One of the more divisive elements in this past year's Justice League film was its principal antagonist, Steppenwolf, or more specifically, the villain's appearance, which left many audience members cold. This past weekend, Justice League concept artist Jared S. Marantz posted some of his early designs done by him and costume designer Michael Wilkinson for the villainous New God on his Instagram account offering fans a glimpse of what could have been.

Boasting a more alien, intimidating look than the way the character was ultimately depicted in the film, this proposed take on Steppenwolf eschews the more traditional armored approach for a detailed carapace covered head to toe with sharp spikes and the character appearing to sport actual horns rather than a metal battle helm.

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"It was really fun doing the early exploration,"Marantz explains. "This was one of my favorite versions of the character. It was very exciting to try something so alien for Steppenwolf."

Steppenwolf was created by Jack Kirby in 1972 and made his debut in New Gods #7 as the uncle of Darkseid, the despotic ruler of the world of Apokolips. Steppenwolf was in charge of his nephew's military forces pitting him against the heroes of the DC Universe. In the character's live action debut in Justice League, he was voiced and portrayed by Ciarán Hinds through motion capture.

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More concept art for the character and the film are available in Justice League: The Art of the Film, a book compiling much of the DC Comics' adaptations preproduction designs.

Justice League is available digitally and on Blu-Ray. The film stars Ben Affleck as Batman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Henry Cavill as Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Ezra Miller as The Flash, Ray Fisher as Cyborg, Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Ciarán Hinds as Steppenwolf, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor and J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon.