About

The son of the diabolical Darkseid, raised by Highfather on New Genesis. The Dog of War constantly struggles with his dark nature and peaceful upbringing.

The Pact
Apokolips and New Genesis have always stood at the brink of war. In order to broker peace, or at least delay the inevitable, each planet's ruler gave the other his son to raise forming a peace treaty known as 'The Pact'. So, Darkseid received Highfather Izaya's son, Scott Free (aka Mr. Miracle), while Highfather raised Orion.This was a questionable choice for Darkseid because of a prophecy regarding Orion's future. It was foretold that Father and Son would meet for a final battle to decide the fate of Apokolips, and that Orion would defeat his father amid the fire-pits of Apokolips deciding the fate of the War between the twin worlds. An event Darkseid was sure would never pass, yet that he unwittingly set into motion.

The Son of Darkseid
Orion: Warrior

Orion: Warrior

On New Genesis, Orion's savage nature quickly made him stand out amidst the peaceful natives. The dark fury that boiled within him could barely be contained, and so Orion was given a Mother Box, a sentient computer, to calm his temper. Orion's Mother Box spends much of her time trying to calm the raging soul within Orion. Orion was also taught by the Highfather to respect the Source, a training that has given Orion something to meditate on to placate his anger. He has also made many friends on New Genesis, including Scott Free and Big Barda (both of whom have escaped from a life of cruelty on Apokolips). Most importantly, Orion was befriended by Lightray, the cheery, friendly "beam of light" of New Genesis. Despite the superficial and even temperamental differences, the two are best of friends. It is the teachings and friendships that has steeled Orion's conviction when he goes to defend New Genesis.

The Dog of War
Dog of War

Dog of War

Orion possesses strength, stamina and durability that can make him more of a match for Superman or Wonder Woman. The evil of Darkseid, an insatiable inner demon that fuels Orion with the fury he constantly wrestles with has made him the fiercest warrior among all the New Gods. His ferocity in combat, which is legendary, is what has earned him the title "Dog of War".

Orion usually comes into battle on his Astro-Harness. This is an highly advanced device of unknown origins powered by the Astro-Force or certainly the Source. The harness goes over his shoulders and around his waist. There are foot stirrups and a propulsion system on the back that allows interstellar flight at near light speeds. On each arm is a small cannon that Orion can use to fire powerful and destructive beams of Astro-Force. The Astro-Harness can also generate force fields.

The Astro-Harness, like many of the technology of New Genesis, can repair itself. Orion's Mother Box can also attach to the harness, but this is an ability of the Mother Box, not the Astro-Harness.

What is unique to the Astro-Harness is that only Orion can use it. He has even been shown to fire the Astro-Force from his wristbands. The Astro-Force is described as the Wrath of the Source and due to Orion's warring nature, he who is "poised between the ferocity of Apokolips and the compassion of New Genesis" only Orion can control it. Though if Orion were to lose sight of the Source and succumb to the fury within him, he would lose his ability to wield the Astro-Force, but he would gain a strength and ferocity that would make Gods tremble.

Orion: Hero
Kryptonian vs New God

Kryptonian vs New God
Interaction with Earth
During his travels Orion has proven himself a hero many times. His first encounter with Earth's heroes was through Superman. He was sent by Highfather to retrieve him for an audience. Having limited knowledge of the New Gods Kal-El mistook him for a servant of Darkseid, and in typical fashion Orion attacked him. After a short battle he was able to subdue the young Kryptonian easily using his physical prowess and the Astro-Harness. Upon their arrival on New Genesis Orion awakened Superman, who was able to surprise him and overcome him. Orion then spent the rest of the day chasing him. H pursued Kal into the stratosphere where he used a burst of Heat Vision to blast him into the floating defenses of Supertown. Eventually with the help of Metron they were able to subdue him, and Orion brought him in chains to Highfather, who then admonished him reminding him that they were seeking the Kryptonian's assistance. The majority of their encounters would go this route. Orion and Ligthray later came to Earth to help in the battle against Darkseid, who was searching for the Anti-Life Equation. Both Orion and Lightray served with the Justice League Of America for a time. Orion frequently battles against his father, using his rage to defend the universe from Darkseid's tyranny.

Experience with Anti-Life

Orion had a number of adventures of his own. During one of these Orion was able to partially obtain the Anti-Life Equation. This victory prompted him to return to Apokalips, and to confront his father about the truth of his birth. In the end he ends up challenging his father for the right to rule. Refusing to use the Anti-Life Equation, as a matter of pride, he fights with only his natural abilities and trusted Astro-Harness. Orion is able to defeat his father, gaining control over Apokalips. Using the Equation he went on to attempt to create Inter-Galactic peace. He began his efforts on Earth, a planet he had grown fond of. Orion was able to turn Earth into a Utopian paradise, but in the end found out it was disrupting the fabric of the Universe. Orion set things right, and it was later revealed that Darkseid, along with Metron, had only let Orion defeat him. He had wanted to know about and attempt to understand the potential of the Anti-Life Equation.

