Justice League #50 – A Monumental Climax to the Darkseid War Saga
Genre
Superhero, Action, Cosmic Fantasy, Epic Crossover
Main Characters
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Batman (Bruce Wayne) – Wields the Mobius Chair, gaining near-omniscient knowledge.
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Superman (Clark Kent) – Battles internal and external corruption after exposure to Apokoliptian fire pits.
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Wonder Woman (Diana Prince) – The central narrator and moral compass of the war.
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Darkseid – The tyrannical New God whose death initiates a cosmic power vacuum.
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Anti-Monitor (Mobius) – A cosmic destroyer whose clash with Darkseid alters universal balance.
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Grail – Darkseid’s daughter, seeking to forge her own destiny in a war of gods.
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Mister Miracle, Big Barda, Cyborg, Shazam, Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Flash (Barry Allen) – Each grappling with newly acquired god-like powers and responsibilities.
Writer
Geoff Johns – Renowned for his mastery of large-scale superhero narratives, Johns constructs a finale rich in mythological weight and character evolution.
Artist
Jason Fabok – Known for his cinematic detail and expressive action sequences, Fabok’s art heightens the intensity and drama of this climactic issue.
Editor Details
Brian Cunningham (Group Editor) – Oversaw the Darkseid War arc, ensuring consistency and thematic weight throughout its run.
Publisher and Brand
DC Comics – Under the New 52 branding, this issue closes one of the most expansive storylines before the transition into DC Rebirth.
Release Year
2016
Brief Plot Summary
Justice League #50 concludes the explosive Darkseid War storyline, where cosmic titans and earthbound heroes collide in an apocalyptic conflict. With Darkseid slain and the Anti-Monitor transformed, Grail seeks to use a resurrected infant Darkseid to bring about a new world order. The League, fractured and infused with divine powers, struggles not only against their enemies but against the corruption threatening their own identities. Batman uncovers shocking truths about the Joker, Superman faces mortality, and Wonder Woman’s lineage is redefined. As the war ends, the foundations of the DC Universe shift, laying the groundwork for Rebirth and reexamining the roles of its central heroes.
Notable Arcs or Storylines
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“Darkseid War” Finale – Concludes one of the most ambitious Justice League arcs in modern DC history.
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The Joker Revelation – Batman’s Mobius Chair provides him with a startling revelation: there are not one, but three Jokers, an idea that would spark future storylines.
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Birth of a New Darkseid – Grail’s manipulation of power and her role in reviving Darkseid as a child raises deep questions about destiny and nature versus nurture.
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Foreshadowing of DC Rebirth – Seeds are planted for future continuity changes, reshaping the direction of DC’s main timeline.
Fan Theories or Interpretations
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The Three Jokers Theory – Fans have speculated on the identity and origin of the three different Jokers hinted at by Batman’s Mobius Chair discovery, leading to the eventual Three Jokers miniseries.
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Grail as a Sympathetic Antagonist – Some readers interpret Grail’s motivations not as pure malice but as a quest for identity and power beyond her father's legacy.
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Mobius Chair’s True Power – The idea that the Chair may not only grant knowledge but subtly influence its user has intrigued fans debating Batman’s future decisions.
Review Summary
Justice League #50 delivers a visually stunning and narratively dense conclusion to one of DC's most ambitious arcs. Geoff Johns expertly balances cosmic stakes with emotional payoffs, especially for core heroes like Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman. Jason Fabok’s art is bold and richly detailed, bringing larger-than-life action and quiet emotional beats to vivid life. Character development is deep and consequential, with major revelations that redefine DC mythos. Though packed with plot and sometimes overwhelming, the issue serves as a rewarding and essential bridge into a new era of storytelling with DC Rebirth.
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
