Steppenwolf (German for "Steppe wolf") is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer-artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in New Gods #7 (February 1972). A New God and military general from the planet Apokolips, Steppenwolf is Darkseid's uncle and subordinate who commands his army of Parademons. The character is featured in the DC Extended Universe, portrayed by Ciarán Hinds via motion capture.

Fictional character biography

Steppenwolf is a New God who is the younger brother of Heggra (Darkseid's mother) and the uncle of Uxas (Darkseid). He is also a member of Darkseid's Elite. He leads the military forces of Apokolips and rides hounds bred for battle. Steppenwolf is one of the earliest survivors of Doomsday, the monster who once killed Superman. 245,000 years ago, Steppenwolf takes an Apokoliptian shuttle with Darkseid, Master Mayhem and a small crew to the planet of Bylan 5. The planet holds delicate natural materials Apokolips needs for weaponry, material which would be destroyed in the event of an invasion. The forcible marriage of Darkseid to the planet's princess comes to an end when Doomsday attacks. Master Mayhem is swiftly torn apart. Darkseid ignores Steppenwolf's orders to use omega beams and engages the creature in hand-to-hand combat. Steppenwolf sees that the destruction that has been wrought has doomed the planet, and all who live on it. He teleports Darkseid out of harm's way, agreeing with Darkseid not to mention this to anyone. Doomsday escapes by stowing away on the Apokoliptian shuttle. Most of Steppenwolf's appearances under the pen of Jack Kirby are in flashbacks. His debut, in New Gods #7, is a flashback story in which he helps Darkseid murder Highfather's wife. Highfather tracks down and kills Steppenwolf in retaliation, reigniting the war between the two sides. However, Steppenwolf is eventually resurrected using Apokoliptian technology. Steppenwolf appears when Mister Miracle (Scott Free) gains godlike powers over life and death. Steppenwolf torments him over his role in killing Scott's mother (or alleged mother figure as is claimed) and in return is physically tortured. Free ends up healing him, instead of killing him as he desires. He is sent away with Darkseid's legions. He is seen in New Gods (vol. 2) #6, with a new costume (a Kirby redesign for the figure's Super Powers action figure). Though considered a "mockery", Steppenwolf is given the job of running Darkseid's military forces. He is later seen fighting the Flash (Barry Allen) and the Justice League of America. In Terror Titans #2, Steppenwolf appears as a member of the Dark Side Club before being killed by the Clock King. He is later resurrected in The New 52 continuity reboot.

Powers and abilities

As a New God, Steppenwolf is nigh-immortal and possesses superhuman strength and durability. Furthermore, he is an experienced military leader and wields various several weapons, including an electric axe and a cable-snare that can generate radion beams.

Other versions

An alternate universe variant of Steppenwolf from Earth-Two appears in the Earth-2 comic series. He invades Earth and kills its versions of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman before being killed by Bizarro.

In other media

Television

Film

An alternate universe variant of Steppenwolf makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in Justice League: Gods and Monsters.

DC Extended Universe

Steppenwolf appears in films set in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).

Video games

Steppenwolf appears as a playable character in Lego DC Super-Villains, voiced again by Peter Jessop.