Highfather

Highfather (Izaya) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. An integral part of Jack Kirby's Fourth World mythos, Highfather is a New God, the leader of the planet New Genesis, and the good counterpart of Darkseid.^[1][2]

Highfather
Highfather as depicted in Who’s Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #10 (December 1985). Art by Jack Kirby and Mike Royer.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	The New Gods #1 (February/March 1971)
Created by	Jack Kirby
In-story information
Alter ego	Izaya the Inheritor
Species	New God
Place of origin	New Genesis
Team affiliations	New Gods
Notable aliases	The All-Father Lightseid God of Good Master of Light Light God Ixaya
Abilities	Immortality Ability to commune with the Source Super strength, durability, speed and senses Alpha powers and energy manipulation Telepathy Life Equation (formerly) Wields The Golden Staff

Highfather has been adapted into various media outside comics, primarily in association with the New Gods. Mitchell Ryan, Mark Rolston, and Richard Chamberlain have voiced the character in animation.

Publication history

Highfather was created by Jack Kirby and first appeared in The New Gods #1 (March 1971).^[3]

The character played a significant role in The Great Darkness Saga, a 1982 storyline in Legion of Super-Heroes. In the story, he is reborn in the 31st century and helps the Legion battle Darkseid.^[4]

Fictional character history

Izaya is a warrior and the leader of New Genesis. After Steppenwolf murders his wife Avia, Izaya participates in the war against Apokolips before enacting a peace treaty with them. To this end, he trades his son Scott Free to Apokolips and adopts Darkseid's son Orion.^[5][6] Scott later escapes Apokolips, breaking the treaty.

Highfather often consults the Source when making his decisions. Though never stated explicitly in the New Gods series, the Source is implied to be some form of higher power (perhaps even God), making Izaya a spiritual as well as the political leader of his people. As ruler of New Genesis, he is kind, compassionate, and caring but ready to defend it from any threat.

In Genesis, Highfather is killed in battle with Ares and succeeded by Takion.^[7] His spirit joins the Quintessence, a council of cosmic entities.

In New Gods (vol. 5), Highfather is anxious over a prophecy from Metron about a child who will either bring peace, or war to New Genesis. He sends Orion to kill said child to prevent the prophecy from coming to pass.

In The New 52 continuity reboot, Izaya is resurrected and depicted as the founder of New Genesis. Additionally, he is morally ambiguous rather than purely good, and Infinity-Man is the embodiment of his conscience.^[1][8]

Powers and abilities

As a New God, Highfather is nigh-immortal and possesses superhuman physical abilities. He can channel the Source via his staff and once wielded the Life Equation, which enabled him to manipulate reality.

Other versions

An alternate universe variant of Highfather appears in JLA: The Nail.

In other media

Television

• Highfather appears in series set in the DC Animated Universe (DCAU). Following non-speaking cameo appearances in Superman: The Animated Series, he appears in the Justice League episode "Twilight", voiced by Mitchell Ryan.^[9]
• Highfather appears in the fourth season of Young Justice, voiced by Mark Rolston.^[9] This version is named Iyaza and his wife Avia is still alive.

Film

An alternate universe variant of Highfather appears in Justice League: Gods and Monsters, voiced by Richard Chamberlain.^[9] This version wed Bekka to Orion to bring Apokolips and New Genesis together, subsequently betraying Darkseid and killing him and his elite, including Orion. This action causes Bekka to leave for Earth.

Video games

Highfather appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.^[10]

Miscellaneous

Highfather appears in the Injustice: Gods Among Us prequel comic.