New Gods/Characters

Apokolips
The dreaded domain of Darkseid. It is the polar opposite of New Genesis.


 * Death World
 * Hell
 * Mordor
 * Polluted Wasteland

Darkseid
"AKA: Uxas"

"New Genesis is a stinking cosmic sewer. I have fouled paradise beyond repair and broken in the mire the shining cities of the gods. I have won! Is this vanity? Then I will remake the entire universe in the image of my soul, Desaad. And when at last I turn to look upon the eternal desolation I have wrought, I will see Darkseid, as in a mirror, and know what fear is."

- Darkseid, JLA #13

Evil Overlord. Galactic Conqueror. Omnicidal Maniac. Physical God.

None can even begin to describe Darkseid -- Darkseid IS.

A creation of Jack Kirby (though made famous by Legion of the Super-Hero writer Paul Levitz, in "The Great Darkness Saga"), Darkseid stands tall among the New Gods, ruling dread Apokolips as he wages a constant war for control of the universe and possession of the Anti-Life Equation, which will allow him to either conquer the universe or destroy it, Depending On the Writer.

First appearing in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen, Darkseid is a character within the Fourth World, a Jack Kirby series that was originally supposed to be self-contained and finite. However, Executive Meddling prevented the conclusion that Kirby originally intended, which would have killed most of the New Gods and ended their storylines, and Darkseid was drafted into the DCU at large along with the rest of the New Gods. Darkseid has served as the Big Bad for numerous DCU heroes and titles in the decades since his first appearance. Since Jack Kirby was never able to introduce the conclusion to the New Gods that he originally wanted, Darkseid has often drifted without clearly defined goals and roles within the DCU, and at times this results in rather drastic Badass Decay when authors try to fit him into stories for which he was not originally intended. This led writer Grant Morrison to put an end of it in Final Crisis - Crisis Crossover in which Darkseid not only regains his badassery and motives, but even manages to Took a Level In Badass and become God Of Evil, who's been killing entire Universe just by existing.

Darkseid has been featured in several animated TV series after his comic introduction, primarily serving as an opponent to Superman while continuing his search for the Anti-Life Equation. These series include:
 * Super Friends
 * The DCAU:
 * Superman the Animated Series
 * Justice League (including Unlimited)

He has his own article, so read more about him there.

Darkseid's Elite
Darkseid's inner circle. After the God of Tyranny himself, these are the most potent and evil beings of Apokolips and the main instruments through which Darkseid works his dark will.

Amazing Grace
One of Darkseid's greatest minions, she pretends to organize a rebellion every once in a while. When it inevitably fails, the people are left hopeless again, solidifying Darkseid's control once more. She is Glorious Godfrey's sister.


 * Absolute Cleavage
 * Compelling Voice
 * Dating Catwoman: She was Superman's girlfriend, after Darkseid briefly rendered Superman amnesiac.
 * In the Hood
 * The Mole

Desaad
Darkseid's advisor and chief interrogator. This spineless, wormy little man dreams of one day ruling Apokolips himself. He is Bernadeth's brother.

Desaad possessed Mary Marvel during Final Crisis, apparently revelling in turning the pure young heroine into an oversexed murderer. He was exorcized when Captain Marvel Junior used Shazam's lightning to turn Mary back to her mortal self.


 * Agony Beam: Many of his devices have one.
 * Black Cloak
 * Butt Monkey: He is tortured or executed after every failure or betrayal, but he's a god, so it doesn't stick.
 * Dirty Coward
 * Evil Genius
 * In the Hood
 * Meaningful Name: He is named after the Marquis de Sade.
 * Obviously Evil
 * Smug Snake
 * The Starscream
 * Torture Technician

Devilance the Pursuer
The god of the hunt, Darkseid's chief tracker. He was a recurring foe of the Forever People. Devilance was eventually killed by Lobo.


 * Blade On a Stick

Doctor Bedlam
Darkseid's chief scientist, who is a disembodied entity who inhabits a number of robotic clones called "animates".


 * Evil Genius

Glorious Godfrey
"AKA: G. Gordon Godfrey / Rev. G. Godfrey Goode"

Darkseid has Godfrey pose as a televangelist to turn the people against their superheroes and preach the gospel of "Anti-Life" -- unthinking obedience, making them easier to conquer. He is Amazing Grace's brother.

During Final Crisis, Glorious Godfrey possessed a human man and posed, again, as a televangelist to distract people from Darkseid's plan. He dies when his host body burns out and Darkseid refuses to create a new body for him.


 * Bad Habits
 * Compelling Voice: That can turn the masses into an angry mob out to destroy the resident superhero.
 * Dark Messiah
 * Divide and Conquer
 * Glorious Leader
 * High Octane Nightmare Fuel: Can control anyone with the sound of his voice.
 * No Celebrities Were Harmed: He's been used as a Take That against both right-wing pundit G. Gordon Liddy and left-wing pundit Al Sharpton. The message here, apparently, is that mass media in general can be bad.
 * Smug Snake
 * The Starscream: During the Legends X-Over, he ultimately plans on stealing Doctor Fate's helmet to add to his powerful army on Earth and overthrow Darkseid.

Granny Goodness
The leader and trainer of the Female Furies. Although she is an elderly woman, she is one of the most wicked and dangerous beings alive.

Granny incarnates on Earth in Final Crisis, first as a human pimp and later in the body of the Apokolips-born Green Lantern, Kraken. In this form, she captures Batman for the Evil Gods and nearly conquers Oa in Darkseid's name, but is exposed by Hal Jordan.

"Granny: Did that hurt? Good. It was supposed to.
 * Apron Matron: A sick parody of one.
 * Bad Samaritan
 * Beware the Silly Ones: Commonly treated as a joke by comic fans, Granny Goodness has the best track record of not getting her butt kicked by super-heroes and the New Gods AND commits acts of horrific abuse without any consequences ON CHILDREN 24-7 on Apokolips.
 * Break the Cutie: A flashback story established this as why she's evil: she was made to train alongside an attack dog named Mercy, who she felt love for. Rather than kill it as her final test of loyalty to Darkseid in order to gain entrance into Darkseid's inner circle, she argued to let Mercy live as the dog was a loyal and powerful servant. Darkseid then ordered Mercy to kill Granny and when Granny killed her beloved pet in self-defense, Darkseid was so impressed that she actually fought back and killed Mercy, that he granted her inner-circle status. And Granny pretty much lost what little remaining goodness in her heart as a result of having to kill the only being she ever loved.
 * Combat Sadomasochist

Amanda Waller: Yeah, it hurt. (rifle-butts her) Does this? It's supposed to!

Granny: That's all right, dearie. Granny likes pain."


 * Complete Monster: Basically the Patron God of Child Abuse on Apokolips.
 * Cross Dressing Voices: Portrayed by Ed Asner in The DCAU.
 * Fluffy the Terrible: Not only does her name count, but her lethal attack dog was called "Mercy".
 * High Octane Nightmare Fuel: In Final Crisis, when she's reduced to an evil spirit, who possesses a Green Lantern and creates centipede energy constructs.
 * Her capturing Batman also counts, as far as Granny not only single-handedly defeating Batman but also her speech where she exclaims how completely and utterly fucked Batman is now that she has him prisoner.
 * I Was Quite a Looker: She was downright gorgeous (in a harsh, spartan sort of way), as shown in a flashback.
 * Moral Event Horizon: If you see her in her orphanage, expect to see Granny committing at least one of these minimum.
 * Orphanage of Fear: She runs these, to break children's spirits and weed out potential recruits.
 * Terms of Endangerment
 * Torture Technician
 * Undying Loyalty: There's a reason Granny is so highly placed in Darkseid's inner-circle: she genuinely worships him, and it shows in her training. Granny has trained the Female Furies to be loyal to Granny first, but Darkseid foremost, meaning that in a test of loyalty, the Furies will choose Darkseid.
 * What Could Have Been: Grant Morrison originally conceived Granny's Final Crisis visual as a warped version of a Real Doll fetishist. Granny would wear a corset and rubber catsuit to make her look skinnier, on top of wearing a doll-themed latex face mask to hide the fact that she was an elderly woman.

Kalibak the Cruel
Darkseid's son by his first wife Suli. His greatest wish is to prove himself a worthy heir to his father, but that will never happen.

In Final Crisis, Kalibak first possessed a human thug; after his host died, Darkseid's scientists created a bestial tiger-man body for him to inhabit. He was killed in combat by Talky Tawny.


