There has been a new genesis. All is changed, yet all remains the same. In the span of an instant, the cosmos has been unmade and remade. The plans of gods and mortals have been undone ... yet remain unaltered. 
- — Metron
Genesis #4 is an issue of the series Genesis (Volume 1) with a cover date of October, 1997.
Synopsis for "Last God Standing"
The assembled superheroes barely escape the effects of the shattered Source Wall. The old god Arzaz especially is responsible for helping those who cannot simply fly away. Steel talks about what the smaller group endured after they entered the Source. In the end, due to someone's efforts they were not able to reach the Godwave itself. When suddenly everything went black, they were expelled from the Source. Arzaz discovers that Darkseid is still on his huge ship, so he believes that there is another player present they do not yet know about. Shortly after that, Metron arrives and tells everybody that the unknown subject is non other than Ares. Darkseid is not too disturbed by these news. He thinks that the god of war will be vulnerable before he completely claims the power of the Godwave. Still, Darkseid agrees with Arzaz to join forces with the heroes.
Soon, Arzaz summons the Nameless One before Ares, who is absorbing the power of the Source. Nameless One, his opposite. The Nameless One thinks this will be their final battle. However, Arzaz reveals what is happening. The denizens of the universe, sensing the impending doom, have begun to pray. These purported lower beings are capable of coming together in hope. Arzaz tells the Nameless One that the psychics of Earth have reached out into the universe to create a connection with other psychics to gather this joined hope in the form of psychic energy. The link between minds reaches out to everything that thinks, hopes, and dreams. The psychic power is being focused through the combined New Genesis and Apokolips causing it to become part of the Source. Metron is able use this combined psychic power focused through the planet to bind Ares and access the power Ares seeks to absorb. Metron is able send that power back into the Source and the universe, but without wiping clean all of creation. Instead, the damage done is healed and the universe returns to its former status. As the power flows through Apokolips and New Genesis, the planets separate into two and Ares is defeated.
In the aftermath, the heroes have a hard time remembering what originally happened because now everything seems to be the same as it was before the destruction of the Source Wall. One difference is that the wall now also consists of Darkseid, Ares, Arzazm, and the Nameless One. But Metron thinks that there may be other alterations of reality as well. Donna Troy feeling somehow different may be one indicator ...
Appearing in "Last God Standing"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Artemis
- Atom
- Captain Marvel
- Donna Troy
- Hippolyta
- Kaliber
- Mary Marvel
- Saturn Girl
- Shazam
- Spark
- Spectre
- Steel
- Warrior
Antagonists:
- Ares
- Darkseid
- Desaad
- Female Furies
- Granny Goodness
- Kalibak
- Kanto the Assassin
- Nameless One
- Mantis
- Parademons
Other Characters:
- Captain Atom
- Catwoman
- Darkstars
- Huntress
- Impulse
- Jesse Quick
- Kindred Marx
- Legion of Super-Heroes
- Max Mercury
- Nightwing
- Omega Men
- Ravers
- Ray
- Robin
- Starman
- Superboy
- Supergirl
- Teen Titans
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
See Also
Links and References
  Genesis Crossover Core Issues
Tie-Ins
Aquaman #37 • Azrael #34 • Batman #547 • Green Lantern #91 • Impulse #30 • Jack Kirby's Fourth World #8 • Legion of Super-Heroes #97 • Lobo #44 • The Power of Shazam! #31 • Resurrection Man #6 • Robin #46 • Sovereign Seven #27 • Spectre #58 • Starman #35 • Steel #43 • Superboy and the Ravers #14 • Supergirl #14 • Superman #128 • Superman: The Man of Steel #72 • Teen Titans #13 • Wonder Woman #126 • Xero #6 • Young Heroes in Love #5 |