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The big screenJustice Leaguehas Steppenwolf to stand against in their upcoming picture show … so why does the Apokoliptian general seem likea wholly dissimilar villainbeing adapted to the DCEU ? Fans of the DC film universe will remember the muddiness over the DCEU ’s next bragging bad when he made his debut inBatman V Superman , in a scene filmed as a vamper of the come battle - but ultimately publish to the world follow the moving picture ’s spillage . And from that point on , it was unclouded Zack Snyder would be making some alteration .
It ’s difficult , afford the inflammation and anticipation over a film likeJustice League , to maintain some position in the non - stop , 24 hour news and rumor round . It keeps devotee informed , as seen when word that Steppenwolf , not Darkseid or his don would recreate the villain of the League ’s first big cover squad - up cattle farm like wildfire . Before long , every rooter and blogger was familiarizing themselves with Darkseid ’s uncle , his top police lieutenant and the Apokoliptian god who helped Darkseid vote down and overturn his own father , Yuga Khan .
But as more and more images of Steppenwolf ’s graphic symbol design - and most notably , a recent render courtesy ofMattel sculptor Brodie Perkins- one thing is becoming absolved , despite the confirmation of the scoundrel ’s identity . As terrifying as he may calculate … the villain ofJustice Leaguedoesn’t really seem like Steppenwolf at all . So what ’s really going on here ?
Steppenwolf of Apokolips… But Not?
We ’re not just referring to a design that ’s been overhauled , updated , or given a less - cartoon - ish makeover for the villain ’s live - action debut . The picture show ’s Steppenwolf may have a recognizable humanoid face and a helmet with horn - like decorations … but that ’s about it . As comic fans have belike see once or doubly by now , the comic book version of Steppenwolf re - bring out as part of DC ’s 2011 New 52 reboot looks , essentially , like a human being ( image above ) . Larger than a normal Earthling , but a man complete with villainous goatee , wearing armour adorn with laurel wreath , and befitting a warrior who leads from the front of his army ( andneeds protection ) .
It would n’t be exaggerating to say that if a comic fan cognise Steppenwolf ’s comic Word design , and was shown the motion-picture show ’s version without beingtoldthe it was the DCEU ’s Steppenwolf , there would be no reason to link them ( and several to make him an unlikely nominee ) . Prior to the the New 52 , he fatigue all green cape , had a tall , pointed hat , and looked anythingbuta warlord . It was a face in need of a more serious update , so it follows that it would be that more fearsome armour and actually intimidating prowess of Steppenwolf getting lifted into the DCEU .
And yet , the resulting baddie has taken a dissimilar design itinerary altogether . Why ? At this point , we would ask fans and curious risible buffs to await past the name … and examine the striking resemblance that the DCEU version of Steppenwolf bear to adifferentmember of Darkseid ’s kinfolk .
Darkseid’s Father, On The Other Hand…
If you ’ve never learn ofthe villainous Yuga Khan- or Zonuz , as he was originally named - do n’t palpate too guilty or out of the loop . The brutal Old God of DC ’s Fourth World has enjoyed his own reboot in late long time as one of the cosmic entities powering Shazam , but his original fib was an replication of classical ( human ) mythology . Like the ancient ' founder ' of Greek mythology , Yuga Khan was powerful , fearsome , and contradict by his minor . finally he was driven to end by his own ambitions , leaving the door wide undecided for his son Uxas to take over the planet Apokolips - a Logos better recognize to DC lover asDarkseid .
And , as most reader have likely noticed , the design ofJustice League ’s Steppenwolf acquit a scandalous resemblance to Yuga Khan - the reason why many assumed he was the figurespeaking with Lex Luthor inBatman V Superman(ourselves let in ) .
The ground for the confusion , asBvSfans may remember , was that the figure speaking with Lex Luthor and holding three Mother Boxes looked explicitly alien in nature . But in DC ’s Fourth World , the New Gods run to bet decidedly human : that include Steppenwolf , his sister Heggra , and her son Uxas before he was spoil into Darkseid . It ’s the Old Gods like Yuga Khan who are presented with exaggerated features : massive sizes , deeply weathered and peculiarly constructed grimace , cold-blooded centre , and armor that blurs the line between organic and embellishment .
In other words , a stark encapsulation of comical record fable Jack Kirby ’s designs for beings of cosmic origin ( Kirby created the Fourth World ) . One could argue that the design of the DCEU ’s Steppenwolf looks , at least in broad terms , like the exact adaptation of Yuga Khan that could be expect from Zack Snyder . The technicolor paint dodge and pop art may have been toned down and firmly planted in the organic - much like Snyder ’s rendering of Krypton inMan of Steel- but the closely selfsame chin art object , deeply grooved face , zoom horned helm and ceremonial - search armour all keep the ties to the source cloth evident .
Or theywould … if this was really a large silver screen edition of Yuga Khan , and not Steppenwolf we were looking at . The two come from all different design traditions and archetype of baddie - so what ’s really going on here ?
