Darkseid is DC Comics’ biggest villain and in the movies, he’s been molded as a final-level boss in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Darkseid has proven himself a major player who brings destruction and death to the table throughout his many comic appearances, but that doesn’t mean he’s unbeatable.
In fact, while DC’s finest have taken Darkseid on time and time again, Marvel hosts some iconic figures who can throw down with the devilishly divine dictator. Having taken on other cosmic villains like Galactus, Doom and Thanos, some of Marvel’s mightiest can take out Darkseid without breaking a sweat.
Updated on July 20, 2022 by Scoot Allan: DC’s next generation of heroes have stepped up to fight off Darkseid and his allies for The Great Darkness in the Dark Crisis event. Darkseid has proven his strength against powerful DC heroes across several events like Dark Crisis. However, fans of the Marvelous Competition have always been curious about how the Apokoliptian New God would fare against some of the Marvel universe’s strongest heroes.
20 The Sentry Has The Power Of A Million Exploding Suns And A Dark Half Known As The Void
After ingesting a super-serum while looking for drugs, Robert Reynolds gains incredible abilities. Calling himself The Sentry, he boasts the power of a million exploding suns. Sentry has ripped powerful characters like Carnage and Ares completely apart, and he has pushed the very strongest version of Hulk to his limits.
Sentry also possesses a darker side, perfect for taking Darkseid out. Known as The Void, this entity can reshape reality, alter molecules to mold battles as he sees fit, and inflict endless nightmares on his opponents. These abilities top Darkseid’s Omega Sanction beams and paint The Sentry as a godlike figure who’s more than powerful enough to take down the New God.
19 Thor Is A Powerful Thunder God And His Enchanted Hammer Mjolnir Gives Him An Edge
Darkseid is a New God, but Marvel’s Thor is an old one. The Asgardian prince has fought many enemies of similar strength and power on a cosmic scale. With Mjolnir in hand, Thor can summon thunder and lightning and really bring the hammer down on Apokolips’ leader.
Thor knows when to take the kid gloves off and step up to the plate. He’ll take Darkseid’s head clean off, either with Mjolnir or his enchanted god-killing axe, Jarnbjorn. There’s a reason Thor is chosen as being worthy, especially when preserving the realms.
18 Black Bolt Is The Cosmic Ruler Of The Inhumans With Psionic Powers And A Devastating Voice
Black Bolt has fought some of Marvel’s heaviest-hitters like Hulk and Thanos. What makes him a player big enough to face Darkseid is the fact he isn’t afraid to use his devastating sonic scream. As king of the Inhumans, he’ll view Darkseid as another regal threat who wants his throne, and Black Bolt can get pretty serious in such circumstances.
Neither King Blackagar Boltagon nor his people are in the business of holding back, even against a hell planet and its dark lord. Unafraid to engage in an all-out war, Black Bolt possesses other psionic abilities that make him a match for a force like Darkseid.
17 Vulcan Is An Energy-Manipulating Mutant With A Dark Side Who Has Conquered Empires Single-Handedly
Gabrial Summers is Cyclops and Havok’s long-lost brother, raised in the Shi’ar Imperium. A powerful mutant energy manipulator, he escapes from the Shi’ar and returns to Earth. As Vulcan, he joins a secret squad of X-Men who died during a battle with Krakoa. Vulcan survives and eventually takes revenge on the Shi’ar.
Vulcan used his incredible abilities to conquer the Shi’ar Empire and launched an interstellar war against other empires like the Kree in the War of Kings event. Vulcan could manipulate the energy of Darkseid’s Omega Effect and redirect it right back at the New God, giving him a taste of his own medicine before he pressed his advantage.
16 Squirrel Girl Defeated Some Of The Marvel Universe’s Most Powerful Cosmic Characters
Squirrel Girl has taken on the likes of Doctor Doom, but her biggest accomplishment comes when she defeats Thanos. If she can take out the Mad Titan, she can take down another galactic conqueror. If Darkseid underestimates her and her army of squirrels, then he should consider himself beaten.
Squirrel Girl could use her power of friendship and talk Darkseid into submitting to her cuteness, which was how she defeated Galactus. Uatu and Metron would certainly enjoy watching her go up against Darkseid in what would undoubtedly be a bizarre and hilarious confrontation.
15 Rogue Can Absorb The Powers Of Other Heroes And Villains To Deliver Quite The Payload
One of the most tempestuous and powerful heroes around, Rogue can absorb other people’s abilities. After turning herself into an army of one, she’ll unleash an explosive arsenal on Darkseid. She can become any Avenger and X-Man available, making her a bomb with quite the payload.
Because of the unpredictable powers Rogue brings to the battlefield, she’s the last person Darkseid wants to face. She has a low tolerance for despots like Darkseid, and it would be in his best interest to steer clear of Rogue unless he wants to become part of her collection of powers.
14 Doctor Strange Is Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme Who Definitely Has A Spell Up His Sleeve For Darkseid
Doctor Strange is a master of the mystical arts and Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme. DC’s strongest magic users rarely go up against Darkseid, but Strange often positions himself front and center when catastrophe comes to Earth. He can use the Eye of Agamotto and a plethora of spells at his disposal to take Darkseid down.
Strange has dealt with the Infinity Stones as part of the Illuminati, giving him access to the universal weapons. He can mind-wipe Darkseid, take him to another realm and trap him there, or use demons and creatures to subdue the tyrant.
13 Silver Surfer Wields The Power Cosmic From Galactus As The Sentinel Of The Spaceways
The Silver Surfer can harness the Power Cosmic, which gives him superhuman strength and makes him nearly indestructible. He can also absorb and manipulate the universe’s ambient energy and redirect it. Silver Surfer turns on his creator, Galactus, and faces him in battle a few times. For Silver Surfer, taking on Darkseid will be a walk in the park.
Darkseid has faced a ton of metahumans and superheroes, but he rarely encounters cosmic creatures on his level other than the New Gods. When the Silver Surfer unleashes his full array of powers, he’ll exceed Darkseid’s incredible abilities. He may even bring Galactus in to devour Apokolips.
12 Hyperion Is A Superman-Like Powerhouse Who Could Give Darkseid Some Serious Trouble
One of Darkseid’s most brutal DC beatdowns came at Superman and Supergirl’s hands, highlighting his occasional problems dealing with powerful Kryptonians. This makes Hyperion a strong candidate to take down Darkseid because he’s basically Marvel’s version of Superman.
Hyperion doesn’t pull his punches, and he’s very aggressive. He can be an anti-hero or a villain, and he may become the dark Superman needed to kill Darkseid. If the ruler of Apokolips expects compassion and mercy, he’s sorely mistaken.
11 Gladiator Is One Of The Marvel Universe’s Most Powerful Aliens Whose Powers Are Based On Confidence
The Shi’ar Empire was protected by a powerful group of aliens called the Imperial Guard, which Gladiator led for years. Kallark was a Strontian, one of the strongest alien races in the Marvel Universe. He possessed Superman-like abilities, including super-strength, speed, flight, enhanced durability, and devastating eye beams.
Gladiator’s abilities depend on his confidence levels, which meant he could increase his strength if he felt very sure of himself. He would give Darkseid a battle like Superman could. Kallark would prove even more formidable if he received a good pep talk before the battle.
10 Franklin Richards Is A Powerful Reality Shaper Who Has Taken On The Strongest Beings In The Universe
Franklin Richards’ used his reality-warping power to single-handedly take on Celestials and stand toe-to-toe with Galactus. He established his omega-level status when he made the devourer of worlds his own herald. With Franklin’s power to manipulate reality and molecules, Darkseid would be the underdog.
Franklin Richards also boasts telepathy, telekinesis, concussive energy blasts, precognition and astral projection. The older he gets, the more cerebral and powerful Franklin becomes. Darkseid should be wary because Franklin is a weapon of mass destruction on a mental and physical level.
9 The Hulk Is A Gamma-Powered Hero Whose Limitless Strength Grows Alongside His Uncontrollable Anger
There’s a reason Hulk is the strongest there is. Almost everyone in the Marvel Universe knows how much of a destroyer Hulk can be, so if he loses control, Darkseid needs to count his lucky stars because he’ll need all the help he can get.
Hulk can take on DC’s finest and the power he packs can break worlds. A fully enraged Hulk will have no problem crushing and killing Darkseid’s Furies and Parademons to get to his target. This green gamma-powered monster isn’t to be messed with.
8 Scarlet Witch’s Reality Altering Powers Can Become Even More Dangerous When She Loses Control Of Herself
Wanda Maximoff may be an Avenger, but when she loses control, the Scarlet Witch takes it to the extreme. She can warp things around Darkseid and lodge him in a version of her own reality, just like in the House of M event. Darkseid must tread carefully around her. Apart from these powers, she’s got plenty of hexes to throw his way.
