While Darkseid has finally made his cinematic debut, a vast portion of Apokolips lore has yet to be adapted to film, like his son Orion. Their father/son dynamic easily rivals Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker, making it perfect source material for future films.
Of course, Jack Kirby’s New Gods is famously known to have inspired Star Wars, which emphasizes how fitting this relationship is for the big screen. Throughout the years, many have made comparisons between ancient mythology and superheroes, describing them as the myths of the modern age. Even though some might brush off that concept, it’s hard to deny that Kirby’s creation has loud echoes of these classic archetypes. New Gods is essentially just that—myths adapted into the DC Universe, set in a place known as the Fourth World. Kirby’s focus on the worlds of New Genesis and Apokolips clearly mirrors the light and darkness of these iconic settings. New Genesis is led by Highfather, who is comparable to Zeus, while Apokolips is domineered by Darkseid, obviously representative of Hades.
It might come as a surprise that Darkseid is a dad, especially to the heroic New God called Orion. When Darkseid traded his biological son for Highfather's son—Scott Free AKA Mister Miracle—to create peace between Apokolips and New Genesis, he knew Orion would be destined to kill him in the far future. Although the ruler of Apokolips has been characterized as a warmongering tyrant, it’s always added a layer of depth that he would consider a truce at such a personal cost. Additionally, it’s shocking that he would give up a sense of control regarding his future for the sake of his own son. Inheriting immortality, along with super strength and speed, Orion also has access to the Astro Force, which is extra-dimensional energy channeled through his wrist cuffs and the Astro-Harness he’s known to ride around.
Despite Orion’s upbringing on New Genesis, he’s been known to share some of his father’s personality, like his temperament. Orion is far from the villain that Darkseid is and would have raised him to be, but he still has much of his pessimistic outlook on life. Although Orion had been exchanged in hope of peace, Darkseid inevitably goes onto fight his son. If there was ever a fair match between a hero and the ruler of Apokolips, it would be him. Unlike Superman or Wonder Woman, Orion was practically raised to face his father in battle someday.
Whether it’s to Orion’s strength or detriment against Darkseid, he is able to control his anger, which makes him stand out from others on New Genesis who later became known heroes in the DC Universe. This gave him the title, “the Dog of War,” homaging his biological heritage. As a worthy opponent for one of the Justice League’s most famous enemies, Orion has teamed up with the team on multiple occasions.