The Absolute Legion / The Legion of Darkseid

The Justice League expands to include an unlimited number of Earth's heroes. Even members of the Justice Society and Titans accept the dual membership. Darkseid, having merged with the Spectre, attacks. In defeating him, the League dissipates Darkseid being, resulting in the creation of a new "Omega (Absolute) universe." A rift is created, which Booster Gold volunteers to venture through, where he captured by the Legion of Darkseid: Brainiac 5, Chameleon, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Element Lad, Ferro Lad, Kid Quantum, Lightning Lad, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Timber Wolf, Triplicate Girl and Ultra Boy. Note: This special launched the first wave of DC's "Absolute" titles: Absolute Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman.

DC All In Special (Dec. 2024)

Imra Ardeen, an alpha telepath, is awakened to Darkseid's influence amid Titan's war with Braal. She escapes captivity and frees Rokk Krinn, her first ally. They travel the universe recruiting others touched by Darkseid's power.

Superman vol. 6 #30 (Nov. 2025)

Superman is approached by the newest incarnation of the Time Trapper—Doomsday!—who asks for his help. Note: A preview page in this issue also shows a glimpse of the Legion of Darkseid.

Superman vol. 6 #19 (Dec. 2024)

The Time Trapper explains how he has died and been reborn a million times. In the last occurrence, he was killed by a "Legion of Infinite Worlds" (the artwork suggests this is Darkseid's Legion). He battles Superman again but is subdued and secured with the help of Supercorp.

Superman vol. 6 #20 (Jan. 2025)

An alien contingent from Calaton, called the Aftermath, comes demanding that Doomsday be handed over to them for retribution. Note: The story of Calaton was told in Superman/Doomsday: Hunter/Prey #2–3 (1994).

Superman vol. 6 #21–22 (Feb.–Mar. 2025)

Lex Luthor captures Doomsday and the Aftermath in one of Brainiac's miniaturization units. Superman refuses to work with the Time Trapper, who retreats. The Legion of Darkseid comes for Doomsday at the End of Time. and Doomsday join forces to oppose the Aftermath's champion, the Radiant.

Superman vol. 6 #23 (April 2025)

In the 31st Century, Darkseid's foremost Legion champion, Saturn Girl, learns about the heroes rising on the Absolute Earth. These heroes are somehow eluding Darkseid's influence. He commands his dark Legion to bring the trinity of the Absolute universe under his control. A reference is made to Bouncing Boy, whose foolishness led to his demise. (These events are prior to the contest.) Saturn Girl identifies Booster Gold as a suitable new vessel for Darkseid.

(DC K.O. #4, Mar. 2026)

The dark Legion tortures Doomsday/Time Trapper. (#26) They capture him and return to the 31st century. They keep Booster Gold alive because he has absorbed a significant amount of Omega energy — which they need to restore Darkseid to "life" again. Time Trapper manages to free himself and sets off in search of allies. (#27)

Superman vol. 6 #26–27 (July–Aug. 2024)

Years ago, Superboy (Clark Kent) was shocked to encounter Validus (a villain he's fought in the far future) in the 20th century. Validus disappeared just as suddenly, and skipped forward through time, reappearing a decade later. Omen and Mister Terrific help Superman ascertain that the villain was running scared. Validus ultimately bounces back to the 31st century, where the rest of the Fatal Five has been killed by the Legion of Darkseid. Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl are holding Booster Gold as their prisoner.

Summer of Superman Special #1 (June 2025)

Inspector Pilgrim (Wade West, Wally West's adult son from the future) warns of the dark Legion's coming: "killers from another sphere."

The Flash vol. 6 #22 (Aug. 2025)

After Validus's appearance, Superman worries about the his friends in the Legion. He is visited by the dark Saturn Girl. In her universe, Darkseid is the past, present and future. The Time Trapper steps in and spirits Superman away. Saturn Girl is recalled by Darkseid. The Trapper takes him to a secret 'pocket universe' that he created to house Superboy-Prime. They recruit him to help as well.

Superman vol. 6 #28 (Sept. 2025)

A time traveler calling himself Legend joins the time-displaced members of the Justice League on a mission in time, to fight Darkseid's Omega Demons. At Vanishing Point, they fight Shadow Lass and take out the tower that produces the demons.

Justice League: Dark Tomorrow Special (Sept. 2025)

The Time Trapper insists that Superman work with Superboy Prime, who says, "everyone I killed has been brought back from the dead ... did I really kill them?" They arrive in the 31st century to find the murdered remains of many Legions. Survivors include Dawnstar, Star Boy, Polar Boy, Kinetix, Gold Lantern and all four Brainiac Fives, who have captured the dark Brainiac 5 for examination. The dark Chameleon, who poses as Cosmic Boy I, kills Brainiac 5 II. Superman and Superboy-Prime free Booster Gold, who's been held captive there for years, witnessing Darkseid's Legion destroy their counterparts. When Darkseid's Legion descends en masse, Prime pretends to betray Superman and ally with them.

Superman vol. 6 #29 (Oct. 2025)

When Superboy-Prime is ordered to kill Booster Gold, he turns on the Legion, revealing his true allegiance. Prime stays behind in the 31st century with the survivors and sends Superman and Booster home. In the 21st century, the dark Karate Kid attacks Lex Luthor, who bests — and kills the Legionnaire.

