2015 saw the release of Justice League: Gods and Monsters. The story is set in a bizarro alternate universe where the Justice League is hated and feared by the public. The League is comprised of alternate versions of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, but with a decidedly darker twist.
In this reality, the heroes have no qualms about using lethal force to pacify their enemies. Superman melts people, Batman bites throats, and Wonder Woman impales people. While the film is far removed from the traditional superhero pallet, it still offers easter eggs and nods to its source material hidden throughout its narrative landscape.
Old DC Villians
We first see the Justice League confronting a terrorist organization. After a violent brawl with several armed guards, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are confronted with a triad of villains.
While they may look a bit different, they are common villains in the DC universe. Superman faces off against Livewire who, instead of being made of electricity, uses an electric cannon. Batman fights a cro-magnon looking Solomon Grundy with a tan instead of one who looks like an undead Hulk. Wonder Woman is pitted against Bronze Tiger wearing a cheetah-print hoodie with claws.
Cyborg
The inciting incident that shoves the film forward depicts three leading scientists being killed by powerful robots. One is a man by the name of Silas Stone.
Silas is working on several proprietary weapons reminiscent of the gear utilized by the superhero Cyborg. This is no coincidence, as the audience is soon introduced to a young Victor Stone. Both are attacked by a robot sporting Superman's abilities. Silas and Victor use their weapons to fend off the machine but are eventually killed. There is no Cyborg in this reality.
There's a Second Superman (Sort of)
There's a scene where a group of scientists is meeting to discuss the murders of some of their colleagues. One of the scientists who speaks out during this summit is none other than John Henry Adams.
In DC mythology, John Henry Adams is a brilliant engineer who develops a suit of armor that can replicate Superman's abilities. Emblazoned with Superman's sigil, John Henry Adams is Steel. Alas, there is no super suit and no future for one. John Henry Adams meets his demise in the moments to come, along with the rest of his compatriots.
Dr. Sivana
Fans will recall one of the scientists in the film being referred to as Sivana. This is the same Dr. Sivana who has tried to defeat Captain Marvel since his debut in 1940. He is known for his brilliant intellect and his use of mechanics to carry out his villainy.
Most recently, Sivana was portrayed by Mark Strong in the live-action film Shazam, where he sported abilities similar to Captain Marvel's. Unfortunately, there would be no gadgets or powers here to spare him from his fate. He is among the many scientists who are eventually ended by Will Magnus' robots.
President Amanda Waller
Much of the tension in the film centers around how the world views the Justice League. No small amount of angst comes from the federal level, so much so they've created weapons intended to effectively neutralize the Justice League. Typically, Lex Luthor becomes President of the United States in DC lore.
In this universe, Amanda Waller takes the seat as POTUS. This explains why she's at least willing to work with the metahumans. After all, she was the one who spearheaded the creation of Task Force X, aka the Suicide Squad.
Trevor Jones
Trevor Jones acts as the handler for the Justice League on behalf of President Waller. In many ways, he's very similar to the same character in the DC universe's common mythology.
The film version, however, shows him at odds with the superheroes, not agreeing with their brutality and unchecked power. There is also a romantic history existing between Jones and Wonder Woman in the source material. A past relationship is hinted at in Gods and Monsters, but it is unclear how deep it went or why it ended.
Man-Bat is Batman
Bruce Wayne is nowhere to be seen. The Batman of this universe is instead Kirk Langstrom. DC fans will recognize that name instantly as belonging to the zoologist who would eventually become the Man-Bat.
In common DC lore, Langstrom develops what he believes is a way for humans to receive the sonar abilities of bats. Langstrom injects himself with the serum but is turned into a giant bat-creature who terrorizes Gotham. The Batman of Gods and Monsters is a hybrid of Batman and Man-Bat who resembles something closer to a modern vampire.
Similarities Between Batman and Batman Beyond
Batman has an iconic look. His dark and almost ghoulish appearance would be altered in 1999 with the release of Batman Beyond. The ears would be longer, the cape would vanish, and the hero would sport a more sleek and tactical wardrobe.
A side-by-side comparison shows that both Batman from Gods and Monsters and Batman Beyond have very similar designs. This is no surprise considering the co-creator of Batman Beyond, Alan Burnett, returned to help pen the story alongside Bruce Timm, creator of the Batman: The Animated Series.
Super Friends Inspired the Tower of Justice
Alan Burnett was also a writer on the Super Friends show that depicted the great DC heroes banding together to help train the next generation of heroes in the Hall of Justice.
This would serve as the Super Friends' base of operations in the heart of Gotham City. The Justice League of Gods and Monsters have a much more impressive structure as their headquarters, the Tower of Justice, located in Metropolis. Though the appearance is very different, the name and the links to the original tv heroes are undeniable.
Orion and the Highfather were Allies
Gods and Monsters has several exposition scenes that show how each hero came to be. Wonder Woman began her life as Bekka, granddaughter of the Highfather. The New Gods of New Genesis brokered a peace treaty with Apokolips, offering Bekka's hand in marriage to Darkseid's son, Orion.
The honeymoon was cut short by a Red Wedding-derived massacre conducted by the Highfather, ending in the deaths of Darkseid and Orion. Within the source material, Orion is an ally of Bekka's and the Highfather's, where they fight against the oppression of Darkseid.