Darkseid’s Death: How It Amplifies His Power More Than Ever

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Challengers of the Unknown #2! Despite his physical demise, Darkseid continues to grow in strength and influence. The recent DC All In event unfolded with dramatic flair, showcasing the explosive downfall of this legendary adversary to the Justice League.

The death of Darkseid marked the advent of the Absolute Universe. However, this creation has led to escalating chaos, with numerous disasters continuing to unfold. A team that is well-versed in confronting death now contemplates the unnerving possibility that, in death, Darkseid has become more formidable than ever before.

Darkseid’s Connection to the Fallen in the DC Universe

The Challengers of the Unknown Confront a Grim Truth

In Challengers of the Unknown #2, penned by Christopher Cantwell alongside artists Jorge Fornés and Sean Izaakse, team member June Robbins reflects on her creation of Ultivac—a robot that allowed her to defy death, much like her teammates. However, faced with Ultivac’s murderous instincts, June was compelled to destroy him. Now, a mysterious signal emerging from the ocean floor appears to echo Ultivac’s voice, reaching out to her.

June suspects that Darkseid’s demise has somehow ‘activated’ the land of the dead. She allies with Batman, Aquaman, and the Sea Devils to unravel the source of the signal, only to encounter a frenzied swarm of robotic sharks. During this perilous encounter, June receives a telepathic message from Ultivac, revealing his location. The team discovers Ultivac in the Karakoram mountain range, where he initially attempts to attack Batman. Through June’s intervention, they manage to calm the robot, who expresses a haunting realization connected to Darkseid’s death—stating that those tainted by death no longer belong in this reality.

In a bid to neutralize Ultivac, Batman inadvertently triggers an avalanche, knocking June unconscious. In her vision, Ultivac’s form begins to morph into that of Darkseid. Following this chaotic mission, Batman briefs Mister Terrific about Ultivac’s new fixation on Darkseid’s energy, while June and her teammate Ace, previously affected by a Darkseid anomaly, are placed under quarantine. In isolation, they discuss the implications of their near brushes with death, suggesting that the void left by Darkseid has profound effects on all Challengers.

The Death of Darkseid and Its Impact on the DC Universe

From New Universes to Emerging Anomalies

In the aftermath of Absolute Power, the multiverse was sealed to safeguard the Prime DC Universe, inadvertently sending Darkseid into a spiral of madness. With his immense power consolidated, he sought a way to escape his fate. In a desperate act, he fused with the Spectre and mounted an assault on the Justice League. Ultimately, although Darkseid wielded incredible power, his physical form was annihilated, sending a surge of energy rippling through the DC Universe.

This surge breached the multiversal barriers, impacting the Elseworld, a realm ripe for change. Here, the Absolute Universe was born—a twisted reflection of the Prime DC Universe where heroes face intensified challenges amid diminished resources. Booster Gold ventured into this dark world, inadvertently encountering its future, where Darkseid had assembled his own version of the Legion of Super-Heroes. While most of Darkseid’s energy settled in this new domain, remnants have significantly altered the Prime DCU.

In the wake of Darkseid’s demise, strange anomalies have surfaced across the universe. Aquaman, for instance, discovered a pearl with unsettling ties to the fallen New God. Additionally, a New God child named Kamal has emerged as foretold by the Source Wall. The Justice League remains vigilant in addressing these disturbances, collaborating with the Challengers of the Unknown. Notably, during a mission, Superman exhibited ominous glowing eyes akin to Darkseid’s, casting doubts over how deeply the New God’s influence persists.

Darkseid’s Ability to ‘Activate’ the Influenced

A Threat to the World’s Mightiest Heroes

Superman Secretly Corrupted by Darkseid DC

The second issue of Challengers of the Unknown emphasizes Darkseid’s role as the ultimate embodiment of death. This theme resonates deeply with the Challengers, who have long joked about their precarious existence. Recently, it seems that June and her allies are starting to realize that those with connections to death are increasingly vulnerable to Darkseid’s influence.

While the Challengers have continually evaded death, the destruction of Ultivac raises questions about his tether to Darkseid’s energy. Furthermore, Superman experiences an unsettling transformation after previously facing death at Doomsday’s hands, suggesting a potential correlation between the two. Darkseid’s actions may be a calculated effort to target heroes with historical ties to death, including Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Flash, and others, potentially undermining the Justice League before his anticipated return.

This technique wouldn’t be unprecedented; it’s reminiscent of the Blackest Night saga, where Nekron recruited both the deceased and the returned heroes into his Black Lantern Corps. If Darkseid has found a way to replicate this strategy, the stakes for the DC heroes could be monumental. The motivating question remains: what’s the endgame? Is Darkseid orchestrating a slow infiltration of the Justice League, rendering them increasingly powerless against his resurgence?

Darkseid’s Strategy May Lead to Ultimate Triumph

Heroes Who Have Touched the Other Side

Comic book page: Darkseid looms behind his evil Legion of Super-Heroes.

In a realm where superhero resurrections are commonplace, many of the mightiest heroes have encountered death. If Darkseid truly can exert control or influence over these characters, the heroes face an existential threat. Iconic figures like Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and Flash have all faced death and returned—just as Superman did. Should Darkseid succeed in corrupting these champions, the fate of the DC Universe could very well be sealed.

Challengers of the Unknown #2 is now available from DC Comics.

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