Who is Superman's Son, Jon Kent?

With the recent coming out of Superman's son, Jon Kent, as a Bi-Sexual, it seems the fandom are getting mixed reactions. There are a number of them who hates the thought that a "Superman" could come out as Bi-Sexual. That how could someone who is so masculine as Superman (Clark Kent/Kal El the Dad) father a son that turns out to be Bi-Sexual. Did Superman remiss his duty as a Father? Hence Jon not getting the proper guidance in eventually becoming straight like his Dad? If not, what were the circumstance or was there any signs that Jon would have a gender identity crisis? In writing this article, I want to stay away from any conspiracy theories about a certain agenda or any religious undertones and arguments. I just want to focus on the character development of Jon so people would know more about him. I've already said my piece in my Action Figure Planet Philippines Facebook page with regards to my sentiments about Jon's coming out which can be accessed here and my response to those who do not agree with my stand which can be found here. Now with that out of the way, let's trace Jon's origins.     

Jon was born in a world that was not quite here nor there.

Jon's first appearance in a comic book (Convergence: Superman no. 2) was when he was born in the Convergence world, a pocket reality in a DC Comics event book called Convergence where various multiverses collided. At that time, Superman was replaced by a younger Superman during DC's New 52 reboot. The old Superman (we call him the Post-Crisis Superman, as rebooted by John Byrne) appears once more to take part in this cataclysmic crossover event along with his wife Lois Lane after being temporarily wiped out from existence during the Flashpoint event. By this time, Lois is already pregnant and was about to give birth to Jon. As the two part issue ends, Lois finally gives birth to John (though this origin story was also rebooted in the succeeding years). But the final battle of the Convergence event would vaguely put Superman and Lois along with Jon to get stuck in limbo. As DC proceeded to continue with their New 52 continuity with the new Superman.

But as the years went by, it was suddenly revealed that Superman, Lois, and Jon were actually able to reach the New 52 continuity, albeit in hiding and enjoying family life while the new younger Superman continued with his adventures. In the 8 issue maxi-series Superman: Lois and Clark, the post-crisis Superman returned with his daring adventures as he rescues his family when Lois and Jon were kidnapped by Bruno Mannheim and Intergang. It was also on this storyline where an elemetary schooler Jon first discovered that his father was actually Superman and not long after, he also discovered that he had inherited his father's powers. Jon also during this time dealt with his parents' constant lying and pretending to be normal people when in fact his father is Superman. Though he eventually accepted this. We don't know what the cost of this to a kid being lied to. To be given another identity. And dealing with early tragedy. And then soon after faced another tragedy when he accidently killed his pet cat. For character development, is this an early sign of a kid facing some kind of Identity Crisis?

When the DC Universe Rebirth relaunch happened, Jon resumed his adventures with his Dad. And also found a kindred spirit in Batman's son Damian Wayne, having their own solo adventures as the Supersons. Jon would also come across The Eradicator, the designated protector and preservator of the Kryptonian race. Knowing that Jon is Half-Kryptonian and Half-Human, The Eradicator seeked to eradicate Jon's human genome. Only for Superman to intervene and save Jon. Thus teaching Jon (with his mother's help Lois Lane) a very valuable lesson that eventually, he would have to accept his "dual" identity as a Half-Kryptonian, Half-Human, who would eventually inherit the mantle of Superman. Being of two race, he'll have the potential to be the best of two worlds and is hoped to be destined to do great things.

An Origin is Retconned

Jon's origin however was retconned when he was kidnapped by Mr. Mxyzptlk and taken to the Fifth dimension. It is here where he was exposed to the other Superman and Lois reality, the one from The New 52 reality. Since in that reality, Superman and Lois never got married, Jon was disowned by his parents initially but eventually found a way to merge the essence of both the Supermans and the Lois of both worlds (his and New 52). Another traumatic experience for a young kid who at his young age had already dealt with various traumas and identity crisis. The merging would retcon Jon's story, with now being revealed that he was born shortly after Clark and Lois marriage before they both retired to start a family. He was also rejected by the Teen Titans, voting not to include him on the team except for Damian who gave him an affirmitive vote. With the new origin of Jon's beginnings established, things gets complicated when Jor El (Kal El's Father and Jon's Grandfather) offers to take Jon with him to help him discover his true "self" and "identity." Superman and Lois initially refuses to let Jor El take Jon but eventually gave in when Jon pleads to his parents. Sharing that he had been facing a traumatic experience so far. Seeing glimpses of the future where he turns him into a despot, and killing millions of people. Pleading for them to allow him to find "his" self and understand himself better. The trip however would not be as smooth sailing as it is, with Jon being separated from Jor El and ends up in Earth 3, the twisted Alternate Earth where an evil Superman exists, Crime Syndicate's Ultraman. Taken as a prisoner by Ultraman (who is actually an evil version of his father), Jon was severely beaten up and abused for years. Not only by Ultraman, but an evil version of his mother Lois a well, Crime Syndicate's Superwoman. Imagine the trauma that he had to deal. His own father (even if it is from another reality) beating him up, abusing him because he was "different". This happened for years. Jon was captured as a kid. Spent years in an abusive relationship with his alternate reality father. Only to escape in his adolescent years, until Jor El rescued him. And to make things worse, Jon was transported to the past, wherein in reality, he was only lost to Jor El for three weeks. Thus growing up to be a teenage kid once he returned to the current timeline of his Earth. 

A Bi-Sexual Superman

To recap, Jon was a young kid dealing with an identity crisis, trauma, rejection, tragedy, abuse, and other horrible things that you could think of that is too much to handle for him as a kid. And he dealt most of it without the guiding hands of his father, specially the formative years of his transition to pubescent. But before Jon would eventually embrace his sexuality. He had one more trip away from his parents. That was the time when he was recruited to join the Legion of Superheros, a team of Superheroes from the far flung future. And this happened just a few days from his return from that long abusive trip with Jor El. Being with a group of Superheroes that almost shares the same age as him, and to be truly accepted by his peers, Jon finally found a home. And he was actually attracted to Saturn Girl in the course of their adventures together. Though the relationship would not last beyond their first kiss. Jon would then return to the present times to continue his adventures with his Dad and begins to take the first step in his attempt to inherit the mantle of Superman of Earth. In the far flung future of the current DC Universe. In the DC Comics wide event called Future State, there was no hint of Jon's sexuality in all of the stories that he was involved in. He was however very close to the future Wonder Woman, Yara Flor. But in the current times, DC Comics had decided to make Jon a Bi-Sexual. Causing an instant outrage to most DC Fans. The more reasonable ones however were more acceptable to the development, as long as there was character development to justify the move. With that said, I am writing this blog entry to chart Jon Kent's story, his character arc and development, and all of the trauma that he had to suffer in his road to assume the mantle of Superman of Earth. But there's one common thread I could see in his story. And it would seem that Superman (Kal EL) seemed to be an absentee father. He was not as present as he should have been during Jon's formative years. With that said.

Does his story relate to the real world tragedies and trauma that the LGBTQ+ community had to deal with? You be the judge. As a longtime Superman fan, I always looked at Superman not as a symbol of masculinity. But as a SYMBOL of HOPE. HOPE that is for everyone and not for the exclusive few. HOPE that we all eventually find TRUE LOVE. And not just the workings and desires of the flesh. But to find SOLACE in LOVE that can only come from one SAVIOR. No not the Kal EL Superman, but that guy that Superman has always been projected as an allegory of.... JESUS CHRIST! 

