In DC reality, there are parallel universes known as the multiverse, as well as a distinct realm where negative universes reside. This is referred to as the negative realm. These regions are shrouded in darkness in order for the galaxies above to thrive. There are various different wicked versions of Batman in these negative realities.
The Dark Multiverse’s various versions of Batman are villains worth a nightmare, as these evil monsters possess enormous knowledge and intelligence. They have great power and strive to wreak havoc on the realms above them. Today, we will discuss DarkFather, a version of Batman that was engulfed by the Anti-Life equation and converted into a combination of Batman and Darkseid. Darkfather made his debut in Dark Nights: Death Metal Volume 1 in August 2020, created by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. So, without further ado, let us have a look at this monstrosity of a figure.
DARKFATHER – DARK MULTIVERSE ORIGIN
Darkfather is a Dark Multiverse Batman who gained Darkseid’s abilities after defeating him. “Darkfather” was once the Batman of his planet, defeating the evil deity Darkseid before stealing his powers and adopting his appearance. He also mastered the Anti-Life Equation and transformed Apokolips’ Parademons into “Pararobins,” equipping them in outfits similar to his sidekick Robin. He eventually resigned after giving over the power of the Anti-Life to his world’s Superman but joined the Batman Who Laughs’ Dark Knights to attack Earth 0 under a bargain with Perpetua.
The Teen Titans and Titans joined forces to take on him and his Pararobins but were defeated. Darkfather and the Pararobins then confronted Superman, who had just returned from fighting Perpetua with the Justice League on Earth’s Moon. Superman was defeated, and the Moon was destroyed as a result of the conflict. The Batman Who Laughs directed Darkfather to construct a New Apokolips in the center of the Sun, which had burned out during Perpetua’s conflict with the League, with Superman utilized to keep it alive.
Mister Miracle was made the vanguard of New Apokolips under the watchful eye of Darkfather, who coercively extracted the idea of building the Death Drive, which housed all shades of Kryptonite in the creation and would kill his Kryptonian cells to make him acquiesce to the Anti-Life if he didn’t willingly surrender. Furthermore, in New Apokolips, all of the world’s surviving heroes were imprisoned.
When Wonder Woman, Batman, and Harley Quinn decided to destroy the tyranny of the Batman Who Laughs, they first invaded New Apokolips in order to release Superman and all the other heroes imprisoned there. As Wonder Woman’s squad stormed into his headquarters and the Pararobins attacked the others, Darkfather engaged her directly.
When he observed Batman attempting to liberate Superman, he shot him with Omega Beams from a pistol, but they had no impact. When he saw Superman releasing himself, he authorized the Anti-Life Equation to murder him, but Batman’s Black Lantern Ring saved him. Superman then punched him, sending him flying away from New Apokolips.
Anti-Life Equation
The Anti-Life Equation was a transcendental mathematical formula that was initially intended to allow anyone who knew it to control the will of any sentient race; this is Darkseid’s ultimate objective. It was originally supposed to reside in the head of “Billion Dollar” Bates, who took it to his death. Darkseid continues his search and just received the whole formula. It instills the mathematical certainty that all existence is dismal and that the ideals of freedom and hope are meaningless, dooming all who hear it to despair.
When Darkseid established contact with the Martians some 300 years ago, the first trace of the Equation appeared. When he discovered that Martian philosophy was founded on the “Life Equation,” which equals free will, he reasoned that the inverse must also exist. Darkseid eventually turned his attention to Earth after discovering that humans contained bits of the opposing Equation in their subconscious, and he performed trials on mankind for decades in an attempt to get the whole formula.
The Anti-Life Equation has the power to dominate the will of any sentient race in addition to reality-altering powers that twist and distort freedom over life and death. It derives its name from the fact that “if someone possesses absolute control over you you’re not really alive”. The Equation was also found in the time-displaced Sonny Sumo. He eventually became a pawn of Desaad so that the New God could use the Equation to kill Brother Eye and Darkseid and rule Apokolips.
In Dark Nights: Death Metal issue 3 we get to see the extent of DarkFathers wrath. Inside the center of the sun or in New Apokolips, several heroes in the universe are imprisoned by The Batman Who Laughs, including Superman. Wonder Woman, Batman, and their team arrive to rescue them. While Jonah Hex creates a diversion for the guarding parademons who are named Pararobins, Wonder Women, Batman, Harley, and Swamp Thing, lookout for Superman’s cell. Batman tells Diana that their idea isn’t that good to which she exclaims that if they need to win the war, they need him.
Swamp Thing senses a great disturbance in Earth’s life force which infer that The Batman who Laughs is born. Finally, they find Superman trapped in a machine built by Mister Miracle and being experimented on by Darkfather. He is being exposed to several shades of Kryptonites that are killing his Kryptonian cells and Anti-Life cells, which will either turn him into a new version of Darkseid or kill him if he resists the transformation.
DarkFather tells Superman that this has always been his destiny. He continues by asking him why all the evil versions of Superman from dark multiverses, tyrants? He explains that just like humans feared death, superman always feared if he lost control. He goads him into accepting that in order to save humanity, they had to be ruled, and obtaining the Anti-Life equation is the best he could do that.
However, the team of superheroes arrives. While others fight the Pararobins, Batman tries to free Superman. Darkfather shoots Batman with his Omega gun but he manages to protect himself. He uses the Black Lantern Ring to stop Superman’s dead Kryptonite cells from changing. Superman frees himself and knocks Darkfather into the sky with a punch. The team rescues the remaining superheroes.
What Makes Darkfather So Deadly?
Darkfsther’s powers and abilities make him the terror he is. It includes New God Physiology, Superhuman Durability, Superhuman Stamina, Superhuman Strength & Anti-Life Equation. Darkfather has New God Physiology. These New Gods have developed into creatures of genetic stability and evolutionary perfection as a result of their intimate closeness to the Source, primal energy considered to be one of the fundamental foundations of the Universal Expression of Energy, as well as their superior technology.
Despite their likeness to humans, the inhabitants of New Genesis are stronger, quicker, and smarter. Superhuman Durability is a word used to describe some characters’ capacity to tolerate unusually high degrees of physical pain. It is also known as “increased durability.” It varies from invulnerability in that they may still take damage from a sufficiently powerful source. Some characters may only be able to survive sharp or blunt strikes, or they may be weak to energy. Darkfather has the ability to work with and alter Apokoliptian technology.