Darkseid Reading Order

This reading order is designed to give an outline of major storylines featuring Darkseid throughout DC Comics. It may not encompass every one of his appearances but is an outline of the major ones and the stories that affect them.

The continuity details relating to each specific storyline are explained in the “Review” of each storyline. Every “Review” link will provide a detailed continuity breakdown of that story and will explain any reference the story makes to other aspects of the DC Universe. All of this can be found under the “Continuity” section of each link.

Jump to: New 52 – Rebirth – Universe

New 52

At the beginning of the New 52, the DC Universe was reset. In this new continuity, Darkseid’s history seems to have been almost entirely wiped clean. Though he still maintains his position as lord of Apokolips, it quickly becomes clear that his history no longer includes any encounters with the Justice League (Reading Order) or the rest of Earth’s heroes.

Darkseid is reintroduced through the Justice League series. This story arc takes place a year before the majority of the New 52 comics and depicts Darkseid’s first attempt at invading the mainstream DC Universe. From there, he has a quick appearance in the Batman and Robin series. After this, he plays a major role in the Earth 2: World’s End series. This series depicts the climax of a massive war between the citizens of Earth 2 and the forces of Apokolips, a storyline that serves as the centerpiece of the entire Earth 2 (Reading Order) series. Finally, Darkseid stars in the Darkseid War (Reading Order) event. This event serves as somewhat of a sequel to Darkseid’s first appearance in this era, as the finale for the New 52 Justice League series, and as a turning point for the DC Multiverse as a whole. Darkseid’s appearances in the Darkseid War event also directly set up his status quo in the Rebirth era.

Notes

1. Darkseid does not actually appear in this issue. However, the issue helps give a brief history of Earth 2 (Reading Order) and the war that Darkseid's forces have been waging against it.
2. Darkseid only makes very brief appearances across these issues. However, they generally relate to his overall attack on Earth 2.

Rebirth

The transition from the New 52 to the Rebirth era appears to restore elements of Darkseid's pre-New 52 history. In the New 52, his only encounters with the majority of the mainstream DC Universe were detailed through brief conflicts with the Justice League (Reading Order). In this era, his larger role in DC history, like his part in Final Crisis, returns. However, besides these changes to history, Darkseid's character progression remains mostly unchanged and picks up immediately where it left off in the New 52 era.

Darkseid first appears in a few quick cameos that help to confirm his status quo is unchanged since the conclusion of the previous era. Then, he takes on a large role in several Wonder Woman issues. Across this comic, the entirety of his adventures and character progression from this era is detailed.

Notes

1. Darkseid's appearance here is very brief and only serves to build excitement for his later role in the Wonder Woman series.
2. Darkseid's appearance here is also very brief and can be skipped by most readers. This appearance is mentioned in Darkseid's more significant appearances across the Wonder Woman series but it is generally inconsequential to Darkseid's overall progression.

Other Appearances

• Mister Miracle
  • Darkseid appears across Mister Miracle Vol. 4 #6, 8, 9, 11-12, collected in Mister Miracle. Though his role in this comic is prominent, especially near the end, the entire comic does not seem to take place within the mainstream DC Universe.

Universe

The Universe era is essentially an extension of the Rebirth era, as it maintains the same continuity. As such, Darkseid's story here mostly picks up where it left off in the previous era. In addition, his story here is somewhat of a response to the Justice League: No Justice (Reading Order) event.

In this era, Darkseid stars in the Justice League Odyssey (Reading Order) series. Across this comic, a cosmic epic unfolds and sees Darkseid launch a plan with Multiversal implications. The conclusion of the Justice League Odyssey series also helps to directly set up Darkseid's role in the next era.

Notes

1. A version of Darkseid appears in these issues. This appearance may be interesting to some readers, as it continues elements of Darkseid's story from the Final Crisis event. However, it is generally unrelated to Darkseid's overall character progression in this era.

Other Appearances

• DC: The Doomed and the Damned
  • Darkseid appears in the "Baytor vs. Darkseid" story from DC: The Doomed and the Damned. This issue is pretty clearly non-cannon but presents a humorous Darkseid tale.
• Female Furies
  • Darkseid is a prominent supporting character across all six issues of the Female Furies miniseries. The series provides an interesting perspective on Darkseid and the other ruling figures on Apokolips. However, this series seems to take place in an alternate universe.
• Superman: Up in the Sky
  • Darkseid appears in Superman: Up in the Sky #5, collected in Superman: Up in the Sky (Review). Though this issue is primarily about Superman, Darkseid's appearance builds on the antagonism between the two.

All DC Comics Reading Orders