Sharing what's inside my DC Universe Cabinet

So I just recently had my Man Cave renovated and I would like to share the DC Part of my display area because of course I am a huge DC Universe fan first among all things. But I also love Marvel. But I can't say that the display area will be as huge as the space I allocated for my DC Action Figure Colllection. Now most of my collection is from the Mattel DC Universe Classics and DC Direct era. In my opinion, to this day, both of these toy lines are still the standard for DC action figure collecting. Though with McFarlane Toys' recent acquisition of the DC Direct brand, things will start to look interesting for DC Action Figure fans. Anyhow, my shelf space is divided into five layers. And each layer will have its own story and composition of the various DC Characters as seen in the comic books. This DC world building project that I started was thought of with a goal of acquiring at least one action figure representation from the comic book. So without much further introductions, let's go to the top most layer...

I call this the DC Super-Villains layer. Sorry if the others on the back can't be seen from here. I guess I need to invest on those display risers to make them look better on display. I'll probably enumerate them below...

From the back row to the front row

1.) DCUC Mr. Freeze

2.) DCUC Catman

3.) Kenner Legends of the Dark Knight BANE

4.) DC Direct Last Son Bizarro

5.) CNC DC Multiverse New 52 Doomsday

6.) King Kong (stand in for Grodd)

7.) Custom Giganta

8.) DC Direct OMAC

9.) DCUC Dr. Impossible

10.) DCUC Ocean Master

11.) CNC Solomon Grundy

12.) DCUC Yellow Lantern Scarecrow 

13.) DC Direct Anti-Monitor

14.) DCSH Mongul

15.) DC Direct Joker

16.) DC Direct Harley Quinn

17.) DCSH Doomsday

18.) DC Direct Justice Parasite

19.) DCUC Nite Lik

20.) DCUC Skallox

21.) DC Direct Parallax

22.) DC Direct Justice Lex Luthor

23.) DC Direct Justice Toyman

24.) DC Direct Justice Brainiac

25.) DCUC Black Manta

26.) DC Silver Age Direct Catwoman

27.) DC Direct Deadshot

28.) DC Direct Last Son Ursa

29.) DC Direct Last Son Zod

30.) DC Direct Public Enemies Metallo

31.) DCUC Eclipso

32.) DC Direct Monitor

33.) DCUC Captain Cold

34.) Custom figure Non

35.) DCUC Amazo

36.) DCUC Silver Banshee

37.) DC Direct Ra's Al Ghul

38.) DCSH Brainiac

39.) DCUC Reverse Flash

40.) DC Direct Mxyzptlk

41.) DCSH Darkseid

42.) DCSH Desaad

43.) DCSH Deathstroke

44.) DC Direct Alexander Luthor

45.) DCUC Black Adam

46.) DC Direct Dr. Sivana

47.) DCUC Star Sapphire

48.) DCUC Cheetah

49.) DC Direct Black Hand

50.) DC Direct Livewire

51.) DCUC Sinestro

52.) DC Direct Superboy Prime

Next two layers are the DC Superheroes layers. With the top layer composed of the various Justice League members and the Green Lantern Corps. With the second layer consisting of the Teen Titans, Marvel Family, Justice Society of America, Crime Syndicate and other heroes affiliated or those briefly joined the aforementioned teams. Here's what I have according to teams and in no particular order.

Justice League

1.) DCUC Mr. Miracle

2.) DCUC Big Barda

3.) DCUC Atom

4.) DCUC Green Arrow

5.) DC Direct Black Widow

6.) DC Direct Orion

7.) DCUC Captain Atom (Gold)

8.) DCUC Red Arrow

9.) DCUC Adam Strange

10.) DCUC Deadman

11.) DC Direct Lobo

12.) DCUC Firestorm

13.) DCUC Wonder Twins (Zan and Jayna)

14.) DCUC Red Tornado

15.) DC Direct Aquaman (Hook Hand)

16.) DCUC Aquaman

17.) DCUC Wonder Woman

18.) DCUC Superman

19.) DCUC Custom Batman

20.) DCUC Flash

21.) DCUC Hal Jordan Green Lantern

22.) DC Direct Elongated Man

23.) DC Direct Plastic Man

24.) DCUC Martian Manhunter

25.) DC Direct Zatanna

26.) DC Direct Vibe

27.) DC Direct Fire

28.) DC Direct Ice

29.) DCUC Booster Gold

30.) DCUC Blue Beetle

Green Lantern Corps.

1.) DCUC Guy Gardner

2.) DCUC Sodam Yat

3.) DC Direct Kilowog

4.) DCUC Abin Sur

5.) DCUC John Stewart

6.) DCUC Kyle Rayner

7.) DCUC Tomar Re

DC Direct Justice Alex Ross Box Set

1.) Superman

2.) Batman

3.) Wonder Woman

4.) Green Lantern

5.) Aquaman

6.) Flash

7.) DC Direct Martian Manhunter

Kenner Super Powers

1.) Firestorm

2.) Aquaman

3.) Wonder Woman

4.) Superman

5.) Kenner Movie Batman

6.) Flash

7.) Green Lantern

8.) Cup Holder Superman

9.) Cup Holder Wonder Woman

10.) Darkseid

11.) Steppenwolf

12.) Desaad

13.) Kalibak

14.) Penguin

15.) Lex Luthor

16.) Joker

17.) Brainiac

DCUC Crime Syndicate of America

1.) Ultraman

2.) Super Woman

3.) Earth 2 Batman (Thomas Wayne) (still can't get a decently priced Owlman figure)

4.) Johnny Quick

5.) Power Ring

6.) Earth 3 Lex Luthor

Teen Titans/Young Justice

1.) DCUC Beastboy

2.) DCUC Wally West

3.) DCUC Raven

4.) DCUC Starfire

5.) DCUC Cyborg

6.) DCUC Donna Troy

7.) DC Direct Wonder Girl 

8.) DC Direct Super Boy Kon El

9.) Mattel Robin

10.) DC Direct Impulse

11.) DC Direct Brother Blood

12.) DCUC Arrowette

13.) DCUC Aqualad

14.) DC Direct Blue Beetle

Marvel Family

1.) DCUC Shazam

2.) DC Direct Billy Batson

3.) DC Direct Mary Marvel 

4.) DC Direct Captain Marvel Jr.

5.) DC Direct Hoppy

Justice Society of America

1.) DCUC Dr. Fate

2.) DC Justice Direct Hawkgirl

3.) DCUC Spectre

4.) DC Direct Identity Crisis Hawkman

5.) DCUC Dr. Midnite

6.) DC Direct Sandman

7.) DC Direct Jay Garrick Flash

8.) DC Direct Alan Scott Green Lantern

9.) DC Direct Starman

10.) DC Direct Hourman

11.) DCUC Mr. Terrific

12.) DC Direct Stargirl

13.) DCUC Commander Steel

14.) DC Direct Crisis on Infinite Earths Superman

15.) DCUC Wildcat

16.) DC Direct Public Enemies Power Girl

17.) DCUC Superman

18.) DCUC Supergirl

19.) DCUC Magog

20.) DCUC Martian Manhunter

21.) DC Direct Golden Age Atom

22.) DC Direct Golden Age Atom (alternate costume)

Outsiders

1.) DCUC Black Lightning

2.) DC Direct Batman

3.) DCUC CNC Metamorpho

 

Lastly, the last two layers of my display cabinet consists of the Superman/Batman Family and a layer full of my favorite Superhero of all time, Superman. 

