One of DC Comics favorite villains, Darkseid, (pronounced "Darkside"), made his first appeared in
Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 in November of 1970. Created by writer-artist Jack Kirby, he has appeared for over four decades in DC's publications, featuring prominently in Kirby's
New Gods titles and limited series as the arch nemesis of the New Gods, Superman, and the Justice League of America. He has also been associated with DC Comics merchandise department, including animated television series, toys, trading cards and video games. With his debut appearance, "King" Kirby immediately began establishing characters that would lay the foundation for his newly conceived Fourth World epic. In his new series of titles, the chief antagonist would be Darkseid, who had a three story introduction in
Jimmy Olsen before showing up in the
Forever People,
Mister Miracle and
New Gods titles. But after the cancellation of Kirby's stellar books, all these iconic characters were incorporated back into the DC universe. According to writer Mark Evanier, Jack Kirby modeled Darkseid's face on actor Jack Palance as the jackboot-wearing megalomaniac and warmonger who, in fascist style, sees every citizen as an extension of the state and himself. His society of Apokolips is highly militant, with children being indoctrinated from a young age to be warlike and utterly loyal to him. As one of DC's best bad guys, you just can never forget him.
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