I’ve taken the last couple of weekends to read through the entire Superman/Batman run. (Yes, all 40–in two weekends!) And there is a recurring comic book character that is poping up more and in the DC Universe–Darkseid.
I am clear that he is a bad guy, a god of the planet Apokolips. Kind of a deal-maker and a strategist. I don’t like the way he looks. (Some of the artists seem to give him more weight with each comic book he’s in.) But, I needed more. I’m seeing him too often to not really have a clue who he is. Sorry to admit it, but I don’t.
So I went to the source of all information in the world–Wikipedia. (I don’t really believe that for those that can’t handle exaggerations.) I found a good article on Darkseid. The article writes in its first paragraph:
Darkseid is a fictional alien supervillain in the DC Comics Universe created by Jack Kirby as part of the Fourth World series of comic books in the early 1970s. He first appeared in Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 (November 1970). Darkseid has risen in popularity, and become one of the most powerful and well-known villains of DC Comics. He has appeared all over the DC universe, battling Superman and the Justice League several times.
News From Me gives a great introduction of Darkseid, while describing the impact that actor Jack Palance had on the comic book world. Namely that Jack Kirby used Jack Palance as a model for Darkseid. Mark Evanier, author of News from Me writes:
In 1970, the great comic book creator Jack Kirby introduced a villain named Darkseid (pronounced “Dark-SIDE”) who has since become one of the great bad guys in the history of the medium. Darkseid has appeared often in the pages of DC Comics ever since and also made it onto TV cartoons and the toy shelves.
DC Database is a little less descriptive but gives a run down on Darkseid’s powers. They are
New God Physiology*Superhuman Strength*Immortality*Superhuman Speed* Superhuman Stamina*Omega Effect*Superhuman Intelligence*Telepathy*Mind Control*Telekinesis*Matter Transmutation*Molecular Dispersion*Avatar Creation*Psionic Possession*Energy Manipulation*Teleportation*Life Creation*Time Travel*Dimensional Teleportation*De-evolution
These powers truly show how threatening he is as a bad guy. But nice to know, in case you are just wondering. So after reading about this villain…I think I might sleep less at night. However, the JLA are always on stand buy.
Alan E. Dion says
Hi Keith: I hadn’t read this piece before, but while I’m a huge Kirby fan and have followed Darkseid pretty much from his origin, I didn’t realize that Jack had based him on Jack Palance. Interestlingly, the great artist Gene Colan (Daredevil, Submariner) based his terrific Dracula run on the Dracula portrayed by Jack Palance in a made-for-TV movie.
Kastor says
Hey nice to see you back and i like the new look. Darkside is a great villian and a fav from my childhood