With new releases, DC has made its answer to Thanos in movies and series clear, but it was not the expected one. Josh Brolin played Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Like he has in the comics, Brolin’s version of the Mad Titan played a major role in the MCU, serving as the ultimate villain of the Infinity Saga and two Avengers movies. 2019’s Avengers: Endgame saw Thanos be snapped from existence by Iron Man, ending his threat. With James Gunn’s DC Universe starting soon, future DC movies and series could use an overarching villain like Thanos.

DC even has the perfect character to do so, as Darkseid could seamlessly fit that role. The villain only appeared in the DCEU in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, barely having a presence in live-action DC adaptations over the years. Given the character’s similarities to Thanos, which are no surprise, as Thanos was clearly inspired by Darkseid in part, it would make sense for him to be DC’s answer to Thanos for the DCU’s slate of projects and other adaptations. However, 2024 has cemented with multiple projects, and future ones to come, that DC’s answer to Thanos is another character.

Amanda Waller Is Part Of 3 Major 2024 DC Shows With More Incoming

Waller Has A Big Year Ahead

While Darkseid is the DC villain most similar to Marvel’s Thanos, it is actually Amanda Waller who is taking the role of DC’s recurring villains across different adaptations. After Viola Davis gave life to the character in the DCEU, Amanda Waller is set to have a major 2024, as the character will appear in three different TV series, including Davis’ return to the role in the new DC Universe. Waller will appear in three animated shows this year, with the character being the main Earth-based villain in My Adventures with Superman.

Amanda Waller also appears in a project for the team she is most commonly associated with. Waller is part of DC’s Suicide Squad ISEKAI, which puts an anime spin on classic DC characters like Harley Quinn, the Joker, and more. My Adventures with Superman and Suicide Squad ISEKAI are currently airing new episodes weekly. Viola Davis will then reprise her DCEU role in the new DCU’s first project, playing Waller in Creature Commandos. The TV-MA animated series will see Amanda Waller form a new kind of team, with the character set to appear in future projects.

Why Amanda Waller Is Appearing So Often As A DC Show Villain

The Character Is Complex

One of the biggest reasons Waller keeps coming back as a villain in DC shows is the fact that she sees herself as the hero of her own story. Much like Thanos did in the MCU, Waller does not think twice about who she will have to kill or what she will destroy to keep the world stable. The character is also the perfect villain to be used in team projects, as Waller’s long history as the head of the Suicide Squad and multiple DC organizations cements her ability to control other characters.

That gives Waller the ability to be a villain to the entire DC universe, not just a chosen group of characters. In fact, DC Comics is finally fulfilling that potential, as the “Absolute Power” comic book event follows Amanda Waller as she takes the power from DC’s heroes and puts humanity in control. Waller’s multiple teams and her dynamics with superheroes should be followed in the DCU, as Davis will return as the character in Creature Commandos to show just how much Waller can do as a franchise-wide presence.

Amanda Waller’s Biggest DC Role Hasn’t Happened Yet

Waller Will Play A Major DCU Role

Besides her three TV show appearances in 2024, Waller could have a fourth project enter production this year. Viola Davis will get to lead her own solo series in the DCU after debuting a new version of her character in Creature Commandos. Davis is the lead of Waller, an upcoming DCU series that will have ties to Peacemaker. Davis appeared as Waller in season 1 of Peacemaker, and characters from that show are confirmed to appear in Waller.

Waller is being developed by Christal Henry (Watchmen) and Jeremy Carver (Supernatural). With a talented team behind the scenes and Davis back as Amanda Waller, Waller has everything it needs to leave a mark in the DCU. With Waller appearing in the new universe’s first project and getting a solo series, the character seems to be heading for a major role in the DCU. After a big 2024 with three TV series appearances, Waller’s future could be even busier for the character, with her overarching role across different projects cementing her as DC‘s answer to Thanos in movies and series.