Darkseid’s Shocking Revelation Leaves the Justice League Stumbling

The lore surrounding Darkseid has recently surged in excitement, transitioning from the DC ALL IN Special to the New Gods series. However, a new comic outside of this Darkseid-centric universe has introduced a substantial twist that could redefine not only fans’ understanding but also the Justice League’s strategies against their formidable adversary. This fresh revelation promises to have far-reaching implications on how the League engages with Darkseid’s forces.

In the latest issue of Justice League Unlimited #2, penned by Mark Waid and illustrated by Dan Mora, the story unfolds as an elite team from the Justice League embarks on a mission to a remote South American village. Their objective? To investigate disturbing reports of winged creatures—later identified as Darkseid’s Parademons—who are allegedly abducting children and disappearing into the dense forests.

The team members responding to this dire situation include some of the most iconic heroes: Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Martian Manhunter, Mary Marvel, Blue Beetle, Black Lightning, Star Sapphire, and Dr. Occult. Among these figures, Martian Manhunter and Dr. Occult bear the brunt of the mission to track down and rescue the missing children. Their search leads to an astonishing discovery about the Parademons.

DC Shatters Everything the Justice League Knew About Darkseid’s Parademons

Martian Manhunter & Dr. Occult Make a Startling Discovery About Parademons

During their exploration of an extensive underground cave system, J’onn J’onzz and Dr. Occult encounter a Parademon tasked with guarding the stolen children. When Dr. Occult suggests using Martian Manhunter’s telepathic abilities to distract the creature, J’onn’s assessment of its nature is disheartening: “No. He’s a Parademon. Like all his brethren, he’s but a mindless beast.” While this characterization aligns with the prevalent understanding of Parademons, the subsequent events swiftly undermine this assumption.

In an unexpected turn, the Parademon surprisingly responds to their presence: “Not really.” This shocking affirmation reveals cognitive capabilities atypical of its species, challenging everything the Justice League has believed about Darkseid’s minions. As the narrative progresses, Waid provides critical context for this newfound understanding.

DC Reveals the Lore of the ORIGINAL Parademons

Some Parademons Are More Than Just “Mindless Beasts”

As Martian Manhunter processes this revelation, he inquires about the Parademon’s unique nature. The creature cryptically replies, “Different. Born… Different.” This single word, “born,” drastically alters the established narrative around Parademons. Longtime followers of Darkseid’s saga are aware that Parademons are not born but rather engineered in Apokolips’ laboratories for servitude. This discovery fundamentally shifts the Justice League’s comprehension of these beings.

Furthermore, the Parademon explains that the first among its kind was “self-aware,” shedding light on its intellectual capabilities previously unseen in others. This distinction is pivotal—he reveals that his role on Earth was deemed crucial by Darkseid due to his enhanced cognition, assigned to oversee an emergent nest, a directive originating “long ago.” However, unbeknownst to the Parademon, Darkseid’s demise has thrown a wrench into its plans, awakening the nest it was meant to protect.

Darkseid’s Parademons Are A Bigger Threat to Earth Than Ever Before

Will the Justice League Have to Change Their Tactics in Dealing With Parademons?

This exchange significantly escalates the threat the Parademons pose, as the Justice League now realizes their initial assessment was profoundly flawed. The emergence of Parademons capable of advanced cognition raises pressing questions: How many such beings exist, and will they leverage the power vacuum left by Darkseid’s death to mount an organized assault against Earth?

This turning point necessitates a reevaluation of the Justice League’s tactics. Previously, they held no qualms about eradicating Parademons, seeing them as soulless constructs. Now, confronted with the reality that some possess sentience, the League faces a moral quandary about how to engage with these entities. A prime example of this dilemma is seen when Superman and Wonder Woman intervene to prevent Martian Manhunter from killing the Parademon, pointing to a deeper conflict about their ethical framework.

Martian Manhunter Has More in Common With a Parademon Than You’d Think

“How Dare You! Using Your Pain to Justify the Harvesting of Children?!” – Martian Manhunter in Justice League Unlimited #2 (2024)

The emotional climax of this issue culminates when Martian Manhunter, typically composed, nearly succumbs to a violent outburst against the Parademon. This reaction comes in response to the creature’s lament about its own suffering—having been exiled on Earth against its will and tasked with guarding a nest. Faced with the knowledge of Darkseid’s death, the Parademon feels that its entire existence has been rendered futile. It cries out, “No! It’s not fair! To be torn from… your home against your will… imprisoned and abandoned on another planet for years and years… Can you imagine my suffering?”

This moment profoundly resonates with Martian Manhunter, who carries his own burdens of loss and exile. For the Parademon to invoke such pain to justify its wrongful actions infuriates J’onn, propelling him into a rage that highlights the complexity of the moral landscape they navigate. In this moment, we see that the exploitation of suffering for self-serving purposes is the one thing that can ignite Martian Manhunter’s fury.

Justice League Unlimited #2 is available now from DC Comics!

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