DC Just Spent 3 Years Replacing Joker As Its Greatest Supervillain
Adam has been writing in the entertainment news space for over a decade. Beginning his career of covering film and TV at CinemaBlend, he has also appeared on The Flash Podcast and done several radio spots.
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From the moment he was introduced in 1940’s Batman #1, The Joker has been the cape and cowled vigilante’s arch-nemesis. As Heath Ledger’s take on the Clown Prince of Crime said in The Dark Knight, Joker and Batman’s adversarial relationship is the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object, with the former’s jolly, yet psychopathic personality perfectly contrasting with the latter’s broody and benevolent demeanor. Joker has terrorized civilians for years using weaponry like acid-squirting flowers, razor-sharp playing cards, and his trademark Joker venom.
On top of his lethal exploits in Gotham City, Joker has antagonized other corners of the DC Universe, be it as the main antagonist, like the Last Laugh crossover storyline, or as a member of supervillain teams like the Injustice League and Legion of Doom. Between his massive presence in the comics, as well as Joker’s numerous depictions in live action and animation, he’s been established for a long time as DC’s greatest supervillain. However, the company’s spent the last three years passing that mantle to another evildoer.
Darkseid has ranked among DC’s most powerful supervillains for decades, and has been the catalyst for events like The Great Darkness Saga, Final Crisis, and The Darkseid War. He’s also shined outside the comics in the DC Animated Universe, the DC Animated Movie Universe, Smallville, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League, among other projects. Yet, now DC has positioned Darkseid to surpass Joker in notoriety given his boosted presence across the multiverse.
Darkseid Is Responsible For The Absolute Universe
Darkseid’s increased importance in the DC Universe began in 2024’s DC All In Special #1. The Lord of Apokolips merged with The Spectre using the Miracle Machine, then attacked the Justice League Unlimited in their satellite headquarters, only to be killed. However, this was part of his plan, as dying allowed Darkseid to finally break free from his predetermined role in the universe and become untethered from time and space. He subsequently corrupted Earth-Alpha, a.k.a. the Elseworld, with Omega Energy, turning it into the Absolute Universe.
From there, DC’s Absolute imprint launched, introducing readers to versions of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and other characters who live in a world where superheroes are the underdogs in an environment that thrives on challenge and struggle. This imprint has been a resounding critical and commercial success that's embraced by both longtime comics fans and new readers. An Absolute Batman TV series is in development, with Scott Snyder, the overseer of the Absolute Universe, serving as showrunner and executive producer.
While the Absolute versions of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman briefly appeared in the DC K.O. event, this corner of DC’s multiverse has largely remained self-contained. This works to the benefit of newcomers, as they’re able to enjoy stories starring characters they are generally familiar with, but unburdened by decades of continuity. This wouldn’t have happened had Darkseid not made the ultimate sacrifice for entirely selfish reasons.
Bold Reimagining · Alternate DC Universe
Test Your DC Comics
Absolute Universe Knowledge
♆️SupermanReimagined
🦇BatmanNo billions
⚔️Wonder WomanReforged
⚡FlashSpeed
🌐UniverseAbsolute
01
DC’s Absolute Universe is a new line of comics launched in late 2024 that reimagines iconic DC heroes in a world without the legacy advantages they traditionally have. Which DC event/storyline set up the creation of the Absolute Universe?
✓ Correct! The Absolute Universe was born from Darkseid rewriting reality in the current DC continuity. This cosmic act of villainy created a parallel world where DC’s greatest heroes exist without the advantages and support systems they traditionally rely on.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Darkseid’s rewriting of the DC Multiverse. While Dark Crisis, Infinite Frontier, and Flashpoint Beyond are all significant DC events, it was Darkseid’s manipulation of reality that gave birth to the Absolute Universe.
02
In Absolute Superman, Kal-El’s origin is dramatically different from the main universe. Instead of being raised by the Kents in Smallville, how does Absolute Superman grow up?
✓ Correct! In the Absolute Universe, Kal-El lands not with the Kents but in an immigrant community, growing up without wealth or privilege. This reimagining strips away Superman’s traditional support system while keeping his core values of hope and justice intact.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is that he’s raised in an immigrant community with no wealth or privilege. The Absolute line is built on the concept of heroes without their traditional advantages, and Superman’s new upbringing reflects this perfectly.
03
Absolute Batman reimagines Bruce Wayne without his billionaire status. In this version, Bruce Wayne has a very different civilian occupation. What is Absolute Batman’s day job?
✓ Correct! In the Absolute Universe, Bruce Wayne works as an engineer and construction worker. Without the Wayne fortune or Wayne Enterprises, this Bruce builds his gear and gadgets with his own hands and working-class ingenuity, making him a truly self-made Batman.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is engineer / construction worker. Absolute Batman strips Bruce Wayne of his billionaire status entirely. This Bruce is a massive, imposing figure who uses his engineering skills and physical labor background to craft his own Batman arsenal.
04
Absolute Batman’s costume and physique are dramatically different from the traditional Batman. This version of Bruce Wayne is much larger and more imposing. Who is the writer of Absolute Batman?
✓ Correct! Scott Snyder, who previously wrote the acclaimed New 52 Batman run, is the writer of Absolute Batman. His bold reimagining of Bruce Wayne as a working-class hero without billions has been one of the breakout hits of the Absolute Universe line.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Scott Snyder. Known for his legendary Batman run featuring the Court of Owls and other iconic storylines, Snyder returned to the Dark Knight with Absolute Batman, completely reinventing Bruce Wayne for this new universe.
