Unmasking the Murder Mystery: Who Actually Ended Darkseid? (It’s Complicated)
So, you’re diving into the deep end of the DC universe? You’re asking, “Who in the cosmos managed to off Darkseid?” The answer isn’t simple. It’s not just one hero or villain. It’s a complex conspiracy with many suspects and motives. Let’s break down this epic whodunit.
The Suspect Line-Up: Who Pulled the Trigger on Darkseid?
Orion: The Son Who Dealt the Final Blow (Maybe?)
Family drama on a cosmic scale! Orion, Darkseid’s son, is prophesied to be his downfall. Orion fulfills this prophecy in a showdown centuries in the making. He boom tubes to Earth for a father-son brawl. They clash. Orion allegedly rips out Darkseid’s heart. Ouch. Prophecy delivered.
Batman: The Radion Bullet and a Farewell Omega Beam
Never underestimate a man in a bat suit with a plan. Batman, the strategist, gets a Radion bullet. This stuff is nasty. He escapes confinement. He uses the bullet to wound Darkseid. But Darkseid strikes back with Omega Beams. Batman becomes crispy critter. A bittersweet victory.
Green Arrow & Atom: The Unlikely Tag-Team of Doom
Green Arrow and Atom taking down Darkseid? Sounds like a joke, right? In comics, the underdog prevails. Green Arrow enabled Atom to do the job. Atom shrinks to get inside Darkseid’s head. He needed a launch pad: Green Arrow’s arrow. Atom messes with Darkseid’s brain from within. Teamwork!
The Flash (God of Death Flash): Merged with Death Itself
Things get wild in the “Darkseid War.” Barry Allen, the Flash, becomes “God of Death Flash.” The Anti-Monitor merges him with the Black Racer, grim reaper of New Gods. The Anti-Monitor uses this combo against Darkseid. The “God of Death Flash” takes him down. A god of death handles a god of evil.
Darkseid’s Achilles’ Heels: What Can Actually Hurt a God?
Super-Powered Beings Who Could Go the Distance
Darkseid is tough. But he’s not invincible. Several characters could take him on:
- Superman: Big Blue’s raw power matches Darkseid. They’ve clashed multiple times. Superman has even defeated him physically.
- Aquaman: King of Atlantis can harm Darkseid with his trident. He’s fast enough to keep up with Wonder Woman.
- Silver Surfer: The Silver Surfer wields cosmic abilities against Darkseid. He is a serious contender.
- Galactus: The Devourer of Worlds likely wins against True Form Darkseid.
- Hyperion: Hyperion, Marvel’s Superman analog, battles Darkseid effectively.
- Thanos (with Infinity Gauntlet): Thanos with all Infinity Stones could easily defeat Darkseid.
Near-Death Experiences: Close Calls for the Cosmic Tyrant
Even gods have bad days. Darkseid has faced close calls:
- Ares: The Greek God of War managed to wound Darkseid badly. Ares’ axe nearly killed him.
Historical Humiliations: Darkseid Getting Served
Darkseid doesn’t always win. History shows him getting knocked down:
- Defeated by Greek Gods and Atlanteans: Long ago, Greek Gods and Atlanteans united against Darkseid. Aquaman’s ancestor used magic against him.
- Zack Snyder’s Justice League “History Lesson”: This film shows Ares nearly killing Darkseid.
- Lois Lane (Alternate Versions): Lois’ death highlights Darkseid’s ruthlessness in alternate realities.
Decoding Darkseid: Powers, Fears, and Family Ties
Omega Beams and Cosmic Might: The Darkseid Arsenal
What makes Darkseid formidable? Let’s peek under the hood:
- Omega Beams: Energy rays from his eyes, destructive and unpredictable.
- New God Powerhouse: Incredible strength and cosmic powers define him.
What Scares a Tyrant? (And Who Earns His Respect?)
Baddest of bad have fears and respect. Darkseid’s fears include:
- Fear of Yuga Khan: Darkseid fears his father, Yuga Khan, who is more powerful.
- Respect for Batman: Darkseid respects Batman’s intellect and fearlessness.
Family Matters: Steppenwolf and Orion in the Family Tree
Darkseid’s family is complicated:
- Steppenwolf: Darkseid’s uncle, Heggra’s younger brother.
- Orion (Again): Orion’s Astro-Force matches Darkseid’s powers.
Darkseid Throwdown: Comparing Power Levels
How does Darkseid compare to other heavy hitters?
- Thanos: Darkseid is often stronger. Infinity Gauntlet alters that.
- Galactus: Galactus likely wins due to cosmic scale.
- Dormammu: Peak Dormammu likely eats Darkseid for breakfast.
- Demon lords can be like that.
- Superman: Darkseid hates Superman. Superman cannot be broken. Pure willpower and goodness work against cosmic evil.
- Hulk: Hulk smash? Not against Darkseid. Darkseid swats Hulk aside like a fly. Different weight classes here.
- Hercules: Even Hercules would likely be battered by Darkseid. Apokoliptian power is extreme.
- Odin: This match is more even. Darkseid is stronger, but Odin with the Odinforce evens the field. Durability remains similar. Their battle would be epic and universe-shaking.
The Ripple Effect: What Happens When Darkseid Dies?
Cosmic consequences follow. In DC Comics, Darkseid’s death alters the universe. His demise could shatter reality, create a multiverse, and disrupt cosmic order. He is a “fixed point in time.” Removing him causes more than losing a tyrant. It’s like pulling a load-bearing beam. Everything wobbles.
Supporting Cast: Other Players in the Darkseid Saga
Orion (Again, He’s Important): Son and Rival
- Power Match: Orion and Darkseid are evenly matched in strength. Their conflicts have great impact. It’s a clash of titans.
- Astro-Force Ace: Orion’s Astro-Force makes him powerful. Sibling rivalry adds cosmic implications.
Steppenwolf (Loyal but Fearful)
- Darkseid’s Fear Factor: Steppenwolf was loyal to Darkseid, driven by fear. Loyalty through terror is a classic villain dynamic.
- Family Ties (Revisited): Uncle Steppenwolf adds more to Apokoliptian family drama.
The Flash (Barry Allen) and Anti-Monitor: Cosmic Players
- Flash as God of Death (Again): Barry Allen’s change to God of Death Flash during the “Darkseid War” was pivotal. The stakes were high.
- Anti-Monitor’s Role: The Anti-Monitor masterminded Flash’s transformation. His manipulative power played a key role in Darkseid’s death.
Beyond Darkseid: Other Cosmic Big Bads
Yuga Khan: The Daddy Dearest of Doom
- Darkseid’s Fear (Again, because it’s telling): Darkseid fears Yuga Khan, showing how terrifying he is. Even cosmic tyrants have a hierarchy.
Vandal Savage: The Immortal Wild Card
- Ancient Evil: Vandal Savage, immortal Cro-Magnon, threatens Earth for millennia. Unlike Darkseid, he is Earth-bound but persistent.
Eclipso: Power Beyond Darkseid?
- Power Scaling: Eclipso may be stronger than Darkseid in sheer power. Just when reaching the top, someone bigger appears.
The question of “Who killed Darkseid?” isn’t about one killer. It’s about events, prophecies, family drama, and cosmic power plays. Did Orion deliver the blow? Did Batman set the stage? Were Green Arrow and Atom the heroes? Or was it Flash, channeling the God of Death? The answer is complex, multifaceted, and undeniably epic. That’s how we like comic villains.