For messing with the Anti-Life Equation, one of the gods disguised as the Black Racer managed to work Orion into one of his furries, and led him into a Doom Tube. The Doom Tube is like a Boom Tube, except once you enter it, there is no way out. In this land, there was literally nothing, except for a giant tree in the middle of it. As it turned out, there where beings in this place known as Ecruos. These beings take the forms of humans and if they are killed, the human they conceal themselves as will die as well. Orion, thinking he's done enough damage, decides that slaugher won't matter. When he is through with them, he notices a throne engraved in the tree. He goes through an entrance in the tree and finds the ruler of the abandoned land, Clockwerx, whom was bound by chains. He informs Orion that the Ecruos plan on dismantaling the tree, which is the tree of life, when it dies, so does the universe. After a long battle with the rest of the Ecruos, whom where in there monsterous form, Orion prevailed. Clockwerx, now unbound, uses his powers to send Orion to Earth.

On Earth, Orion is traumatized by what he has been through, and is taken in by a homless man. It is there that Orion hears of Slig of the Deep Six's escape and that he's wreaking havoic on the Pacific Ocean. The new god eventually restores the peace. While thinking of what to do next, he is attacked by humans with Apokoliptian weapons. They put a crown-like device on his head and it destroyed Orion's eyes. With help from Lightray, he managed to escape his imprissonment. Orion was forced to deal with a few mobsters working for Arnicus Wolfram. Wolfram found a way of taking people and gods' life energies and using them to prolong his own life, which is why Orion was taken in the first place. Within a short period of time, Orion managed to outwit this man, as he has done to so many others. Orion referenced his experience of gaining the Anti-Life Equasion to what Wolfram was doing to people and how he needed to be punished. He took Wolfram's eyes to replace his own.

Time with the Justice League
The Hard Way

The Hard Way

Orion has proudly served 2 terms with the League. The first time, he demanded to serve alongside his friend Lightray. The two were admitted into the Leagues ranks and they served until after the battle between the League and Evil Eye. When next Orion served it was under the orders of Takion, the new leader of New Genesis following High Father's death, alongside Big Barda. The two were to serve in preparation for the arrival of Meggadon. While preparing for this they took part in a number of memorable missions. Orion helped to defeat Starro after his actions had put nearly the entirety of North America to sleep. He also, aided by Green Lantern, Barda, Plastic Man, and Steel managed to capture a White Martian who had regained it's memories. On one occasion Steel was forced to steal Orion's motherbox and use it as a telepathic shield when an apparently insane Adam Strange kidnapped them in an attempt to defeat a Telepathic race. Orion was so enraged his Motherbox was almost useless, devoting to much energy to keep him calm than to do anything else. It took a blow from Wonder Woman to bring him to his senses. When Mageddon arrived Orion and Barda gave their all to help the League deal with the threat. After a few initial failures Orion decided to stop holding back. Giving his motherbox to Oracle to assist her coordination, he attacked the omnipotent being at full ferocity, managing to do more damage then any other member of the League. He was able to keep it busy until Superman absorbed the power of it's energy source. Then, the threat they had come to confront defeated Orion and Barda resigned.
Death of the New Gods
JLA

JLA

During the twilight of the New Gods, Orion was one of the first on New Genisis to discover what was happening. He had gone to what was to be a meeting between himself, Takion and Magnar to find the later dead. When Takion arrived with Himon in tow they feared that it was Orion who had done the terrible deed, and were even more disturbed as Orion described what had happened and the killer's ability to remain undetected. It was also Orion who realized that Takion had not been alerted to the death of a New God by the Source. Orion and his allies then set about investigating, and were staggered as the found to true number of New Gods either dead, or missing. Orion first blamed the Forever People, who had been spotted near many of the killings and were also missing in action having failed to respond to New Genesis distress beacon. After Takion and Himon debased that theory, he immediately rushed to blame his father Darkseid as responsible for their betrayal and the connected deaths. Though he wanted to take the fight to Apokolips, Takion reasoned with him why remaining on New Genisis until the threat was assessed was best. Matter's where soon exasperated by the arrival of Scott Free and Superman, with the news of Barda's death. As per many of their meetings, an extremely agitated Orion founds himself engrossed in yet another contest of strength with the Kryptonian though they were eventually interrupted by Metron.


