It turns out that Darkseid wasn’t always the gray, stone-faced dictator of Apokolips that fans have known. Before his Omega transformation, he looked jarringly different from his recognizable form.
The New Gods have always been a somewhat mysterious corner of DC Comics. As Apokolips and New Genesis are the most mythological components of the universe, they bring up questions regarding characters’ immortality and powers. Although it’s been specified they aren’t actual gods in the context of the DC Universe, some of them don’t come across as relatable. For instance, most readers are likely to assume that Darkseid didn’t have a clear origin. However, his original appearance was revealed in Jack Kirby’s Fourth World #2 by writer and artist, John Byrne.
Long before he was the formidable tyrant ruler of Apokolips, Darkseid didn’t have the powers or intimidating appearance that have characterized him. Without his Omega transformation, he looks like an ordinary human wearing chainmail and armor. He vaguely looks like his future self, also resembling his older brother Drax. The jarring difference brings Darkseid down a peg, as it’s clear that the Omega Force did most of the work turning him into the feared villain who eventually takes on the Justice League, and conquers worlds to extend his influence.
In Darkseid’s many iterations since Byrne’s backstory, he has often remained similar in his appearance as Uxas. However, such a transformation adds to the intrigue surrounding the tyrant, as he even chooses his new name. It’s referenced by Drax that “Darkseid” comes from a “lore book,” seemingly implying it to be a part of a prophecy. As Uxas claims the Omega Force and takes on his new persona, he practically becomes a different character. One of the few beings who can fight Superman in hand-to-hand combat, Uxas becomes Darkseid and gains the ability to shoot Omega beams from his eyes.
The brief glimpse into Darkseid’s past life reveals how his powers aren’t authentically representative of him as a villain. Instead, they come from his greed and warmongering which have long characterized him throughout comics. Still, some things never change as he plots alongside Drax and Desaad. As they remain to be the subservient minions that readers know them to be, Darkseid hasn’t lost all of his authority in the flashback. Similar to readers, Darkseid likely thinks he looked weird as Uxas too, as he previously lacked the power that he identifies with.
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