Warning! Contains spoilers for Justice League Unlimited #1!
Summary
DC has already revealed thatDarkseid’slife is coming to an end, which will lead to a “massive power vacuum in the DCU,” per the plot synopsis forJustice League Unlimited#1 by Mark Waid and Dan Mora. One of the most brutal dictators in the universe, Darkseid rules the planet Apokolips with an iron fist. Thankfully, Darkseid will die soon, which means the throne will be up for grabs — but who would possibly want it?
DC is getting ready to launch the brand newAbsolute Universe, and it seems that the death of Darkseid in the main DC Universe will be the catalyst for its creation. How Darkseid dies isn’t clear, but it seems that an intense battle with the Justice League does not go his way. With Darkseid dead, the throne of Apokolips is up for grabs — butwho exactly will take the role of the “dark lord’s successor"in the pages ofJustice League Unlimited#1?
November 27th, 2024
Dan Mora
Variant Covers:
Jim Lee, Andy Kubert, Howard Porter, Ed Benes, Dave Wilkins, Edwin Galmon, Yasmine Putri, Dani Sampere, Simone Bianchi
The Watchtower rises! The Justice League is back and bigger than ever! In the wake of Absolute Power and theDC All In Special, Darkseid’s death has triggered a massive power vacuum in the DCU, and Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman must unite like never before and expand the Justice League to encompass every hero championing the forces of good in the face of incredible evil! As our heroes work to uncover the mystery of the dark lord’s successor, Ray Palmer’s Atom Project triggers a race between hero and villain to control the fate of metahuman abilities on planet Earth, which threatens to destroy everything the League has built. Worlds will live, worlds will die, and a surprise is waiting in store on the last page…Do not miss the dawn of the new era of justice—it all begins here!
Tons of characters have ruled Apokolips while Darkseid was dead or gone, so there are plenty of candidates for the throne. Judging from the plot synopsis, it seems that Darkseid’s successor is trying to keep a low profile, butit could be one of the characters who has taken the throne in the past.
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Darkseid’s Children Are the Obvious Candidates for Succession
Darkseid Has Several Children, and They All Have a Claim to the Throne
One of the most obvious choices for the next ruler of Apokolips is Kalibak, Darkseid’s son.Kalibak is one of the strongest soldiers in Darkseid’s armyand has regularly been the first to do whatever his father commands him. Kalibak has invaded Earth and fought Superman several times, and there’s really no reason to assume he wouldn’t want the throne after the death of his father. While Kalibak certainly has the brutality of his father, he doesn’t have the cunning or intelligence.
Not only are Darkseid’s other elites, such as Granny Goodness or Steppenwolf, unlikely to follow him, but Kalibak doesn’t have the long-term planning of his father.
This lack of intelligence means that Kalibak probably won’t be a long-term threat as the leader of Apokolips. Not only are Darkseid’s other elites, such as Granny Goodness or Steppenwolf, unlikely to follow him, butKalibak doesn’t have the long-term planning skills of his father. Likely, Kalibak would just instantly invade Earth or some other planet and cause the eventual destruction of Apokolips by wasting its military might. TheGreen Lantern Corps have already wanted to liberate Apokolips, and Kalibak, as the ruler, might just give them the chance to do so.
Darkseid’s Heroic Son, Orion, Is a Dark Horse Candidate
Orion Could Finally Liberate Apokolips By Taking Over
As part of the deal between Apokolips and New Genesis, each planet traded one son. Darkseid got Scott Free — otherwise known as Mister Miracle — whom he promptly tossed into the deepest, darkest dungeon he had.New Genesis got Orion. Originally, Orion was every bit his father’s son and intended to destroy New Genesis from the inside, but after he actually spent time on New Genesis and realized it wasn’t a literal hellhole, he changed his mind.
Ever since,Orion has fought for New Genesis and has been more than willing to kill his fatheron several occasions.Orion even took over ApokolipsduringJustice League Incarnate#5 by Joshua Williamson, Dennis Culver, Andrei Bressan, Jesús Merino, Hi-Fi, and Tom Napolitano.
Orion took over Apokolips after Darkseid vanished to join Pariah, leading up to the events ofDark Crisis on Infinite Earthsby Joshua Williamson and Daniel Sampere.