Conversing with Metron, and learning that Darkseid may hold some of the information, Orion proposes again a confrontation with his father. He, along with Superman and Scott Free decide to confront him on Apokolips, but also that it must wait for the funeral of Barda. Before the funeral Orion confronts Scott about his knowledge of the Anti-Life Equation, and his desire to resurrect Barda. After being assured that he won't, Orion sets about convincing Scott of the possible necessity of using the Equation to stave off the extinction of the New Gods. A conversation overheard by Superman, revealing the secret to the Kryptonian. Orion and his allies then proceed to pay their respects to Barda. After the rights of the funeral Orion confronts Kal-El about what he has overheard. He explains to the Man of Steel that by knowing the secret he is also now a member of their conspiracy and responsible for the protection fo Scott Free. Orion and his allies then head to Apokolips.

Upon their arrival to Apokolips, Orion and the others are set upon by a swarm of Parademons. The Dog of War lets loose upon his foes. The minions of Darkseid prove no obstacle for Orion, who manages to fight on while also advising Superman not to hold back against their foes. He is forced to save a careless Free, admonishing him for his reckless behavior, before the fight is over. As they head for Darkseid's citadel, they are confronted by the sight of streets littered with the corpses of his followers. Orion and his allies are forced to re-evaluate their opinion of Darkseid's guilt. Arriving at the citadel they find the way barred by Darkseid's elite, none of whom feel the need to bar their passage feeling betrayed by their Lord's inaction. On their way deeper into the stronghold they witness even more dead New Gods. Finally they are assaulted by Shadow Demon's summoned by Darkseid himself, while Superman provides a distraction Orion and Mr. Miracle continue their journey to Darkseid's inner sanctum.

Upon their arrival, Darkseid immediately captures Orion and Miracle with his partial knowledge of the Equation. Mr. Miracle, with his control of the full Equation is able to free them. He then banishes all of the Shadow Demons and traps the Lord of Apokolips himself. Orion attempted to continue the battle, but was stopped by Scott. He then proceeds to help in the interrogation of his father, having a hard time believing that Darkseid has accepted defeat. When Darkseid proves able to resist the compulsions of the Equation, Orion attempts to convince Scott to kill him. When Scott refuses, they return to Superman and then New Genesis. Learning of Takion's death they prepare to elect a new leader for New Genesis. As they prepare he converses with Kal-El, explaining how he used to hide his true face from the people of New Genesis, but that they have come to accept him as he is and he hides no longer. After everyone assembles Orion leads the others in electing a new leader. It is through Orion's logic that Himon is chosen to lead the New Gods through these troubled times. After that issue is settled, they finally manage to locate the position of the Forever People. Heading to the coordinates indicated they find the teen aged group dead, having been so for a long while. Enraged Scott raises the corpses and attempts to interrogate them, ignoring the protests of Orion and Kal. When the corpses destroy themselves instead of reveal their killer they are forced to return to Supertown empty handed.

Back on New Genesis, Orion and Superman begin to form their own conclusions. The two both come to the conclusion that the Infinity Man must be the killer responsible. They search Supertown for him, not managing to find a trace. The two decide to keep their hunch from Scott, not being able to afford him running of half-cocked. After agreeing to deciding to keep looking for him, while also searching for other possibilities they prepare to depart. Before he leaves Orion points out that by staying Kal-El may share their fate, he then bids him farewell. He then flies off. While he was gone his fellow New Gods began to suspect him, leading to a confrontation between Orion and Scott that Superman had to diffuse. In the end Orion decides, true to form, to challenge the God Killer to one on one combat. Hoping to give his allies the opportunity to figure out his identity he prepares to sacrifice himself. Seeing the killer approach he rushes him on his Astro-Harness, leading to a cataclysmic explosion and his death. The explosion was so grand it blinded even Superman, reminding him why the denizens of the Fourth World profess divinity. Because of his Rage he is the only New God to return to the Source after his death, leaving behind only his helmet. His demise is sensed by his father, who looks towards the explosion, lamenting the ending of their joint story.
Death of Orion
Destiny Calls

Destiny Calls
Yet that wasn't the end of Orion. It is later discovered that the source was able to retrieve his soul. When Darkseid, using a potion giving him access to all the deceased New Gods power, challenges it; the Source calls upon Orion to defeat his father. Orion, returned by the source to an energy projection of his original body, then begins fighting his father. Orion is able to fight Darkseid on an even footing again even with his new augmentations, because as his son he is able to tap into the same power. Orion is able to hold his father off, and he later retreats as the Source moves to destroy Apokolips. As he flees Darkseid warns Orion that their battle has only been postponed.

