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Could The Plot Of 'Justice League' Follow Superman's Mysterious Transformation?

How will Superman be able to join the Justice League after dying in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice?

By Allie Z.Published 6 years ago 8 min read
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With all the excitement surrounding Justice League Part One as of late, fans are so wrapped up in the spectacle of the league assembling that no one is asking one of the most important questions in regards to the league assembling, how will Superman be able to join the Justice League after dying in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice?

How can Superman return to the DC'EU? He's dead, isn't he?

When the trailer for Justice League Part One debuted, we were able to see the rest of the league assembled for a brief moment but with the noticeable absence of Superman out of the picture. Superman (Henry Cavill) apparently died during Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and his death won't allow him to join the Justice League until he's resurrected within the canon of the DC'EU. As to how Superman will be resurrected is currently the item of most intrigue.

Superman's resurrection was already teased during the final moments of Dawn of Justice, wherein the dirt around Superman's coffin began to vibrate; indicating Superman's imminent return. Of course the screen cuts to black before Superman can rise from the grave, but that scene in itself confirms the return of Superman in Justice League Part One. Along with the promotional image of the entire Justice League assembled, including Superman alongside the other league members - all but confirms Superman's return in Justice League Part One. However, Superman might not return to the DC'EU just yet. It'll be up to Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince to assemble the Justice League before Superman joins their ranks in the upcoming team-up feature.

Apart from knowing that Batman and Wonder Woman are assembling the league, we'd expect Superman to be seen alongside the league in at least one screenshot of the trailer but he isn't seen in one instance - that might be due to Superman's death during Dawn of Justice. However, the exclusion of Superman from all the scenes within the trailer could have an even more complex explanation than any of us could ever imagine, along with attaching some massive implications for the development of Superman's character during the first act of the film. He'll likely become a full-fledged member of the Justice League before the conclusion of the film, but before that happens, a much more interesting character arc could be in store for Superman (Henry Cavill) which sends him into a place he didn't think possible.

Going back to Superman's presumed death at the hands of Doomsday during Dawn of Justice. Within the canon of the DC'EU, Superman is currently dead, regardless of his presumed return in Justice League Part One. The tease of his return during the final moments of Dawn of Justice adds evidence to back up the claim of Superman returning but as to how he'll be resurrected is still a mystery.

Can Superman resurrect himself, again?

Superman was able to revive himself during his fight with Doomsday, by using the positive radiation of the sun but he wouldn't be able to use the same method to revitalize his body since he was buried and kept out of the sunlight. That being said, Superman's inevitable resurrection will probably see him rise from the grave with a different persona altogether; regardless of the method used to revive him.

There's no certainties or even any valid theories on how Superman might have revived himself. For all we know, someone might be manipulating Superman's resurrection just as Zod's resurrection into Doomsday was initiated by Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg). But the more logical explanation will probably include some ability hidden away in Superman's Kryptonian lineage which allows his body to revive itself after enough time has passed. We've already seen Superman rejuvenate himself after being hit with a nuclear weapon, but that ability will only extend so far. The extent of Superman's ability might only revive his anatomical being but not his higher consciousness. Without a higher consciousness, Superman could wind up going on a destructive rampage similar to the destruction caused by Zod/ Doomsday in Dawn of Justice. Then it would be up to the Justice League to rein him in. Although, it's more likely that Superman's inevitable resurrection will see him rise from the grave with a completely different persona. Not as Kal-El a.k.a. Superman or as another mindless monster similar to Doomsday but as a Kryptonian with an agenda of his own. A darker Superman, unlike one we've ever seen portrayed on-screen.

How will Superman first appear in Justice League Part One?

The potential for a new, darker Superman arriving in Justice League Part One is very good right now. Despite the promotional image released by Warner Bros. depicting the entire league assembled, that image could very well be a shot of the team assembled at the conclusion of the film rather than any point in between. Theories aside, there's even more proof to back up the claim of Superman's resurrection transforming him into someone completely different from the Man of Steel we've come to know. That proof lies within the official trailer for Justice League Part One.