Why The Differences Matter
The ground for these discrepancies and similarity are n’t inevitably scandalous , or alluding to a get along " twist " inJustice Leagueor the DCEU beyond . Still , it ’s worth considering why Zack Snyder , of all hoi polloi would suddenly decide to prefer a scoundrel base in DC account and cast aside all previous dedication to comic book accuracy . And it ’s not just Steppenwolf ’s appearance , either . Where the Steppenwolf of the comics was love for his boast , taunts , and passion of armed combat , the one presented intheJustice LeagueComic - Con trailerseems a more composed and wrathful antagonist .
One who come to crush Earth thou of days in the yesteryear , but was driven back by the combined forces of the Amazons , Mankind , and Atlanteans . He was repulse back … but not killed . Still , he watch his example well enough . And with no Kryptonian hero to defy physics or fly , and no Green Lantern to protect Earth , he ’s returned with an army to collect the Mother Boxes he left behind , torture the skies of Earth itself , and ensure Earth"falls … like all the others . "
That could all be done by Steppenwolf , loyal leader of Darkseid ’s US Army , serve out his commander ’s guild ( a air force officer who seems to be absent from the chronicle , forget a less powerful soldier to capture a planet he fail to once before ) . We ’re purely contemplate , but by this point , it should n’t storm anyone to find out that Steppenwolf ’s superpowers are throttle to enhanced strength and combat . Yuga Khan , thanks to his origins among the Old Gods , is not only superhumanly strong , but able-bodied to physically transport himself through blank across vast distances and kingdom , and bless with the mightiness needed to manipulate and consume living as push … be it people , races , or entire worlds .
hat ’s definitely the kind of baddie that ’s able to tolerate against Wonder Woman , Batman , The Flash , Cyborg , Aquaman , and ( presumably ) Superman , not to mention being something of the literal ' devil ' prophesied by Lex Luthor .
We ’re not posit that Zack Snyder and his producers are rend aStar Trek Into Darknessfake - out with their very own ' Khan'- although that would be a electrifying reveal in the theater , since we ’re not counting on too many people referring to the villain by his name . rather , it appear that Snyder is introduce a non - Darkseid foeman from Apokolips as the Justice League ’s ( anda resurrected Superman ’s ) first otherworldly challenge . And to ensure that baddie is powerful , challenging , ruthless , and terrifying enough to be more than ' Darkseid ’s lieutenant , ' he ’s lifting from another actualrulerof Apokolips ( and gettingan doer like Ciaran Hinds to make Steppenwolfa unnerving personality , not just a fearsome fighter ) .
But this combining of two Apokoliptian figures into one raises the interrogation of ' what make Steppenwolf Steppenwolf . ' His name ? His appearance ? His personality ? His authority ? His goals ? The real dilemma , as far as we see it , is how much of Yuga Khan ’s narration and roleon Apokolipsmay be adapted for Steppenwolf . create him an plain ruler , or at least a challenger to Darkseid may be seen as unfaithful to the comics … but it put down the cornerstone for an unexpected entry to Darkseid ’s own cost increase to might .
Could This Be a Hint of DCEU’s Darkseid Changes?
The DCEU ’s Justice League would have a severe enough time facing down Steppenwolf and his Parademons with even aslightboost to his strength and power set , so Snyder and co. are n’t under any pressure to reinvent or re - imagine . And all thing take , hearing either him or his subsidiary mention the ill ' Darkseid ' they ’re serving is a heck of a ribbing . But it ’s also a teasing that Snyder and DC have known for years would fall atrociously close to Thanos of the Marvel Cinematic Universe . By which we mean a possibly selfsame story of a seldom - seen cosmic despot operating through his soldiers until he in conclusion make it to finish the job in a team - up sequel .
rooter have long assume that in the movies , like the comedian , Darkseid is the supreme villain - an all - powerful incubus existing just outside our universe . So it seems an opportune metre for the baddie ofJustice Leagueto be a dissimilar Apokoliptian menace who looks , do , and possesses the powers of Darkseid ’s predecessor as rule of Apokolips . It begs the dubiousness : if Darkseid truly uprise to top executive when Yuga Khan ’s ambition and appetite for destruction convey his downfall … could Steppenwolf make a similar rise possible ?
Ciaran Hinds has confirmed that Steppenwolf is " enslaved " to Darkseid in one elbow room or another , but we do n’t yet know that the villain ’s ambitions on Earth are n’t at least part his own . Rather than arriving on Earth to carry out his sea captain ’s subjugation of the universe , it may be Steppenwolf who is essay a way out . Seeking something Earth has that only he sleep with about , from thousands of years in the past tense .
And if Steppenwolf ’s design to get away that enslavement flexible joint on Earth - a programme foiled by Earth ’s defender and Kryptonian ( and possibly even a Green Lantern ) - will the effects of his actions on Apokolips and Darkseid make an appearance in the film , as well ?
We ’ll check curtly of drawing a ending on what fans should gestate from an Apokolips teaser or glimpse of cosmic US Army ( theopening conflict scene ofJustice Leagueshould do that job ) . But if the DCEU version of Steppenwolf is being dress in the clothes of a brawny tyrant , and not just a oaf for Darkseid , rooter may want to check their expectations now . The good newsworthiness ? If Snyder is earn Steppenwolf seem as powerful as Yuga Khan , it upgrade the stakes for Darkseid even eminent .
NEXT:Ben Affleck Calls Justice League ‘Product of Two Directors’
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