Darkseid Is: The 10 Greatest Animated Darkseid Moments
The ultimate evil of the DC universe, Darkseid is the lord of the hell-world of Apokolips, whose goal is to enslave all sentient life to his will through possession of the Anti-Life Equation. He was created by legendary comics writer/artist Jack Kirby in the '70s as part of his New Gods/Fourth World saga, before transitioning to being the arch-enemy of Superman and the Justice League.
Darkseid is also set to appear in a live-action movie for the first time this year in Zack Snyder's Justice League director's cut, as he was entirely removed from the theatrical version. Before that though, he's had many memorable appearances across various animated shows and movies.
10 The Invasion (Superman: The Animated Series)
Throughout seasons 1 and 2 of Superman: The Animated Series, Darkseid was continuously teased to appear, especially as the revelation that the head of Intergang Bruno Mannheim was backed by Apokolips.
Finally, at the end of season 2, all pretense is dropped and Darkseid launches an all-out invasion of Earth. Superman attempts to stop him but is captured, tortured, and paraded in front of the citizens of Metropolis as Apokolips invades. While Superman is freed and the gods of New Genesis arrive to stop the invasion, Darkseid gets the last word by murdering officer Dan Turpin, a regular on the show up to this point, for daring to stand up to him.
9 That's Not Brainiac (Justice League Unlimited)
In a previous episode of Justice League: The Animated Series, Darkseid was actually killed while scheming with Brainiac. Brainiac survived by infecting Lex Luthor, who spends the majority of Justice League Unlimited season 3 gathering the Legion of Doom and trying to resurrect Brainiac to make himself a god.
Eventually, he uses the sorceress Tala to reconstitute Brainiac, killing her to do it. However, it's soon revealed that it's not Brainiac in the pod. As the mist clears, a pair of red eyes blaze outward, and Luthor realizes he's made a terrible mistake. Darkseid has returned, more powerful than ever.
8 "I Am Entropy. I Am Death. I Am Darkseid." (Justice League: War)
Justice League: War is the first DC Animated Movie Universe movie, and is an adaptation of the New 52 Justice League story, "Origin." In both, Darkseid invades Earth and the still-learning heroes of the DC universe have to band together and put aside their differences to stop the forces of Apokolips.
While the fight itself is as epic as it is brutal, with Darkseid having both his eyes put out, nothing can compare to his arrival. With an army of parademons ahead of him, Darkseid doesn't even glance at a squadron of fighter jets and just blows them out of the sky with his Omega Beams.
7 Supergirl Destroys The Kent Farm (Batman/Superman: Apocalypse)
In the second Batman/Superman animated movie, Supergirl arrives on Earth for the first time and is instantly made a target of Apokolips. Superman sends Kara to train with Wonder Woman on Themyscira, but the island comes under attack by Doomsday clones spawned by Apokolips. In the battle, Kara is kidnapped and turned into Darkseid's head Fury warrior.
While Batman and Superman manage to get her back, and Clark and Kara return to the Kent Farm, Darkseid suddenly appears from inside the house. The three of them battle, pretty much destroying the Kent homestead in the process.
6 Sudden But Inevitable Betrayal (Justice League)
In the Justice League: The Animated Series "Twilight" storyline, a struggling Apokolips is invaded by Brainiac and Darkseid asks the League for help. While Superman is suspicious and willing to let Apokolips fall, Darkseid points out that after Brainiac is finished with Apokolips he will surely come for Earth, so their best shot is working together.
Of course, it is eventually revealed that Brainiac and Darkseid are working together, and then, even less shockingly, Darkseid betrays Brainiac. Then Superman arrives and is prepared to give his life to make sure that Darkseid doesn't escape.
5 "Darkseid Is... Leaving" (Harley Quinn)
While Darkseid is the grim and terrible villain at the dark heart of the DC universe, there's no reason why comedy shows can't use him for a little humor. While Teen Titans Go! went overboard with a little Darkseid voiced by Weird Al Yankovic, Harley Quinn's version is both funny and faithful.
After Harley takes out Doctor Psycho, Darkseid once again offers her the support of his parademons to conquer the Earth. Harley declines, and Darkseid promises to return and enslave Earth later. He then riffs (for a second time) on the popular "Darkseid Is" phrase invented by writer Tom King. It helps that this Darkseid is voiced by Michael Ironside, who played him in Superman and Justice League.
4 The Wayward Son (Superman: The Animated Series)
The finale of Superman: The Animated Series is the two-part story "Legacy," where, in a shocking turn of events, the episode actually begins with Darkseid having brainwashed Superman into becoming his general (something that will also be explored in the Knightmare future of Zack Snyder's Justice League). Dark Superman is sent to Earth with the armies of Apokolips and proceeds to decimate all the planet's armies.
When he finally regains control, thanks to Lex Luthor, Superman returns to Apokolips to confront Darkseid once and for all. While Superman triumphs, he discovers that not only do the people of Earth hate him now, the people of Apokolips actually love Darkseid, making the true victor in doubt.
3 Batman Versus Darkseid (Batman/Superman: Apocalypse)
Considering the difference in their power levels, it's surprising how many times Batman and Darkseid have fought. Since Darkseid is potentially stronger than even Superman, it's rare for Batman to get into a direct physical confrontation with the lord of Apokolips. While Superman, Wonder Woman, and Big Barda distract his armies, Batman sets bombs across the fire pits that power the planet. He then confronts Darkseid and defeats him entirely with words, and Darkseid is impressed. It won't be the last they hear of him, however.
2 The Ultimate Cliffhanger (Young Justice)
For the longest time, it seemed as if the excellent Young Justice animated series would only get two seasons, then finally after six years, the show returned as Young Justice: Outsiders. Which was great as Young Justice: Invasion ended with one of the most shocking cliffhangers in DC history.
Throughout season 2, there had been whispers of Vandal Savage's villainous partners, which included Lex Luthor, but The Light's ultimate partner turns out to be none other than Darkseid. It's a shocking conclusion to the season, and fans were worried things would never get resolved.
1 World Of Cardboard (Justice League Unlimited)
The finale of Justice League Unlimited, and the whole DC Animated Universe, contains one of the most epic battles in DC history. Darkseid has returned, more powerful than ever, and the combined might of the Justice League and Legion of Doom must stand against him. Eventually, Superman confirms what fans had long since suspected about the seemingly less-powerful DCAU Man of Steel: he was holding back. As Superman unleashes his full power on Darkseid, it seems there may be hope, but Darkseid still manages to crush it. Only a final moment intervention by Lex Luthor, who apparently gives up his life, stops the lord of Apokolips.
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