The arrival of the third, and likely final, trailer for Justice League undoubtedly brought with it the hope of fans that Superman, largely missing from the film's marketing, would swoop in to save the day in the final moments. Although they didn't get that scene, they were indeed treated to an appearance by Henry Cavill, although under what circumstances isn't exactly clear.

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What the trailer did give us is plenty of big moments, filled with action, dashes of humor, and a surprising amount of emotion. We're also left with a better picture of just how big the threat is posed by Apokolips, even if the extent of it remains a little murky.

Below we break down the trailer's biggest, and most intriguing, moments.

Superman (Kind of) Returns

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Even the most jaded fans, and the most vocal critics of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, have to admit the trailer's opening moments made them feel a warm inside ... maybe even a little choked-up. While previous trailers showed on a world grappling with the aftermath of Superman's sacrifice -- revisionist history, at best, given he was portrayed as a divisive figure in Dawn of Justice -- here, the loss is made incredibly personal.

Tugging at our heartstrings, with subtle help from Hans Zimmer's Man of Steel score, Amy Adams' Lois Lane walks onto the porch of the Kent house in Smallville to see Henry Cavill's Clark Kent standing in the cornfield. (Can it get any more wholesome than that?) "I'll take that as a yes," he says to a confused Lois. "The ring."

Is It Just a Dream?

The scene immediately cuts to Lois dropping soil onto Clark's grave in Batman v Superman, with a focus on the engagement ring, before shifting almost as quickly to her waking alone in bed, starting her day -- like everyone else -- in a world without Superman. The editing of the leads us to believe the sequence on the Kent farm is merely a dream. But is it possible it's a feint?

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Listen, we know Superman will return in Justice League, in some form (and quite possibly in a black costume), but perhaps the heartwarming interaction between Clark and a bewildered Lois isn't a dream. Maybe it's from late in the film, after Superman has arrived to help save the day, again.

Amazons vs. Apokolips

We've seen the army of Themyscira take on the forces of Apokolips in previous trailers, but this sequence is new, and reinforces the earlier belief that those scenes are set centuries ago, during a first invasion. Presumably, that's when three Mother Boxes were left behind on Earth: one in the possession of the Amazons, another in the hands of Atlantis, and the third hidden somewhere among humanity.

Well, "hidden," as we know it ends up in the possession of Dr. Silas Stone -- and some of its technology is used to create the cyborg body of his son, Victor (played by Ray Fisher).

Steppenwolf Still Knows How to Make An Entrance

Just as in the previous trailer, Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds of Game of Thrones) certainly knows how to make an entrance. The general of Apokolips' invading forces doesn't simply walk onto a battlefield; he drops from great heights, striking the ground with what we can assume is his Electro-Ax. But whatever it's called in Justice League, the resulting blow is impressive, as it transforms the surrounding earth into a molten wasteland, similar to that of Steppenwolf's fiery homeworld.

As we previously indicated, these battle scenes are probably from Apokolips' first invasion of Earth, sometime in the distant past, when Steppenwolf and his Parademons were presumably defeated by the combined forces of Themyscira, Atlantis and mankind. They apparently left behind three Mother Boxes in the process; now Steppenwolf has returned to get them back. Why now is the big question.

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An Endless Supply of Parademons?

The most revealing moment in this sequence comes when a human warrior is suddenly (and, apparently, painfully) transformed into something monstrous, in the midst of battle. CBR goes into a more in-depth explanation elsewhere, but suffice it to say we appear to be witnessing the birth of a Parademon.

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Yes, in the DC Extended Universe, as in DC Comics' New 52 continuity, the locust-like shock troops of Apokilips apparently have the ability to expand their ranks by somehow assimilating their foes, in Borg-like fashion. How do you defeat an enemy with a seemingly endless supply of soldiers? That's a question the Justice League will have to answer, and quickly.

'Something More, Something Darker'

Given the slick editing, it's difficult to say how much weight we should give the comment by Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) that, "I think it's something more, something darker." We're obviously meant to believe it's in response to the (apparent) sudden realization by Gal Gadot's Diana Prince that Earth has been targeted for invasion, but it could be in reference to any number of things.

However, if we do take the observation at face value, then what are we to make of it? Is it merely in reference to Steppenwolf's mission to retrieve the three Mother Boxes from Earth -- that's certainly "something more" than an invasion -- or is there another layer to the actions of Apokolips? What does Darkseid need with these Mother Boxes (certainly there are others on Apokolips)? Is this all part of a larger, even more devious, plot?

For Justice!

In an instantly iconic shot, Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman stands atop a statue of the Greek goddess Themis, or Justitia to the Romans -- better known in modern society as Lady Justice, the personification of law and fairness.

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The mythological figure is typically depicted in or outside courthouses, and traditionally wears a blindfold, signifying impartiality ("justice is blind"). It's perhaps notable here that the statue isn't blindfolded, and that the warrior Diana grasps the sword.

Is There Anything Cyborg CAN'T Do?

Just as he did in earlier footage, Ray Fisher's Cyborg displays a range of abilities, some similar to his DC Comics counterpart, and others apparently particular to the DC Extended Universe. We've seen superhuman strength, a sonic cannon, flight, computer interfacing (which enabling him to hack and pilot Batman's Nightcrawler), and here, the projection from image from his fingertips.

However, that ability is as wondrous as it is heartbreaking: Victor Stone is watching footage of his past triumphs on the football field, before the tragic accident.

'My Man!'

While Jason Momoa's Aquaman isn't quite the scene-stealer that he was in previous trailers, he nevertheless demonstrates that this Sea King is every bit as comfortable soaring across the sky as he is swimming beneath the waves.

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However, this trailer does offer a great shared moment as Aquaman hurtles through the air, only to by snagged by Ray Fisher's Cyborg, who's flying in the opposite direction. "Ride ain't over yet," Cyborg says, to which Aquaman enthusiastically responds, "My man!" But if that weren't enough fun, Cyborg then slings Aquaman back toward an oncoming Parademon, who doesn't stand a chance.

Saving Batman's Behind, With a Smile

The one indisputable bright spot in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Gal Gadot charmed audiences once again in Patty Jenkins' hit Wonder Woman. While Diana of Themyscira gets plenty of screen time throughout this new trailer -- look no further than that incredible shot of her atop the statue -- this moment may prove to be her best.

When one Parademon opens up the Batmobile like a can of sardines and another moves in for the kill, Wonder Woman soars in to take them both out. As she lands on the street, and The Flash races past, she glances back toward Batman with smile.

It's the Bat-Signal!

Once more, Ezra Miller's Barry Allen provides comedy relief -- and we're completely OK with that. In the closing moments of the trailer, the fanboy is overwhelmed to see the Bat-Signal light up the sky. "Oh! Awesome!" he says, pointing to the iconic emblem. "That's the Bat-Signal, that's your -- Shhhh! Sorry, that's your signal. That's means we have to go now."

Almost as much fun as Barry's excitement is Bruce Wayne's discomfort, and Diana Prince's obvious enjoyment of the awkward exchange.


Opening Nov. 17, Justice League stars Ben Affleck as Batman, Henry Cavill as Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Ezra Miller as The Flash, Raymond Fisher as Cyborg, Willem Dafoe as Vulko, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Connie Nielsen as Queen Hippolyta, Amber Heard as Mera and J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon.