10 DC Characters Who Single-Handedly Defeated a God

In the DC universe, gods and god-like beings are not uncommon, from the powerful New Gods to the mythological figures of ancient lore. These divine entities often pose a significant threat to heroes and villains alike, but there are a select few characters who have managed to defeat them single-handedly. In this article, we’ll be exploring 10 dc characters who single-handedly defeated a god. From the likes of Batman and the Joker to lesser-known characters like Batman and Spectre, these heroes and villains have proven that even gods can fall in the face of incredible strength, skill, or cunning. So, join us as we delve into the stories of these ten DC characters and the incredible feats they accomplished in their battles against gods.

Superman

It’s a given that he would be present, as he is arguably the mightiest and most adaptable superhero in terms of abilities. Superman, also known as Clark Kent/Kal El, is often the sole protector of his own universe, and his most remarkable conquest was over the persistent god Darkseid. In numerous comic books, cartoons, and movies, Superman has soundly defeated Darkseid on multiple occasions.

During one of their battles, Superman even withstood Darkseid’s Omega Beam using only his heat vision. Typically, though, it is Superman’s raw strength, fueled by solar energy, that renders Darkseid or his representative powerless.

Batman

This is a notable occurrence of deicide in DC Comics for several reasons, chiefly because it is one of the rare instances where Batman employs a firearm, let alone attempts to use it to take someone’s life. In the events leading up to “Final Crisis,” Batman’s world had been turned upside down by Grant Morrison’s “Batman R.I.P.,” and he was left feeling lost and adrift. During “Final Crisis,” Batman became ensnared by Darkseid’s minions, but he managed to escape and set out to pursue Darkseid.

By using a bullet that Darkseid had sent back in time to slay Orion, Batman was able to eliminate Darkseid, although he was struck by Darkseid’s Omega Sanctions in the process. These sanctions flung Batman all the way back to Kamandi’s era, laying the groundwork for Morrison’s subsequent storyline, “The Return of Bruce Wayne.”

Wonder woman

Another Justice League member who frequently deals with issues concerning Olympians is Wonder Woman (Diana Prince). Her nemesis is none other than Ares, the God of War and one of the most significant deities in Greco-Roman mythology. Wonder Woman, who is almost as powerful as Superman, has occasionally taken on Ares single-handedly.

One such instance where she defeated the God of War occurred during one of his orchestrated assaults on Themyscira, Diana’s home planet. In a fit of rage, Diana stormed Ares’ comfortable perch, seized a battle axe, and cleaved open his head before he had the chance to brag about his recent military campaigns to the Amazon.

Darkseid

Grant Morrison’s “Final Crisis” is, in many respects, a story about murder. The narrative commences as a murder mystery, with the central query being “Who assassinated a god?” and culminates in the question “How can a god annihilate the universe?” As per Morrison’s style, none of these queries can be addressed without embarking on a journey across interdimensional Bleed between universes, a stopover in Limbo, and an awareness of metafictional aspects on the part of the characters.

The story kicks off with the discovery of Orion, Darkseid’s biological son and Highfather’s adopted son, lying dead in a garbage dump in a seedy part of the city. Subsequently, the Justice League uncovers that he was murdered by his own father Darkseid, employing a bullet that he had fired backward through time. This bullet would have severe ramifications for Darkseid himself.”

Aquaman

Despite Aquaman’s reputation for having limited powers, he surprisingly makes it onto this list. During the late ’90s and early 2000s, Aquaman was considered the ruler of the ocean, but he also faced many challenges (such as losing his hand and replacing it with a hook). Triton, one of Poseidon’s sons, believed that the ocean was rightfully his and challenged Aquaman to a physical fight. However, Triton warned that he was invincible and could only be defeated by someone who did not believe in his divine power. Despite this, Aquaman engaged in a lengthy fight with Triton and eventually killed him by impaling him on a rock. As a result, Triton’s father Poseidon collected his son’s body and punished Aquaman by blinding him.

Doomsday

Known for his ability to defeat Superman in single combat, surprisingly managed to defeat a god as well, namely Darkseid. The event occurred in the series “Rematch: Hunter/Prey” where Doomsday warms up by kicking sand in Darkseid’s face before supposedly facing off against Superman again. It is noteworthy that the writers of the series portrayed Darkseid as weaker than he should be, although this was not necessary for Doomsday to achieve the victory. Nevertheless, Doomsday now holds the distinction of defeating a god in the DC universe.

Spectre

Spectre is an incredibly powerful force, capable of assuming the form of almost any being it chooses to possess. Spectre is nearly invincible and there are very few things that can defeat it. However, in the Day of Vengeance storyline, Spectre was manipulated into destroying magic and sought out those with formidable magical powers, including the wizard Shazam (who granted powers to Billy Batson). Shazam prepared for a one-on-one fight against Spectre, but despite appearing to win, Spectre managed to revive himself and deal a fatal blow to Shazam. It’s worth noting that the wizard Shazam is considered a god in DC, meaning that he was defeated by the right hand of another god.

Black racer

A physical representation of Death, Black Racer, in the DC universe and was once imprisoned by Darkseid as a weapon. However, this weapon turned against its creator when both Flashes led Black Racer to Darkseid with the intention of defeating him. Black Racer ended up beating Darkseid severely and almost killing him, but the situation was brought under control before it escalated further. Following this, the Justice League of America arrived and completed the job started by Black Racer. This incident demonstrates the immense power of Black Racer, who is capable of taking down even a god-like entity such as Darkseid. It also highlights the lengths to which heroes in the DC universe are willing to go to defeat their enemies, even if it means using Death itself as a weapon.

Orion

Right from his birth, Orion had a promising future. As Darkseid’s own son, a prophecy foretold that he would be the one to bring about Darkseid’s downfall. Inevitably, father and son engaged in a cosmic battle that ended with Orion tearing out Darkseid’s heart and killing him. Following this, Orion went on to become a New God in his own right, although he does not possess the same level of omnipotence as his father. Nonetheless, Orion fulfilled the prophecy assigned to him, and defeating Darkseid was an accomplishment in itself.

Joker

Batman once injured Darkseid, which was an impressive feat. However, in the Emperor Joker series, the Joker did something even more remarkable to Darkseid. After acquiring Mr. Mxyzptlk’s multiverse-bending powers, the Joker turned Darkseid into a joke. Darkseid didn’t even have to suffer any physical harm as he immediately recognized that he was no match for the Clown-Prince-of-Crime-turned-Emperor and surrendered to him. This was an incredibly humiliating defeat for Darkseid, who is known for his immense power and feared by many.

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