Apokolips

Infobox comics location


imagesize=
caption= Drawn by John Byrne in "Legends" #1.
publisher= DC Comics
debut= "The New Gods" #1 (Feb, 1971)
creators= Jack Kirby
planet=y
residents= Darkseid
Desaad
Granny Goodness
Female Furies
races= New Gods
Parademons
locations=
subcat=DC Comics
altcat=
sortkey=PAGENAME|In the DC Comics fictional shared Universe, Apokolips is the planet ruled by Darkseid, established in Jack Kirby's Fourth World series. It is also integral to many DC Comics stories. The planet is considered the opposite of New Genesis. [Cite comic | Writer = Byrne, John | Penciller = Byrne, John | Inker = Austin, Terry | Story = Legends from the Darkside | Title = Superman | Volume = 2 | Issue = 3 | Date = March, 1987 | Publisher = DC Comics | Page = 11-12]

Apokolips (a play on the term "apocalypse") is a large planet. It is an ecumenopolis with burning firepits. The war that destroyed the Old Gods and created New Genesis and Apokolips separated the Fourth World from the rest of the universe, leaving it only accessible by Boom Tube.

Inhabitants

The population is a downtrodden lot, including many kidnapped from other worlds before being "broken". The majority of the population are called "Lowlies", a bald and fearful race that has no sense of self worth or value. [Cite comic | Writer = Byrne, John | Penciller = Byrne, John | Inker = Austin, Terry | Story = Legends from the Darkside | Title = Superman | Volume = 2 | Issue = 3 | Date = March, 1987 | Publisher = DC Comics | Page = 10-11] The Lowlies are subject to constant abuse that ends only with death. Next are the Parademons who serve as the keepers of order on the planet. [Cite comic | Writer = Byrne, John | Penciller = Byrne, John | Inker = Austin, Terry | Story = Legends from the Darkside | Title = Superman | Volume = 2 | Issue = 3 | Date = March, 1987 | Publisher = DC Comics | Page = 13] Higher above the Parademons are the Female Furies who are Darkseid's personal guard. (Male Furies also exist, but are less common) They are blessed with unnatural strength and longevity and are either trained for their position in the Furies from birth, or are promoted from the ranks of general Apokolips troops. The leaders of the Furies are Granny Goodness, who sports the appearance of a matronly old woman while being the most powerful of the guards, and Kanto, who enjoys a unique position as Darkseid's master assassin. The chief guard, Big Barda had a third position under Granny which has not been filled since her defection from the group.

Apokolips is ruled by Darkseid as its theocratic god/despot but he delegates most of the actual day to day ruling to his counsellor Desaad. Darkseid has no real contenders for the throne of Apokolips except the demon Mantis, although his sons Orion, Grayven, and Kalibak are also potential contenders. Darkseid is cursed by Grayven and Kalibak's stupidity and Orion's service of good. It is prophesied that Orion will overthrow Darkseid. In "Kingdom Come" it is revealed that Darkseid's overthrow will not result in major changes on Apokolips, as Apokolips' evil comes from evil itself rather than Darkseid.

Technology

Surprisingly, Apokolips is second to New Genesis in technological advancement. With their technology, they are the height of power in most of the universe and are able to devastate galaxies when they choose to use it. Apokoliptian technology is furthermore the source of unparalleled misery in the universe as the planet routinely arms evil groups with advanced technology in order to further its influence (and misery) across the universe. Apokolips technology was used by Ugly Mannheim and his Intergang in "Superman" comics.

The "Entropy Aegis" armor used by Steel to defeat Imperiex was Apokaliptian technology, as was Dmitri Pushkin's second suit of Rocket Red armor.

"Countdown to Final Crisis"

Using Boom Tube technology Brother Eye arrives on Apokolips and seemingly assimilates the entire planet. Before the assimilation is fully complete, The Pied Piper intervenes and channels the Anti-Life Equation through his flute. This destroys much of Brother Eye, making its central core make a last-minute escape off the surface of the planet and reverting much of Apokolips to what it was.

"Seven Soldiers"

Both Apokolips and New Genesis were seemingly destroyed in a final battle prior to Grant Morrison's miniseries "Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle". However, the final issue of that series implied that the story's earlier events were merely visions seen by the hero as part of an elaborate test by the New God Metron. How much of the battle really happened and the current status of the New Gods remains to be seen.

30th century

In the 30th century, original "Legion of Super-Heroes" continuity, Apokolips is inactive and Darkseid incapacitated. In the Reboot "Legion" continuity, Darkseid was aged and dying with the planet mostly uninhabited but the center of a large cult.

Galactus

During an intercompany crossover, Galactus visited Apokolips, but was unable to feed on the planet, since all of the life force that had dwelled there had either left to New Genesis or were burned in the fire pits long ago.

In other media

*The last two seasons of "Super Friends" featured Apokolips. It was shown in various episodes of ' and '.
*Jack Kirby's Fourth World was featured heavily in the final season of "" with Apokolips as the primary setting in a few episodes. In the final episode "Legacy", Superman faced Darkseid in battle and actually dethroned him as ruler and freed the people of Apokolips, only to watch the citizens help Darkseid recover from his wounds out of divine loyalty.

*In the successful series "Justice League" and its continuation, "Justice League Unlimited", Apokolips plunged into civil war after Darkseid's death, between two of his generals, Granny Goodness and Virman Vundabar. The League hopes that both sides would destroy each other, so that neither of them can threaten Earth or the universe. But when Darkseid was resurrected by Lex Luthor, he returned to Apokolips to reaffirm his rule, ending the civil war. He then orders his forces to attack Earth, so as to get revenge on Superman and later to head to New Genesis. The Apokolipian forces then came upon Earth via boom tubes. The Justice League, temporarily allied with the Secret Society of Super Villains, fought against them. When Darkseid and Luthor seemingly perished when they clasped their hands on the Anti-Life Equation, the Apokolipian forces retreated back to their home and possibly will get attack by New Genesis for violating the Highfather's pact with Darkseid or return to civil war.

References

External links

* [http://www.mykey3000.com/cosmicteams/cosmic/n.html#ng Cosmic Teams: New Gods]
* [http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=oldgods DCU Guide: Old Gods]
* [http://darkmark6.tripod.com/fourthworldind.htm Index to the Earth-1 Fourth World stories]
* [http://www.geocities.com/comixlibrary/newgods/ The New Gods Library - An Unofficial Fansite]