Since Orion has already taken over Apokolips once before, there’s no reason to assume he wouldn’t be up to doing it again. With Apokolips under Orion’s control,he’d finally be able to bring peace between the two planets. While it’s unlikely Darkseid’s elite would side with him, that’s where New Genesis comes in. Unlike Kalibak, Orion would have the backing of another military and would be able to out Darkseid’s elite and take over, and the general soldiers or civilians of Apokolips certainly aren’t going to care.
Grail Is Surely Her Father’s Child
There’s another possible candidate in the character of Grail.Grail is Darkseid’s daughterand has been a consistent villain to Wonder Woman in recent years. Not only that, but Grail was with Orion when he took over Apokolips. She has seen firsthand that taking over the planet is entirely possible.Grail has also been known to have a hunger for power. If Orion isn’t able to step up to the throne, Grail might just decide to take it for herself. Darkseid’s elite are also much more likely to follow Grail than Kalibak or Orion.
The problem of Darkseid isn’t the only Apokoliptan question plaguing the DCU this fall. Fans of the Fourth World should keep their eyes on the forthcomingNew Godstitle by Ram V and Evan Cagle, to be released as part of DC’s upcoming All In initiative.
Grail is significantly more cunning than either Darkseid or Kalibak. She even manipulated Darkseid’s own death during the events ofJustice League: Darkseid Warby Geoff Johns, Jason Fabok, Francis Manapul, and Brad Anderson. Grail has absolutely everything she would need to make a deadly ruler for Apokolips; she has the brilliance, and she has the brutality. She’s truly her father’s daughter.
If Grail succeeded in taking over Apokolips, she’d beone of the biggest threats in the DC Universe. The solicitation calls out that the Justice League are searching for whoever Darkseid’s successor is, and Grail should be at the top of that list, as she’s the most dangerous and likely candidate.
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Darkseid’s Daughter, Grail, makes her long-awaited return to the DC Universe, and her first order of business? Going to war with Wonder Woman.
Both Superman and Lex Luthor Have Flirted with the Idea of Ruling Apokolips
The Most Surprising Choices of All
After the events ofDarkseid War,Lex Luthor ends up taking over Apokolips. It’s no secret thatLex has always wanted to be viewed and treated as a god, so when Apokolips' throne was vacant, it seemed like an obvious choice for him. Surprisingly though, Lex Luthor ended up turning it down as he was on a redemption arc. Instead of ruling over Apokolips and several galaxies, Lex Luthor decides to return to Metropolis and continue acting as Superman for the people there, during a time when Clark Kent was no longer available.
Of all the people who have ruled Apokolips in the past, Superman and Lex Luthor are definitely the least likely to return to the throne.
Superman ruled Apokolipsvery briefly. Due to a prophecy and his inability to turn away people who need help, Superman agreed to become the new ruler of Apokolips. But his first act of business was to immediately set up a democracy and government, allowing other people to keep the planet going in his absence, as he quickly returned to Earth. Of all the people who have ruled Apokolips in the past,Superman and Lex Luthor are definitely the least likely to return to the thronenow that the planet needs a new ruler once again.
Darkseid Is Gone, and No One Knows Who the Next Ruler Will Be
There Are So Many Potential Candidates
For decades Darkseid was the ruler of Apokolips, and since this latest death seems far more permanent than the usual comic-book death, it’ll be exciting to see exactly who the new ruler is. There are tons of candidates, but whoever ultimately takes the throne of Apokolips is likely to be the newest and biggest villain in the DC Universe. Darkseid ruled Apokolips through fear for decades, and this new ruler will be able to change that legacy, for better or worse. Darkseid is gone, and someone new sits on the throne — and the Justice League is just as eager to find out who will replace LordDarkseidas the fans.
Justice League Unlimited#1is available November 27th, 2024 from DC Comics!
Darkseid
Darkseid is a tyrannical supervillain in DC Comics, ruling the hellish planet Apokolips. He seeks the Anti-Life Equation to control all sentient life and eliminate free will across the universe. With immense strength, energy manipulation, and Omega Beams that disintegrate targets, Darkseid is a relentless foe of Superman, the Justice League, New Gods, and free people everywhere.
