From the moment he was introduced in 1940’s Batman #1, The Joker has been the cape and cowled vigilante’s arch-nemesis. As Heath Ledger’s take on the Clown Prince of Crime said in The Dark Knight, Joker and Batman’s adversarial relationship is the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object, with the former’s jolly, yet psychopathic personality perfectly contrasting with the latter’s broody and benevolent demeanor. Joker has terrorized civilians for years using weaponry like acid-squirting flowers, razor-sharp playing cards, and his trademark Joker venom.

On top of his lethal exploits in Gotham City, Joker has antagonized other corners of the DC Universe, be it as the main antagonist, like the Last Laugh crossover storyline, or as a member of supervillain teams like the Injustice League and Legion of Doom. Between his massive presence in the comics, as well as Joker’s numerous depictions in live action and animation, he’s been established for a long time as DC’s greatest supervillain. However, the company’s spent the last three years passing that mantle to another evildoer.

Darkseid has ranked among DC’s most powerful supervillains for decades, and has been the catalyst for events like The Great Darkness Saga, Final Crisis, and The Darkseid War. He’s also shined outside the comics in the DC Animated Universe, the DC Animated Movie Universe, Smallville, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League, among other projects. Yet, now DC has positioned Darkseid to surpass Joker in notoriety given his boosted presence across the multiverse.

Darkseid Is Responsible For The Absolute Universe

Darkseid’s increased importance in the DC Universe began in 2024’s DC All In Special #1. The Lord of Apokolips merged with The Spectre using the Miracle Machine, then attacked the Justice League Unlimited in their satellite headquarters, only to be killed. However, this was part of his plan, as dying allowed Darkseid to finally break free from his predetermined role in the universe and become untethered from time and space. He subsequently corrupted Earth-Alpha, a.k.a. the Elseworld, with Omega Energy, turning it into the Absolute Universe.

From there, DC’s Absolute imprint launched, introducing readers to versions of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and other characters who live in a world where superheroes are the underdogs in an environment that thrives on challenge and struggle. This imprint has been a resounding critical and commercial success that’s embraced by both longtime comics fans and new readers. An Absolute Batman TV series is in development, with Scott Snyder, the overseer of the Absolute Universe, serving as showrunner and executive producer.

While the Absolute versions of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman briefly appeared in the DC K.O. event, this corner of DC’s multiverse has largely remained self-contained. This works to the benefit of newcomers, as they’re able to enjoy stories starring characters they are generally familiar with, but unburdened by decades of continuity. This wouldn’t have happened had Darkseid not made the ultimate sacrifice for entirely selfish reasons.

Darkseid Remains An Urgent Threat To The Main DC Universe

DC Comics

In addition to creating the Absolute Universe, Darkseid has continued to antagonize the main DC Universe. He turned the former universe’s Legion of Super-Heroes from the 31st century into the Omega Legion to carry out his will, and his return to Earth-0 was further foreshadowed through various Parademon and Omega Energy sightings. This culminated in DC K.O. when Darkseid intended to use the Omega Energy he amassed in the Absolute Universe to transform Earth, which is powered by Alpha Energy, into a new Apokolips across all time and space.

This plot was foiled when Time Trapper revived Superman and imbued him with both Alpha and Omega energy. The Man of Steel subsequently revived everyone who died during the fighting tournament, shared his power with the other participants to vanquish Darkseid together, then heal Earth-0. Yet, even that wasn’t enough to permanently destroy Darkseid, and he remains an ongoing threat with even more power at his disposal.

It was revealed at the end of DC K.O. that the Apokoliptan heavyweight has instead simply disappeared, albeit without the Omega Legion by his side, since they were freed from his control. Even worse, each DC universe had its own K.O. tournament, and Earth-0 was the only one that emerged victorious. Now amassing an army to conquer the multiverse, this crossover ended with Darkseid teasing that there will be a “Crisis of absolute proportions.”

Darkseid Has Evolved Into A Force Of Nature

DC Comics

Darkseid has always been a formidable opponent, with few individuals being capable of standing up to him. He’s also always had grand aspirations to conquer all existence, traditionally through his quest for the Anti-Life Equation. Yet, ever since the DC All In publishing initiative began, and subsequently transitioned into the Next Level era, Darkseid has shifted to being more like a cosmic force of nature rather than a straightforward supervillain.

He exerted his influence across an entire universe, similar to what The Maker did with Marvel’s new Ultimate universe. He survived an event that was specifically designed for Earth-0’s crowned King Omega to gain enough power to kill him. His strength continues increasing thanks to the Omega Energy accumulated from these other worlds. DC hasn’t announced any specific details about the next Crisis crossover, but it will be another platform for Darkseid to wreak havoc and leave lasting repercussions on the DC landscape.

There arguably hasn’t been a threat this great since the Anti-Monitor in Crisis on Infinite Earths. However, while the Anti-Monitor has returned for other storylines, he’s never felt like a genuine emergency for several years straight like Darkseid has. Time-wise, one comparable example is when Lex Luthor became President of the United States, but his machinations in the Oval Office only affected the people of Earth. That’s a blip compared to what Darkseid has already accomplished and what he has planned.

To be fair to The Joker, he has some experience affecting change on a cosmic scale from when he stole Mister Mxyzptlk’s reality-warping powers in the Emperor Joker storyline. Otherwise, though, he’s still a dangerous, yet human threat. Nothing can take away from Joker’s popularity, but Darkseid has far surpassed him as DC’s most consequential villain.

First Appearance

SuperMan’s Pal Jimmy Olsen

Alias

Uxas

Race

New God

Franchise

D.C.