05
Absolute Wonder Woman reimagines Diana in a significantly different setting. In this version, the character’s mythology and origin pull from different cultural influences. Who is the writer of Absolute Wonder Woman?
✓ Correct! Kelly Thompson writes Absolute Wonder Woman, bringing a fresh take on Diana’s mythology and origin. This version reimagines Wonder Woman’s world with different cultural influences while maintaining the warrior spirit at the core of the character.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Kelly Thompson. While all four writers are acclaimed in the comics industry, it’s Thompson who helms Absolute Wonder Woman, crafting a bold new vision for Diana in the Absolute Universe.
06
The Absolute Universe was created as a result of Darkseid altering reality. A key difference is that in this universe, heroes don’t have the traditional advantages and support systems. What concept describes this — that these heroes exist without their usual “safety nets”?
✓ Correct! “Heroes without legacy” is the core concept of the Absolute Universe. These versions of DC’s iconic characters exist without the inherited advantages, mentors, wealth, and support networks that traditionally define them — forcing them to become heroes purely on their own terms.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is “Heroes without legacy.” The Absolute Universe is built on the idea that Darkseid stripped these heroes of their legacies — Batman has no fortune, Superman has no Kents, Wonder Woman has no Themyscira as we know it.
07
Absolute Flash reimagines Wally West in the Absolute Universe. In this version, the Flash’s connection to the Speed Force is portrayed differently. Who is the writer of Absolute Flash?
✓ Correct! Jeff Lemire, known for his deeply human storytelling in titles like Sweet Tooth and Animal Man, writes Absolute Flash. His take on Wally West reimagines the speedster’s relationship with the Speed Force in the context of the Absolute Universe’s stripped-down heroic landscape.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Jeff Lemire. While Williamson, Waid, and Adams have all written excellent Flash stories in the main continuity, it’s Lemire who brings his unique storytelling vision to Absolute Flash.
08
Absolute Superman is written and drawn by a critically acclaimed creator who handles both the writing and art duties on the series. Who is this creator?
✓ Correct! Absolute Superman is written by Jason Aaron with art by Rafa Sandoval. Together they’ve crafted a powerful reimagining of Kal-El, placing him in an immigrant community without the Kent family’s support, creating one of the most compelling new takes on the character in years.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Jason Aaron (writer) with Rafa Sandoval (art). While Jim Lee, Grant Morrison, and Jorge Jiménez are all legendary DC creators, it’s the Aaron and Sandoval team that brings Absolute Superman to life.
Analysis Complete Your Absolute Knowledge
/ 8
Are you an Absolute expert — or still in the main continuity?
Darkseid Remains An Urgent Threat To The Main DC Universe
In addition to creating the Absolute Universe, Darkseid has continued to antagonize the main DC Universe. He turned the former universe’s Legion of Super-Heroes from the 31st century into the Omega Legion to carry out his will, and his return to Earth-0 was further foreshadowed through various Parademon and Omega Energy sightings. This culminated in DC K.O. when Darkseid intended to use the Omega Energy he amassed in the Absolute Universe to transform Earth, which is powered by Alpha Energy, into a new Apokolips across all time and space.
This plot was foiled when Time Trapper revived Superman and imbued him with both Alpha and Omega energy. The Man of Steel subsequently revived everyone who died during the fighting tournament, shared his power with the other participants to vanquish Darkseid together, then heal Earth-0. Yet, even that wasn’t enough to permanently destroy Darkseid, and he remains an ongoing threat with even more power at his disposal.
It was revealed at the end of DC K.O. that the Apokoliptan heavyweight has instead simply disappeared, albeit without the Omega Legion by his side, since they were freed from his control. Even worse, each DC universe had its own K.O. tournament, and Earth-0 was the only one that emerged victorious. Now amassing an army to conquer the multiverse, this crossover ended with Darkseid teasing that there will be a “Crisis of absolute proportions.”
Darkseid Has Evolved Into A Force Of Nature
Darkseid has always been a formidable opponent, with few individuals being capable of standing up to him. He’s also always had grand aspirations to conquer all existence, traditionally through his quest for the Anti-Life Equation. Yet, ever since the DC All In publishing initiative began, and subsequently transitioned into the Next Level era, Darkseid has shifted to being more like a cosmic force of nature rather than a straightforward supervillain.
He exerted his influence across an entire universe, similar to what The Maker did with Marvel’s new Ultimate universe. He survived an event that was specifically designed for Earth-0’s crowned King Omega to gain enough power to kill him. His strength continues increasing thanks to the Omega Energy accumulated from these other worlds. DC hasn’t announced any specific details about the next Crisis crossover, but it will be another platform for Darkseid to wreak havoc and leave lasting repercussions on the DC landscape.
There arguably hasn’t been a threat this great since the Anti-Monitor in Crisis on Infinite Earths. However, while the Anti-Monitor has returned for other storylines, he’s never felt like a genuine emergency for several years straight like Darkseid has. Time-wise, one comparable example is when Lex Luthor became President of the United States, but his machinations in the Oval Office only affected the people of Earth. That’s a blip compared to what Darkseid has already accomplished and what he has planned.
To be fair to The Joker, he has some experience affecting change on a cosmic scale from when he stole Mister Mxyzptlk’s reality-warping powers in the Emperor Joker storyline. Otherwise, though, he’s still a dangerous, yet human threat. Nothing can take away from Joker’s popularity, but Darkseid has far surpassed him as DC’s most consequential villain.
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