 * Abusive Parents
 * Agony Beam: The Beta Club has one.
 * The Brute
 * Dumb Muscle
 * Mighty Glacier
 * Primal Stance
 * The Unfavorite: Orion is Darkseid's favorite son. Kalibak is treated as an annoyance.
 * Weapon of Choice: The Beta Club.
 * "Well Done, Son" Guy

Kanto
"AKA: Iluthin"

Darkseid's personal assassin. Kanto is a master of both courtly intrigue and fencing, and ruins men just as efficiently with the pen as with the sword. He dresses in the manner of a Renaissance nobleman.


 * Master Swordsman
 * Nice Hat
 * No Celebrities Were Harmed: Kanto's appearance is based on both Cesare Borgia and Errol Flynn.

Steppenwolf
The uncle of Darkseid and general of the armies of Apokolips. Steppenwolf is one of Darkseid's most loyal and trusted servants. He is a genius tactician who rides a hover bike with the same power as Orion's Astro-Harness.


 * An Axe to Grind: He wields an "electro-axe".
 * The Dragon
 * The Strategist

Virman Vundabar

 * No Celebrities Were Harmed: His appearance was based on Benito Mussolini.

The Deep Six

 * Punny Name
 * Quirky Miniboss Squad

The Female Furies
Darkseid's elite female warriors, founded and led by Granny Goodness. They serve him without question. Supergirl, Mary Marvel, and other powerful women have served on this team, usually thanks to Brainwashing.


 * Action Girl
 * Amazon Brigade
 * Bodyguard Babes
 * Dark Action Girl
 * Hot Amazon
 * Quirky Miniboss Squad
 * Stripperific

Alianna Hubbard
A human woman recruited by the Furies. Do not underestimate her.


 * Badass Abnormal: As Mister Miracle found out the hard way, her strength and speed is augmented to rival her comrades.
 * Not So Harmless

Artemiz
The Furies' resident archer.


 * The Archer
 * Hell Hound: She controls a pack of cybernetic hell hounds.
 * Trick Arrow

Bernadeth
Co-field leader of the Furies. She shares this duty with Lashina, who she doesn't get along with. She is Desaad's sister.


 * Kill It With Fire: What her weapon does.
 * Knife Nut: Her Fahren-Knife causes anything it cuts to burst into flames.
 * My Brain Is Big: Look at her, her head is huge.

Bloody Mary
A vampire that can control her victims and use telekinesis.


 * Eye Beams
 * Mind Over Matter
 * Our Vampires Are Different
 * People Puppets

Gilotina
Her swords, and karate chops, can slice through any matter like a hot knife through butter.


 * Absurdly Sharp Blade
 * Brick Break
 * Dual-Wielding
 * Punny Name
 * Supernatural Martial Arts

Knockout
"AKA: Kay"

A Fury who decided to escape to Earth when she saw the opportunity. She eventually joined the Secret Six. She was killed during the Death of the New Gods storyline.


 * Bi the Way
 * Blood Knight
 * Cute and Psycho: Superboy's relationship with her ended badly when he realized that she killed For the Evulz and tried to make him do the same.
 * Dating Catwoman: She flirted with Superboy, and it is implied that she took his virginity.
 * Fiery Redhead
 * Good Old Fisticuffs
 * Good Thing You Can Heal
 * It Doesn't Mean Anything: She had a little trouble understanding why Scandal got so upset when she caught her in bed with Deadshot.
 * Official Couple: With Scandal Savage.
 * Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Left because she realized Earth is a lot nicer place to be than the hell-hole that is Apokolips.

Lashina
Co-field leader of the Furies. She also works undercover as a prostitute when Granny Goodness requires it.


 * Bandage Babe
 * Shock and Awe
 * The Squadette: As "Duchess" of the Suicide Squad, her identity when left stranded and amnesiac on Earth.
 * Whip It Good: Metallic whips.

Mad Harriet
A psycho with razor-sharp claws.


 * Ax Crazy
 * In a Single Bound
 * Laughing Mad
 * Progressively Prettier: This depends on the artist, but she's a lot more attractive in Superman the Animated Series than usual.
 * Psycho for Hire
 * Slasher Smile
 * Too Kinky to Torture
 * Wolverine Claws

Malice Vundabar
A little girl dressed like Alice Of Wonderland. She has her shadow monster, Chessure, devour her victims.


 * Complete Monster
 * Creepy Child
 * Dark Is Edgy
 * Enfante Terrible
 * High Octane Nightmare Fuel
 * Living Shadow
 * Wounded Gazelle Gambit: Likes to pretend to be a little girl in distress, to lure her unfortunate victims in for Chessure to eat.

Speed Queen
She skates along at extreme speed.


