loneliness + alienation + fear + despair
Overview[]
For the cosmic tyrant known as Darkseid, there is only one thing that he lusts after. One thing that he craves above all else. And that is the Anti-Life Equation for with it in his possession; he can subjugate every living thing in the entire universe to his whim, destroy all free will, and conquer everything!
Background[]
Anti-Life Equation
The Anti-Life Equation is a fictional transcendental mathematical concept in the DC Multiverse.
It was conceived by Jack Kirby as Darkseid’s greatest desire in the whole universe and is first referenced in New Gods #1, published in February of 1971. It is apparently a formula which would eradicate free will in any sentient being and allow the user to dominate them forever.
Darkseid has spent centuries scouring the universe for hints to this mythical concept and recently has unraveled that incomplete parts of the formula exists in the subconscious minds of certain human beings. Sonny Sumo, the Pied Piper, and Empress have also been noted as possessing fragments of the Anti-Life Equation in their possession. This has prevented the Lord of Apokolips from simply wiping out or destroying the planet Earth (and its inhabitants) entirely else he would be forced to waste more time hunting down the Anti-Life Equation. However this revelation has a double-edge sword as it has firmly set Earth in the sights of the cosmic tyrant.
Although Darkseid has been able to acquire bits and pieces of the equation over the years; he lacks the full and complete version and has been thwarted from gaining possession of the full version by the Forever People, Orion, Mister Miracle, and the other New Gods on various occasions.
Over the decades, various writers have also interpreted the Anti-Life Equation as being the mathematical proof of the futility of living and can give complete control over a person’s thoughts and body. Aspects to the Equation have also allowed for the resurrection of the dead as soulless automatons and being able to actually rewrite and consume reality—as the universe itself is a part of living creation. Other revelations have stated that the Anti-Life Equation is sentient to a certain degree as well as that not even Darkseid is fully aware of the full dangers and abilities of the Anti-Life Equation.
The Anti-Life Equation has frequently come up as an important aspect to the character of Darkseid and his attempts to weaponize it have usually appeared or been a key plot point in his various adaptations in several television series based on the DC Comics.
Appearances / References[]
TV Series[]
Superman: The Animated Series (1996)[]
- "Apokolips... Now! Part 1"
Justice League (2001)[]
- "Twilight"
- "Destroyer"
Smallville (2001)[]
- "Legion"
- "Roulette"
- "Patriot"
- "Masquerade"
- "Finale, Part 2"
Justice League Action (2016)[]
- "It'll Take a Miracle"