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Countdown #45: "Apokolips Now" BY FREE STEVE CHUNG
Last week in Countdown #46, we saw Jimmy Olsen putting his story together concerning the New Gods. But what exactly is known about Apokolips, home to those who live beneath the horrible Darkseid's rule?
For that, we must know some background about the residents and gods of Apokolips and New Genesis.
There came a time when the old gods died. In that moment, an incredible release of power tore their world asunder, and created two halves for the new forces to rise and grow, and receive the powers necessary to affect the universe in new ways.
New Genesis was given nobility and strength from the living atoms of Balduur, one of the old gods.
Apokolips was saturated with the evil and cunning from a sorceress, and spun in the shadow of New Genesis. Its surface was marred by massive fire pits, which served to illuminate its stark temples, where furious creatures worship destruction.
Darkseid rules over this dismal world, constantly in search of the Anti-Life Equation, with which he would rule the universe.
Among the dreaded areas on Apokolips are Armagetto, where the Hunger Dogs must labor endlessly to feed the fiery energy pits to supply light and power to the world; Darkseid's Tower Of Rage, a monumental fortress built in the monstrously evil stone-faced figure's image; and Granny Goodness's Happiness Home, where Scott Free, the son of Izaya, was raised to be one of Darkseid's Dog Soldiers.
Thanks in part to Metron of the New Gods, Scott escaped from Apokolips, and returned years later as Mister Miracle to repay Granny for her "kindness".
Post-Crisis: New Genesis was apparently destroyed, causing the New Gods to seek their place among the stars, and leaving Darkseid in the ruins of Apokolips, bitter and frustrated for a time.
Even so, the dark ruler sought to tarnish the legends of Earth's heroes, and brought the Man of Steel to Apokolips to test his mettle.
The amnesiac Superman was used as a pawn by Darkseid to stir the hearts and raise the spirits of the "Lowlies," so that at the proper time, they could be crushed as a reminder of their ruler's power.
Thanks to the staff at Lee's Comics for making this article possible. Check out their web site at http://www.lcomics.com/Posts: 21381 | From: PA | Registered: Aug 2002
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