Doing DC, cause their gods and similar are more interesting to me.
>Are they just beings with super powers from another planet or dimension that settled on earth?
Some are, sure, while others come about from human dreams and ideas (read Sandman), like Odin, Loki, the Greek pantheon etc, they lose power when people stop worshipping them, but still have varying degrees of personal power.
Others are just very powerful beings that take the name of gods, technically Superman could be this, if he wanted, I mean, who would call him out on it? Exactly the same circumstances of others who do it.
Others are empowered by the literal energy of God with a capital G himself, and have essentially spent their entire evolution under the influence of god energy. I am talking about, of course, Darkseid and the other New Gods.
There are also multiversal gods, which I see in three categories. The New Gods are one, Brainiac is another, and the hyperstory Monitors are the third.
All three groups have a 'true' being or form, which dictates the 'versions' or 'pieces' of each that enter individual universes. With the Monitors being slightly different in that their 'OG form' is kinda separate from the smaller parts now.
>How exactly does the afterlife work?
Depends on both a) what deity(s) you worship, and what kind of hold they have over your soul, and b) what you believe, deep, deep down in your soul that you deserve as a reward or punishment.
Those that go to Lucifers Hell are free to leave at any time, with a couple exceptions, it's just that they believe that they belong there and give power over themselves to Lucifer/Demons. The Lucifer series touched on this a bit. Heaven also exists for the opposite, even if you don't worship Him or even know about it. Martian Manhunter went there when he died, because he deserved a good rest.
Those that die serving the Asgard gods in battle would end up in Vallhalla, the Amazons usually go to places like Hades,
Cont