Who Is Inferno? Justice League's New Darkseid-Level Villain Explained

WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for Justice League Unlimited #3 (2025)!Just when fans thought the Justice League might get a reprieve from world-ending threats following Darkseid’s death, they were proven wrong with the rise of an equally menacing foe—Inferno. But who is this new Darkseid-level villain, and do they truly stand a chance at world domination with all of Earth’s heroes ready to oppose them?

To recap, the mysterious extraterrestrial supervillain organization Inferno was first introduced in Mark Waid and Dan Mora’s Justice League Unlimited #1, when DC’s newly reformed premier superhero team responded to a mass-casualty crisis in South Africa involving reports of weapons of mass destruction.

It wasn’t until the end of the grueling battle that the heroes learned of Inferno and their sinister plans for world domination. While this initial encounter left much mystery surrounding the organization, Justice League Unlimited #3 begins to shed more light on who Inferno is and what motivates them.

Who Is Inferno?: The Capabilities of the Justice League’s New Nemesis

Comic Panels Come From Justice League Unlimited #3 (2025) – Art by Dan Mora

With Inferno making multiple appearances so far, each leaving behind unprecedented carnage, it’s clear they will serve as the Justice League’s primary antagonist in Waid and Mora’s run. Justice League Unlimited #3 sheds more light on the group by having Mister Terrific officially designate them as a “super-terrorist organization,” underscoring their immense threat level. Readers also gain a better understanding of Inferno’s destructive capabilities when the group sets the majority of the Amazon Rainforest ablaze. However, this isn’t ordinary fire—they are using magic-based flames.

Superman discovers the magical nature of the fire when his attempts to extinguish it fail, as traditional methods prove ineffective. To make matters worse, the heroes uncover pillars embedded throughout the rainforest, each emblazoned with Inferno’s flaming-eye symbol. These pillars appear to have been used to channel the magic and ignite the forest. This use of destructive magic highlights Inferno’s extreme magical prowess—a significant threat to the League, especially since magic is a major weakness for heroes like Superman. This development spells immense trouble for the team as they face an enemy capable of exploiting their vulnerabilities.

Inferno Claims Control Over One of the Elemental Forces in the DCU (Making Them an Unprecedented Threat)

Comic Panels Come From Justice League Unlimited #3 (2025) – Art by Dan Mora

Inferno’s decision to target the Amazon Rainforest is one of the most devastating moves they could have made, as the region is home to a third of all known animal and plant species and supports the lives of thirty million people. However, the stakes extend far beyond the Amazon itself. Zatanna reveals that if the Amazon dies, the resulting ecological collapse will trigger worldwide disasters such as hurricanes and flooding, while also causing famine for billions. Given these dire consequences, one might assume Inferno’s motive is the outright destruction of Earth. However, this is not the case.

As Mister Terrific oversees the Justice League’s efforts from the Watchtower, he is struck by the devastation, exclaiming, “My god, all that greenery turned to ash–” His shock leads to an epiphany: Inferno’s true motivation for the attack is control over the primordial force known as The Green. As Mister Terrific explains, The Green is a universal force connecting all plant life on Earth and beyond, and Inferno’s aim is to bend it to their will. With The Green under their control, Inferno would essentially have Earth at its mercy.

While it’s unclear exactly how burning the Amazon will help them take control of The Green, it’s likely that Inferno is using the rainforest as a kind of hostage. Since The Green is semi-sentient and manifests through avatars like Swamp Thing, Inferno may be attempting to coerce it into submission. With Swamp Thing seemingly killed in his attempt to save the Amazon, The Green will likely choose a new avatar—and that avatar may fall under Inferno’s control. This puts all of Earth’s plant life at risk of being ruled by a single, malevolent force.

Why Is Inferno Targeting Earth? Are They Really a Darkseid-Level Threat?

Comic Panels Come From Justice League Unlimited #3 (2025) – Art by Dan Mora

One might wonder why Inferno is so intent on controlling The Green, and the answer likely lies in their ultimate goal: to dominate Earth. By controlling plant life—an essential resource for human survival as it provides oxygen, food, medicine, and building materials—Inferno could effectively control the entire planet. Their fixation on bending life to their will places them on a Darkseid-level threat, given the New God’s similar obsession with domination and eradicating free will. However, Inferno’s motivations appear to extend beyond mere domination.

During their assault on the Amazon, Inferno reveals their true intentions while addressing the Justice League: “We seek domination, yes—but hardly total genocide. Earth’s heroes must live to see what doom is planned for the human race. We are agents of vengeance—which will visit you in many forms.” This declaration makes it clear that vengeance is at the heart of their motivations, and raises new questions: Who or what is Inferno seeking vengeance for? Furthermore, this vendetta seems deeply personal, suggesting that Inferno may be a group of individuals the Justice League has encountered or impacted in the past.

Waid & Mora Sneakily Reveal One of Inferno’s “Agents of Vengeance” (Spoiler: It's a Justice League Member)

Comic Panels Come From Justice League Unlimited #1 (2024) – Art by Dan Mora

This issue further develops the shocking revelation from Justice League Unlimited #1, where it was revealed that Air Wave, the seemingly young and well-intentioned hero, has plans to kill the Justice League. While the reasons behind his betrayal remain unclear, Justice League Unlimited #3 seems to confirm that Air Wave is working with Inferno. This connection is heavily implied during Inferno’s statement, “—[Vengence] will visit you in many forms,” paired with a panel featuring Air Wave. This moment strongly suggests that Air Wave is one of Inferno’s agents of vengeance, solidifying the idea that he and Inferno are in cahoots. With this alliance now taking shape, it becomes clear that Inferno’s threat is not only vast but also deeply entrenched within the Justice League itself.

Justice League Unlimited #3 is available now from DC Comics!