Warning! Preview pages ahead for Mr. Terrific: Year One #1!He might have godlike power, but DC Comics knows that all of Superman’s Kryptonian powers, Darkseid is simply too powerful for the Man of Steel.

Fans may recall that just months ago, Darkseid died after seemingly perishing in a battle with the Justice League. In actuality, he retreated to the Absolute Universe to heal and grow stronger than before. But the DCU’s leading scientific mind, Mister Terrific, has been thinking a lot about the League’s last battle with Darkseid. According to Terrific, Darkseid isn’t just a villain, he’s a force of nature whose power eclipses every hero, even Superman. With that in mind, what does that mean for the DC Universe when Darkseid inevitably returns to defeat the DC Universe’s heroes once and for all?

Mister Terrific Confirms Darkseid is a Force of Nature

The New God Can't Be Defeated Like a Normal Villain

In the wake of Absolute Power, Darkseid was cut off from the multiverse and all of his power coalesced into one form. This drove Darkseid mad, and he began a quest to break out beyond the multiversal barrier. He combined his might with that of the Spectre, who brought Darkseid to the Justice League in an attempt to stop him. The team did battle with the villain and managed to bring him down. Darkseid died and the Omega energy within him was scattered throughout the cosmos.

Darkseid's battle was infamously seen in last year's DC All In Special #1!

However, that was only half the story. Darkseid’s energy largely settled on Earth-Alpha, a young, impressionable world, and began to shape it. This Earth reflected Darkseid’s ideals and became the perfect place for him to recover from his fight with the Justice League. This world became the Absolute Universe and by the time its timeline solidified, Darkseid had everything he needed. Not only will he be restored to health by the 30th century, Darkseid will have his own army, a twisted variant of the Legion of Super-Heroes.

Mister Terrific likens Darkseid to a hurricane or earthquake, saying that one can’t defeat a force of nature.

In a preview for Mr. Terrific: Year One #1 by Al Letson, Valentine De Landro, and Edwin Galmon, Michael Hot reflects on his team’s battle with Darkseid. Terrific its he wanted to take Darkseid head on, but didn’t, saying that brute strength simply isn’t enough to stop something like Darkseid. Mister Terrific likens Darkseid to a hurricane or earthquake, saying that one can’t defeat a force of nature. Instead, one must form a strategy in order to outwit and survive in the face of such an incredible force as Darkseid.

The DC Universe Must Take a Different Approach to Darkseid

A Fight's Not Going to Stop the Return of DC's Ultimate Antagonist

Mister Terrific makes a great point about Darkseid in that he’s not just another bad guy like Brainiac or Despero. Darkseid is the ultimate embodiment of totalitarianism, and when it comes to conquering, few pose as great a danger as the New God does. Darkseid was already imbued with greater power than most villains in the DC Universe, and that was before he retreated to the Absolute Universe to restore his might. Now, Darkseid’s growing stronger and he’s more dangerous to the DCU than he was before.

It’s important to note that Terrific doesn’t say that beating Darkseid is impossible. He’s simply saying that strength isn’t enough. Which is fair, given that Superman has gone up against Darkseid numerous times, yet he always returns to challenge DC’s heroes again and again. Instead, rather than trying to beat him in a fight, Mister Terrific suggests finding ways to outmaneuver the despot. Tricky, yes, but again, not impossible. The Justice League has found ways to outwit Darkseid before, and that may be their only shot when he inevitably comes back from the Absolute Universe.

...Clark’s raw power isn’t enough to stop something as all-encoming as Darkseid.

Superman is an amazing asset to have and when it comes to protecting the Earth, no one does a better job. But even Clark’s raw power isn’t enough to stop something as all-encoming as Darkseid. He’s relentless in his mission to take control of everything, and Darkseid’s determination is simply too much for the Man of Steel to ever beat in a direct fight. That said, if Superman and his team plan and act accordingly, they can find ways to prevent Darkseid from taking control of the DC Universe.

Mr. Terrific: Year One #1 is available on May 28th from DC Comics.