At about 0:29 seconds into the trailer, Wonder Woman can be seen holding up her shield and the engraving on the shield is glowing, as if being struck by some type of energy projectile. If you recall the last fight scene in Dawn of Justice, Wonder Woman's shield shimmered with a similar effect when struck by Doomsday's bursts of energy. It's not possible that Doomsday is back and taking on the league which places another individual as the culprit responsible for firing an energy projectile at Wonder Woman - that could be Superman.

Superman's heat vision shares some striking similarities with the bursts of energy released by Doomsday in Dawn of Justice, which could mean Superman is probably the one firing his heat vision at Wonder Woman. But why would Superman be fighting a comrade? Well, if Superman's rise from the grave brought him back with a completely different persona, he might not see Wonder Woman / Diana Prince as a comrade but as a threat, seeing is how she's also a super-powered individual. Aside from Wonder Woman blocking an attack presumably made by Superman, Flash was also seen in an altercation that involved dodging a red-colored energy projectile, similar to Superman's heat vision.

At about 2:11 into the trailer, Flash / Barry Allen can be seen dodging the aforementioned projectiles. Some could argue that the screenshot of Cyborg right before indicates he was the one firing at Flash, but the inclusion of Cyborg in that screenshot is to draw attention away from the true culprit behind those attacks on the Justice League.

Despite Cyborg's eye-beams potentially causing a similar effect, it's not likely that he's firing at his comrades, seeing as how he can be seen alongside the league when entering that same chamber; at 2:14 in the trailer. Eliminating Cyborg as a suspect places Superman as the likely culprit responsible for attacking Flash in said chamber. It's possible the resurrected Superman has made himself a lair somewhere, and the league sets out to rein him in when a physical conflict ensues between the Justice League and the dark-hearten Superman.

Superman is back, and he's badder than ever.

Both of those instances subtly placed in the trailer for Justice League Part One are more than hinting at Superman's resurrection in the film, as well as drawing forth an entirely new persona for the character of Superman.

In the scenario of Superman rising from the grave, without memories of the past or knowledge of what his purpose is, he could wind up going on a destructive rampage or simply leaving structured society altogether. If Superman awakens from his presumed death without the assistance of his friends or family, he may find himself confused by his abilities, potentially leading Superman down a path which sees him become a power hungry dictator rather than a hero.

It's possible Superman's Kryptonian heritage will have some influence on the resurrected form we'll see him become, potentially giving Superman the inherent urge to rule those weaker than him which includes all non-powered individuals on Earth. He could see himself as a god to the rest of the world, enforcing his own brand of justice, to where the Justice League has no other option than to forcefully bring Superman down when their attention falls on him - that's just one potentiality.

Superman will undoubtedly undergo some changes to his persona and costume before Justice League Part One premieres. Not counting the tease made by Henry Cavill earlier this week, we can safely assume the Superman we'll see return in Justice League Part One won't be the same Superman we were introduced to in Man of Steel. All of the evidence is pointing towards a darker - more violent, Superman returning in Clark Kent's stead when Justice League Part One premieres.

Said scenario would create an interesting dynamic for Justice League Part One. Having Superman start off as an antithesis to the Justice League, fighting them on all fronts until they are able to subdue him and revive his original consciousness would make for a great plot-thread. And that theory would also credit the idea of the entire Justice League assembling before the conclusion of the film; evident by the promotional image released by Warner Bros. Pictures.

What do you think? Will Superman's rise from the grave bring him back with vengeance and anger? Or could a mindless Kryptonian rise in his place? Or could we see another Doomsday monster rise from the grave, similar to how Zod was revived in Dawn of Justice?

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About the Creator

Allie Z.

I cover most entertainment related topics and am venturing into journalism.

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