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| As a result of the New 52 in 2011, the entire line of DC characters was relaunched, incorporating properties belonging to the company's imprints: Wildstorm, Milestone, and Vertigo. As such, elements of this character's history have been altered in some way from the previous incarnation. For a complete list of all versions of this character, see our disambiguation page. |
Steppenwolf is an Apokoliptian general and a member of Darkseid's Elite.
History
Invasion
Darkseid decided that he wanted Earth for himself so invaded the world expecting little resistance as usual. However the heroes of the world banded together against the God of Evil in an attempt to save their world. One of the heroes called Superman was captured and given to DeSaad to experiment on with the assistance of Steppenwolf. Unfortunately the hero Cyborg was able to reprogram the invasion forces' Boom Tubes sending them to random locations.[1]
Years later, Steppenwolf would appear at Darkseid's side to serve once again during his fight against the Anti-God.[2]
A World Divided
After the death of Darkseid during the battle with the Anti-Monitor Apokolips fell into a state of chaos. Steppenwolf led his hunger dogs as one of the factions attempting to survive the conflict, not being particularly interested in the throne. Kalibak took a majority of the planets resources in a desperate grasp for power leaving many other groups including the Hunger Dogs with little resources.[3] The low life of Apokolips brought Lex Luthor of Earth 0 to the planet hoping that he could lead them, restoring order to the planet. Luthor, not wanting the responsibility, summoned Superman to the planet along with his wife and son Superboy.[4]
Due to a majority of his forces needing sustenance Steppenwolf attempted to feed the dogs to his men but was stopped by Superboy who had been separated with his parents. The boy stole the wolves and headed to where Kalibak was attempting to find his father in the fire pits by blasting into the planet with the Chaos Cannon.[3] After a short conflict Superman assumed leadership of the planet and restored order before returning back to his Earth.[5]
Steppenwolf was later seen at an auction by Volgar Zo for the shrunken planet Earth.[6]
Powers and Abilities
Powers
- New God Physiology: The beings of Apokolips call themselves Gods and live outside of normal time and space, even outside of the normal 52 universes. These New Gods have evolved due to taking up the powers of other gods and through the use of the Source, believed to be one of the ultimate foundations of the Universal Expression of Energy, along with their superior technology, into beings of genetic stability and evolutionary perfection. The denizens of Apokolips are immortal, stronger, faster, and smarter than homo sapiens, despite their resemblance.
- Immortality: Like all New Gods Steppenwolf will never age past his prime.
- Superhuman Strength
- Superhuman Durability
- Superhuman Stamina
- Superhuman Reflexes
Abilities
- Leadership: Steppenwolf has lead huge forces of Parademons which are naturally unruly creatures.
- Military Protocol: As a general of Darkseid's forces Steppenwolf has a deep understanding of the workings of his forces.
- Politics
- Weaponry: Steppenwolf is highly efficient in the use of many weapons, ranged or not. Perhaps his greatest skill is with his signature Electro-Axe.
Paraphernalia
Transportation
- Boom Tube: Although Steppenwolf's original Boom Tube was rendered useless he was later able to acquire a new one. The Boom Tube allows him to travel anywhere in the multiverse via a portal.
Weapons
- Electro-Axe
Notes
- Steppenwolf was created by Jack Kirby, first appearing in New Gods #7. However, Steppenwolf first appeared as part of Prime Earth continuity in Justice League (Volume 2) #6 by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee.
- Though some sources initially indicated during the early New 52 that the New Gods were singularities, with only one of each existing in all the multiverse, later comics, namely Multiversity indicated that, instead, each universe in the multiverse possessed its own unique emination of each New God, each seemingly a part of a larger multiversal core (or 'godhead' for each New God within the Sphere of Gods. Later comics, like Infinite Frontier, confirmed this.
Related
- 33 Appearances of Steppenwolf (Prime Earth)
- 6 Images featuring Steppenwolf (Prime Earth)
- 1 Quotations by or about Steppenwolf (Prime Earth)
- Character Gallery: Steppenwolf (Prime Earth)
Footnotes
  This character or group of characters are related to Jack Kirby's Fourth World, either the original concept and group of titles by Jack Kirby, or any of their subsequent adaptations by other creators. This template will categorize articles that include it into the Fourth World Characters category. |