SPOILER WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok's "Justice League" #50 and "DC Universe: Rebirth" one-shot.
"The Darkseid War" concluded in Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok's "Justice League" #50, just ahead of the events in the DC Universe-changing Rebirth event. But before the League's heroes -- and some of its biggest villains -- experience the changes hinted at in the "DC Universe: Rebirth" one-shot, they experienced some genuinely massive changes in their last New 52 issue.
Superwoman's Baby is Born -- and She Dies
Over the course of the arc, the Crime Syndicate has bid their time, awaiting the birth of Superwoman's baby without revealing any details about the child or its father. In "Justice League" #50, however, all was revealed after she finally gave birth to a son who -- like his father Alexander Luthor -- could absorb all energy, "even that of the gods." Superwoman then wielded the child like a weapon with the intention to absorb the Justice League's collective powers.
However, it wasn't long until Grail used Superwoman's overconfidence as an opportunity to destroy Superwoman and seize the child for herself. With his power, she removed the League's new god-like abilities and separated the Black Racer from the Flash. Following a major death that shook even Grail to her core, she slipped away with the child, unnoticed by the League.
Jessica Cruz: Green Lantern
For most of "The Darkseid War," Jessica Cruz was sidelined by Volthoom, aka Power Ring; while she was present for the action, she had no control over her own body. Similarly, Volthoom had trapped Cyborg inside the ring so that Grid, another member of the Power Syndicate, could seize control of his technology. Confined to the ring together, Jessica and Cyborg devised a plan, and Cyborg managed to hack the ring's supernatural technology so that Jessica could momentarily regain control.
Realizing that the Black Racer intended to kill Flash, Jessica used her moment to make a sacrifice play, leaping between the two speedsters. As such, the Black Racer was able to claim a life -- but it wasn't Jessica's. The Black Racer killed Volthoom, which simultaneously released Jessica and Cyborg from his control.
In sacrificing herself to save Flash, Jessica showed the ability to overcome great fear and was subsequently enlisted into the Green Lantern Corps. Though they don't question her worth, Hal Jordan and Jon Stewart are both puzzled as to why the ring thinks their sector needs another ring. They can't explain it, but Jessica Cruz has officially leveled up to full Green Lantern.
Lex Luthor: Ruler of Apokolips
Following Grail's defeat and the end of the war, Lex Luthor returned to Apokolips. There, he was greeted by Ardora, a rebellion leader who who offered him a throne and a symbol -- a very familiar symbol, in fact. Luthor ascended his throne, Mother Box in hand, and revealed Superman's S-shield on a set of new red-and-blue armor. During the scene, he tells his followers that he intends to lead a revolution on the faraway planet following Darkseid's demise.
Barda's Pact
Previously, Barda disappeared in the heat of battle, leaving Mister Miracle behind to fight with the Justice League. This issue, she returns with the Furies in tow, adding some much-needed reserve fighters to the conflict. However, in doing so, she made a deal with the devil; the Furies only agreed to help the Justice League defeat Grail if that meant she would return to them after all was said and done. As she left him behind in the rubble, she told him, "I am sorry, Scot. I did it for you" and disappeared with the other Furies.
Darkseid Reborn -- Literally
During the battle, Grail used Superwoman's son to absorb the powers of the Justice League, but they weren't the only ones she drew from: she also used the child to resurrect Darkseid with the anti-life equation. As the Justice League attempted to bring down this new, fully-formed Darkseid, Batman revealed that the only way to take him down was to separate the anti-life equation from him -- but that only Grail could do it.
As Diana, Grail and her mother Myrina fought, Diana used her lasso to extract the truth from Grail, who revealed that she believes she cannot be anything more than the darkness she inherited from her father. During Grail's moment of defeat, Myrina made a sacrifice play, allowing Grail to kill her to satisfy her bloodlust; in doing so, Grail also separated Darkseid and the anti-life equation, reducing Darkseid back to child form.
While the Justice League recovered from the battle, Grail took the child and disappeared. In one of the closing scenes, she soothed the child by telling him that she intends to raise him so that he has a second chance; she hopes to learn to love him, even as he retains all of Darkseid's power.
Wonder Woman's Brother
As she lay dying, Myrina told Diana about the night she and Grail were born. Myrina recalled stumbling across Queen Hippolyta in childbirth, only to watch as the Amazon gave birth not only to Diana, but to a son as well. Before Myrina could learn what the Amazons decided to do with the boy, Grail cried out and she was discovered, only to be chased off the island by Hippolyta's guards. Myrina told Diana to find Jason, stating that her brother was "the true chosen one."
Death of Owlman and Metron
As the Justice League clashed with Darkseid, Hal Jordan made a risky play and gave Batman his Green Lantern ring in order to shock him enough to leave the Mobius chair. Hal succeeded, but left Owlman the opportunity to seize the unattended Mobius char and disappear.
In the epilogue, Owlman reappears on the moon with Metron, who presided over the Mobius chair for eons. There, the two have a conversation, and Metron warned Owlman not to seek too many answers. Owlman scoffed at the suggestion and began to seek the secrets of the universe just a mysterious presence appeared before them. The presence -- who is likely Dr. Manhattan, as teased in the conclusion to "DC Universe: Rebirth" #1 -- then obliterated the two characters.
Johns and Fabok's "Justice League" #50 is now on sale.