Superman vol. 6 #30 (Nov. 2025)

Superboy-Prime meets Lois at the Fortress of Solitude, where they are confronted by the dark Sun Boy; a blast of his solar powers reactivates Lois' Superwoman abilities.

Superman vol. 6 #31 (Dec. 2025)

The Flash, Booster Gold and the Time Trapper are thrust into various points in the future, where they discover the Legion of Darkseid is attacking all future heroes (the Justice Legion, Superman of Batman Beyond, Kamandi, OMAC and others). Booster unleashes his residual Omega energy to cast the Legion away.

Justice League: The Omega Act Special #1 (Dec. 2025)

Running from Darkseid's Legion, the Time Trapper is critically injured by their Mon-El, just before escaping to the Justice League Watchtower.

Justice League Unlimited #10 (Oct. 2025)

While the League tries to save the Time Trapper, the dark Legion (Colossal Boy, Element Lad and Princess Projectra) attacks the Watchtower.

Justice League Unlimited #11 (Nov. 2025)

The Time Trapper returns having assembled a "Quantum Quorum" (with the World Forger, Grodd and Booster Gold) to mobilize the Justice League against Darkseid. The heroes must battle to become an ultimate champion — to attain godhood and challenge Darkseid.

DC K.O. #1 (Dec. 2025)

The founders of Darkseid's Legion track Impulse back in time to Tunguska, Russia, 1908. (They have already "turned" a younger Max Mercury, from the past.)

The Flash vol. 6 #26 (Dec. 2025)

The Legionnaires emphasize the importance of 'acquiring' Impulse (of the Allen family) for Darkseid's plans. Darkseid has begun corrupting the Speed Force; a beneficiary of that power is the dark version of Impulse's cousin, XS, who tries to turn him to their side.

The Flash vol. 6 #27 (Jan. 2026)

The champion's tournament is cut down by half competitors (16; including Luthor and the Joker), each of whom claims an object of power. Superman acquires Darkseid's Omega Sanction ability. Darkseid reveals that he has been posing as Booster Gold.

DC K.O. #2 (Jan. 2026)

Lois Lane uses her replenished super-strength to defend against dark Sun Boy, Ferro Lad and Timber Wolf. Superboy-Prime and a Superman Robot come to her aid.

Superman vol. 6 #32 (Jan. 2026)

Superman, Wonder Woman, Lex Luthor and the Joker advance to the next round, where they will face the now-corrupted "trinity" of the Absolute Universe.

DC K.O. #3 (Feb. 2026)

The Legion's dark Dream Girl approaches Wally West and Bart Allen, offering help. She shows them future events that lead to their defeat of the Legionnaires.

The Flash vol. 6 #29 (Mar. 2026)

The Legionnaires breach the Fortress of Solitude and encounter a tribute to Superman's friends, the original Legion. Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad discuss the need to hide their feelings for one another. When they attack Lois Lane, Superboy-Prime returns to confront them with full force.

Superman vol. 6 #34 (Mar. 2026)

The Absolute Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman are compelled to attack the final four combatants from Earth Zero. The Joker switches sides and after Darkseid emerges, Lex Luthor strikes his fellow combatants and becomes the ultimate King Omega.

DC K.O. #4 (Mar. 2026)

Wally West confronts Darkseid and the Legion directly; he and Impulse prevent the Speed Force from coming under Darkseid's dominion. Dark XS apparently killed by Darkseid for her failure.

The Flash vol. 6 #30 (Apr. 2026)

Prime, Lois and the Superman Robot fight the Legion. Lois manages to stir Saturn Girl's emotions — her feelings for Lightning Lad; it gives her hope and motivates her to lead the Legion into a retreat.

Superman vol. 6 #35 (Mar. 2026)

The Time Trapper reveals that he's hidden Superman inside a "pocket timeline," and reinserts him into the fight against Darkseid, where he supplants Lex Luthor as the second King Omega. With the Omega energy, he restores his universe's timeline and defeats Darkseid by summoning an army of his allies. He suggests that the "alpha energy" of this recreation contains the potential for the universe to be ignited "again and again." Afterwards, Superman retreats to begin a new mission. Darkseid watches over more Omega tournaments occurring in other universes, predicting a "crisis of absolute proportions." Darkseid's Legionnaires are left adrift in a ravaged 31st century.

DC K.O. #5 (May 2026)

Several years later: Superman and Hourman return to the 31st century, which has not yet been reset by Superman's powers as "King Omega." Darkseid's Legionnaires establish a home in the devastated future. Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad have two young twins. In order to reestablish the 31st century's status quo, Superman must defeat the Infinite Man, who has gone rogue with the absence of the Time Trapper. Superman expends all of his Omega power in declaring, "long live all Legions!" He is rescued by friends from the 21st century and he returns home. Then, Brainiac One Million and Pandora, come to "collect" this Legion as they have all the others. Brainiac intends to ally with the Cyborg Superman as the inspiration ofr the Legion now. Note: This story sets up the introduction of the Next Level Legion, which appear in a preview to issue #1.

Superman Annual 2026: Year One Thousand (Sept. 2026)