The Death Of The New Gods#3(2007)

On Apokolips, Superman, Orion, and Mister Miracle arrive and are confronted by Parademons. They defeat them easily and soon find scores of Darkseid's Apokoliptian storm troopers dead with their chests ripped open. They go to Darkseid's palace where they meet Darkseid's minions, including Granny Goodness. The heroes learn that Darkseid has secluded himself within his throne room and will only see Desaad. At the Source Wall, Himon conducts tests, but cannot find the reason that Takion has lost contact with the Source. He leaves Takion to attempt to commune with the Source, suggesting proximity may help. He beseeches the Source for answers but cannot establish contact. Soon he finds that the Black Racer is among those composing the new second Source Wall. However, before he can consider this, he is attacked by the mysterious assailant who has been murdering New Gods. Takion is killed, his soul ripped from him. Superman, Orion, and Mister Miracle make their way to Darkseid's throne room and encounter his Shadow Demons. Superman stays behind to allow the others to go confront Darkseid. Superman soon learns that these Shadow Demons are not like those he has encountered before. As they overwhelm him, he reflects that they are perverted into something more dangerous. In Darkseid's throne room, Orion, and Mister Miracle confront Darkseid and Desaad. Darkseid uses his partial Anti-Life Equation to attempt to attack the heroes, but Scott reveals that he has full control over the complete Equation. Darkseid calls his Shadow Demons away from finishing Superman to protect himself, but Scott dispels them easily. Scott then uses the Equation to freeze Darkseid in place but soon learns that Darkseid's partial Equation will make any attempt to force him to reveal all he knows fail. Darkseid reveals only that the New Gods are doomed. Orion endorses killing Darkseid, but Scott refuses, saying that he may be valuable in this struggle to stave off extinction. As the heroes leave, it is revealed that Kalibak has learned that Scott possesses the full Equation. Kalibak thinks Darkseid compromised and decides to take Apokolips for himself by making an as-yet unrevealed alliance. Back on New Genesis, Superman, Orion, and Mister Miracle arrive to find Takion dead. Orion and Superman meet with Gideon and other New Gods to discuss a replacement for Takion as leader of New Genesis. Orion and Scott are raised as candidates, but Scott is deemed to be unacceptable due to his mourning and recent reckless behavior, while Orion is rejected because of his temper and impulsiveness. Orion suggests Himon and all agree. Outside, Scott and Himon discuss the situation, with Scott accusing the Source of abandoning them. Himon responds that the Source's goal is always to better creation, and surmises that this may be his plan to create a new beginning. Scott rejects this as the new beginning would not include Barda. On Apokolips, Darkseid confirms to Desaad that expects that all the New Gods will die, but he intends to exploit death in some as-yet unrevealed way. He releases Desaad from his service with one final request, that Desaad give him all his information on something called the Soul Fire Project. The mention of the Prjoect elicits fear in Desaad who reminds Darkseid that the Project was a failure. Elsewhere, Mantis awakens and finds his fellow insect brethren dead. Back in Supertown, it is revealed that Himon and Gideon have located the Supercycle, the transport of the Forever People, on the other side of New Genesis. Orion, Scott, and Superman go to investigate. At the Source Wall, Metron warps back to reality revealing that he observed the murder of Takion and now knows the identity of the killer. However, before he can act, he must gather more information, including foremost, why the killer betrayed the New Gods.