Zack Snyder's Justice League and his entire DC trilogy that began with 2013's Man of Steel have continuously paid homage to some of DC Comics' most impactful stories. One of the best examples of this can be seen with Ben Affleck's Batman. From his introduction in 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, it is evident that his demeanor and aesthetic borrow heavily from writer Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. In that series, Batman is a much older and hardened Dark Knight who takes up the cape and cowl to, once again, save Gotham from tyranny.

In the films, Batman operates similarly, caring much less for criminals' well-being and being ready to challenge Superman at a moment's notice. While The Dark Knight Returns served as a part of the inspiration for BvS, one of its largest story aspects can be found in an Easter egg at the end of Zack Snyder's Justice League. In a very brief moment, the gang from Miller's graphic novel, the Mutants, can be seen being apprehended by the Dark Knight.

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In the comics, the Mutants are a gang of kids who run around with mohawks and shaved heads and sport a visor similar to Cyclops' from the X-Men. Their leader is a gargantuan man with sharp teeth and immense strength that Batman challenges in a mud pit in front of the other mutants. Batman eventually overpowers the leader and takes command of the gang. When the city descends into chaos, he calls upon the gang, now called the Sons of Batman, and painting the bat-symbol on their faces, to help keep the people safe. He even turns them away from firearms, calling them "the weapons of cowards."

During Zack Snyder's Justice League's ending monologue, the film cuts to Batman, who overlooks Gotham and the Bat-Signal shining in the night sky. As the camera pans out, fans are shown the new Batmobile, a tank similar to the one seen in Miller's comic, and its enormous headlights shining on a small group of Mutants tied up. It's a brief moment but once pointed out, it is hard to miss. Zooming in also reveals that the gang members are wearing their signature red visor. This Batmobile plays a prominent role in Miller's comic by operating as Batman's primary mode of transportation when navigating his way through the junkpile of Gotham's dump to challenge the Mutants.

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There is no formal explanation as to why Batman changes his Batmobile. Still, it stands to reason that following the destruction of the previous one in the final battle with Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds), Batman needed something more durable. The Mutants are also a new enemy in this universe and appear to be holed up in Gotham's rubble where Batman, Superman (Henry Cavill) and Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) fought Doomsday. A regular car can't navigate that terrain, making this the perfect reason to use the Bat-tank. The scene also gives context to where Batman is in his career as the Mutants and tank symbolize his return to Gotham as its protector. With the Justice League formed, he may have found a renewed purpose to keep up the fight as new villains, like the Mutants, rise.

At its heart, Zack Snyder's Justice League is a love letter to the fans and to the comics that inspired its story. While small, the Mutants' inclusion symbolizes a new era for Batman and teases just how much of the DC Universe still deserves to be explored. The changes and Easter eggs in the film show the care and devotion that the creators have to the project and add an even deeper level of lore to the characters portrayed.

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