 * Exactly What It Says On the Tin
 * Rollerblade Good
 * Super Speed

Stompa
This beefy woman's legs are so strong that she can generate earthquakes with her stomps.


 * Big Beautiful Woman
 * The Brute
 * Exactly What It Says On the Tin
 * Ground Pound

Wunda
She has light based powers.


 * Light Is Not Good
 * Light'Em Up
 * Token Minority

Grayven

 * Bastard Bastard

Parademons

 * Mooks

New Genesis
The domain of Highfather. It is the polar opposite of Apokolips.


 * Arcadia
 * Ghibli Hills
 * Heaven
 * Utopia

Big Barda
"AKA: Barda Free"

A former leader of the Female Furies. She defected and married Mister Miracle. The pair were also members of the Justice League of America in the "Justice League International" era.


 * Action Girl
 * Amazonian Beauty
 * Chainmail Bikini: Frequently worn outside of combat (or when the stakes are low).
 * Defector From Decadence
 * Effortless Amazonian Lift: Quite often with Mister Miracle.
 * Happily Married: To Mister Miracle.
 * Hot Amazon: She is over seven feet tall.
 * Instant Armor: She summons a set when it's time to get dangerous.
 * No Celebrities Were Harmed: Her appearance is based off the actress Lainie Kazan...
 * Reality Subtext: While personality wise she's influenced by Kirby's own wife.
 * Simple Staff: Her most-used weapon is an extendable staff.
 * Actually, it's more of a Boom Stick called the Mega Rod, which fires powerful energy blasts that have nearly felled Superman.
 * Stuffed Into the Fridge: She dies early on in Death of the New Gods to motivate Mister Miracle.

The Forever People
A group of five young New Gods from New Genesis, who went to Earth to fight against Darkseid. They acted much like Kirby's idea of flower children at the time the stories were published. The five of them were able to summon "Infinity Man" in emergencies.

In Death of the New Gods, the Forever People died in a Bus Crash before the story began. Grant Morrison published vaguely goth designs for their new incarnations in a Final Crisis sketchbook, but the actual story revealed that their new counterparts were actually the Japanese "Super Young Team".


 * Five-Man Band

Mark Moonrider
Mark Moonrider is the team's unofficial leader. He has a "Megaton Touch" that shoots energy from his hands.


 * The Hero

Vykin the Black
The keeper of the Mother Box, Vykin has powers of magnetism and technopathy.


 * Extra Ore Dinary
 * The Lancer
 * The Smart Guy
 * Technopathy

Big Bear
The team's muscle. Big Bear is a hulking young man who drives the Forever People's super-cycle. He can alter the density of objects.


 * The Big Guy

Serifan
Serifan is a young and wistful young man who dresses like a cowboy. He has no powers but carries two pistols that shoot "cosmic cartridges".


 * Tagalong Kid

Beautiful Dreamer
Possessed of psychic powers that allow her to cast illusions, Dreamer is the team's heart. She is romantically linked to Mark Moonrider.


 * The Chick
 * The Heart
 * Master of Illusion
 * Psychic Powers

Highfather
"AKA: Izaya the Inheritor"

Ruler of New Genesis. He is Darkseid's good counterpart. As part of the pact between New Genesis and Apokolips, his son, Scott Free, was given as hostage to Darkseid, while Darkseid's son Orion was given to Izaya; Orion became the New Gods's greatest hero, while Scott escaped Apokolips and became a hero as well. Of all the New Gods, Izaya has the closest connection to the Source, which he often consults in times of need.

During Genesis, Izaya's physical form was killed by the Olympian war-god Ares, but his spirit lived on inside the Source. He sometimes returned to aid New Genesis by possessing the body of his hand-picked replacement, Takion. After the end of the Fourth World, Izaya incarnated on Earth as a homeless man and led the struggling good gods. Following Final Crisis, he has been resurrected to lead the gods of good in their new home.


 * God of Good
 * Grandpa God
 * Incorruptible Pure Pureness
 * Meaningful Name: He's named for the Biblical prophet Isaiah.
 * Messianic Archetype
 * Reasonable Authority Figure
 * Unwitting Pawn: Long ago, Darkseid killed Izaya's wife, but left him alive. The Roaring Rampage of Revenge that ensued caused the death of Darkseid's uncle Steppenwolf, clearing Darkseid's path to gain complete power over Apokolips.

