these years), as well as throwing you an absurd continuity twist, apparently for the purpose of staging the final battle between Orion and Darkseid (possibly tying in to Kingdom Come?). Top this off with a conclusion featuring nothing but page-eating panels of Orion and Darkseid in combat. No words, just lots of hitting and trademark Simonson sound effects. I'm highly put off by this series and won't be sticking with it. If Simonson were to have concentrated more on a story appropriate for this GROUP of characters, and taken it slowly instead of utilizing a shotgun approach, he might have had something here. As it is, it's just a mess.