Daily Planet

1.) DC Direct Perry White

2.) DC Direct Jimmy Olsen

3.) DC Direct Lois Lane

4.) DCSH Clark Kent

5.) Custom Lex Luthor (DC Multiverse Luthor Head on DCUC Question body)

6.) DC Direct Norman Mckay (from the Kingdom Come mini series)

7.) DC Direct Diana Prince

8.) DC Direct Red Son Hal Jordan

9.) DCUC Guardian

Reign of the Supermen/ Team Superman

1.) DCSH Supergirl

2.) DCUC Eradicator

3.) DCUC Superboy

4.) DCSH Steel

5.) DCSH Cyborg Superman

6.) DCUC Black Suit Superman

7.) DC Direct Natasha Irons

8.) DC Direct Mon El

9.) DC Direct Kingdom Come Magog

10.) DC Multiverse New 52 Wonder Woman

11.) DCUC Dark Knights Returns Superman

12.) DC Direct Dark Knight Returns Superman

13.) DC Icons Rebirth Superman

14.) DC Icons Jonathan Kent Superboy

15.) DCSH Kal El Superman (Which I use as a stand in for Jor El)

16.) DC Direct Super Lois  (Which I use as a stand in for Lara with a baby) 

17.) DCUC Armored Suit Lex Luthor

18.) DC Direct Composite Superman/Batman (which I use as the centerpiece to divide Superman/Batman)

Bat Family

1.) Mattel Batman

2.) Mattel Superman

3.) DC Multiverse Dark Knight Returns Flash

4.) DC Multiverse Dark Knight Returns Armored Batman

5.) DCUC Arkham Origins Batman

6.) DCUC Vigilante

7.) DC Direct Arkham Batman

8.) DC Direct Lee Bermejo Batman

9.) DC Multiverse Red Hood

10.) DC Multiverse Batwing

11.) DCUC Batgirl

12.) DCUC Robin

13.) DCUC Batman (Black Suit)

14.) DCUC Jonah Hex

15.) Kenner Knightfall Azrael Batman

16.) Kenner Martial Arts Batman (Stand in for Dick Grayson Batman because of the bluish Batman insignia, same as Nightwing's blue)

17.) Mattel Unmasked Bruce Wayne (custom made)

18.) Custom Catwoman (Marvel Legends female body with Arrowette's head)

19.) Mattel Nightwing

20.) Mattel Bruce Wayne

21.) DC Direct Dark Victory Jim Gordon

22.) Kenner Azrael

23.) DCUC Question

24.) DCUC Batman Beyond

25.) DC Direct Custom Superman (Gary Frank head from DC Direct New Krypton Commande El head on DC Direct Superman body)

The last layer is an all Superman related display depicting various versions and incarnations of Superman. Here's the list.

1.) DC Multiverse Calvin Ellis Superman

2.) DC Direct New 52 Superman

3.) DC Direct New 52 Wonder Woman

4.) DC Direct Last Son Superman (Art of Adam Kubert)

5.) DCSH Superman

6.) DC Direct Black Lantern Superman

7.) DC Multiverse Injustice Superman

8.) DC Direct Enemies Among Us Superman (Art of Ethan Van Sciver)

9.) DCUC Ultraman

10.) DC Direct New Krypton Commander Kal El (Art of Gary Frank)

11.) DCUC  Red Eyes Superman

12.) DCUC Superman Red

13.) DCUC Superman Blue

14.) Hasbro Superman

15.) DC Direct Superman (from Box Set based on the art of John Byrne)

16.) DC Direct Superman (from Muhammad Ali two pack Art of Jose Luis Garcia Lopez)

17.) DCUC Mullet Superman

18.) Playskool Krypto

19.) Mattel Superman (from kids Batman toyline)

20.) DC Direct Silver Age Superboy

21.) Kotobukiya Super Powers Superman

22.) DC Direct Kingdom Come Superman (Art of Alex Ross)

23.) DC Direct Hush Superman (Art of Jim Lee)

24.) DCUC Super Powers Custom Superman (DC Multiverse Kingdom Come Superman head)

25) DC Direct Justice Superman (Art of Alex Ross)

26.) DC Direct First Appearance Superman (Art of Joe Shuster)

27.) DC Direct Justice League Superman (Art of Ed Benes)

28.) Direct New Gods Superman (Art of Jack Kirby)

29.) DC Multiverse New 52 Superman

30.) DCSH Superman (Black S Logo)

31.) Mattel Total Heroes Supeman

32.) DC Direct Showcase Superman (Art of Curt Swan)

33.) DC Direct JLA Superman

34.) DC Multiverse Rebirth Superman

35.) DC Direct Red Son President Superman

36.) DC Direct History of the DC Universe Superman (Art of George Perez)

37.) DC Direct Superman (Art of Ed McGuiness)

38.) DC Direct Superwoman (Art of Ed McGuiness)

39.) DC Direct All-Star Superman (Art of Frank Quitely)

40.) DC Direct All-Star Super Lois (Art of Frank Quitely)

41.) DCUC Public Enemies Superman (from the Public Enemies Animated Movie)

42.) DC Direct Infinite Crisis Superman (Battle Suit Damage Art of Phil Jimenez)

Some of my more recent Superman collections were put back in the box because of space constraints. But you can check out some of my reviews by clicking on the link above. Hopefully I would be able to do more reviews soon.

So basically, that's all that fits my DC Display Cabinet for now. Still my favorite section of all my Display Cabinet. 

For more recent photos to some of my collections, like and follow Facebook Page at:

https://www.facebook.com/actionfigureplanet

See you there! 

My thoughts on the Superman and Lois TV Series

Wow! I was definitely surprised that this TV series has exceeded my expectations. With the recent full season one release of this TV show on HBO GO (Asia’s counterpart to HBO MAX in American territories), I immediately dropped all the other shows I was watching in the other streaming platforms and dove in. I actually watched the Two Season Krypton series first (no connection with Superman and Lois) before Superman and Lois just to give me more Kryptonian background before I dived into this show. I was surprisingly entertained with Krypton but that is for another post. Superman and Lois was a surprised announcement to CW’s new Arrowverse shows because for the longest time, writers and producers seemed to have a hard time adapting Superman in live action treatment (be it on the Big Screen or Small Screen). This incarnation of Superman is not really new to audiences because this version of Superman (played by Tyler Hoechlin) had already appeared in Arrowverse shows like Supergirl and in the annual Arrowverse crossovers Elseworlds and Crisis on Infinite Earths. But for his previous appearances in the aforementioned shows, Superman mainly played a support role if not a punching bag for other Arrowverse Superheroes. Now getting his own show changed that dynamic. And I really wondered how CW will pull it off considering the huge failure of Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel to gain approval from most audiences (though I’m on the side of those who definitely dig Snyder’s Superman). 

