Darkseid

Darkseid (pronounced "Darkseed") is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, usually depicted as one of Superman's greatest enemies. The character was created by writer-artist Jack Kirby and first appears in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 (cover-dated Nov. 1970).

Darkseid is the ruler of the planet Apokolips, and is intent on conquering the universe and eliminating all free will. One of the most powerful beings in the DC Universe and most well-known long-running villains, the character is a major enemy of the Justice League. Explicitly inspired by Nazi German dictator Adolf Hitler, he serves as a personification of tyranny.

Publication history

Jack Kirby debuted at DC Comics with Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #133 and immediately began establishing characters that would lay the foundation for his newly conceived Fourth World epic. The chief antagonist would be the Darkseid villain who made his debut in Jimmy Olsen #134 (November 1970) with subsequent appearances in issues #135 and #136. The character was originally designed to be the chief antagonist of the titles Forever People, Mister Miracle and New Gods, but after the cancellation of these titles, the characters along with Darkseid were incorporated back into the DC universe.