Supervillain Origin: Steppenwolf
advertisement
VOICE OVER: DP
WRITTEN BY: Craig Butler
Written by Craig Butler
This dude was born to be wild – just like everyone else on the planet Apokolips. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we will explore the comic book origin of Steppenwolf.
As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginations and different versions to a character's past. We have chosen primarily to follow the storyline which unfolded in 1972's New Gods #7 and which was expanded upon in 1995's Underworld Unleashed: Apokolips Dark Uprising #1 and Doomsday Annual #1.
Have an idea you want to see made into a WatchMojo video? Check out our suggest page at http://WatchMojo.comsuggest and submit your idea.
This dude was born to be wild – just like everyone else on the planet Apokolips. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we will explore the comic book origin of Steppenwolf.
As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginations and different versions to a character's past. We have chosen primarily to follow the storyline which unfolded in 1972's New Gods #7 and which was expanded upon in 1995's Underworld Unleashed: Apokolips Dark Uprising #1 and Doomsday Annual #1.
Have an idea you want to see made into a WatchMojo video? Check out our suggest page at http://WatchMojo.comsuggest and submit your idea.
This dude was born to be wild – just like everyone else on the planet Apokolips. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we will explore the comic book origin of Steppenwolf.
As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginations and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen primarily to follow the storyline which unfolded in 1972’s New Gods #7 and which was expanded upon in 1995’s Underworld Unleashed: Apokolips Dark Uprising #1 and Doomsday Annual #1.
Steppenwolf, leader of the armies of Apokolips, has all the attributes of other gods from that warmongering hellhole. In addition to being super-strong and technically immortal, he’s a master strategist, deploying his dog-riding warriors with great cunning. And when he needs them, he always has weapons like his electro-axe or his cable-snare to help defeat uncooperative foes.
Although Steppenwolf has been part of the DC Universe since the early 1970s, his origin has not been deeply delved into. Readers first met him when he was dropped into New Gods #7. This issue chronicled an important era in the history of New Genesis and Apokolips. Eons ago, Izaya, who would one day become the all-wise Highfather, was enjoying a peaceful idyll with his love, Avia. Their joyous time was interrupted by Steppenwolf, along with his nephew Darkseid, who at that time was not yet the ruler of Apokolips.
Izaya and Steppenwolf quickly engaged in battle – but it was Avia who paid the price. Darkseid then stepped up and delivered what was intended to be a deadly blow to Izaya. Steppenwolf warned Darkseid that he did not trust him, any more than he trusted Heggra, his own sister who is also Darkseid’s mother.
It turned out that Izaya was not killed – and that he quickly retaliated against Apokolips, thereby starting a tremendous and devastating war between the two planets. Queen Heggra demonstrated her clear preference for her son over her brother when she asked Darkseid how it would be best to proceed. Darkseid revealed that he had engaged Metron to devise a new means of transportation for them. With this Matter Threshold, a precursor to the Boom Tube, the armies of Apokolips were able to appear instantaneously anywhere they like.
Steppenwolf made good use of these thresholds, eventually finding himself face to face with Izaya again. Seeking revenge for the death of Avia, Izaya delivered a fatal blow and ended Steppenwolf’s life – though, of course, he would eventually return.
Some interesting details about Steppenwolf have emerged over the years. For example, he apparently worked in collaboration with Darkseid to kill Heggra so that Darkseid could assume the throne. And, of course, when Darkseid was apparently killed, Steppenwolf considered it only right that the throne of Apokolips should pass his way – though that didn’t work out, really. He also witnessed the first encounter between Darkseid and the creature known as Doomsday – even saving Darkseid’s life by convincing him it was useless to fight the monster.
As with so many other characters, Steppenwolf got a makeover with the New 52 reboot. But that affected his design more than it did his origin.
While he hasn’t had anywhere near the screen time of his master Darkseid, Steppenwolf has ventured outside the pages of the comic books and onto the screen on several occasions. His ruthlessness and evil determination make him a worthy foe for even the most powerful superheroes.
As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginations and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen primarily to follow the storyline which unfolded in 1972’s New Gods #7 and which was expanded upon in 1995’s Underworld Unleashed: Apokolips Dark Uprising #1 and Doomsday Annual #1.
Steppenwolf, leader of the armies of Apokolips, has all the attributes of other gods from that warmongering hellhole. In addition to being super-strong and technically immortal, he’s a master strategist, deploying his dog-riding warriors with great cunning. And when he needs them, he always has weapons like his electro-axe or his cable-snare to help defeat uncooperative foes.
Although Steppenwolf has been part of the DC Universe since the early 1970s, his origin has not been deeply delved into. Readers first met him when he was dropped into New Gods #7. This issue chronicled an important era in the history of New Genesis and Apokolips. Eons ago, Izaya, who would one day become the all-wise Highfather, was enjoying a peaceful idyll with his love, Avia. Their joyous time was interrupted by Steppenwolf, along with his nephew Darkseid, who at that time was not yet the ruler of Apokolips.
Izaya and Steppenwolf quickly engaged in battle – but it was Avia who paid the price. Darkseid then stepped up and delivered what was intended to be a deadly blow to Izaya. Steppenwolf warned Darkseid that he did not trust him, any more than he trusted Heggra, his own sister who is also Darkseid’s mother.
It turned out that Izaya was not killed – and that he quickly retaliated against Apokolips, thereby starting a tremendous and devastating war between the two planets. Queen Heggra demonstrated her clear preference for her son over her brother when she asked Darkseid how it would be best to proceed. Darkseid revealed that he had engaged Metron to devise a new means of transportation for them. With this Matter Threshold, a precursor to the Boom Tube, the armies of Apokolips were able to appear instantaneously anywhere they like.
Steppenwolf made good use of these thresholds, eventually finding himself face to face with Izaya again. Seeking revenge for the death of Avia, Izaya delivered a fatal blow and ended Steppenwolf’s life – though, of course, he would eventually return.
Some interesting details about Steppenwolf have emerged over the years. For example, he apparently worked in collaboration with Darkseid to kill Heggra so that Darkseid could assume the throne. And, of course, when Darkseid was apparently killed, Steppenwolf considered it only right that the throne of Apokolips should pass his way – though that didn’t work out, really. He also witnessed the first encounter between Darkseid and the creature known as Doomsday – even saving Darkseid’s life by convincing him it was useless to fight the monster.
As with so many other characters, Steppenwolf got a makeover with the New 52 reboot. But that affected his design more than it did his origin.
While he hasn’t had anywhere near the screen time of his master Darkseid, Steppenwolf has ventured outside the pages of the comic books and onto the screen on several occasions. His ruthlessness and evil determination make him a worthy foe for even the most powerful superheroes.
Sign in
to access this feature