Darkseid is perhaps the most feared — and most powerful — villains in the entire DC Universe or is he? The ruler of Apokolips has faced the Justice League on numerous occasions, but come July he’ll be counted as one of its members in Justice League Odyssey, from the creative team of writer Joshua Williamson and artist Stjepan Sejic.
The announcement was made Saturday at WonderCon during DC’s Publishing Panel. Joining Darkseid on Justice League Odyssey are Cyborg, Starfire, Jessica Cruz and Azrael. “He is their Hannibal Lecter,” writer Scott Snyder said during the panel, adding that he advocated for the title to be called “Justice League WTF.”
Sejic’s cover for Justice League Odyssey shows Darkseid standing behind the remaining roster, with a dark orb hovering over his open hands. This won’t be the first time the Justice League works with one of their longtime villains; the four-issue miniseries Justice League: No Justice sees Brainiac assemble heroes and villains from across the DC Universe to confront an upcoming threat.
As far as why Darkseid is a member of the team? “He knows certain bits of information,” Williamson added at the DC Universe panel, stressing that they wanted to do something different with the character. “He needs them just as much as they oddly kind of need him.” Williamson also teased that issue #2 begins with “Darkseid Is… no more.” Yes, it is implied that the need for Darkseid on the team was mutually beneficial for both. What could draw the concern of Darkseid that he would join those he has opposed in the past possibly Yuga Khan his father and the only New God that has a power greater than Darkseid (Guess Only).
However this plays out it looks like one hell of a ride for this cosmic adventure called Justice League Odyssey.