Doomsday as a Calamity: Which DC Character Could Defeat the Monster If They Turned Villainous?

Doomsday poses a catastrophic threat within the DC Universe, but if one hero were to turn against the forces of good, that hero could easily overshadow Doomsday’s power. Numerous characters in this expansive universe rival Doomsday’s might, who notably killed Superman and inflicted damage on the formidable Darkseid. However, an unexpected character from the Golden Age of comics possesses the capability to defeat him.

Artseid, a keen observer of hero dynamics, expressed that should the Spectre go rogue, he would become a significant concern for the Justice League and the wider DC Universe. This remark sparked a lively conversation among fans, who began to explore the potential threats posed by various heroes should they embrace villainy. However, the discussion quickly gravitated towards the Spectre himself, highlighting concerns about how DC Comics has portrayed the character since his inception.

The Spectre’s Rich Legacy in the DC Universe

The Challenge of Making the Spectre Compelling

The Spectre made his debut in 1940’s More Fun Comics #52, introducing a character unlike any other in American comic history.

While supernatural figures were not entirely absent from comic books—Doctor Occult emerged in 1935—the Spectre epitomized a pivotal evolution in the realm of mystical heroes. Originally a corrupt police detective named Jim Corrigan, the Spectre was murdered, only for his soul to be resurrected by the Presence (the DC Universe’s equivalent of the Christian God) to enact justice on evildoers. This initiation opened the floodgates for a supernatural mythology in the DC Universe.

Conceived by Bernard Bailey and Jerry Siegel, co-creator of Superman, the Spectre remains one of DC’s most formidable characters. Yet, this immense power complicates efforts to craft a relatable and engaging narrative around him.

Several fans echoed similar sentiments on Artseid’s thread, noting that this difficulty often leads creators to depict the Spectre as fallible, easily overcome by certain villains.

Understanding Doomsday: Superman’s Arch-Nemesis

Doomsday’s Immense Strength and Threat Level

In contrast to the Spectre’s cosmic abilities, Doomsday embodies relentless physical power. Created by the scientists of prehistoric Krypton, he was designed as a living weapon with innate strength. His creators endowed him with an extraordinary ability to evolve—adapting to whatever kills him—which means that a hero only gets one chance to stop him. Doomsday has established himself as one of the most dominant threats in the DC Universe, wreaking havoc across the land and bringing about Superman’s demise.

While it seems no mortal can vanquish Doomsday, the laws of nature present an intriguing challenge. In the 1994 storyline “Superman/Doomsday: Hunter/Prey,”Doomsday was transported to the end of time by the Waverider, where he fell victim to powerful forces of entropy that can obliterate anything from existence—even Doomsday himself. Since then, Doomsday has returned several times, recently reimagined as the latest incarnation of the Time Trapper in the Superman comics. This evolution raises the possibility that entropy may no longer be effective against him, making him seemingly invulnerable.

The Spectre’s Divine Powers Could Best Doomsday

Universal Forces vs. Doomsday’s Might

This sets the stage for the Spectre, who possesses the potential to take down Doomsday. Entropy is a substantial force within the DC Universe; however, it is important to note that the Presence’s power transcends even that. Acting as the embodiment of God in this universe, the Presence commands both creation and destruction, often with a focus on the latter. By aligning the Presence with God, DC ascribes immense powers to both him and the Spectre. While entropy is formidable, it is a creation of the Presence. This establishes a theological hierarchy where the Presence’s might supersedes entropy.

The encounter between the Spectre and Doomsday could unfold in various ways. While the Spectre may aim to punish Doomsday for the chaos he has wrought, the creature’s limited intellect might complicate this approach. A more effective strategy could involve leveraging the Spectre’s divine abilities to eliminate Doomsday entirely or cause him to vanish from existence. Given the immense nature of the Spectre’s power, the chances of Doomsday surviving a confrontation with an embodiment of God’s wrath are exceedingly slim, thus granting the Spectre a crucial advantage in this hypothetical battle.

Source: Reddit

Source & Images