DC VS MARVEL
DEATH BATTLE!
IN SUPERVILLAINS
THE TOP A-LIST VILLAINS AT DC AND MARVEL
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Last month, we ranked the formidabilities in a potential Darkseid vs Thanos battle. And we looked at the characters in continuity at their highest powers: Thanos with the Infinity Gauntlet and Darkseid with the Anti-Life Equation.
Now, this month, we look at who between both A-list villains is the better villain.
To this end, we have come up with a villainy score that compares both characters in eight categories: Sales, Origin Story, Character Evolution, Cast, Quality Opponents, Villainy, Power, Popularity. Before we compare our villains let’s list some rules.
- The Villainy Score is rated out of 8 points.
- For Thanos, we list only the Earth-616 continuity and for Darkseid Post-Crisis, Post-Flashpoint and Rebirth.
- Since we are comparing Sales and Popularity, we include the villains’ performance in other media and their Google Search Results.
- For Power, we list their highest achievements across Earth-616, Post-Crisis, Post-Flashpoint and Rebirth continuities.
So, let’s compare Darkseid and Thanos in the villainy department.
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VILLAINY SCORES
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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.
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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.
ADVANTAGE: THANOS
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.
DARKSEID’S FIRST APPEARANCE IS IN SUPERMAN’S PAL JIMMY OLSEN #134 CGC 8.0 FIRST APPEARANCE OF DARKSEID 1970 DC COMIC BOOK
THANOS’S FIRST APPEARANCE IS IN STAN LEE & JIM STARLIN SIGNED THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #55 REPRINT COMIC BAS SLAB
ADVANTAGE: THANOS
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.
ADVANTAGE: THANOS
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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.
ADVANTAGE: DARKSEID
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.
ADVANTAGE: DARKSEID
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.
ADVANTAGE: DARKSEID
POWER
See our Formidability rating in the previous article.
POWER
See our Formidability rating in the previous article.
ADVANTAGE: DARKSEID
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.
ADVANTAGE: THANOS
VERDICT:
Though Thanos is more popular and successful in sales, Darkseid is a classic villain who seeks to re-fashion the DC multiverse in his image. Tie.
And that’s our ranking! Don’t forget to leave comments if you liked the DC vs Marvel.
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LINKS
| 2009 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops in Comichron. Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020) in The Numbers. Top Lifetime Grosses in Box Office Mojo. |
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