Custom Image by Robert Wood (from Dan Mora)
WARNING: Contains Spoilers for DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6!
Darkseid has officially arrived on Earth-63, a universe already ravaged by bloodthirsty vampires. This world was in dire straits even before the New God's arrival, with Earth's last heroes locked in a fierce battle against Vampire Queen Barbara Gordon and her vampire horde. Now, Darkseid’s presence guarantees that things are about to get even bloodier in this carnage-filled Elseworlds tale.
...Darkseid's god-level appetite for blood could unleash devastation not just on Earth-63 but across the entire multiverse...
Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt’s DC vs. Vampires: World War V has been subtly teasing the arrival of Darkseid through various plot developments and the introduction of characters tied to the New God, such as Granny Goodness, Scott “Mister Miracle” Free, Big Barda, and notably, Darkseid’s grandchild—the daughter of Mister Miracle and Big Barda.
As a result, his appearance at the end of issue #6 may have felt long-awaited for many fans. While much remains to be seen about how the New God will impact the ongoing war between humans and vampires, one thing is certain: things are about to get a whole lot bloodier.
Darkseid Arrives to the DC vs. Vampires Universe In Search of His Granddaughter
Comic Panel Comes From DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6 (2025) – Art by Otto Schmidt
DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6 hits its climax as the human resistance and Vampire Queen Batgirl’s forces clash in an all-out battle. Right in the thick of the chaos, Darkseid makes his grand entrance, approaching Batgirl and Aquaman, who are watching the conflict unfold from a cliff. Without wasting any time, the New God introduces himself as the “Ruler of Apokolips” and immediately addresses Batgirl as the “Ruler of Earth.” This interaction reveals an intriguing dynamic, as it’s clear this is Darkseid’s first encounter with Earth-63, positioning him as an unfamiliar player in this universe.
After the brief introduction, Darkseid cuts straight to the point, asking about the location of his grandchild. He explains that his emissary, Granny Goodness, had made a deal with Batgirl to find and deliver the child. This immediately establishes that Darkseid’s arrival on Earth-63 is driven by a singular purpose—to claim his grandchild. However, his true intentions regarding the child remain unclear. Tension escalates when Aquaman reveals that he killed both the child and Mister Miracle, Darkseid’s adopted son, which results in a less-than-pleased reaction from the New God.
Aquaman Marks Darkseid’s First Kill on Earth in the DC vs. Vampires Universe
Comic Panel Comes From DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6 (2025) – Art by Otto Schmidt
It quickly becomes clear that Aquaman and Batgirl are completely unaware of who they’re facing when Arthur carelessly orders the New God to leave their planet, adding, “And in case you ever thought to return, you should know the girl and her father died by my hand.” The moment the words leave his mouth, it’s obvious that he has made a grave mistake. Darkseid’s response is swift and merciless: he declares that if this world is of no value to him, and he will see it burned. He proves his point in one brutal move—grabbing Aquaman in his enormous fist and crushing him with a single squeeze, leaving no room for doubt that the New God’s wrath is absolute.
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Earth-63 AND the Multiverse Face Catastrophe: The Threat of a Vampire Darkseid
Main Cover by Otto Schmidt for DC vs. Vampires: World War V #7 (2025)
Earth-63 was already in dire straits, ravaged by the vampire plague that had nearly wiped out the human race, leaving a death toll on par with the apocalyptic devastation seen in the Deceased Elseworlds. Yet with Darkseid’s arrival, the stakes have reached new heights. Even Prime-Earth, teeming with heroes, struggles to hold its ground against the might of Darkseid on a good day. With the hero population on Earth-63 decimated and the survivors at odds with one another, they are in no position to defend their planet or face Darkseid and his Parademon forces.
But even more pressing than an invasion is the very real threat of Darkseid himself being turned into a vampire. The vampire plague is indiscriminate, as shown by Mister Miracle’s transformation into one of the blood-sucking undead. If Darkseid were to succumb to the plague, he would become even more dangerous and insatiable. The ramifications of such an event extend beyond the destruction of Earth-63, as there is only one true Darkseid in the whole multiverse. Should he be turned into a vampire, Darkseid's god-level appetite for blood could unleash devastation not just on Earth-63 but across the entire multiverse.
Earth-Prime and the Absolute Universe would be safe from this threat, given that they are currently cut off from the rest of the multiverse.
DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6 is available now from DC Comics!
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Darkseid
Darkseid is a tyrannical supervillain in DC Comics, ruling the hellish planet Apokolips. He seeks the Anti-Life Equation to control all sentient life and eliminate free will across the universe. With immense strength, energy manipulation, and Omega Beams that disintegrate targets, Darkseid is a relentless foe of Superman, the Justice League, New Gods, and free people everywhere.
English (US) ·