Superman and The Stranger

The show’s premise has Superman and Lois (played by Elizabeth Tulloch), years after the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, returns to Smallville to settle with their twin sons Jonathan (played by Jordan Elsass) and Jordan Kent (played by Alex Garfin). And wherever Superman goes, disaster follows in the small quiet town of Smallville where incidentally he spent his younger years living with his adopted parents the Kents. True to Arrowverse form, we get to have a mystery villain who eventually turned to become an ally in the form of The Stranger (played by Wole Parks). In the first few episodes of the show, we are led to believe that The Stranger was Lex Luthor from another universe, only to be sidestepped in finding out that this guy is actually John Henry Irons, the comic book Superhero inspired by Superman to become a Superhero named Steel. And of course, the big baddie of the series turns out to be someone left out of the field for Superman fans like me. The revelation that Superman has a half-brother Tal-Rho/Morgan Edge (played by Adam Rayner) who also crash landed on Earth years before. Now here’s where the Krypton series comes in handy as in the series we are introduced to the various customs and traditions of the Kyrptonians, which helps us understand some terminologies mentioned in this show as Superman battles not only his half-brother but hordes of resurrected Kryptonians by the way of the Eradicator. 

Superman wearing the Max Fleischer Superman costume in his first Metropolis appearance 

How does it compare to past iterations? Tonally, it borrows heavily from Man of Steel, from costume colors down to the fight scenes. But we are also treated to a bunch of Easter eggs that establishes a connection to past Superman shows. First and foremost, the first Superman Cartoon show by Max Fleischer as we see Tyler Hoechlin wear the Superman suit from that cartoon show. The appearance of John Diggle (David Ramsey) and the mentioning of ARGUS and Layla clearly establishes that this show is still a part of Arrowverse and whatever happened in those shows with regards to Superman remains cannon. It was mentioned by Tal-Rho that Superman was active in the 80s, the peak years of the Christopher Reeve Superman. Smallville was even set in the same place as the Smallville of the Smallville TV series. The Lois and Clark Superman series ended with Superman's marriage to Lois (to this day is still my favorite Superman related TV show until this series), thus this series skips that part. While Lois and Clark focused on the romance and drama between the two, mixed with Superman action, Superman and Lois gave us all the Teen Drama and Romance of Smallville (courtesy of their sons), and action by way of Man of Steel. Every episode has a mix of drama and top notch Superman action that rivals Man of Steel.  Tyler’s Superman also is a good blend of Henry Cavill and Christopher Reeve’s portrayal of the character as we see a tough and bad ass Cavill Superman when it comes to fighting super powered baddies but also see the heroic and inspirational Superman as perfectly played by Reeve. I’m not too fond of Tulloch as Lois compared to Teri Hatcher (she’s still my all-time favorite Lois) but I can see why the casting crew got her because she definitely channels Margot Kidder’s Lois. The Super Sons Jonathan and Jordan is also a fresh addition to the mythos of Superman as we get to have two kids of Superman and Lois with one having powers and the other don’t, channeling the old dynamics of a Superman and Lois adventure. 

Now what sets this show apart from other Superman iterations in the past movies, TV shows, and even comic book stories is the presence of his two sons. This idea is entirely new in the sense that we get to see Superman and Lois deal with two teenage sons who are in the process of discovering their identity and their sometimes rebellious streak and all that teen angst. I think this was a missed opportunity in the Comic Books with Superman and his young son Jon Kent because DC took away Jon from Superman when Brian Michael Bendis came. Only to return him as a teener and then took him away again. This prevented us from being given a longer Superman as a parent dynamic (except for that brief 30 plus issues during the DC Rebirth reboot). This is where the show spent most of the stories and I definitely love it as a Superman fan because it fits nicely with my current stage as a parent too. I mean I’ve been reading Superman from his adventures as a boy down to his married life, and it is at this Super-Dad phase that I am certainly relating to Superman again as a Dad. It is also a great opportunity to explore Superman and his connection to Smallville as we are introduced to old friends like Lana Lang (played by Emmanuelle Chriqui) who also has her own family. As a Superman fan, it felt like a homecoming of some sorts for me too. Teeners on the other hand will love the teenage drama and romance explored by the Super Sons. Felt like Smallville TV series redux to me. 

I do have minor annoyances with the show, though it is distracting for me, but it’s not necessarily deterrent enough for me to ditch the show. I hated the padded Superman suit that Tyler Hoechlin wears. Though I think his Superman suit is a very huge improvement from his old suit from the Arrowverse appearances. The high neck line of his suit is also too high for my taste and makes it look like Tyler is closed to being choked with it. The facial stubble of hair is also annoying as I am more accustomed to a clean shaven Superman. I also don’t dig Liz Tulloch’s beauty as Lois Lane. But hey, after Teri Hatcher, who comes close? Uhm…Erica Durance comes into mind. I’m totally annoyed by Amy Adams' soft speaking Lois Lane. I guess that’s it. All in all it is a great show! And I am pleasantly eager to know what comes next. Season One’s bar was already set so high by making Superman battle a powerful foe and the show looks high budgeted for a TV show, definitely a huge improvement from past Arrowverse shows. I don’t know if they could ever match what they did with season one, especially with the big villain they gave Superman in the first season. Though there are plot threads that remains to be explored, most notably the arrival of Natalie Irons, the daughter of John Henry Irons. The drama part, they've got a lot going to last for more seasons. The villains however will have to be quite impressive to top season one's big bad. And of course there's always a Lex Luthor around the bend. Or even Brainiac, that big villain from the Krypton TV series. But, sign me in for more! 

P.S. The show borrowed heavily from the Superman: Eradication storyline albeit expanded it with additional twists. The appearance of Steel, Eradicator, and Killlgrave (and to an extent a Superboy) is a clear reference to the 90’s Superman books. That period is still my favorite Superman stories of all time.

Zack Snyder's Justice League Part 2 and 3

With the impending release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, or more popularly known as Justice League The Snyder Cut, Warner Bros. hosted an exhibit in Dallas, Texas showcasing Zack Snyder’s Justice League costume and concepts as well as storyboards for Zack Snyder’s Justice League Parts 2 and 3. With art provided by Jim Lee, lucky Dallas fans were in for a treat as they have finally come to know Snyder’s original plans for his Justice League Trilogy. Various sites have leaked the storyboard and this is what I was able to piece together. Read on to find out.

It was said that Justice League part 2 (JL2) would not directly follow the first movie as the DCEU would take a detour to highlight solo adventures of Aquaman and maybe Cyborg and The Flash. So certain character arcs might be picked up from the solo movies to add to JL2. In the story board for part two, there are vague references of these solo adventures but are written as part of JL2. The epic battle between the forces of Darkseid and the League United (and other DC Heroes probably joining the fight also) will encompass two films. Hence a Trilogy was planned.   

This however does not mean that the story for Parts 2 and 3 will only be centered around Darkseid’s invasion. Lex Luthor (as seen in the Joss Whedon theatrical cut’s mid credits scene) is also forming a team, a so called Injustice League that would round up various villains that the Justice Leaguers fought against in their solo adventures. These are namely Dr. Poison (Wonder Woman 2017), Leonard Snart (The Flash movie), Ocean Master and Black Manta (Aquaman 2018), and the Riddler (from Ben Affleck’s solo Batman movie). JL2 will also be a very grounded and personal story for our heroes as we get to see them do Super Heroic stuffs as a team and in solo capacity as they gain experience to become better and stronger heroes. 

