New Genesis is a forest world with tall trees and vegetation of analogous colors. The skies are a neon-green color during the daytime but change to a violet hue at nightfall. The terrain is relatively placid and comprises small hills and rock formations scattered across the surface. Among the planet's population are the New Gods, who reside in the floating metropolis of Supertown in the skies, while the insectoid Bugs inhabit the ground beneath them. The atmosphere is surprisingly favorable to vastly different species, including the native New Gods and Bug populace, and also to off-worlders like Humans and Martians. Crystals can be harvested in enough quantity for trade, as can wild-grown food.[2]
Led by Highfather,[2] the New Gods are said to be gods of life, freedom, and the Source, a stark contrast to their enemies on Apokolips. The New Gods of New Genesis, such as the Forever People, are bestowed with super-abilities and Motherboxes but similar technology is produced on Apokolips and trafficked to their constituents off-world.[1] The New Gods have at least some social stratification, with the high-born distinguished from the low-bown. The New Gods' security needs are met by the Divine Guard.[4]
The New Gods of New Genesis have a truce with Apokolips which prevents either side from directly moving against the other. The truce was forged at great cost and both sides are extremely reluctant to break it.[5] The New Gods entered into a treaty with the Justice League and Green Lantern Corps.[4]
The surface-dwelling Bugs fight a different kind of "war" against the New Gods of Supertown. The geographical separation of the two races is emblematic of the contentious relationship that exists between them. Some Bugs, such as Mantis, perceive themselves as an oppressed class at the hands of the New Gods of Supertown.[2]
Mantis, Forager and other Bugs of the Forest Hive presented crystals for trade to what they thought to be Orion. They were betrayed by "Orion", who took their goods and left. Mantis swore revenge, but Forager was dubious.
Forager sought the help of the Forever People. Knowing Orion was off-world, they investigated and found human DNA at the scene. Bear sought the help of the Team and brought them to New Genesis. Miss Martian realized that "Orion" was really her brother, Ma'alefa'ak, who was using his telepathic abilities to stoke the Bugs' anger. Ma'alefa'ak had made a deal with Apokolips to instigate trouble on New Genesis in exchange for help with his A'ashenn revolution on Mars. Ma'alefa'ak was defeated, but the damage was done; Mantis and the other Bugs remained deeply distrustful of the New Gods and banished Forager.[2]
The New Gods and the League tracked the Cell to the Mountain Hive. They were eventually able to convince the Bugs to give back the malfunctioning device, but had to track down two larvae who had run off with it.[6] Before the device was retrieved, Ma'alefa'ak placed a tracer linked to the Kaizer-Thrall on it.[3]
The Green Lanterns Tomar-Re and Kilowog received a distress call from an asteroid field near the planet as they approached for the conference. They found and rescued Razer.
Rocket attempted to smooth things over with Orion, unaware she was actually talking to Ma'alefa'ak. The Martian used the encounter to gain intel needed to help Lor-Zod find the Phantom Zone Projector, and they went back in time in their Time-Sphere.
Later, the conference resumed, but continued to go poorly, not helped by interruptions by Bear. Metron later burst into the talks with a dire warning.[3]
Orion's squad battled Lor-Zod's team. Lor activated the Projector, but it awoke the Promethean that made up the crater. Tomar-Re was able to prevent the Promethean from igniting the atmosphere, but was killed by Lor. The Projector was destroyed by the Bio-Ship before anyone could get out.[4]
