Imperiex

Imperiex (/ɪmˈpɪəriɛks/) is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. He was initially introduced as an adversary to the superhero Superman before becoming a main antagonist for the crossover "Our Worlds at War".^[1]

Imperiex
Imperiex as depicted in Superman: Metropolis Secret Files & Origins #1 (June 2000). Art by Pablo Raimondi.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Superman #153 (February 2000)
Created by	Jeph Loeb (writer) Ian Churchill (artist)
In-story information
Notable aliases	Destroyer of Galaxies, Galaxy Slayer, Eater of Galaxies, Devourer of Galaxies, Lord Imperiex
Abilities	Superhuman strength, speed, and durability Flight Vast energy manipulation Cosmic awareness Can induce a Big Bang event

Imperiex has made limited appearances in media outside comics, with Phil Morris voicing him in the animated series Legion of Super Heroes.

Publication history

Imperiex made his debut on Superman #153 (February 2000), cover by Ian Churchill.

Imperiex first appeared in Superman vol. 2 #153 (February 2000), and was created by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness. He is inspired by Marvel Comics character Galactus.^[2]

Fictional character biography

The embodiment of entropy, Imperiex takes the form of pure energy contained in armor and has destroyed the universe on numerous occasions.^[3] He determines that the universe is imperfect and decides to destroy it by destroying Earth, which serves as a keystone for the universe.

Imperiex's forces destroy Daxam, Almerac, Kalanor, and Karna, among other planets. The surviving residents of the planets ally with each other, Darkseid, and Brainiac to combat Imperiex.^[4] However, Brainiac betrays the alliance and absorbs Imperiex's powers and consciousness.^[5]

Imperiex and Brainiac 13 are killed at the moment of the Big Bang. Artwork from Action Comics #782 (October 2001).

After being weakened in battle, Darkseid uses Steel's Entropy Aegis armor and Tempest's magic to focus his powers.^[6] Meanwhile, Lex Luthor activates a weapon that he combines with Darkseid's energy to create a time portal. Superman pushes Imperiex and Brainiac through the portal, sending them both to the time of the Big Bang and destroying them.^[7]

Powers and abilities

As the embodiment of entropy, Imperiex wields the power of the Big Bang. He can project powerful blasts of energy and create black holes capable of destroying entire universes. Imperiex also possesses superhuman strength, durability, and speed, and can create smaller probes resembling him.

In other media

Television

Imperiex as he appears in Legion of Super Heroes.

Imperiex appears in the second season of Legion of Super Heroes, voiced by Phil Morris.^[8][9][10] This version originates from Apokolips in the 41st century, possesses cybernetic enhancements, and was originally a gladiator before becoming a universal conqueror, with the artificial intelligence K3NT creating a clone of Superman named Kell-El to oppose him. After Kell-El travels to the 31st century to gain the Legion of Super-Heroes's help, Imperiex follows him through time and allies with the Fatal Five, the Legion of Super-Villains, and the Dominators. Imperiex manipulates Brainiac 5 into succumbing to the original Brainiac's influence, only to be betrayed and killed by him.

Film

The Legion of Super Heroes incarnation of Imperiex makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too!.^[11]

Video games

Imperiex appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.^[12]

Miscellaneous

• Imperiex appears in Injustice 2 #19.
• An alternate universe incarnation of Imperiex appears in the Justice League: Gods and Monsters tie-in comic book as the evolved monstrous form of Doctor Psycho.^[13]