Darkseid

Free will is a lie. Resistance is extinction.

Darkseid is a supervillain from DC Comics, created by writer-artist Jack Kirby. He first appeared as a cameo in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 (December 1970) before his full debut in Forever People #1 (February 1971). Originally named Uxas, he is the New God ruler of Apokolips. His ultimate goal is to find and control the Anti-Life Equation to enslave the multiverse by eliminating all hope and free will. Regarded as one of the most powerful beings in the DC Universe, he serves as an archenemy to both Superman and the Justice League.

Quick Facts

Publisher

DC Comics

Debut

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 (December 1970)

Species

New God

Homeworld

Apokolips

Alliances

Darkseid's Elite
Female Furies
Intergang
Secret Society of Super Villains
Legion of Doom
Injustice League

Also known as

Lord of Apokolips
God of Evil
Anti-Life God
Boss Dark Side

Lore & Background

Prince Uxas was the second-in-line to Apokolips' throne, plotting against his older brother Drax. When Drax tried to claim the Omega Force, Uxas murdered him and claimed its power, causing his skin to turn to stone. He rechristened himself Darkseid. His family history is marked by betrayal: he had a son, Kalibak, with Suli, whom his mother Heggra ordered poisoned. Later, forced to marry Tigra (mother of Orion), he ordered Heggra's death to become supreme monarch. In Grant Morrison's 2005 Mister Miracle series, after discovering the Anti-Life Equation and destroying the Fourth World, Darkseid appeared on Earth as an evil gang leader known only as "Boss Dark Side." He even traded North America to the Sheeda in exchange for Aurakles to capture Shilo Norman, the "Avatar of Freedom."

Reader's Guide

Darkseid is adapted across media, with Ray Porter providing his live-action debut in Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021). Voice actors include Michael Ironside, Andre Braugher, Tony Todd, and "Weird Al" Yankovic. Mark Evanier noted that Kirby pronounced the name as if spelled "dark side," though he once let a fan pronounce it "dark seed." Influencing pop culture significantly, Marvel's Thanos was inspired by Darkseid. His primary strategy involves using minions like Glorious Godfrey and Intergang to probe human minds for Anti-Life Equation fragments. He also established the Dark Side Club in Birds of Prey #118, where superhumans fought to the death, brainwashed by drugs from Bernadeth.

Did You Know?

Jack Kirby modeled Darkseid's face on actor Jack Palance and based his personality on Adolf Hitler and Richard Nixon.
In the Final Crisis event, Orion fulfilled a prophecy by killing Darkseid in the fiery Armaghetto of Apokolips.
Marvel Comics' Thanos was explicitly inspired by Jack Kirby's creation of Darkseid.