Why I’m Cheering After Darkseid’s Shocking Kill of a Justice League Legend

WARNING: May Contain Potential Spoilers for DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6!

In a shocking turn of events in the DC Universe’s most gruesome Elseworlds saga, DC vs. Vampires, Darkseid has entered the fray and ruthlessly taken down a prominent member of the Justice League. Rather than feeling sorrow over this loss, I find myself exhilarated. The stakes are high as I eagerly anticipate who else the New God will eliminate next.

However, there is one potential death I simply cannot abide—Robin’s.

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The latest installment, DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6, written by Matthew Rosenberg and illustrated by Otto Schmidt, marks a critical juncture in the conflict between Vampire Queen Barbara Gordon’s undead army and Green Arrow’s human alliance. Amidst the turmoil, Darkseid’s unexpected arrival escalates tensions as he confronts Batgirl, who is surveying the chaos alongside her vampire ally, Aquaman.

Darkseid demands clarity regarding the arrangement Barbara made with his emissary, Granny Goodness. This pact involved Batgirl’s promise to find his granddaughter, a child born of a vampire-god hybrid, the offspring of Mister Miracle and Big Barda. Yet, instead of reconnecting with family, the encounter devolves into violence as Darkseid brutally kills Aquaman.

Darkseid Just Killed Aquaman (& I Couldn’t Be Happier)

Panel Comes From DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6 (2025) – Art by Otto Schmidt

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As Batgirl refrains from answering Darkseid’s queries about his granddaughter, Aquaman audaciously admits to having murdered both the child and Mister Miracle—Darkseid’s own son. This revelation incites Darkseid’s wrath, resulting in Aquaman’s violent demise at his hands. This moment not only solidifies Darkseid’s active role in the intensifying conflict but also serves as a definitive end for Aquaman as a member of the Justice League. While I typically wouldn’t find myself rooting for Darkseid’s ruthless selection of victims, Aquaman’s demise is one I celebrate.

Throughout the series, Aquaman’s transformation into a vampire has been particularly heinous. He has not merely transitioned from hero to villain; he has metamorphosed into a deceitful adversary, conspiring to seize the vampire throne at the cost of his own kind. His actions—including the heinous murder of Mister Miracle and a defenseless infant—have rendered him insurmountably villainous. Thus, his death adds little value to the narrative and offers no real loss to its readers.

I Don’t Think Mister Miracle & His Baby Are Dead (But Aquaman Still Deserved to Die)

Panel Comes From DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6 (2025) – Art by Otto Schmidt

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While Aquaman may have genuinely believed that he killed both Mister Miracle and his infant daughter by dragging them into the frigid ocean depths, I suspect they are not dead. From a storytelling standpoint, it would be counterproductive to eliminate such pivotal characters. Rosenberg has intricately woven the backstory of the vampire-god hybrid throughout World War V, making their deaths a disservice to the overall narrative. Additionally, Mister Miracle’s unique power of escapology leads me to believe that he could have evaded Aquaman’s assault. It feels implausible that he would neglect to save his child. While the specifics of their survival remain uncertain, I firmly believe they are still alive. Nonetheless, this does not absolve Aquaman of his actions, which warranted Darkseid’s cruel justice.

I Can’t Wait to See Who Darkseid Kills Next (But He Better Stay Away From Robin)

Main Cover for DC vs. Vampires: World War V #7 (2025) – Art by Otto Schmidt

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With Darkseid’s willingness to assert his dominance and threaten to obliterate Earth-63, I am eagerly anticipating his next move. I sincerely hope his wrath primarily targets the vampires, the actual antagonists in this tale. The human resistance has already suffered severe losses, and while I recognize that they, too, will fall prey to Darkseid’s fury, I remain hopeful that the majority of casualties will occur on the vampire side. Still, I cannot contemplate a scenario where Robin meets his end at Darkseid’s hands.

DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6 is currently available from DC Comics!

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