Apokolips

**Apokolips** is an encumenopolis with burning firepits, ruled by the despot Darkseid, in comic books published by the American company DC Comics. It first appeared in *New Gods* #1 (March 1971), but its first appearance in *Swamp Thing* comics was in *Swamp Thing* Vol. 2, #62 (July 1987). It was created by Jack Kirby.

## History

The war that destroyed the Old Gods and created New Genesis and Apokolips separated the Fourth World from the rest of the universe proper, leaving it accessible by Boom Tube.

The population is a downtrodden lot, including many kidnapped from other worlds before being "broken". The majority of the population are called "Lowlies", a bald and fearful race that has no sense of self worth or value. The Lowlies are subject to constant abuse that ends only with death. Slightly above them are the Parademons, who serve as the keepers of order on the planet. Higher above the Parademons are the Female Furies, who are Darkseid's personal guard. (Male Furies also exist, but are less common.) They are blessed with unnatural strength and longevity and are allowed to develop as individuals. This exposure to new concepts often results in them developing comical or garish personalities that contrast strongly with the immense sadism that is required to reach their position. The leaders of the Furies are Granny Goodness, who sports the appearance of a matronly old woman while being the most powerful of the guards, and Kanto, who enjoys a unique position as Darkseid's master assassin. The chief guard, Big Barda, had a third position under Granny, which has not been filled since her defection from the group.

Surprisingly, Apokolips is second to New Genesis in technological advancement. With their technology, they are the height of power in most of the universe and are able to devastate galaxies when they choose to use it. Apokoliptian technology is furthermore the source of unparalleled misery in the universe as the planet routinely arms evil groups with advanced technology in order to further its influence (and misery) across the universe.

Apokolips is ruled by Darkseid as its theocratic god / despot, but he defers most of the actual day to day ruling to his counselor DeSaad. Darkseid has no real contenders for the throne of Apokolips except the demon Mantis, although his sons Orion, Grayven, and Kalibak are also potential contenders. Darkseid is cursed by Grayven and Kalibak's stupidity and Orion's service of good. It is prophesied that Orion will overthrow Darkseid.

If Darkseid is overthrown, perhaps the results will not cause any major changes on Apokolips, as Apokolips' evil comes from itself rather than its master. This assertion, however, is debatable, and it is often said that Darkseid powers Apokolips with his ambient forces, which is where the fire pits come from.

### 30th Century

In the future, Apokolips will be inactive and Darkseid incapacitated. It is believed that Darkseid will be well aged and dying with the planet which will become mostly uninhabited.

## Points of Interest

### Armagedda

Armagedda was one of the many filth-strewn districts surrounding Darkseid's palace. It was populated chiefly by the Hunger Dogs and patrolled regularly by Darkseid's Parademons. *Note: In all likelihood, Armagedda is just a re-spelling of "Armagetto", and is quite possibly the same place rather than a distinctive location.*

### Granny Goodness's Orphanage

A training facility owned by Granny Goodness where children are trained to become the most fearsome warriors of Apokolips.

## Residents

* Darkseid

* Darkseid's Elite:
	+ Desaad
	+ Granny Goodness
	+ Steppenwolf
	+ Kanto
	+ Virman Vundabar
	+ Glorious Godfrey
	+ Amazing Grace
	+ Doctor Bedlam
	+ Devilance the Pursuer
	+ Mantis

* Darkseid's Family:
	+ Orion (Darkseid's son)
	+ Mister Miracle (Darkseid's adopted son)
	+ Kalibak (Darkseid's son)
	+ Heggra (mother of Darkseid)
	+ Yuga Khan (father of Darkseid)
	+ Suli (mother of Kalibak)
	+ Tigra (mother of Orion)
	+ Grayven (Darkseid's son)

* Female Furies:
	+ Artemiz
	+ Bernadeth
	+ Bloody Mary
	+ Big Barda
	+ Gilotina
	+ Knockout
	+ Lashina
	+ Mad Harriet
	+ Speed Queen
	+ Stompa
	+ Wunda
	+ Big Breeda
	+ Little Barda
	+ Malice Vundabar
	+ Chessure

* Deep Six:
	+ Gole
	+ Jaffar
	+ Pyron
	+ Shaligo
	+ Slig
	+ Trok

* Evil Factory:
	+ Mokkari
	+ Simyan

* Other residents:
	+ Agogg
	+ Antagonist
	+ Brimstone
	+ Brola
	+ Buna
	+ Canis Major
	+ Canis Minor
	+ Captain Hathak
	+ Commander Tusk
	+ Concord
	+ Harmon
	+ Control
	+ Cyborg-87
	+ Ericht (Theta drone)
	+ Esak
	+ Infernus
	+ Iota
	+ Jovita
	+ Justeen
	+ Kalibre
	+ Killroy
	+ Kyta
	+ Lakutha
	+ Lucifar
	+ Marvelous Marno
	+ Master Mayhem
	+ Meteorra Mayhem
	+ Mortalla
	+ Necromina
	+ Nurse Maggit
	+ Pharzoof
	+ Power Boy
	+ Protector Willik
	+ Pythia
	+ Red One
	+ Rip Roar
	+ Sleez
	+ Stingaree
	+ Titan
	+ Tygar the Tearer
	+ Tyrus
	+ Topkick
	+ Tracker

* Earth-based allies
	+ Alianna Hubbard
	+ Chang Tzu
	+ Doctor Impossible
	+ Goth
	+ Justifiers (human followers of Glorious Godfrey)
	+ Libra
	+ The Mighty Endowed
	+ Parademon
	+ Arnicus Wolfram

* Intergang:
	+ Boss Moxie
	+ Bruno Mannheim
	+ Morgan Edge
	+ Whisper A'Daire
	+ Frank Sixty
	+ Kyle Abbot

### Organizations on Apokolips

* Aero-troopers
* Dog Cavalry
* Gravi-Guards
* Harassers
* Hunger Dogs (downtrodden citizens of Apokolips)
* Jet-Bow Squad
* Pacifiers
* Parademon shock troops
* Photon Patrol
* Servitors
* Suicide Jockeys
* Warhounds

## Notes

* The concept of Apokolips was created and developed by writer / artist Jack Kirby.
* Apokolips is a play on the term "Apocalypse".
* Laughing is forbidden on Apokolips.
* According to the *Crisis on Infinite Earths: Absolute Edition*, many of Apokolips' non-Jack Kirby appearances from the mid-late 70s have been retroactively allocated to Earth-17. Earth-17 is no longer considered part of canon continuity, though all historical information relating to Pre-Crisis Apokolips appears to be intact.

* Apokolips is described as thus in *Firestorm* Vol. 2, #58 (April 1987): "You know this place. In your darkest moments, in the twisted, petty, private moments when you did those things you thought no one saw, when you toyed with those dark fantasies and thought no one would ever know-- In those moments, your soul came here. Its name bubbles like a froth in the dank part of your mind – Apokolips! And you worshipped here, with all the other Hunger Dogs, howling the name of your master, your god: Darkseid. Darkseid! Darkseid!"