Sympathy for the Devil: Dystheism and Darkseid

Jack Kirby’s Fourth World is easily one of the most prominent and influential comic book series in the history of the medium. With the “Death of the New Gods”, and the decision Alli and I had to have me do a series of articles on religion in comic books, I’m gonna start there.

In this landmark series, we are introduced to Darkseid, the leader of Apokolips and the God of it. He is not just a simplistic Machiavellian dictator, no, he is much more. He is the God of his planet, while the devil of New Genesis. He is a dictator, make no mistake. He’s unblinkingly brutal, he’s up for subjugation, and he has disdain for what’s often seen as “good”. I do need to mention, though, that Apokolipsian Darkseid Worship is monotheistic, like Christianity, Islam or Judaism. That is an important distinction between it and New God worship, which is polytheistic to its people, although the belief in the Source is much more akin to Buddhism or Hinduism.

The two main lapsed practitioners of this faith are Scott “Mister Miracle” Free, and Big Barda Free. They’ve both lost faith in this religion. Scott has a sentiment that no one should be able to subjugate others. He’s against Darkseid’s suppression of his people, and seeks to escape it. He’s truly an enlightened character. He has escaped his fear of Darkseid, though he still fears being enclosed like he was on Apokolips, which keeps him from being the Green Lantern of Fourth World. What? I can’t quip to make sure you’re paying attention.

Barda, on the other hand, the argument could be made does not disbelieve for the same noble reasons. Barda disbelieves more so thanks to Scott then her own decision. She’s expressed missing the battles she was allowed there. It might not be nearly as much that she actually misses the faith, but she misses what she was able to do on the planet, which she is not on Earth. Barda’s a warrior, and Darkseid encouraged her to be one.

Now, the overall Dogma of Darkseid Worship has yet to be revealed, although the Bible of Crime may illuminate that, once that’s out, I’ll be reading it, and we might have a new essay. Darkseid, though, is very much a Monotheistic dystheism. It is a negative God holding his followers through fear and subjugation. Scott escaped, and learned not to fear god, though he became one with God. I need to do a good bit more research on the Hinduism and Buddhism traditions before you get the full essay on these. I’d prefer not to write at length on what I don’t know well enough.
Darkseid is comparable to the Judeo-Christian God’s worst moments. He’s violent, and he rules by making his people believe he is all that protects them from a worse fate. I reminded of the threat of Hell. Apokolips is Hell, though. So then, how does he remain in control? It’s simple: Pleasure control. Yes, like a sado-masochist, its pleasure denial/pleasure control. He makes sure his citizens get enough good to satiate them, and to love him when it comes, but he treats them poorly enough that they’re not happy enough to question him.

He has his apostles; Granny Goodness, Kalibek, Kanto, Virmin Vundabar and Desaad are the most obvious. Granny is most like a priest. She initiates the young, forcing them into their beliefs. She failed with Scott. I’m not going to go into all of them, because it would be long winded, and I don’t want this blog too be too much. I want it to be rather basic. Granny is the most important, since she’s the one who affects the most characters via her orphanages. She affected Scott and Barda greatly, since she was the one who ran the orphanage Scott was imprisoned at and Barda was the leader of the Female Furies she controlled.

It’s worth noting that there are beings on Apokolips with powers, like Darkseid’s sons Kalibek and Gayven, the Female Furies, Glorious Godfrey, or even Sleaze. Despite this, they are more among different tiers of Saints, committing miracles not akin to polytheism, not even one like the New Gods, since Darkseid is the one above all, and the only to be worshipped. As a lowly, you can ask the others for helps, you’ll just be beheaded.

That’s all I got for now. Any questions, just ask and I’ll try my best to answer them. My next essay I’m looking to do something on the religion of Judaism, and Jewish characters. That means we’ll have the Ragman, the Thing, the Golem, and the Spectre among others, as well as a dissertation on Judaic heroism, and the emphasis that belief puts upon works. Future essays will be on Christianity (of varying characters, and sects), Islam, Hinduism, and even though it is not a religion Atheism (of various types). I will also look at fictional Religions, as well as look at specific characters (like Lex Luthor, and the Guardians of the universe). If you like this article, get on me about them, or get on Alli to get one me about them.

Also, I began to write this before the Death of the New Gods came out, so Barda was alive. Now, though, we all know that the greatest Warrior to come off of Apokolips was now killed, off camera, in her kitchen (just like Katma Tui, for those that read my Lantern article).

Also, for more on the religions of your favortie characters religions, go to the website