Himon

 * Reverse Mole

Lightray
"AKA: Sollis"

A fun-loving god, and Orion's best friend.


 * Flight
 * Fun Personified
 * Heterosexual Life Partners: With Orion.
 * Incorruptible Pure Pureness
 * Light'Em Up
 * Super Speed: The speed of light.

Mister Miracle I
"AKA: Scott Free"

The son of Highfather, but raised on Apokolips as part of Highfather's peace treaty with Darkseid. Darkseid left him to the mercies of Granny Goodness, who did her best to break his spirit -- and failed. He eventually escaped and settled down on Earth with Big Barda. He and Barda were also members of the Justice League of America during the Giffen "JLI" era.


 * Affirmative Action Legacy: Shilo Norman, who took the spotlight in Seven Soldiers and Final Crisis.
 * Breakout Character: His title was the longest-lasting of the original Fourth World series, and he and Barda were also well-loved parts of the Giffen Justice League.
 * Determinator
 * Escape Artist: Par excellence.
 * Happily Married
 * Legacy Character
 * Meaningful Name: He is the world's greatest escape artist.
 * Punny Name: In the UK at least, one gets away 'scot-free'.
 * No Celebrities Were Harmed: He's somewhat based of comic book artist Jim Steranko, who was an escape artist earlier in his life
 * Non-Action Guy
 * Rags to Royalty: Scott Free was raised without knowing he was Highfather's son.
 * Stealth Hi Bye
 * Unwitting Pawn: Darkseid planned for Scott to escape Apokolips, knowing that it would break the treaty and allow him to resume the war with New Genesis.

Orion
The Dog of War. The son of Darkseid, but raised on New Genesis as its greatest champion according to the terms of Highfather's peace treaty with Darkseid.

Final Crisis begins with Orion found dying of a bullet wound and foretelling doom with his last words; the murder investigation kicks off the story.


 * Badass
 * The Berserker
 * Flanderization: Orion in the original comics often tried to prevent and angsted about his Unstoppable Rage
 * The Chosen One: As half of the stories he's appeared in remind the reader, prophecy foretells that Orion will be the one to finally kill his father.
 * Glamour Failure: If he removes his Mother Box. He still looks human without it, just somewhat deformed facially.
 * Happily Adopted: He loves his adopted father with as much intensity as he hates his biological one.
 * In the Blood: His Unstoppable Rage is described as part of his heritage, and is a large source of angst for him.
 * Justice League of America: Served twice, including during Grant Morrison's run.
 * Perpetual Frowner
 * Red Baron: The Dog Of War.
 * Reluctant Warrior: Has some elements of this in the original comics.
 * Unstoppable Rage
 * Warrior Poet: Also has some elements of this in the original comics. Occasionally he gets this back.
 * You're Not My Father: Hates Darkseid with every fiber of his being.

Takion of the Source
"AKA: Joshua Saunders"

One of the few mortals to ascend into the New Gods, Joseph Saunders was a blind human whom Highfather appointed guardian of the Source because he was apparently "without fate", meaning he would not be missed. Izaya made Saunders a "Source elemental" and his own avatar. In Genesis, Izaya was killed, and Takion took his place as Highfather, sometimes serving as a conduit for Izaya's spirit. He died in the Fall of the New Gods.


 * Flaming Hair
 * Legacy Character: He became Izaya's replacement as Highfather.
 * Omniscient Hero: He could see the past, present, and future.

Black Racer
"AKA: Willie Walker"

The god of Death, as even the New Gods must die, someday. He looks like a knight with skis.


 * Black Knight
 * Disability Superpower: Willie Walker basically astrally projects himself as the Black Racer.
 * The Grim Reaper
 * Implacable Man
 * Legacy Character: In his original appearance, the original Black Racer returns to the Source and gives his powers to Willie Walker, a paralyzed soldier.
 * Psychopomp
 * Sky Surfing

Infinity-Man
"AKA: Drax"

Metron
The god of knowledge. A mysterious being that observes the events of the universe. Metron traverses time and space in his Mobius Chair. He is highly amoral, and has worked with both Highfather and Darkseid to further his own ends, but always keeps his word.


 * Above Good and Evil
 * The Chessmaster
 * Cool Chair: Uses a hovering chair to move around.
 * Palantir Ploy
 * The Spock
 * Time Travel
 * Transporters and Teleporters
 * The Watcher

Mister Miracle II
"AKA: Shilo Norman"

Sonny Sumo

 * Badass Normal