“ | No protectors here: no Lanterns, no Kryptonian. This world will fall --- like all the others, | „ |
~ Steppenwolf's most famous line |

Steppenwolf is the main antagonist of the DC Extended Universe, appearing as one of the two overarching antagonists (alongside General Zod) of Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, the main antagonist of Justice League and a posthumous antagonist of Aquaman.
He is an Apokoliptian military official who seeks to obtain the true Mother Boxes on Earth for his nephew Darkseid. He also serves as his herald and second-in-command, but he also secretly desires to break free from his nephew's control. He is based on Steppenwolf from the original comics.
He is portrayed by Ciarán Hinds, who also portrayed Mance Rayder and Mephisto.
HISTORY[]
Past[]
Steppenwolf was born several millennia ago on the hellish planet of Apokolips. At some point, Steppenwolf became the herald of his nephew Darkseid, and would take over planets in his name, prevailing in every attempt, Eventually, after countless years of conquering and served under Darkseid, Steppenwolf desired to free himself from his eternal servitude, although he was neither powerful nor foolish enough to try and oppose his master, and continued bitterly serving him.
First Invasion of Earth[]
30,000 years prior the events of the film, Steppenwolf and Parademons attacked Earth, intending to use the three mother boxes to terraform the planet into one similar to that of Apokolips. However, Steppenwolf was faced with a resistance consisting of the united armies of Humans, Amazons and Atlantis, as well as the Olympian Gods and even beings from other planets (namely two Green Lanterns sent by the guardians). Despite countless deaths on both sides, the resistance overcame Steppenwolf's army and Zeus defeated Steppenwolf himself, forcing the latter to reluctantly return to Apokolips in humiliation, while the Amazons, Atlantians and Humans hid the three Mother Boxes away so that they could never be used by anyone. After he returned to his homeworld, Steppenwolf was exiled for his failure, and he swore to conquer the world to restore his glory.
Communition with Luthor and Second Invasion of Earth[]
In 2016, when Lex Luthor broke into Scout Ship 0344 (intended to use it's Genesis Chamber to turn the body of General Zod into a (Kriptonian Abomination), he accessed the ship's database and made contract with Steppenwolf. Steppenwolf taught Luthor about the Mother Boxes, however, Lex was interrupted, breaking their contact.
A year later, after Superman's death at the hands Doomsday, Steppenwolf and his Pademons become aware of humanity's fear and decide to launch a second invasion in order to reclaims to the Mother Boxes. The Mother Boxes hidden away on Themyscira first become active and summons Steppenwolf and the Parademons to Earth, where the Apokoliptian army and the Amazons engage in a lenghty battle over the Mother Box. In the end, Steppenwolf defeats Hippolyta and uses the Mother Box to teleport himself away as the entire Amazon army converges on him. Due to Steppenwolf's return, Hippolyta and the other Amazons light the Ancient Warning Fire, alerting Diana Prince/Wonder Woman to the invasion and getting her to speed up Batman's plan of forming a team to confront the army.