JL2 would end with a cliffhanger, revealing Lex Luthor’s motivation to form a “league of their own.” And that he actually works for Darskseid. We are then taken to five years into the future where Darkseid has now ruled Earth, fully realizing the Knightmare scene which originally appeared in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Pre-JUSTICE LEAGUE PART 2 (and the respective arc of the Justice Leaguers)

Superman: The recently returned from the dead Superman (from the Justice League Part 1 movie) will try to re-learn his humanity as Clark Kent with Lois’ help. They start a family, helping Superman feel more human than ever.

Wonder Woman: Diana will reconnect with his Amazon roots and her mother, succeeding her as the Queen of the Amazons and forging a new era for the Amazons as they reveal their existence to the outside world.

Aquaman: Arthur, with the help of Mera unites the Seven Kingdoms of the sea, becoming the one true King while building a new alliance between the sea dwellers and the surface dwellers.

The Flash: Barry frees himself from his tortured past, setting his father free from prison with the help of Cyborg. He also learns to master his time traveling abilities, learning to be able to be in two places at once.

Cyborg: Evolves and fully realizes his potential to become a modern day Digital Age God while also retaining his humanity.

Batman: Ultimately sacrifices his life for the rest of the Justice Leaguers and new found friends (including the woman that he loves) and leaves behind an enduring legacy.

JUSTICE LEAGUE 2 (2019)

At the end of Justice League Part One, the League is finally UNITED.  JL2 begins by featuring our heroes acting in unison to save lives during a natural disaster. They work as a team like a well-oiled machine, efficient and powerful, just merely weeks after the events of Justice League Part One.  Though they save lives, political tension is still high because government sees them as refugees, aliens, outcasts. The world is cautious with their intentions.

After a day’s work of saving lives, the Justice League regroups to the designated headquarters, the Batcave. Flash is in high spirits, while Superman remains cold and a bit distant, most notably towards Batman. Aquaman continues to face scepticism from both the people in the surface world as well as his constituents in the sea because of his involvement in both worlds. Wonder Woman tells Arthur that her people, the Amazons, also has given up on the humans long ago, retreating to their own secluded Paradise Island.  It is however clear though that while the Justice League stands United, the world that their trying to save is not.

The Justice Leaguers goes back to their respective lives to recuperate and mend old wounds, except for Batman who’s apparently dealing with fresh wounds and retreats to his cave alone.

Bruce secretly reaches out to Lois, both of them still searching to Lex Luthor’s whereabouts. There is palpable tension between the both of them ever since Superman’s return. Their meeting ends after Lois tells Bruce that Superman needs her more than ever. But Bruce suspects that Lois is hiding something from him.

Lex Luthor recruiting his own League

Meanwhile, deep in the Brazilian Jungle, Luthor finds Dr. Poison (last seen in the first Wonder Woman movie) still alive, experimenting on herself to prolong her life while testing new chemical weapons on hapless human lab rats. Obsessed with her experiments, Dr. Poison has spent a sizeable of her time collecting information and artifacts on Wonder Woman and the Amazons.  Now that Wonder Woman is fully revealed to the world, Luthor encourages Dr. Poison to have her revenge on Wonder Woman and the Amazons. Just the same as Luthor’s plan in having his revenge on Superman and Batman. Dr. Poison accepts Luthor’s offer for a team up. As Luthor smiles, he remarks “Then let it begin…”   

At the Atacama Desert, Luthor (with Dr. Poison’s assistance) breaks out Ocean Master and Black Manta from the desert prison (where they were imprisoned at the end of Aquaman movie.)

In the outskirts of Central City, in Iron Heights Penitentiary, Luthor breaks out Leonard Snart (where he was left in The Flash movie) and offers Snart a chance to upgrade his weaponry and help take down the Flash.

Intercut Lex and the villains with the Justice League return to their lives

In Metropolis, Superman asks Lois when she was going to tell him. "Tell you what, Clark?" Superman says he can hear the second heartbeat — and that she shouldn't call him Clark. Clark is dead, and the world believes that too. Superman mistakes Lois' hesitation for fear. "It won't hurt you." he says.

At the Louvre in Paris, Wonder Woman and Menalippe (The Amazon who came to warn Wonder Woman about Steppenwolf) discover there may be a way to "remember" the path back to Themyscira. Wonder Woman must use the Lasso on herself to unlock her mind. It's a dangerous process, but Wonder Woman wanted to help Menalippe go home as well as to see her mother again, even if she might reject her.

As Wonder Woman puts the Lasso on she’s suddenly overwhelmed by visions! In the beginning, they were wonderful. For the first time in over a century, Wonder Woman sees her home — soaring over the island — she sees the Amazons and finally, her mother Hippolyta. But then her visions turned dark. Wonder Woman sees herself turned into the God of War locked in a battle with Superman. As she kills him, Wonder Woman cries out!

Menalippe frees Wonder Woman from the Lasso. Despite the pain and confusion, Diana remembers the way home…

In a Central City courthouse, Barry is at a hearing. Thanks to Cyborg, Iris, and a troop of lawyers from Wayne, the state has examined new evidence that Barry (and Vic) have presented and agree to re-open Henry Allen's case. Barry's elated. 

Along an underwater continental shelf, Aquaman and Mera are in a violent battle with the last of the 7 Kingdoms – The Unseen! It explodes around tidal pools and active lava flows. Arthur has the 7th King on the ground, his trident at his throat. The 7th King tells him to kill him. Arthur says he wants an alliance, but the 7th King refuses. Arthur leaves, frustrated. The Last Kingdom refuses to unite.

In the Batcave, Cyborg upgrades the cave — even providing a female A.I. voice for Alfred, who has become a father figure of sorts. Looking at the empty cave around them, Cyborg asks Alfred, "Why's he never home?" Alfred solemnly replies, "Because then he'd have to face himself."

Batman and Lois on the Hunt for Lex Luthor

Batman moves deep into the Canadian wilderness, doing second, following up on a lead that Lex may have been sighted in one of the remote towns. He fights his way through a secret location only to discover not Lex Luthor hiding out — but the Riddler! Awake for days — maybe weeks — Riddler has a long unkempt beard, his fingers dirty, his rantings written across the walls of his cabin. He looks at Batman, a man possessed, "Luthor asked the question — I had to know the answer!"

Lois is also on Luthor's trail. She located Dr. Maru's lair in the Brazilian jungle. Lois writes everything in a journal, keeping it off-line and private. She grows pale as she realizes who Maru is… and what Lex might be up to — He's forming a team of his own.

Back in the Canadian wilderness, Batman faces off against the Riddler. He tells Bruce about how Lex came to him for information. Lex presented the Anti-Life Equation, the riddle of life itself— and the Riddler solved it! He knows what it can do. And once it's unlocked, Lex will make life meaningless. The Riddler raises a gun but points it at his own head. "Time to solve the last riddle…" Blamm! Batman's shocked as Riddler kills himself.

The Justice League members unite with their families

Wonder Woman and Menalippe arrive in Themyscira. Diana's unsure what her mother's reaction will be… but a tearful and overjoyed Hippolyta embraces her. The Queen declares there will be a celebration unlike any other in Amazon history — her daughter is home!

