DC Rewrites One Of Superman’s Greatest Enemies (& He’s The Best Version Yet)

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DC Comics has seen many changes since the launch of DC All-In, their recent publishing plan, in the summer of 2024. The first issue of DC All-In introduced a new storyline focusing on Darkseid, a truly iconic villain in comic book history, across titles like Superman, Justice League Unlimited, various Justice League one-shots, and the Absolute books. Writers Josh Williamson and Mark Waid, along with the talented team behind the Absolute books, have crafted a compelling Darkseid-centered story, which is now reaching its climax with DC K.O. It’s an exciting time to be a DC fan, and that excitement continues with the latest Justice League one-shot – Justice League: The Omega Act.

Justice League: The Omega Act expands on the events surrounding Darkseid’s fate as seen in DC All-In #1. In that issue, Darkseid gave up his most powerful followers to gain the Spectre’s power, and then used it to fight the Justice League. Though the League defeated him, it left behind the Omega Rift at the site of his demise. Now, Justice League: The Omega Act #1 finally explains exactly what occurred, and reveals a surprising and unsettling truth about everything that’s happened in the DC Universe so far-Darkseid has actually succeeded, and the Justice League is unknowingly responsible. This is a fresh take on the Darkseid storyline, and it’s a much-needed development for the character.

All of the Justice League’s Problems Are Their Own Fault

Darkseid’s death in DC All-In #1 wasn’t a defeat, but a carefully laid trap for the heroes. He *wanted* to die in that battle because, while his body is mortal, Darkseid himself is not. Instead of being destroyed, he transformed into Omega energy – a force essentially the opposite of the energy that forms the DC Multiverse, often referred to as “Superman energy.” At the moment he died, this Omega energy spread throughout time, becoming woven into the very fabric of existence. Readers discovered that he became the creator of the Absolute Universe, but Darkseid’s energy also permeated Prime DC Earth. He orchestrated his own destruction, wanting the Justice League to be the ones to end him, as it was all part of his grand scheme.

Justice League: The Omega Act #1 uncovers a surprising truth: the Time Trapper is actually Doomsday (though the Time Trapper’s form constantly shifts). Superman rescued Booster Gold from the Darkseid Legion, and during that encounter, it was revealed that Booster also possesses Omega energy. Booster and the Time Trapper then talked about the dire circumstances they face. The Time Trapper has been working to prevent Darkseid from gaining ultimate power, but the situation has escalated to the point where it appears no one can stop him. Darkseid has become interwoven with the very structure of the universe, a consequence of the Justice League’s actions, and the flow of time itself is fractured. Everything looks bleak, but this approach offers a uniquely compelling take on a Darkseid storyline.

Stories about Darkseid often follow a similar pattern: he’s usually depicted as either an incredibly powerful, oppressive ruler causing widespread destruction and war, or he’s on a quest to find-or already possesses-the Anti-Life Equation, which gives him complete control over all living beings. Essentially, this villain fundamentally wants to dominate the entire universe and make sure everyone understands his power. He demands both reverence from his followers and fear from his opponents, and he won’t tolerate anyone opposing him. This new scheme is a clever evolution of that core idea, taking his plans to an even grander scale.

Darkseid doesn’t directly control everyone, but he’s become a fundamental part of reality itself, going beyond his original depiction in great stories like Final Crisis. He possesses something potentially even stronger than control: he’s built his own entire world, which explains the existence of the Absolute Universe. He’s also influencing the primary Earth, which was separated from the rest of the Multiverse in DC All-In #1. This represents a significant evolution of Darkseid’s power, and it’s currently the most captivating storyline in comics.

Popular villains such as Darkseid sometimes become predictable because publishers often revisit familiar ideas to ensure strong sales. However, this new development for Darkseid builds on the core concept of classic Darkseid stories-Darkseid as a being who exerts control over the entire universe-and elevates it to a new degree.

Darkseid’s Latest Plan Is a Compelling Twist on the Darkseid Formula

Readers are familiar with stories where heroes bring about their own downfall, so this isn’t a new concept. The idea of Darkseid being the primary villain of the DC Multiverse is also something we’ve encountered before. However, this recent story has built upon the familiar elements of classic Darkseid tales and taken them to a much higher level.

I really like Darkseid, but the storyline of him constantly searching for the Anti-Life Equation and attempting universal domination is getting repetitive. This new take on the character revitalizes him and presents a significantly tougher obstacle. It raises an interesting question: how do you defeat Darkseid when he’s essentially *part of* the universe? DC Comics is really delivering compelling stories right now, and it’s incredibly exciting. It’s going to be great. This is a fantastic development, and I’m eager to see where they take it.

Justice League: The Omega Act #1 is on sale now.

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2025-10-04 19:10