Current Events
History
Origin
After his Yuga Khan being imprisoned in the Source Wall, his sister Queen Heggra became absolute ruler of Apokolips and he was promoted by his sister, to the post of commander of the army. During the time of Heggra’s reign, Darkseid suggested he organize an army to invade New Genesis, so they could partake of a sadistic sport:hunting and killing the civilians.
Steppenwolf’s soldiers attacked Izaya the inheritor, until Avia intervened to save him. But Steppenwolf, sensing movement behind him, whirled and fired a fatal radion bolt at her, not realizing she was Izaya‘s wife. Later Darkseid rendered Izaya unconscious with a blast from his “killing gloves”. Then Darkseid, along with a now suspicious Steppenwolf, returned to Apokolips.
Death and Resurrection
After the death of his wife, Izaya led New Genesis forces against Apokolips in act of vengeance, making the two planets go to war. Darkseid gives to Steppenwolf the command of the Dog Calvary to hold the New Genesis raid, but was killed by Highfather. All this was nothing more than Darkseid’s plan to poison his mother and take over the throne without the intervention of his uncle. Sometime later Steppenwolf was resurrected through Desaad’s invention and became Apokolips, military leader under Darkseid’s command.
Doomsday
Thousands of years ago, Steppenwolf accompanied Darkseid to the planet Bylan 5 so that Darkseid could wed the princess of the planet. In actuality, the devious duo really wanted access to the precious resources of the planet and were using the marriage as an excuse to obtain it. However, the monster Doomsday appeared and quickly began wreaking havoc on the planet, even managing to kill Master Mayhem. Angered, Darkseid attempted to engage the monster but Steppenwolf decided it was best for them both to retreat as Bylan 5 was essentially destroyed.
Dog Calvary
Steppenwolf’s main job is commander of Darkseid’s Dog Calvary. He trained the dogs and men to work in Darkseid’s main army. His best warrior was Canis Major. When Canis Major had a son, Canis Minor, he tried to train the boy to fight. All the lad was interested in was art. Eventually the boy killed his father and took his place as Canis Major. It turned out the son was much better than his father. When Steppenwolf found out about this, he told Darkseid. Darkseid ordered Steppenwolf to kill the son saying that he preferred his father.
Terror Titans
Steppenwolf served as the true leader of the Darkseid Club while in human form (he was named Steppenwolf). However he was quickly killed by the new Clock King, who then proceeded to usurp control of the club.
Post-Flashpoint
Steppenwolf appeared as one of Darkseid‘s Elite along with DeSaad in the Justice League‘s revised origins. The pair were torturing Superman on Apokolips, until Cyborg manipulated their Mother Box‘s and sent them to Earth-2 and left them stranded on Earth-2 and unable to return Apokolips.
Steppenwolf next appeared in Earth-2 as main adversary for Kal-L, Wonder Woman and Batman as he tried to take over Earth-2 in Darkseid’s name, often mind controlling the countries of Earth he defeated with an Anti-Life Generator and wanted to use them as members for his army against the World Army until, Terry Sloane bombed the countries under Steppenwolf’s control.
As Diana was fighting a horde of Parademons, Steppenwolf opened a boom tube behind them and stabbed Diana in the back with his sword despite the cries of Superman warning her of his presence and watched as Kal-L was killed in a swarm of Parademons, however, Batman was able to upload his virus to the beacon towers thereby deactivating all of Steppenwolf’s Parademons and thereby securing a victory for the World Army.
After the war ended, Steppenwolf sought asylum with King Marov in Dherain. Steppenwolf with the help of Fury launched a preemptive strike against Marov as Marov himself was planning to kill Steppenwolf and collect the bounty on his head. While his men were being defeated by Fury, Marov detonated an explosion to give himself time to suit up to fight against Steppenwolf. Marov then had his his men outfitted in updated Parademon schematics to fight Steppenwolf, they however, were not a challenge to Steppenwolf and he cut them down with his Battle-Axe, revealing the reason he came to Dherain was because he wanted to take Marov’s throne. When Fury killed the last of Marov’s men, Steppenwolf then threw his Battle-Axe through Marov’s body, killing him as he tried to attack. Steppenwolf later decapitated Marov to show to his people that, now that Marov was dead they had no else to stop the World Army from coming for them due to their role in supporting Apokolips during the invasion and had to grudgingly Steppenwolf as their new King. Steppenwolf later commented to Fury, that Dherain was not enough for him since he wanted to take over the entire world and wanted to start preparation for the World Army’s expected arrival.
Steppenwolf later sent Fury to Gotham City to capture Big Barda and Mr. Miracle the lost son of Highfather who had escaped him a year ago. When the Wonders of America & the World Army tried to invade Dherain the invasion initially seemed to be going well for them as they decimated his initial forces. However, Steppenwolf stayed behind and sent his Hunger Dogs to confront them. Steppenwolf’s Hunger Dogs easily defeated the combined forces of Wonders and the World Army, they however, refrained from killing most of them. When the full forces of the World Army finally came to Dherain only then did Steppenwolf finally suit himself up and engage in battle. Even with the World Army having a large numbers advantage; Steppenwolf single-handedly slaughtered most of the World’s Army’s soldier in just over an hour, with the aid of his Hunger Dogs, he killed many more soldiers and destroyed most of their air fleet. It was the death of the World Army’s leader Jason Storm Foster by Brutaal, that solidified Steppenwolf’s victory and led to the World Army ordering a retreat.
