Character Inspiration
According to writer Mark Evanier, Jack Kirby modeled Darkseid's face on actor Jack Palance. Kirby modeled Darkseid on Adolf Hitler and the world of Apokolips on Nazi Germany. Like Hitler, Darkseid is a jackboot-wearing megalomaniac and warmongerer who, in fascist style, sees every citizen as an extension of the state and himself. His society is highly militant, with children being indoctrinated from a young age (à la Hitler Youth) to be warlike and utterly loyal to him.
Darkseid's first appearance is a brief cameo in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 (Nov 1970).
Read more about this topic: Darkseid
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