When Darkseid dies, who will DC choose as his replacement?

Warning! Contains spoilers for Justice League Unlimited #1!

DC has already revealed that Darkseid’s Life comes to an end, which will lead to a “Massive power vacuum in the DCU,” According to the synopsis of the plot Justice League Unlimited #1 by Mark Waid and Dan Mora. Darkseid, one of the most brutal dictators in the universe, rules the planet Apokolips with an iron fist. Fortunately, Darkseid will die soon, which means the throne will be ready – but who would possibly want it?

DC is getting ready to launch the brand new Absolute Universe, and it seems that the death of Darkseid in the main DC Universe will be the catalyst for its creation. How Darkseid dies isn’t clear, but it seems an intense battle with the Justice League isn’t going his way. With Darkseid dead, the throne of Apokolips is up for grabs – but Who exactly will take the role of the “Dark Lord’s successor“ In the pages of Justice League Unlimited #1?

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #1 (2024)
Release date:	November 27, 2024
writer:	Mark Wade
Artist:	Dan Mora
Cover artist:	Dan Mora
Variant covers:	Jim Lee, Andy Kubert, Howard Porter, Ed Benes, Dave Wilkins, Edwin Galmon, Yasmine Putri, Dani Sampere, Simone Bianchi
The Watchtower Rises! The Justice League is back and bigger than ever! In the wake of absolute power and the DC All In SpecialDarkseid’s death has triggered a massive power vacuum in the DCU, and Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman must unite like never before and expand the Justice League to encompass every hero championing the forces of good in the face of incredible evil! As our heroes work to uncover the mystery of the Dark Lord’s successor, Ray Palmer’s Atom Project triggers a race between hero and villain to control the fate of metahuman abilities on planet Earth, which threaten to destroy everything the League has. Built. Worlds will live, worlds will die, and a surprise is waiting in store on the last page… Do not miss the dawn of the new era of justice – it all begins here!

Tons of characters ruled Apokolips while Darkseid was dead or gone, so there are many candidates for the throne. Judging from the plot synopsis, it seems that Darkseid’s successor is trying to keep a low profile, but It could be one of the characters who took the throne in the past.

Darkseid’s children are the obvious candidates for succession

Darkseid has several children, and they all have a claim to the throne

One of the most obvious choices for the next ruler of Apokolips is Kalibak, Darkseid’s son. Kalibak is one of the strongest soldiers in Darkseid’s army And was always the first to do whatever his father ordered him to do. Kalibak has invaded Earth and fought Superman several times, and there’s really no reason to assume he wouldn’t want the throne after his father’s death. While Kalibak certainly has the brutality of his father, he lacks the cunning or intelligence.

This lack of intelligence means that Kalibak probably won’t be a long-term threat as the leader of Apokolips. Not only are Darkseid’s other elites, such as Granny Godness or Steppenwolf, unlikely to follow him, but Kalibak does not have the long-term planning skills of his father. Likely, Kalibak would just instantly attack Earth or some other planet and cause the eventual destruction of Apokolips by wasting his military power. The Green Lantern Corps already wanted to liberate Apokolips, and Kalibak, as the ruler, might just give them the opportunity to do so.

Darkseid’s heroic son, Orion, is a Dark Horse candidate

Orion could finally free Apokolips by taking over

As part of the deal between Apokolips and New Genesis, each planet trades one sun. Darkseid got Scott free – otherwise known as Mister Miracle – whom he promptly tossed into the deepest, darkest dungeon he had. New Genesis got Orion. Originally, Orion was every bit his father’s son and intended to destroy New Genesis from the inside, but after he actually spent time on New Genesis and realized that it wasn’t a literal hell, he changed his mind.

Since then, Orion fought for New Genesis and was more than willing to kill his father On several occasions. Orion even took over Apokolips during Justice League Incarnate #5 by Joshua Williamson, Dennis Culver, Andrei Bressan, Jesús Merino, Hi-Fi and Tom Napolitano.

Since Orion had already taken over Apokolips once before, there’s no reason to assume he wouldn’t be willing to do it again. With Apokolips under Orion’s control, He would finally be able to bring peace between the two planets. While it’s unlikely that Darkseid’s elite would side with him, that’s where New Genesis comes in. Unlike Kalibak, Orion would have the backing of another military and would be able to oust Darkseid’s elite and take over, and the general soldiers or civilians of Apokolips would be safe. You went to care.

Darkseid’s daughter has the temperament to rule Apokolips

Grail is of course her father’s child

There is another possible candidate in the character of Grail. Grail is Darkseid’s daughter and has been a consistent villain for Wonder Woman in recent years. Not only that, but Grail was with Orion when he took over Apokolips. She saw first hand that taking over the planet was entirely possible. Grail is also known to have a hunger for power. If Orion is unable to step up to the throne, Grail may just decide to take it for himself. Darkseid’s elite are also much more likely to follow Grail than Kalibak or Orion.

Grail is much more cunning than Darkseid or Kalibak. She even manipulated Darkseid’s own death during the events of Justice League: Darkseid War By Geoff Johns, Jason Fabok, Francis Manapul and Brad Anderson. Grail has absolutely everything she would need to make a deadly ruler for Apokolips; She has the brilliance, and she has the brutality. She is truly her father’s daughter.

If Grail succeeded in taking over Apokolips, she would be One of the biggest threats in the DC Universe. The solicitation calls out that the Justice League is searching for whoever Darkseid’s successor is, and Grail should be at the top of the list, as she is the most dangerous and likely candidate.

Both Superman and Lex Luthor have flirted with the idea of ​​ruling Apokolips

The most surprising choices of all

After the events of darkseid war, Lex Luthor ends up on Apokolips. It’s no secret that Lex always wanted to be viewed and treated as a godSo when Apokolips’ throne was vacant, it seemed like an obvious choice for him. Surprisingly though, Lex Luthor ended up turning it down as he was on a redemption arc. Instead of ruling over Apokolips and several galaxies, Lex Luthor decides to return to Metropolis and continue acting as Superman for the people there, at a time when Clark Kent is no longer available.

Superman ruled Apokolips very briefly. Due to a prophecy and his inability to turn away people who need help, Superman agrees to become the new ruler of Apokolips. But his first act of business was to immediately set up a democracy and government, allowing other people to keep the planet going in his absence, as he quickly returned to Earth. Of all the people who ruled Apokolips in the past, Superman and Lex Luthor are definitely the least likely to return to the throne Now that the planet needs a new ruler once again.

Darkseid is gone, and no one knows who the next ruler will be

There are so many potential candidates

For decades Darkseid has been the ruler of Apokolips, and since this final death seems much more permanent than the usual comic-book death, it will be exciting to see just who the new ruler is. There are tons of candidates, but whoever ultimately takes the throne of Apokolips is likely to be the newest and biggest villain in the DC Universe. Darkseid ruled Apokolips through fear for decades, and the new ruler will be able to change the legacy, for better or worse. Darkseid is gone, and someone new sits on the throne — and the Justice League is just as eager to find out who will replace Lord Darkseid Like the fans.

Justice League Unlimited #1 Available November 27, 2024 from DC Comics!