Steppenwolf is heavily revised in look and character in Zack Snyder's Justice League, a tradition that goes back to his comic book roots. The villain was created by the legendary comic book writer and artist Jack Kirby as part of this Fourth World mythology for DC Comics back in the 1970s after Kirby left Marvel for a time.
The character plays a major role in the DCEU, as the harbinger of Darkseid and the armies of Apokolips, but his journey in the comics is much more complicated. Like many of Kirby's greatest creations, he has been reinterpreted again and again over the years by later artists and comic continuities.
10 One Of The New Gods
Steppenwolf first appeared in New Gods #7 in February 1972, written and drawn by Kirby. He appears mostly in flashbacks at the beginning, with his character seeming to be deceased in the present of the comics. The exact status of the character and others evolved over time as Kirby developed the series.
He was part of the expansive New Gods mythology that Kirby brought to DC Comics. The New Gods were natives of the twin planets New Genesis and Apokolips, with Steppenwolf being a resident of the latter. The New Gods are set to get their own movie, directed by Ava du Vernay and written by Tom King.
9 Darkseid's Uncle
The relationships between the characters in New Gods are byzantine, not unlike the interfamily relationships between the great houses on Game Of Thrones. Steppenwolf is the younger brother of Heggra, the original queen of Apokolips, which makes him the uncle of Darkseid. This familial connection led Steppenwolf to a prominent role on Apokolips, but his place in the court of Darkseid was equally one of self-preservation. Darkseid murdered his own mother, and Steppenwolf sided with him despite the loss of his sister the queen.
8 Survivor Of Doomsday
Doomsday is one of the strongest DC supervillains in the comics, so much so he actually killed Superman in a head-to-head duel in the 90s. His power is such that he nearly killed Steppenwolf as well. Nearly a quarter-million years before that fateful battle in Metropolis, Steppenwolf encountered Doomsday on an alien planet, Bylan 5.
Darkseid, believing in his superior strength and skill, challenges Doomsday directly. This doesn't go well for the New God and Steppenwolf teleports them both away to safety via a Boom Tube.
7 Death By The Highfather
Steppenwolf's status in the original New Gods comics was somewhat confusing. He is shown to be murdered by the Highfather, ruler of New Genesis, after Steppenwolf murders his wife on behalf of Darkseid. He is then shown in flashbacks over the remainder of the first volume of the series.
In 1985, DC Comics produced the Super Powers mini-series, a tie-in with the Kenner line of action figures. Steppenwolf appears in this story, alive, though the status of the comic in the canon is uncertain. Steppenwolf was also produced as an action figure in the line.
6 Leader of Apokalips Army
In Zack Snyder's Justice League, Steppenwolf is an exile from Apokolips and trying to win his way back into favor with the powerful Darkseid, one of the most successful DC villains. In the comics, he is a key member of the evil ruler's inner circle. Steppenwolf leads the military forces of Apokolips in their horrendous war against other worlds and rides giant hounds bred for battle. This has generally been true across the various iterations of the character, including his later reboots post-Crisis On Infinite Earths as well as the more recent New 52.
5 80s Design Update
Steppenwolf was completely redesigned for the official director's cut of the original 2017 Justice League, and he got a brand new design courtesy of Kirby himself in the DC Super Powers Collection. This version eschewed the original yellow and green style for a more toyetic version. The red and brown spiked armor of the 80s update also emphasized the character's patented electro-axe, which has been a signature element in the comics since his debut through to the Justice League movie.
4 Master of Weapons
The Electro-Axe isn't the only fearsome weapon that Steppenwolf wields in the comics. He often uses a cable-snare in which he can entrap opponents and from which he can fire lethal radion beams. He also uses many swords and knives. Steppenwolf is one of the greatest and most skilled combatants among the forces on Apokolips. His weapons are somewhat unnecessary given his manifest strength and power but are emblems of his angry, destructive will in battle.
3 Ruler Of Earth-2
Steppenwolf got his biggest shot at the throne when he became the ruler of Earth-2. This updated version of the original alternate universe in DC Comics debuted in the aftermath of the Flashpoint storyline. It featured Steppenwolf killing Wonder Woman and Superman on Earth-2 and taking over the planet for himself.
The Multiverse concept in comics originated with DC, with the famous "Flash Of Two Worlds" story in The Flash #123 in September 1961. That has carried over into both film and television for DC.
2 God-Like Powers
Steppenwolf, as a New God, is beyond powerful. Though he's been shown to die on a few occasions in the comics, he is in fact immortal. He possesses superhuman strength, endurance, and speed. He has superhuman reflexes and a high degree of invulnerability, even more so in his battle armor, which allows him to resist most physical and energetic attacks. This makes him a formidable opponent for even the most powerful DCEU superheroes like Superman and Wonder Woman.
1 Father Of Fury
Later in the Earth-2 saga post-New 52, it's revealed that Steppenwolf is the father of Fury, the last Amazon, and daughter of Wonder Woman. She is initially one of his lieutenants, wearing a red and silver costume resembling that of Orion. When the New Gods invade Earth-2, Mister Miracle manages to convince her to change sides and she joins the battle against her father and the forces of Darkseid. This version of Fury shares elements of the earlier pre-Crisis On Infinite Earths version, who was the daughter of Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor.
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