| NOTE: This page is only for Steppenwolf's characterization in the DC Extended Universe, considering the original comic counterpart was not voted Pure Evil. This page is also only for his characterization in the theatrical film, considering the director's counterpart was also not voted Pure Evil. Therefore, only the theatrical version's info and crimes should be listed here. |
| “ | I see, mother! I see why you waited to summon me! The Kryptonian's death plunged this timid world into such terror; Amazons, Atlanteans - each stands and falls alone! I know, mother, you waited too long for the unity... I know, but you will feed! And my exile will come to an end! I will take my place among the New Gods! Find the last one! Its power will cleanse the earth! For the unity... for Darkseid! | „ |
| ~ Steppenwolf. |
| “ | I am the End of Worlds. Who are you to defy me? This world is my right! | „ |
| ~ Steppenwolf refusing to accept defeat. |
Steppenwolf is the main antagonist of the 2017 DC Extended Universe superhero film Justice League.
He is an Apokoliptian military official and Darkseid's uncle who seeks to obtain the three Mother Boxes on Earth for his nephew. He also serves as his nephew's second-in-command, but he also secretly desires to break free from his nephew's control.
He was portrayed by Ciarán Hinds, who also played Jonathan Reiss in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life and Mephisto in Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.
What Makes Him Pure Evil?[]
- He conquered many worlds under the orders of his nephew Darkseid, enslaving and killing their inhabitants. Some of the survivors of his attacks were transformed by him into monstruous Parademons to serve him.
- Invaded the Earth to use the three Mother Boxes to terraform the Earth into a planet similar to Apokolips.
- During his first invasion of Earth, he killed an alien Green Lantern who came to aid the Amazons.
- Decided to wait until the deaths of the Old Gods and Superman so he could invade the Earth again, hoping to conquer it and reclaim it for Darkseid so he could return gloriously to Apokolips.
- Kidnapped and tortured several employees from S.T.A.R. Labs for being in possession of one of the Mother Boxes.
- Attacked Themyscira and Atlantis to retrieve the other two Mother Boxes, killing the Amazons and the Atlanteans who were on his way. After retrieving one of the Mother Boxes from the Amazons, Steppenwolf told Queen Hippolyta that after the unity, they would join his legion and love him. With his "Love" being implied that the Amazons will either be slaves or turned into Parademons against their will rather than being genuine.
- Snapped the neck of one S.T.A.R. Labs scientist when she pleaded with him to spare her due to having a family instead of telling him about the final Mother Box.
- Combined the Mother Boxes in Russia, threatening the lives of all Russian civilians.
- Badly damaged Cyborg during his final battle against the Justice League.
- Tried to annihilate all life on Earth to erase the memory of his past defeat even though no one remembered it except the Justice League members.
- His defeat at his own former minions Parademons, when they betrayed him upon sensing his fear, wasn't played for sympathy, no matter how violent it seemed.
Trivia[]
- Despite all the atrocities the character committed throughout the film, Ciarán Hinds stated that he played Steppenwolf as a tragic villain who's "old, tired, and still trying to get out of his own enslavement to Darkseid," although he was referring to the Snyder Cut version of the character. However, as nothing in the actual film is done to show Steppenwolf in a sympathetic light, Steppenwolf qualifies as Pure Evil. However, Whedon Cut's Steppenwolf qualifies as Pure Evil, but this character is completely broken.
- The version of Steppenwolf in the Snyder Cut is in line with this, as unlike the theatrical version, he is actually a more sympathetic villain whose main motivation is to get permission from Darkseid to go back to Apokolips, but he has to enslave thousands of worlds for that, meaning that version doesn't qualify as Pure Evil, even if he isn't that far behind.
- Some people believe this Steppenwolf isn't Pure Evil because they view him as a generic doomsday villain with no personality traits, which many people have criticized him for. However, Steppenwolf does have a personality (just a one that is considered boring that made him receive a negative reception), as he is power-hungry, bloodthirsty, egotistical, sadistic, and has a love for fighting.
- The irony behind Steppenwolf being Pure Evil is the fact that he's from a story that is meant for PG-13 audiences, with the Snyder one being listed as mature. The reason why this is so ironic is the fact that Pure Evils by nature aren't restricted to being part of such adult content, but due to Snyder Cut showing more than what was shown in the theatrical, this became one of the special cases where the non-PE version is less child-friendly to watch than the PE one.
- Many fans have compared his death to Scar (another fellow Pure Evil) or Pitch Black from Rise of the Guardians, due to all three of them being killed by their own minions (the hyenas for Scar, the Nightmares for Pitch Black, and the parademons for Steppenwolf).
External Links[]
- Steppenwolf on the Villains Wiki
- Steppenwolf on the Scrappy Wiki
[]
 Pure Evils
| ||
|
Erich Ludendorff | Steppenwolf | Black Mask | Victor Zsasz | Darkseid | The Thinker | Mateo Suarez | Sabbac | Ahk-Ton | Kordax See Also | ||
 Pure Evils
| ||
|
Comics Television Movies Video Games | ||