When Darkseid heads to Earth, attempting to retrieve the entirety of the fallen Gods power from Jimmy Olsen, Orion follows him. Returned to his original body, Orion confronts his father for the final time. The two begin a fierce battle in the streets of Metropolis while the League looks on, kept out of it by Superman who explains some things are between Father's and sons. Orion is able to match his father blow for blow for a time, citing the prophecy. Darkseid then manages to gain the upper hand, stating that the destruction of Apokalips proves the negation of the prophecy. Fueled by his rage, and gathering his strength Orion is able to turn the tides back in his favor. He then proceeds to dominate the rest of the fight. In the end he rips his father's heart from his chest, citing it as fire-pit enough to fulfill the prophecy. Orion then, refusing any care or help, wanders off into the streets of Metropolis, the last of the New Gods.
Death of a Despot

Death of a Despot


An undisclosed amount of time later Orion is found dying in a pile of trash near the Docs of Metropolis by Dan Turpin. Turpin tries to rouse Orion, burning his hand against the skin of the New God. He is apparently dying of his wounds from the battle with his father. As the Black Racer looms over him, he gathers the last of his strenght to stand to his feet. Describing the war in heaven, and how it left if cracked and broken he attempts to warn Turpin. Orion's apocalyptic words to Turpin "They did not die! He is in you all..." presumably referring to the survival of Darkseid and his elite (a fact later proven true). Orion then died, yet as benefiting the Dog of War his final words to Humanity are to "fight". His death led to an investigation by the Guardians of the Universe's Green Lantern Corps and the Justice League of America, alerting them to Darkseid's presence and set in motion the events of Final Crisis. During this investigation it is found out that Darkseid was able to use Metron's moebius Chair to fire a Radion Bullet into the past and murder his son. Orion's death also had an affect on the superhero community, the death of the Warrior God causing a dulling of their own warrior spirit and dulling of their skills.

Hightfather and Darkseid were apparently right and Earth will be responsible for giving birth to the Fifth World. Darkseid and his Elite, by possessing human hosts, have been able to take control of Earth through the Anti-Life Equation and await the birth of the Fith World. The New Gods are set to rise again, and Orion the Dog of War will be among them.

Powers and Abilities

Because of Orion's location of creation which is in a realm called the Source, it seems as if using the energy from the Source Wall and using their own kind of technology has evolved Orion into something of a perfect superhuman. That way, they have the same physical image of humans, but are smarter, stronger and faster. His strength is unmeasured, but he has been able to defeat Darkseid once and has been able to hold up against the heavyweights such as Superman and Wonder Woman. He is impossible to stop on Earth as any substance has been known to have been destroyed, but barriers from the Source Wall have been known to stop him at some point. Because of his rage, Orion does not tire easily though he is not entirely unstoppable, showing fatigue when fighting against Darkseid. In battle, his healing factor is shown to help, healing him if severe injuries ever occur. With more serious injuries, he can use the Mother Box to heal him and supply him with more energy to continue fighting.

Orion also is able to harness an inter dimensional energy called the "Astro Force". Also known as the "wrath of the Source" it is an energy powerful enough to destroy planets, equaled only by the Omega Force under Darkseid's control. While Orion himself is a conduit for the Astro Force, he can use either the Astro Harness or his wristbands as a valve through which he can project this energy . He uses the Astro Force primarily as a weapon, but once he was shown to be able to use the Astro Force to create an energy shield powerful enough to deflect Darkseid's "Omega Effect". It should be noted that Darkseid wanted this to happen, so the end result might not be that accurate.
Even though a god, Orion still has weaknesses. One weakness is a substance called Radion. The average god cannot withstand its damage, though Orion who is more advanced, with armor and the Mother Box can take a couple hits and survive, though it probably puts Orion in a very weak state. Another weakness is the way he thinks and how he goes about doing things. He is a warrior of rage and will stop at nothing to defeat his enemy, even if it means destroying many innocent lives. For him to be restrained, he has to be constantly reminded and on one occasion, been punched to calm him down. Also, because of his warrior trait, he does not know the difference between weakness and defenselessness even though he is highly intelligent because of his race.
Equipment
The Astro Harness

The Astro Harness

He uses a device called the Astro-Harness which he wears like a jet pack. It has many features including the ability to transport Orion around space, a powerful energy blast, an energy shield which absorbs attacks, a life support system and the Astro-Harness' ability to repair itself, as long as a part of it still exists. However, not everyone can use it, as only Orion's personality is fit for the Astro-Harness. Because of it's connection to the Source, only Orion, who is poised perfectly between the peaceful ways of New Genesis and the destructive fury of Apokalips, can properly control it. Anyone else using it may cause damage, as the ability to use the energy blast on it can cause a lot of damage - more damage then Orion could create. However, in time of extreme danger, it can be programmed so that another user can use it. This is a last resort as no other's are truly compatible enough to control it properly for long.