In the oceans, Aquaman and Mera bring the final kingdom of the seven — The Unseen — into their alliance. For the first time since Atlantis sank, it is once again united!

In Central City, for the first time since he was a kid there is no wall of glass between Barry and his father. Henry Allen is released from prison, exonerated. Barry's about to tell his father who he is.

 In Metropolis, Lois returns to Superman, tells him she will accept Clark is gone, but she has to go, still on the trail of Lex.

 In Gotham, Batman returns from the wilderness, shaken by the Riddler's proclamation.

 INTERCUT WITH Lois discovering from General Swanwick that Lex has the three mother boxes "oh no…"

Lex activates his plan

At the Three Rivers, helicopters survey the area — Lex is on the scene, his team elsewhere but in contact with him Lex activates the boxes, his true plan — to destroy the Justice League and take this secret power called the Anti-Life Equation for his own. It will give him power over all living life. The Anti-Life Equation glows as Lex turns on the boxes— Cyborg "blinks," feeling a horrible emptiness as the influx of data stops for the first time since he first went online.

And a boom tube erupts in front of Lex, surprising him! Emerging from the portal, Desaad— the horrific, sadistic servant of his master — Darkseid, who emerges behind him. Darkseid then takes the power of the Anti-Life Equation for himself!

Superman vs. Darkseid

In the Batcave, Superman, Batman, and Lois regroup. They learn of Darkseid's arrival. Superman tells Batman that this is a fight among the gods. "She's my world," he tells Bruce, "Protect her." Superman flies off to confront Darkseid—

After Superman leaves, Bruce and Lois argue — Bruce knows she's pregnant. Lois ends the argument by telling Bruce, "You're not the father." She tries to tell Bruce about what she's discovered with what Lex is planning, but he won't listen —

At the Three Rivers, taking in Darkseid's arrival Lex tells Darkseid that Darkseid has the power to kill Superman. Darkseid moves forward, acknowledging Lex. He says to Lex, "I don't want him dead, I want Superman to submit." "The girl," says Lex. She's the key to breaking his spirit.

Superman arrives and a battle with Darkseid Erupts!

But Darkseid booms to Lois with the Batcave collapsing around her and Batman at his arrival. Bruce looks down at Darkseid and Lois from behind the glass wall above. As Darkseid stares at Lois, Bruce is overwhelmed. What can he do?

Superman flies at incredible speed to get to Gotham. He arrives just in time to see Darkseid unleashing his Omega Beams from his eyes — turning Lois into ash!

Superman cries out, his soul shatters. Grief-stricken, he moves to tear Darkseid apart, but Darkseid gazes at him, the power of the Anti-Life coursing through his veins —Superman stops, his mind is infected by Darkseid. Bruce watches it all in horror. Superman grabs his head in pain, eyes burning…

The Justice League under attack

Before Lois is able to warn everyone, Lex signals his team to attack!

On Themyscira, Dr. Maru unleashes a chemical gas that covers the island — and kills the Amazons, even Diana, who dies in her mother's arms. Maru dies herself with a sick and twisted smile on her face.

In Atlantis, Orm and Black Manta attack the coronation — killing Arthur, with Mera barely surviving herself, suffering a cut across her face.

In Central City, Snart attacks Flash with his amped up weapons, courtesy of Luthor. Cyborg is blown apart saving Barry, losing his lower half.

Back at the Batcave, Batman watches in horror as Darkseid takes full control of Superman. Superman turns on Batman and he barely escapes!

Lex believes he's won, then comes face-to-face with Superman. Superman looks at Lex with burning red eyes — and lights him on fire.

As Lex screams, The world goes red and — cut to:

Five Years Later

Sand dunes. Smoldering solar pits. Gothic spires rising from the desert. Once, this was Gotham. Now, like the rest of Earth, it belongs to Darkseid.

Coming over the dune, post-apocalyptic Batman (as seen in BvS), with a ragtag army of rebels – the surviving members of the Justice League walk over the rise of a dune to see the dilapidated Wayne Manor. Batman leads them. Flash drags what's left of Cyborg behind him. Bruce looks up to the sky, grimly, "We need to get inside before night. He's coming…"

-END -

JUSTICE LEAGUE 3 (2020)

Green Lantern comes to a Post-Darkseid Earth

We open by introducing Green Lantern to the Justice League film universe. He's inside his ship crashing to Earth, desperately trying to make contact with someone —anyone. But there's no response, only static.

The ship crashes hard. Disoriented, Lantern hears someone outside, opening the door. A silhouette figure peers in — it's Batman.

Opening on the five years later Earth seen at the end of Justice League 2, Parademons conveyer onto the ship, Batman defends Lantern. Then an unexpected ally assists Batman — Deadshot, firing at the parademons — in this post-Darkseid world, Deadshot is teamed-up with the Dark Knight.

Then they're joined by The Flash

Batman barks at Flash to stay out of the fight, Barry's too important to the mission to risk getting hurt. Flash saves Batman, cocky — but is soon overwhelmed by Parademons. Flash is almost killed, but Lantern saves him – the iconic friendship between the two beginning.

Lantern looks across the Earth, analyzing it with his ring. He explains to them who he is and who the Green Lantern Corps is… or was — how he came here looking for his partner from Earth, who's missing and presumed dead, like most of the Lanterns. Darkseid's army is paving their way across the universe. In the sky, the Big Dipper constellation is missing two stars. Batman says that all the stars will go out because of what's happening on Earth.

The sun is setting. Batman says they need to move…

The Justice League Regroup

Batman, Deadshot, Flash, and Lantern return to the League's hidden base camp under Wayne Manor. Mera joins them, walking to the camp — across the desert— with Arthur's trident slung across her shoulders carrying two buckets of water. Mera remarks she's had to venture further outside of camp to locate drinkable water.

Bruce explains his operation to Lantern – they are planning on a move that will end Darkseid's rain on Earth. Lantern doesn't think they have a shot — he wants to repair his ship and try to find any surviving members of the Corps. Lantern wonders what this Justice League could do to stop Darkseid…

The Last Supper of the Justice League

We reveal a Post-Darkseid Cyborg, now half a man — able to plug into machinery, hanging in the Batcave, working on a massive technology — a Cosmic Treadmill — that will help the Flash jump back in time. To what end, Lantern asks.

Cyborg tells Lantern the specifics of how time travel works. It's very uncontrollable. And even if they can get Flash to travel back, they can only try this once a year — so that the Earth will be in the very same spot and the Flash doesn't jump into solid bedrock. Flash shrugs, "or space."

In order to operate it they need to steal a Motherbox from Darkseid's army — and they know where one is. But once they power this machine up, they'll get "his" attention. Lantern asks who. Mera answers, a Darkseid-controlled Superman. Even Lantern has heard of the Kryptonian, worried that he's under the control of Darkseid. He heard his spirit was unbreakable.

Deadshot goes on — across the world, beyond parademons, nearly the entire population has fallen to the Anti-Life Equation, their minds being completely controlled by Darkseid. Deadshot says he remembers when his daughter was taken. It haunts him. Worse than death.

