VILLAINY SCORE: 4

SALES

For sales, Darkseid lags behind Thanos. In the comic medium, it appears the God of Evil is selling top dollar. In 2009, Final Crisis ranked 14 on the Top Comics of the year with an estimated 127,000 units sold.

Later, in 2020, the Justice League Dark: Apokolips War animated film made $5,474,989 in Total Estimated Domestic Video Sales. In the movie department, the success of Zack Snyder’s Justice League is not sufficient to overcome the Disney juggernaut.

VILLAINY SCORE: 4

SALES

Though Thanos does not have Darkseid’s level of presence in comics and animation, with fewer comic appearances than Darkseid overall.

At the same time, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has made the villain a pop icon. Together, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame have brought in about $4.8 billion worldwide.

Likely, this is more than the revenue of all the movies in the DCEU combined.

ORIGIN STORY

In some respects, Darkseid’s origin story has been changed over DC continuity.

Post-Crisis, he was Prince Uxas who killed his brother Drax and claimed the Omega Effect. In the New 52, Darkseid was a peasant who ascended to the throne of Apokolips.

For the most part, the New God’s story deserved to be more known.

ORIGIN STORY

Really, Thanos’ origin story is better known. In true Marvel fashion, he is given a character flaw.

Namely, being a Deviant among the perfect Eternals of Titan. For the most part, this explains his descent into villainy. And his affection for the embodiment of Death.

Definitely, he is more fleshed out in his motivations.

CHARACTER EVOLUTION

In many respects, both characters have evolved over the years. Namely, it took Darkseid millennia before finally obtaining the ALE.

In the New 52, Darkseid was conquering the DC multiverse, killing versions of Superman in order to find the ALE and Grail.

After Infinite Frontier, DC Comics revealed True Form Darkseid.

CHARACTER EVOLUTION

In addition, Thanos has evolved speedily. Once a third rate villain, he arose to prominence with the conquest of the Cosmic Cube.

Then, he set his sights on the Infinity Gauntlet. Post-IG, the Mad Titan attempted a path of redemption.

However, Thanos Wins revealed a possible future where the villain has eliminated all the heroes in the Marvel Universe.

CAST

Really, this is where Darkseid truly separates himself.

Indeed, as a New God and ruler of Apokolips, Darkseid has a colorful cast of characters.

From Desaad, to Granny Goodness, the Female Furies, and his immediate family like his uncle Steppenwolf.

During Jack Kirby’s Fourth World, the cast exemplified the type of cosmic opera that the New Gods can be.

CAST

Tragically, Thanos has remained a solitary figure. As a space conqueror, he has assembled the Black Order and conquered civilizations.

In Infinity, he comes to Earth looking for his Inhuman son Thane.

Despite his power, the Mad Titan has often had poor advisors that sought to dethrone him.

QUALITY OPPONENTS

For the most part, Darkseid has had God in Heaven or Abstracts in the Nil, namely the Monitors, as his quality opponents.

Though it occurred off-panel, Darkseid successfully waged war on Heaven and gained the Anti-Life Equation.

QUALITY OPPONENTS

Unfortunately, Marvel: The End is non-canon. At the same time, with the IG Thanos has successfully conquered the Marvel Universe.

VILLAINY

In this department, Darkseid figures as pure evil. First, with the Omega Effect he can erase and resurect life.

Second, with the ALE, he can erase free will. Finally, Darkseid constantly evolves into his True Form.

Let’s also add that Darkseid’s Desaad is an expert in torture and mind control.

VILLAINY

In reality, Thanos is psychotic.

Indeed, his lust for power has plagued him with a hubris that ultimately convinces him to be unfit for ultimate power.

In the end, we are assured Than conquers the Marvel Universe. But, Thanos seeks to be a God whereas Darkseid is a God.

POWER

See our Formidability rating in the previous article.

POWER

See our Formidability rating in the previous article.

POPULARITY

Generally, Darkseid is more popular in the comic medium. In the Post-Crisis continuity, he boasts 456 Appearances.

However, Google Search Results yield 4,340,000 results.

POPULARITY

In order for Thanos to match his popularity, we must add the Disciple of Death’s 362 Appearances to his 139 Minor Appearances.

As the winner, Google Search Results yield  46,700,000 results.