Overview:
Darkseid War, written by Geoff Johns with artwork by Jason Fabok and Francis Manapul, is a major DC Comics event that ran in 2015-2016 as part of the Justice League series. The story pits the Justice League against two powerful opponents: Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor. Both are among the most feared beings in the DC Universe, and their clash sets the stage for a large-scale cosmic conflict with Earth caught in the middle.
The main heores are the core Justice League members, including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and others. As the League is drawn deeper into the conflict, they encounter new challenges that push them beyond their limits and force them to confront their own inner darkness.
Darkseid War is notable for exploring deeper themes about power, destiny, and the personal consequences of god-like abilities. The event received generally positive feedback from both critics and fans. Johns’ writing was praised for its epic scope and character development, while Fabok’s detailed and dynamic art added a cinematic feel to the story. Some criticism was directed at the pacing and the complexity of the plot, but overall, the event was seen as a solid conclusion to Johns’ Justice League run.
Background Reading:
Related Guides
Best Way To Read:
Main Collection
- Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus
- Collects: Justice League (vol. 2) #40-50, Justice League: The Darkseid War Special, DC Sneak Peek: Justice League, Justice League: The Darkseid War: Superman #1, Justice League: The Darkseid War: Batman #1, Justice League: The Darkseid War: The Flash #1, Justice League: The Darkseid War: Green Lantern #1, Justice League: The Darkseid War: Shazam! #1, Justice League: The Darkseid War: Lex Luthor #1
Alternative Collections
Main Story
- Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2
- Collects: Justice League (vol. 2) #24-52, DC Sneak Peek: Justice League #1, Justice League: Darkseid War Special #1, Justice League: Darkseid War: Batman #1, Justice League: Darkseid War: The Flash #1, Justice League: Darkseid War: Green Lantern #1, Justice League: Darkseid War: Lex Luthor #1, Justice League: Darkseid War: Shazam! #1, Justice League: Darkseid War: Superman #1 and Forever Evil #1-7, DC Universe: Rebirth #1, Justice League feat. Secret Society #234, Justice League of America feat. Black Adam #74,
- Justice League: The Darkseid War
- Collects: Justice League (vol. 2) #40-50, Justice League: The Darkseid War Special, DC Sneak Peek: Justice League
- Justice League Vol. 7 Darkseid War Part 1
- Collects: Justice League (vol. 2) #40-45, DC Sneak Peek: Justice League
- Justice League Vol. 8 Darkseid War Part 2
- Collects: Justice League (vol. 2) #46-50, Justice League: The Darkseid War Special
Tie-Ins
- Justice League: Darkseid War: Power of the Gods
- Collects: Justice League: The Darkseid War: Superman #1, Justice League: The Darkseid War: Batman #1, Justice League: The Darkseid War: The Flash #1, Justice League: The Darkseid War: Green Lantern #1, Justice League: The Darkseid War: Shazam! #1, Justice League: The Darkseid War: Lex Luthor #1
For crossover and significant events, I typically only read the main story the first time I encounter it. Trying to read all of the tie-ins with the story tends to make them increasingly convoluted and are not crucial to the main narrative. However, I think they are important to read, as many series-shifting plotlines can happen.
For the tie-in issues, I only read them as they come up in the reading guide that I am working through. This can become problematic because the tie-in issues are not always included in collected editions of the event. So you may need to hunt for them.
Reading Order:
| Title | Importance | Collected |
|---|---|---|
| Free Comic Book Day DC Comics: Divergence #1 | Prologue | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: The Darkseid War Justice League Vol. 7 Darkseid War Part 1 |
| Justice League Vol. 2 #40 | Prologue | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: The Darkseid War Justice League Vol. 7 Darkseid War Part 1 |
| Justice League Vol. 2 #41 | Main Story | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: The Darkseid War Justice League Vol. 7 Darkseid War Part 1 |
| Justice League Vol. 2 #42 | Main Story | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: The Darkseid War Justice League Vol. 7 Darkseid War Part 1 |
| Justice League Vol. 2 #43 | Main Story | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: The Darkseid War Justice League Vol. 7 Darkseid War Part 1 |
| Justice League Vol. 2 #44 | Main Story | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: The Darkseid War Justice League Vol. 7 Darkseid War Part 1 |
| Justice League Vol. 2 #45 | Main Story | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: The Darkseid War Justice League Vol. 7 Darkseid War Part 1 |
| Justice League: The Darkseid War: Batman #1 | Tie-in | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: Darkseid War: Power of the Gods |
| Justice League: The Darkseid War: Flash #1 | Tie-in | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: Darkseid War: Power of the Gods |
| Justice League: The Darkseid War: Superman #1 | Tie-in | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: Darkseid War: Power of the Gods |
| Justice League: The Darkseid War: Green Lantern #1 | Tie-in | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: Darkseid War: Power of the Gods |
| Justice League: The Darkseid War: Shazam #1 | Tie-in | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: Darkseid War: Power of the Gods |
| Justice League: The Darkseid War: Lex Luthor #1 | Tie-in | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: Darkseid War: Power of the Gods |
| Justice League Vol. 2 #46 | Main Story | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: The Darkseid War Justice League Vol. 7 Darkseid War Part 2 |
| Justice League Vol. 2 #47 | Main Story | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: The Darkseid War Justice League Vol. 7 Darkseid War Part 2 |
| Justice League Vol. 2 #48 | Main Story | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: The Darkseid War Justice League Vol. 7 Darkseid War Part 2 |
| Justice League: The Darkseid War Special #1 | Main Story | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: The Darkseid War Justice League Vol. 7 Darkseid War Part 2 |
| Justice League Vol. 2 #49 | Main Story | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: The Darkseid War Justice League Vol. 7 Darkseid War Part 2 |
| Justice League Vol. 2 #50 | Main Story | Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 Justice League: The Darkseid War Justice League Vol. 7 Darkseid War Part 2 |
References:
Feature Image from Justice League #40 cover art by Brad Anderson and Jason Fabok
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