However, the Wonders of America wouldn’t give up and Alan Scott went to attack Steppenwolf and eventually gained the upper hand until Brutaal blasted Alan in the back with his eye beams while he was focused on Steppenwolf. When Al Pratt tried to intervene in the subsequent beat down of Alan Scott, Brutaal knocked him out with a backhand and together he and Steppenwolf proceeded to pound away at Alan Scott who was helpless to retaliate. After they had finished, Steppenwolf went to a reporter to announce to he World that the World Army hadn’t been able to stop him and before he could continue with his speech, Brutaal cut him in half vertically with his hand and revealed as his armour began to fall away that he was Kal-L, the previously thought dead Superman of Earth-2 and now a loyal servant of Darkseid.
Darkseid War
Steppenwolf was last seen recruiting Kalibak in order to aid Darkseid against his battle with the Anti-Monitor:
Powers and Abilities
Powers
New God Physiology
The beings of Apokolips call themselves gods and live in a realm called the Fourth World which is outside normal space and time. Their strength is due to their relative proximity to the Source, an energy which fuels the powers of the beings in Apokolips. The inhabitants of New Genesis are far more stronger, faster, smarter and are said to be immortal.
- Superhuman Strength
- Superhuman Speed
- Superhuman Reflexes
- Superhuman Stamina
- Superhuman Senses
- Invulnerability: As a New God Steppenwolf is resistant to most form of energy physical and energy attacks.
- Immortality: As a New God Steppenwolf has an extended lifespan which allows him to exist indefinitely,he doesn’t age, wither or degrade.
- Immunity: New Gods have an advanced immune system, which allows him to survive on Apokolips environmental ( which is full of diseases and toxins) and be immune to toxin and diseases from other planets.
Abilities
Steppenwolf has thousands of years of experience in most forms combat,tracking,strategy and weapons,especially in swords and axes,he’s skilled in riding/training animals and also a expert driver, having driven virtually all vehicles of Apokolips. He is one of the most feared and respected Darkseid’s generals, being responsible for leading the Apokolips army, during the invasion of other planets,especially the Dog Calvary.
Equipment
- Electro-Axe
- Cable Snare
Personal Data
Characteristics
- Gender: Male
- Height: 6’0″
- Weight: 203lbs.
- Eyes: Red
- Hair: Black
- Skin Color: White
Other Media
Television
Superman: The Animated Series
Steppenwolf appeared in the episode “Apokolips… Now!” ,leading a army of Parademons at Metropolis to capture Superman,but he was stopped by Dan Turpin ,who piloted an Army chopper and shot his aircraft causing it falls into the ocean. He was voiced by Sherman Howard.
Justice League: The Animated Series
Steppenwolf make a cameo in the episode “Twilight“,retreating from an aborted invasion of New Genesis, Steppenwolf’s ship was crippled and teleported, via Boom Tube, right into Darkseid’s stronghold. Steppenwolf was presumably killed beforehand by the noble, but otherwise merciless Orion. He was voiced by Corey Burton.
Batman: the Brave and the Bold
Steppenwolf appears in the episode “Duel of the Double Crossers“, as Mongul’s champion fighting in a gladiatorial against Batman and Jonah Hex, who used the weapons given by Mongul to defeat it. Steppenwolf also appears in “Death Race to Oblivion!“, raced on Mongul’s behalf against the other heroes and villains for the fate of Earth. After losing the race to Batman, Mongul blasts Steppenwolf for his failure. In both episodes he was voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson.
Justice League Action
Steppenwolf appears in the episode “Under a Red Sun,” voiced by Peter Jessop.
Film
Justice League (2017)
Steppenwolf appears as the antagonist of Justice League. His goal is to collect three Mother Boxes and form “The Unity”, which will make the Earth just like his home world. His first attempt was thousands of years ago, which was thwarted by the combined forces of Humanity, the Atlanteans, and the Amazons. Steppenwolf is played by Ciaran Hinds via motion capture. He has a more substantial role in the director’s cut, Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
Video Games
- Steppenwolf appears as a playable character in Lego DC Super Villains, voiced again by Peter Jessop.
Merchandise
- Steppenwolf was featured in Kenner’s DC Super Powers Collection, sporting a radical redesign.
- Steppenwolf was featured in Mattel’s DC Universe Classics line as part of Series 7. The assortment featured his classic comic look and a variant inspired by his Kenner appearance.
- Steppenwolf was the subject of a Collect-and-Connect wave from Mattel’s DC Multiverse line.
- Steppenwolf has been featured in products by Lego.
- Steppenwolf was featured in Funko’s Pop! line of bobbleheads.
- Steppenwolf was featured in Mattel’s toy line for the 2017 Justice League movie.
- Steppenwolf was featured in the DC Multiverse line from McFarlane Toys.