DC Comics is setting the stage for one of its biggest initiatives in years since New 52, and at the heart of it all stands the ultimate villain, Darkseid. In the forthcoming DC All In Special #1, fans will witness the iconic villain evolve into something even more menacing. In a roundtable interview over Zoom, creators Scott Snyder and Wes Craig shared insights into how they redefined Darkseid for a new era and what “DC All In” signifies for the future of DC Comics’ superheroes.
The Glory Days Remain
At the core of “DC All In” is a desire to prove that superheroes are far from over. Recent conversations in popular culture have suggested that superhero stories have peaked, particularly with the shifting tides in the cinematic universes. Scott Snyder and Josh Williamson, two architects of this initiative, each of whom wrote half of DC All in Special #1, set out to challenge that narrative.
“We wanted to remind people that not only are these heroes alive and well in comics, but they’re living some of their most epic stories,” Snyder explained. “Comics is where they can also be reborn.”
Crafting Narratives with Purpose
The DC All In Special #1 isn’t just the start of a comic book event; it’s a thesis statement for the future of the DC Universe. Snyder described the project as a seismic moment for DC Comics, one born out of a shared desire between him and Williamson to craft a mission statement that would carry the company’s line forward for the next couple of years.
He added, “We wanted to make a mission statement… that would dictate a story supposed to carry the message of the whole line.”
The focal point for that message? Yes, it’s Darkseid, but it’s deeper still.
For Snyder, the decision to elevate Darkseid to a new status came naturally. In recent years, the villain has been part of several major events, from the Final Crisis to the Darkseid War. However, Snyder and Craig saw the potential to push Darkseid beyond anything seen before.
“We thought maybe with this we’d be able to elevate him even further and kind of create a scenario where he discovers there’s a role for him in the DCU that he didn’t even recognize,” Snyder explained. In DC All In Special #1, Darkseid realizes his ultimate purpose: to become something akin to a “Darkseid Prime” or a “huge Darkseid Omega Galactus-level villain,” Snyder said.
Courtesy of DC Comics.
Plans for Darkseid were in the works for some time. In fact, before the “DC All In” initiative really took form, Snyder swas working on coming back to DC Comics with a Darkseid story.
“I was gearing up to do a Darkseid series, and then when we knew we were going to have Darkseid covered in other things, then I was going do a Detective Chimp [story].” Instead, “DC All In” took form, and eventually, Snyder took on Absolue Batman with Nick Dragotta.
Darkseid Reborn
Darkseid’s transformation in this event is not just a physical one but a conceptual evolution.
“Darkseid discovers that he has a role in the universe to end everything,” Snyder explained. “Now that the multiverse is locked away, he has the opportunity to gather all those aspects of himself from across the multiverse and become something almost like a Darkseid Prime.”
This version of the villain will not only embrace the role of the destroyer but transcend into something even more terrifying — a being with the power to erase entire stories and histories. Craig, the artist tasked with bringing this vision to life, found the opportunity exhilarating.
“Scott and Josh’s vision felt bold, and I could lock into it immediately,” Craig noted. “For me, being able to exist in that Jack Kirby world and draw Darkseid, his family, and Apokolips was one of the enticers for doing the book.”
Courtesy of DC Comics.
Craig’s style, often described as raw and chaotic, was the perfect fit for the tone of DC All In Special.
“It felt a little punk, a little metal… I was just trying to bring some of that energy,” Craig remarked. “I think it suited the darker perspective of this story.”
The Justice League’s Biggest Challenge
While DC All In Special puts Darkseid in the spotlight, the story also represents a major turning point for the heroes. Due to the events of the issue, the Justice League will be forced to expand its roster in unprecedented ways to face this new threat. Snyder teased that the heroes’ journey will require them to rethink their mission and include “worlds and heroes they might not otherwise” have embraced.
“The challenge for the heroes is to think bigger,” Snyder added. “To face Darkseid, they will need to expand not just their physical roster but their mission.”
For longtime DC Comics fans, this expansion will mean the return of beloved characters from various timelines and alternate Earths. Snyder confirmed that the new initiative would take readers across the multiverse, with characters from different eras stepping up to help the Justice League in their battle against Darkseid’s universe-ending ambitions.
“We’re going to go everywhere,” Snyder said. “Every character you want to see — we want them to be part of this tapestry.”
Courtesy of DC Comics.
A Universe-Changing Villain
As mentioned, the new Darkseid is not just a villain out to conquer the universe — he’s here to end it for good. The infamous “Darkseid is” mantra takes on a new meaning in DC All In, as the villain evolves from merely controlling life with the Anti-Life Equation to something even more destructive.
“Instead of pursuing the Anti-Life Equation, he’s embracing this role as the ender,” Snyder revealed. “He hits you with his beams, and your entire story, your past, your existence — all of it is erased. He becomes far more dangerous.”
Craig’s interpretation of Darkseid reflects this new threat. His portrayal is menacing and larger-than-life, with visuals that tap into Kirby’s original designs while pushing the character into new, more terrifying territory.
“I just love drawing him,” Craig said with a laugh. “It was fun — drawing the ax-hand, his whole presence.”
Courtesy of DC Comics.
Building Toward A Cosmic Future
“DC All In“ isn’t just a one-off event. Snyder and Williamson have been planning this initiative for years, and they have long-term goals that extend into the future of the DC Universe.
“We have plans now for what we’re doing for fall of 2025,” Snyder teased. “This is really the culmination of everything we’ve been building toward for years, and Darkseid gets to be his biggest, baddest self.”
Their goals were three-pronged:
- Create a meta-story that would be compelling. That’s the core goal DC All in Special #1.
- Cast a wide net with jumping on points across the entire line.
- Reinvent heroes with the Absolute line, making them more personal to the creators and exciting.
Snyder emphasized that DC All In Special would serve as the backbone of a new era for DC Comics, with stories that tie together in ways both familiar and unexpected.
“We’re building this big, cosmic epic,” Snyder said. “And we’re doing it in a way that feels fresh, additive, and inclusive.”
At its heart, “DC All In” is a celebration of superhero comics. It aims to bring fans back into comic stores, keep them engaged, and prove that the medium is alive and well.
“We wanted to make an artifact that was fun, and that got people into stores,” Snyder said. “It’s meant to feel like the start of something that feels inclusive, that feels refreshing.”
Courtesy of DC Comics.
The Road Ahead
DC All In Special #1 is more than just a comic; it’s a statement about how DC Comics can change and adapt to the future. With Darkseid ascending to a new level of villainy, and the Justice League forced to rethink everything they know, the stakes have never been higher. The initiative aims to remind readers that superheroes are far from over—in fact, they’re just getting started.
“Comics are where these heroes can be reborn,” Snyder concluded. “And we’re ready to show the world what’s next.”
Fans can expect DC All In Special #1 to hit stores on October 2, with more surprises and revelations to unfold as the “DC All In” initiative moves forward. For now, one thing is certain: Darkseid is…changing… and he’s more dangerous than ever.
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