WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Zack Snyder's Justice League, now streaming on HBO Max.
Zack Snyder's Justice League has finally been released on HBO Max. The film, which was been better received both critically and by fans, brings to life the director's original vision for the DCEU, which involves major DC Comics figures, including Green Lantern and the universe's ultimate villain, Darkseid.
Darkseid makes his DCEU debut in this version of the film, and his ambitions are very similar to the comic book version. These involve the Anti-Life Equation, a way in which he would be able to force his dictatorial aims across the entire universe. And much like other continuities, the Anti-Life Equation is the DCEU is located on an arguably insignificant planet.
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The Anti-Life Equation
The Anti-Life Equation was introduced in Jack Kirby's original New Gods and Fourth World comic books, and its use since has greatly reflected these origins. It was a literal mathematical equation or mental concept that would allow the one who commanded it to control and impose his will upon all life. In doing so, it would render those affected by its power into mindless zombies. They would still functionally be alive, but without a will of their beyond their master, they would essentially be dead. This fascist concept was meant to represent the supposed futility of life, representing those who simply functioned in life and followed the commands of others.
Varying continuities have played with where the equation is and who controls it, as well as featured the idea that the equation is right under Darkseid's nose in some capacity. The original comics had part of it contained within a man named Sonny Sumo, who was thoroughly enhanced by its power and able to heal from otherwise harrowing wounds. When he helps the Forever People fight Darkseid, the ruler of Apokolips callously banishes Sonny to feudal Japan with his Omega Sanction.
The Planet That Fought Back
Zack Snyder's Justice League makes the Anti-Life Equation a central part of the film's plot, with its rediscovery part of Steppenwolf's plan to reintegrate himself into Darkseid's fold. Unbeknownst to the evil New Gods, the ancient civilizations of Earth knew that Earth contained the Anti-Life Equation. For this reason, they fought back valiantly against Darkseid's invading army. As the years passed on and he went on to conquer several other worlds, Darkseid forgot which planet Earth was exactly. He did, however, remember that the planet where the Anti-Life Equation is harbored was the only one that stood against him.
In the middle of the film, Steppenwolf accesses the second of three Mother Boxes held on Earth. This gives him a vision relaying information about the planet, namely the fact that it houses the Anti-Life Equation. He promptly gives this information to Desaad, leading to Darkseid himself speaking directly to Steppenwolf. He urges Steppenwolf to complete the process known as "the Unity," which will conquer Earth and allow Darkseid to then draw out the Anti-Life Equation from its remains.
As described by Wonder Woman in the legend of the Great Earth War, the Anti-Life Equation has similar properties in the DCEU as it does in other continuities. It allows the user to remove the free will of those the equation is used on, leaving them alive in name only. Thankfully, the Justice League is able to defeat Steppenwolf and stop his plans for Earth's destruction, but if these plot points were picked, the heroes will have to face Darkseid head-on to keep him from obtaining his prize.
Zack Snyder's Justice League 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, Ray Porter as Darkseid, Ciarán Hinds as Steppenwolf, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor and J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon. The film arrives on HBO Max March 18.