They need to move soon, the planet alignment is tomorrow night — where Earth will be in the same place as it was when Bruce first saw Flash in the Batcave. If they don't jump then, they won't have another opportunity for an entire year.

The plan is that Barry will warn Batman — so that they can be prepared. But the Flash will only have 10-15 seconds before he's taken apart. So what can he say in that amount of time to Bruce? They all agree it's simple, "You have to stop Lex."— if Lex is stopped, Darkseid will never come here, and Lex will never slaughter the Justice League.

Afterwards, Bruce pulls Barry aside. Bruce tells him that it won't work. He was trying to stop Lex already. Flash has to say something else. Bruce says that this is his fault…

In a rare moment of vulnerability, Bruce admits "She was Superman's world. I believe I broke that connection."

Bruce whispers in Barry's ear… and Flash's eyes go wide. Flash can't help but say, "No way." Bruce responds, "Tell me that. It will change everything…"

The Mission

The mission starts at dawn. In a Fury Road-inspired Batmobile, the Justice League —Batman, Green Lantern, Deadshot and Mera — break into the stronghold, a cathedral swarming with Anti-Life controlled people (Darkseid's soldiers). Human priests kneel at the Motherbox.

Batman says that as soon as they get the Motherbox, Superman will be aware of them.

Back at the Batcave, Cyborg and the Flash are preparing for Flash's jump. Cyborg makes it clear that the Flash won't have much time — he needs to deliver the message before he crumbles into nothingness. But if Barry succeeds, it won't matter. None of this will have ever happened.

Batman and the others steal the Motherbox, then make a dead run back to the cave as the Flash and Cyborg prepare for Barry's jump with Superman in pursuit!

Superman arrives and faces off against the Justice League.

From a tower, Deadshot fires a Kryptonite bullet at Superman's back — but Superman dodges it. Batman asks Deadshot over his comm, "What happened?" Deadshot tells Batman this better work — this better save my daughter. Superman flies through the tower, killing Deadshot.

Mera tries to remove the water from Superman. He crushes her.

Green Lantern fires his ring at Superman, but he sends his corrupted heat vision into the ring — until the ring explodes, taking Lantern's arm with it.

Cyborg does what he can against Superman as Flash prepares to jump. Just after Cyborg activates the machine, Superman tosses him to the Parademons — they tear him apart.

Then finally, it's Batman facing off against Superman — the Flash runs hard on the machine, seconds away from the jump.

Batman is armed with the kryptonite spear — but Superman impales Batman with it. As these two heroes struggle — the Flash races as fast as he can, exploding through time — just before Superman reaches him.

The Flash races back in time...

Flash is pulled through time

Then we're with Bruce and Lois as they first argue in Justice League 2. "You're not the father." Lois storms out of the Batcave when —

The Flash arrives, landing in the Justice League 2 moment. He tells Bruce what we didn't hear before — what Bruce whispered in Flash's ear — "Lois lied to you. You're the father." After delivering his message, the Flash vanishes from existence!

Lois comes down, trying to reconnect with Bruce, who is still reeling from the information. Again Lois is insisting he listens to her — this time he does. She tells him Lex has a plan to take out the Justice League. Working together they discover his attack plans against the League.

Suddenly, Darkseid's boom tube opens, water pouring into the cave again. Darkseid looks at Lois. Bruce looking down from above behind the glass again —

But this time Bruce goes into action—

Smashing through the glass, throwing himself in front of Darkseid's omega beams as he moves Lois out of the way — he's struck by them, crying out — but he survives!

Superman arrives in time to see Batman injured. He flies into a rage, but instead of being broken — he's empowered, angry. Superman puts Darkseid on his heels and Darkseid is forced to retreat!

Lois tells Superman he has to warn the others. Lex has a plan.

With information from Lois on Lex's "Injustice League", Superman saves the League —stopping Maru from releasing the gas on Themyscira, Orm and Black Manta from killing Aquaman and Len from taking out Cyborg.

Meanwhile, Bruce reveals to Lois that although he's alive — he was hit. There's a darkness growing across his body. He's in pain. But they need to keep fighting. He tells Lois as he boards the Batplane, "I could've had a life outside of the cave with you."

Bruce leaves as across the world —

Earth unites against Darkseid

Darkseid's full scale invasion begins —and it's too much for the Justice League to handle on their own — but they won't have to. Led and inspired by Superman, the countries of the world come together: Armies, Air Forces, Navies. Wonder Woman and her mother lead the Amazons off Themyscira to join the war!

In the oceans, Aquaman pleads to the Seven Kingdoms, declaring there is an eighth —The Surface World — and they must be allies, not enemies. The Seven Kingdoms rise to join the Amazons and the Surface!

The Entire world becomes a Justice League

In a "Lord of the Rings"- like finale, the history of the three armies that first battled Darkseid echoes itself today: The world of Men, The Amazons and the Atlantean.

As the battle continues, Green Lantern joins the fight along with the alien Green Lantern Corps.

It's the entire DC Universe together for the very first time — on a scale unlike any what's ever been seen — battling to save the world together.

During the battle, Hippolyta dies saving her daughter, proud of what's she's done.

The Flash is able to move so quickly, he masters his powers — existing in two places at once. Unstoppable, he takes out an entire army himself.

Cyborg is able to overpower the Motherboxes, taking control of them and triggering a chain reaction that destroys them, weakening Darkseid.

It's ultimately a dying Batman who sacrifices himself to save the League and the world — destroying Darkseid!

In the Aftermath

Diana becomes the new Queen of the Amazons, leading them to rejoin the outside world to restore and inspire peace.

With the Amazons at her side, Diana negotiates peace between the countries of the world, unlike anything in history.

Arthur is recognized by the kingdoms as a True King that has helped unite the world, the skepticism over his human heritage not only gone but replaced with admiration.

Cyborg evolves, becoming a god of the Digital Age — and able to transform himself to look human again!

Lois mourns Bruce's death. Superman looks closer, realizing that Lois is carrying Bruce's child. Lois admits it, but he already knows. Maybe he always did, he says. He saw what he needed to. But he doesn't shy away. Instead, he embraces Lois — and her unborn child. He has a reason to be Clark again…

20 Years Later

Twenty years later, after a memorial commemorating the Batman's sacrifice, commissioner Barbara Gordon asks Lois, "What are you going to tell him?" — referring to telling Lois' son the truth about his father. For the first time in decades, crime is returning to Gotham — and it needs the Batman again. (Various Justice League members like Martian Manhunter present.) Lois takes her son to the Batcave and reveals the truth — that his father was Bruce Wayne/Batman…

In Gotham, rising from the shadows and out into the moonlight, we meet the ALL-NEW BATMAN!

END

P.S. I've taken the liberty to paraphrase and edit some words for brevity.

No, Robert Pattinson's Batman is not the intended son of Batman and Lois.  

Text was taken from Bleeding Cool which can be accessed here in its entirety. 