Darkseid usually battles opponents who aren’t able to cause rifts in the universe. If he goes up against the Scarlet Witch, her current mood will determine the battle’s outcome. Should she come in angry, Scarlet Witch can disassemble the very fabric of Darkseid’s reality.
7 Reed Richards Is One Of The Smartest Minds In The Marvel Universe Who Could Outsmart The Apokoliptian New God
Reed Richards is a universal problem-solver who can work on a multiverse scale. Richards has a solution for every problem and if there isn’t one, he’ll build it. Mr. Fantastic can easily wield the Gauntlet, the Ultimate Nullifier, or even a Cosmic Cube to take Darkseid out of the picture.
The most dangerous weapon in Reed’s arsenal has always been his keen mind. Just as he’s done with Doctor Doom or other threats he has subdued, Reed Richards inevitably fights his way to the top.
6 Tony Stark’s Genius Intellect Has Created Several Powerful Suits Of Armor That Can Take On Darkseid
Iron Man has proven to be a genius who can challenge cosmic villains. Given all the suits and weapons he’s created over the years, he definitely has the technology needed up upgrade the Hulkbuster into a Darkseid-buster. Stark has created a few powerful Iron Man armors to deal with specific villains over the years, and Darkseid will fall like the others.
Tony Stark can bring his Iron Man battalion into the fray or simply outwit Darkseid as he’s done to so many Marvel villains over the years. Darkseid may be clever, but no matter the enemy, Stark is usually much smarter and better armed.
5 The Dark Phoenix Has Already Shown She Could Take On Darkseid In The Uncanny X-Men And The New Teen Titans
When Jean Grey became the Dark Phoenix, she devoured planets by razing them with her flames, and she could’ve conquered the galaxy. As one of the most powerful entities to roam the galaxy in Marvel universe history, the Phoenix would obliterate Darkseid.
Dark Phoenix had access to Jean Grey’s telepathic and telekinetic abilities but was also a living supernova. Darkseid already lost to the Dark Pheonix in 1982’s The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans crossover, making the cosmic force a clear favorite in a rematch.
4 Black Panther Would Use All The Resources at His Disposal Including The Infinity Gauntlet To Defeat Darkseid
Black Panther has an intellect right up there with Batman and Iron Man. King T’Challa has faced Thanos’ Black Order, Doctor Doom, and several powerful villains. He’ll be more than prepared for Darkseid.
As seen in events like Secret Invasion or Secret Wars, Black Panther isn’t afraid to kill his opponents and can even wield the Infinity Gauntlet. He’s destroyed worlds to save Earth and will use all of his resources, including the Gauntlet, to defeat Darkseid. When innocents are at stake, Panther will do whatever it takes to win the war.
3 A Host Is Chosen By The Enigma Force And Transformed By The Cosmic Uni-Power Into Captain Universe
The Marvel Universe has a powerful protector known as Captain Universe who appears when and where they’re most needed. An ancient entity known as the Enigma Force chooses a host and empowers with an energy known as the Uni-Power. Captain Universe can manipulate matter and energy in various forms, although the powers can vary by host.
If Darkseid were to threaten the Marvel Universe, it’s likely a new Captain universe would rise to help stop the new cosmic threat. Aside from Captain Universe’s usual assortment of powers, they’d likely develop even more abilities to counter Darkseid’s powers.
2 Cosmic Ghost Rider Is A Multiversal Punisher And Spirit Of Vengeance Who Also Gained The Power Cosmic
Frank Castle from an alternate reality made a deal with Mephisto to become his Ghost Rider after he died during Earth’s last stand against Thanos. However, he returned to a dead planet that he ultimately offered to Galactus in exchange for his Power Cosmic. Castle became Cosmic Ghost Rider, one of the multiverse’s most deadly and powerful characters.
Darkseid has faced powerful cosmic beings before, but the unique blend of Punisher, Ghost Rider, and Silver Surfer could prove more than almost any comic book villain could handle. Few Marvel characters could beat Cosmic Ghost Rider, so Darkseid might have trouble.
1 The Beyonder Is A Powerful Other-Dimensional Being Who Can Manipulate Reality With A Simple Thought
The omnipotent cosmic being known as The Beyonder first appeared in the Marvel Universe during the great Secret Wars events. He used his powerful abilities to create a planet known as Battleworld. Then he brought heroes, villains, and civilians to the world and had them engage in a battle between good and evil so he could better study humanity.
Darkseid has attempted to manipulate characters and events in his universe, but even he can’t manipulate reality at will like The Beyonder. While there are some versions of Darkseid who’ve wielded that level of power, the base version of Darkseid just can’t compete.