The hype surrounding Zack Snyder’s Justice League had a lot to do with the hope that it would incorporate major elements from the comics. The movie’s release has been met with a positive reception, as many aspects that fans were excited about were indeed included from the source material.

RELATED: Justice League: The Best Tweets & Memes Reacting To Snyder Cut

Of course, being part of a cinematic universe, there were points that had to be ignored or adapted in a different way to make sense for the film. Some were changed so drastically that those unfamiliar with the comics will be surprised to know how they were represented in the comics. In the end, certain things included or left out were what made the film what it is, for the better or for worse.

Included: Darkseid's Pursuit Of The Anti-Life Equation

Zack Snyder's Justice League Darkseid anti-life equation

Zack Snyder’s Justice League established the villain Darkseid's motives in the DCEU along the same lines as the comics. Here, Darkseid’s first appearance was based on him finding the Anti-Life Equation on Earth.

In the source material as well, Darkseid had attempted to piece the formula together by probing minds and believing humans collectively possessed the Anti-Life Equation. As seen in the movie, Darkseid’s reason to find the formula was to take away free will reshape the universe.

Left Out: Martian Manhunter Being Among The Founders Of The Justice League

Martian Manhunter folds his arms as the sun shines behind him in Zack Snyder's Justice League.

While the Martian Manhunter’s appearance was something of a surprise in the DCEU, comic book fans are aware of his status as a founding member of the Justice League. The group made their debut in The Brave and the Bold #28, where J'onn J'onzz joined the rest of the characters.

The DCEU instead went for J'onn J'onzz appearing at the end of the movie and volunteering to be part of the team. In the comics, his initial role in the Justice League had been as something of a substitute for Superman, having featured in stories where the latter wasn’t present.

Included: Superman Wearing The Black Suit

Superman smiles while wearing the black suit

The significance of this suit might get lost on casual fans. It certainly looked good on Superman, but this was also a faithful representation of his appearance in the comics. The suit first showed up in Reign of the Supermen! after Clark had returned from his demise at the hands of Doomsday.

Due to this, Zack Snyder’s Justice League’s inclusion of the suit was an acknowledgment of this comic book arc, as the DCEU Superman had also returned under similar circumstances. It’s also known as the Recovery suit since Superman wore it to better absorb the radiation of the sun.

Left Out: Darkseid's Original Identity As Uxas

Darkseid prepares to attack Earth

Just the inclusion of Darkseid makes this movie greatly different from the original Justice League. It was established that he was a younger person in the movie’s opening, but what wasn’t made clear was his name at the time.

RELATED: The Suicide Squad: 10 James Gunn Movies You Need To Watch Before The DCEU Movie

He wasn’t actually Darkseid then, as his name was Uxas during this period. He only turned into Darkseid after killing his older brother, Drax. Zack Snyder’s Justice League also left out Darkseid’s original appearance, as he looked the same as when he was Uxas. However, the comics had made him out to be this way when he turned into Darkseid.

Included: The Flash Being Able To Travel Through Time

The Flash looks ahead while running

The original Justice League had made The Flash go through a rather cheesy scene of saving a family while everyone else fought Steppenwolf. This version had him play an active part by using the speed force to reverse time after the Mother Boxes had killed everyone.

The movie referenced the exact manner from the comics that enabled The Flash to do so, as he mentioned he had to run faster than the speed of light to time travel. His most famous time travel exploits were seen in the Flashpoint comics, but this movie brings forward the general idea from the comics.

Left Out: Steppenwolf Being The Uncle Of Darkseid

steppenwolf looks sadly after removing his armor.

Zack Snyder’s Justice League for a more sympathetic representation of Steppenwolf, as his main motive to please Darkseid was so that he could be allowed back home to Apokolips. As comic book fans know with Steppenwolf, his relationship with Darkseid is actually much deeper.

In the source material, Steppenwolf was the younger brother of Heggra, who was Darkseid’s mother. This makes him the latter’s uncle by relation, although he was still Darkseid’s lieutenant. The movie didn’t point this connection out, instead focusing on Steppenwolf’s servitude.

Included: Superman Going Dark Side After Lois' Death

Superman kneels over Lois's corpse while Darkseid approaches him

Those aware of source material storylines will know that Zack Snyder’s Justice League heavily borrows from certain comics. The entire angle of Superman becoming evil is taken from the Injustice arc, which saw Superman decide on subjugating Earth.

The trigger event was the death of Lois that he couldn’t prevent, although the Joker was the one who had killed her here. As was the case in the movie, Batman became the leader of the insurgency against Superman, which was the basis of the Knightmare scenario.

Left Out: Mother Boxes Coming From New Genesis

Steppenwolf in Justice League Snyder Cut

The size of the Mother Boxes was greatly changed for the DCEU, with the ones in the comics being much more compact. Their nature is different from one story to another, but it’s generally understood that these come from New Genesis.

RELATED: DCEU: 10 Greatest Betrayals, Ranked

Zack Snyder’s Justice League didn’t bother to introduce New Genesis, as the Mother Boxes were claimed to be of Apokoliptian origin. This is a change from the source material where the Apokolips variant was known as the Father Boxes.

Included: Cyborg Having A Death Wish

Cyborg Speaking With The Mother Boxes - Zack Snyder's Justice League

While Cyborg’s popular depiction has been with the Teen Titans as a fun-loving character, he didn’t start out that way. Zack Snyder’s Justice League went all the way back to Tales Of The New Teen Titans #1 where Cyborg had similarly wanted his father to have let him die.

The movie included the aspect of Cyborg having a death wish, as he claimed he didn’t have any reason to live and was happy to die. It also incorporated the resentment Victor had for his father.

Left Out: Deathstroke Losing His Eye By His Wife

Joe Manganiello as Deathstroke in Justice League

Due to the positive reception of Joe Manganiello’s appearance as the character, fans have speculated how he can return to the series. Zack Snyder’s Justice League revealed that Batman had been the one to cause the loss of Deathstroke’s eye in the DCEU, which isn’t quite the case in the comics.

This has changed in a number of depictions, but the most well-known is where his wife Adeline shot through Deathstroke’s eye after she was enraged at how he had placed their son Joseph in danger. This was side-stepped for the DCEU, as Batman taking out Deathstroke’s eye was a way for the series to establish their mutual antagonism.

NEXT: DCEU: 5 Storylines That Fans Loved (& 5 That Went Nowhere)