Warning: This article features spoilers for all of DC’s releases in 2024. The year 2024 marked a significant and tumultuous chapter in the DC Universe, characterized by a high casualty rate across its movies and television offerings. Unlike previous years which were rife with the DCEU film launches, 2024 represented a unique pause for DC’s live-action projects. The focus primarily shifted to iconic Batman villain stories such as Joker: Folie Á Deux and The Penguin, both of which delivered shock and intrigue through pivotal character deaths that would resonate deeply within their respective narratives.
Furthermore, this year also ushered in several much-anticipated animated ventures, including the premiere of Creature Commandos—the inaugural installment of the new DC Universe—and the conclusion of the animated Tomorrowverse series with Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths. These animated adaptations took bold steps in their portrayal of character deaths, solidifying 2024 as a year where the stakes felt particularly high, underscoring the merciless nature of life within the comic book realm.
10
Superman Faces Death Twice in Superman & Lois
Superman & Lois
The final season of Superman & Lois epitomized the end of an epoch for DC, marking the last hurrah of the franchise on the CW network. While the show is technically separate from the Arrowverse, its conclusion carried a heavy sense of finality, notably culminating in the demise of its central figure, Superman.
In a nod to the legendary comic arc, The Death of Superman, the series features Superman battling Darkseid, resulting in what is ostensibly his first death. Remarkably, he returns only to face a tragic fate in a flash-forward segment, wherein he succumbs to his mortal limitations, exiting this world in the same location as his father did.
9
Lois Lane’s Heartbreaking Goodbye
Superman & Lois
Alongside Superman, Lois Lane also met her tragic end in the series finale. Throughout the show, Lois’s battle with breast cancer provided a deeply poignant and relatable story arc. In a fitting yet heartbreaking conclusion, she passes away peacefully in old age due to the very ailment she had valiantly fought.
This quiet moment of closure emphasizes the real-world struggles and emotional weight carried throughout the series, leaving Clark as a widower and wrapping up the storyline of two beloved characters in a bittersweet farewell that resonated with audiences.
8
Arthur Fleck Meets His End at the Hands of the “Real”Joker
Joker: Madness for Two
DC’s sole live-action film for 2024, Joker: Folie Á Deux, followed the tumultuous journey of Arthur Fleck, further exploring how he shifted towards becoming the Clown Prince of Crime. The film culminates in Arthur’s tragic demise at the hands of a fellow inmate at Arkham Asylum, who is strongly implied to be the classic interpretation of the Joker.
This shocking ending not only reflects Arthur’s disillusionment with his own chaotic life but reaffirms the tragic nature of his character, encapsulating the essence of his defeat within a landscape rife with violence and moral ambiguity.
7
Harvey Dent’s Heroic Sacrifice
Batman: Caped Crusader
Batman: Caped Crusader carved a niche in DC’s animated universe with its gritty depiction of Gotham’s darker side. Among its narrative arcs, Harvey Dent’s transformation into Two-Face remains a poignant tale of tragedy. In keeping with his comic origins, Dent suffers an acid attack leading to his downfall.
Remarkably, he ultimately redeems his tragic fate by sacrificing his life to save Barbara Gordon, showcasing a semblance of heroism amidst his desolation. This sacrifice enlivens the narrative with emotional depth, illustrating the complex nature of morality within the Batman mythos.
6
Victor Aguilar’s Shocking Murder by The Penguin
The Penguin
One of the most jarring deaths in 2024’s DC slate comes from The Penguin, where Oz Cobb mercilessly murders his right-hand man Victor Aguilar. Initially portrayed with an air of complicity, Victor’s fate twists in the season finale, when Oz’s cruel nature surfaces as he kills Victor in a shocking display of violence, contrasting sharply with their previously forged bond.
This act, set against the backdrop of Gotham’s chaotic criminal underbelly, underscores the inherent treachery present in Oz’s character, solidifying his notoriety as one of DC’s darkest figures.
5
Oz Cobb Executes Alberto Falcone
The Penguin
In addition to Victor, Alberto Falcone is another victim of Oz Cobb’s ruthless ambition in The Penguin. During a confrontation where Alberto confronts Oz about his financial misdeeds, Oz disposes of Alberto without a second thought, showcasing a cold-hearted nature so ingrained that the brutal murder sets the tone for the entire series. This fleeting yet brutal act of violence highlights the lengths Oz will go to maintain his control over Gotham’s crime scene, leaving the audience grappling with the implications of his tyrannical aspirations.
4
Primus Brainiac’s Demise at the Hands of Supergirl
My Adventures with Superman
Your typical animated series, My Adventures with Superman carries a bright tone, juxtaposed with moments of significant drama, such as the defeat of Primus Brainiac. First introduced as a central antagonist, Brainiac’s malevolence unfolds as the series reveals his integral role in Krypton’s destruction.
Ultimately, Supergirl frees herself from Brainiac’s grasp, avenging her home planet by crushing him during a climactic battle. This pivotal moment not only showcased her growth as a hero but also positioned the series for new storylines as it moves into its third season.
3
G.I. Robot’s Gruesome Death by Calypso
Creature Commandos
In a bold departure from typical superhero narratives, James Gunn’s Creature Commandos introduces a whimsical but deadly ensemble cast of misfits. By the third episode, audiences are taken aback when G.I. Robot—initially a humorous addition—meets a tragic end at the hands of the sorceress Calypso.
Wrapping his backstory in emotional weight, his death serves as a stark reminder of the war themes that underpin the series, blending humor with tragedy effectively and delivering a poignant commentary on the expendable nature of characters within significant conflicts.
2
Supergirl’s Heart-Wrenching Action Against the Monitor
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Two
Continuing the trajectory set forth in the Tomorrowverse, the Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths trilogy incorporates themes of loss and sacrifice. During the second part, Supergirl finds herself in a tumultuous confrontation with the Monitor, an enigmatic figure granting her life but also holding her to certain cosmic responsibilities.
Faced with an anguishing decision against the backdrop of the Anti-Monitor’s destruction, Supergirl ultimately kills the Monitor, igniting a complex reaction ranging from grief to acceptance—an extraordinary moment that illustrates the weightiness of her choice amidst a multiverse on the brink of annihilation.
1
Darkseid’s Shocking Demise as an Infanthood
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three
The audacious narrative choices in 2024 even led to the exploration of a timeline where heroes confront Darkseid in his infancy. In an imaginative twist, the Flash is sent back in time with the intention of eliminating Darkseid while he’s still a child. However, burdened with a moral code that forbids such atrocious acts, he cannot carry out the deed.
Instead, Constantine’s intervention modifies the plan, turning the Flash into a poison that inadvertently eliminates Darkseid simply through proximity. This creative, darkly humorous approach stands out among numerous deaths portrayed in the DC Universe, exemplifying the bold storytelling choices present throughout 2024.
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