My thoughts on Zack Snyder's Justice League and beyond

I never really made an effort to review the 2017 Justice League that was released on theaters. But instead, I wrote an extensive piece about the road to that troubled movie. You can read its entirety here. Now, for someone who had bought in to Snyder's vision for the DC Extended Universe, I'm glad that it is finally here. We can now finally put to rest all the speculations on how Snyder would have delivered the third (after Man of Steel and Batman V Superman) act of his DC Cinematic world building. Snyder's Justice League is definitely ways and beyond better than the much maligned 2017 version released on the cinemas. Though the plot thread remains the same, the four hour run time enriched the plot and polished the movie even more to make it more coherent to Snyder's vision for the DCEU. To have a better appreciation of this version of Justice League, one has to re-watch the two movies that came before this, Man of Steel and Batman V Superman. I'm recommending that because it gives you the full arc of the heroes that composed this movie. Man of Steel is definitely the Superman story. While Batman V Superman is most definitely a Batman story. There are so many fans disappointed with Batman V Superman, but I think they looked at it with a wrong set of lenses. Now with that said, Justice League was more of a Cyborg story than featuring any other heroes. He was the heart of the story. I know there were too many going ons with regards to story thread, from Steppenwolf's (which totally fleshed out the character more than the 2017 version), the Amazons, Atlanteans, Batman, and Superman. But it is Cyborg who holds the movie together. Of course Wonder Woman and to an extent the Amazons need no further introductions because we were already introduced to them in Wonder Woman's solo outing. Flash's story had a minor part because he would later be fleshed out in his own solo movie. Aquaman's arc on the other hand also played a minor part as his Atlantean world would be explored further in his own solo movie. It's clear by now that cutting Cybrog's significance in Justice League as seen in the 2017 version is what made the movie fall apart.

Cyborg was the glue that held this movie together. His story beats was the strongest specially the moments where he was trying to piece together his relationship with his absentee father. I know some critics would call this as lame execution for Daddy issues (probably the same way how critics would pounce on the Martha issues of Batman and Superman in Batman V Superman). But for those who could relate to his story, the message towards the end of the movie is such a moving and powerful piece to people suffering the same issues with Cyborg. Though Cyborg was the clear stand out, that is not to say that the other characters were strictly relegated to the background. Each character still had their moments. And the run time gave the audience a deeper understanding of their motivations in the movie. And like all standard Snyder movies, the lush visuals, super charged (and violent) fight scenes, and expansive world building is what further separates the movie with the 2017 version. The movie is littered with cameos and Easter eggs that eagle eyed DC comic buffs would be delighted to see. I particularly like how the Amazons were handled in this movie. They seem tougher and more warrior like. Also the extensive retelling of the battle of the Old Gods versus Darkseid's invading forces in itself is already a breathtaking scene. I don't even need to mention the additional footage shot by Snyder featuring Joker and the surviving forces that Batman has recruited to go against Darkseid's forces in the Knightmare scene. Simply put, the 2017 version was a condensed sanitized version. This film however is the real deal. 

And like I said, the premise of the movie remains the same as the 2017 version as I feel Joss Whedon did not necessarily deviate from Snyder's blueprint. He just made it lighter and more "Marvel Cinematic" like. But what made it repugnant is the disconnect from the tone that Snyder established from the previous movies. While Snyder's version is not devoid of jokes and humor, I feel these were forced, or rather WB forced his hand. But still it isn't as bad as how Whedon littered the 2017 version with bad and recycled attempt at humor. In its entirety, Snyder's film is the superior version but I feel the four hour length is too much. Don't get me wrong, I love every scene delivered, I've waited for 3 years to finally see this version. But I feel Snyder could have tightened this film. I do however understand that what he gave us is the complete version that he had in mind. And given that this would be released in streaming devices at the comfort of our home, it is only appropriate to give it everything he's got specially if this would be his swan song for the DCEU. He even get to add additional scenes that in a way teased his future movies if given a chance to extend his involvement in this franchise. That is bad news by the way (for his detractors at least). Because for sure, the #restorethesnyderverse movement will snowball once more and probably force HBO, Warner Bros., and AT&T to give Snyder the reins of this franchise once more. I've stood by Snyder all these years and had defended his vision in countless social media communities. But at this point, at least in the DC Cinematic universe, I think its time for everyone to move on and just let WB be. They have been up and down since the 2017 Justice League. Aquaman was a hit, so does The Joker, which was a huge surprise considering WB tried to kill that movie. Shazam was a hit with critics too, though the box office numbers were modest. However the same could not be said with Birds of Prey, and to an extent WW84 (though I did enjoy the movie for what it is). That being said, I will find it stupid for HBO, WB, and AT&T to not even consider in giving Snyder his own little playground in the digital streaming device format. During the premiere launch of the movie, it literally broke the streaming apps of HBO MAX and HBO Go as the app could not handle the sudden surge of viewers accessing the film. 

Now, Snyder is not really known as someone who could come up with a concise and time restraint coherent movie. His directing style and vision makes it so that he usually spends too much time with visual shots, action shots, and beautiful aesthetic shots to the detriment of the story in a time constraint film. However, if given a chance to write and direct stories for the digital streaming format, I see Snyder fits the bill perfectly. And this is what HBO MAX and the execs at WB should at least consider and take a hard look. Their Digital streaming app HBO Max does not have a strong content when compared to Disney Plus and Netflix. Disney Plus has the upper hand as not only do they get to strengthen their Marvel Cinematic Universe via support made for digital streaming limited series such as Wandvision, and Winter Soldier and Falcon. But they also manage to have the Star Wars Universe under their pocket. Not to manage the newly acquired FOX Studios library. Netflix has remained to be a giant and franchises such as Cobra Kai (Karate Kid franchise), Stranger Things (homegrown), and other such limited series continues to make Netflix interesting to subscribers. What does HBO Max have to show for besides the Warner Movie library? The last most successful franchise they possess was Game of Thrones. But that in itself has already ended, though the option to extend or do a prequel is there. Now Snyder's vision for the DCEU is what fits the bill. The only challenge left is if the cost to produce would be well worth it. Because you are not getting Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavill, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, and even Ray Fisher on the cheap. Well not unless this becomes a passion project with Snyder and they accept pay cuts just to complete his total vision for the DCEU before they handle the reins to younger and cheaper up and coming actors that Snyder could rebuild his world with.

I seriously doubt if any fandom could equal or surpass the fandom (or Cult as Snyder Haters would love to call them) that Snyder has built with his vision for the DCEU. I don't see any fandom from Star Wars  or Marvel Cinematic Universe to be as united, as passionate (and as toxic) as what Snyder Fans has become. His critics would say that the triumph of the Snyder Cut movement is a bad precedent. I beg to disagree. This movement is something that would be hard to replicate. Want to know why? Because Snyder's DCEU is not your traditional disposable entertainment. His DCEU meant more than just entertainment to his fans. The themes and message of his DCEU truly and sincerely connected to his fans no matter what his critics say. And that in itself you cannot say with other franchises. The Star Wars franchise for all its longevity and popularity has a fragmented fan base. That's why latching on to Snyder is an instant win for HBO Max. And the Snyder Cut is Exhibit A for that. WB can do whatever they want with their DC films. But at least give Snyder his own little world to build. It might not be palatable to his critics and detractors, but there is a strong segment of fans that would gladly support HBO Max. Heck, I did not even subscribe to the app until the Snyder Cut came. But come what may, as a fan who truly love Snyder's DC Universe world building, I'm at peace to wherever this quest to have more Snyderverse stories ends. True the teases in the movie leaves a bad taste to my mouth if indeed that is the end of it all, but at least I get to see the Justice League Movie that I truly deserved.