Why Doesn't Superman Have His Black Suit in the 'Justice League' Movie?

In the world of superhero films, one of the most intriguing plot points is Superman's black suit in Zack Snyder's Justice League. Many fans, particularly those who remember his original footage from Zack Snyder's Cut, wonder why Superman's black suit was not shown in the movie version directed by Joss Whedon. This article aims to explore the reasons behind this decision, backed by insights from the original comic book series and the story logic within the film itself.

The Comics: Why the Black Suit?

The black suit in the comics serves a different purpose compared to its appearance in Justice League. According to Man of Steel, the black suit is a Kryptonian battle suit, which General Zod also wore. In these comics, Superman was brought back to life by The Eradicator using a Kryptonian Regeneration Matrix, and the suit helped him recharge after resurrection. However, in the Justice League movie, the suit makes little sense without this context.

The Movie: A Misuse of a Powerful Element

The black suit in Justice League appears to be an attempt to add more depth to Superman's character. However, due to the lack of a Fortress of Solitude and Kryptonian technology, its presence becomes difficult to explain. In the movie, Superman simply woke up in his ship and put on the suit to prepare for battle. This logical gap leaves many questions unanswered, making the suit seem unnecessary and illogical.

comic-book vs. Movie Continuity

In the comics, the suit's presence is justified by its bio-suit properties, which help the body heal. This is a plausible reasoning, as it aligns with the technology and settings of the DC universe. However, in the movie, this continuity is ignored, and the black suit serves no apparent purpose beyond making Superman look "bad ass," as one critic put it.

Potential Revisions in Future Films

Had DVDs of Justice League allowed more focus on how Superman got his suit during his journey in Man of Steel, the enigma would not be as pronounced. Additionally, showing Superman using a ship similar to what he had in Man of Steel could have helped viewers understand the suit's purpose. This would have created a more coherent storyline and maintained continuity between the two films.

Lex Luthor's Role and Red Kryptonite

Another interesting angle is the connection between Luthor and the black suit. If Luthor had experimented with Kryptonite, perhaps injecting Zod with it to mutate and reanimate the superhuman, this could have provided a more logical explanation for the suit's presence. Considering the powers and effects of Red Kryptonite, this scenario aligns with the scientific principles within the DC universe.

Conclusion

The black suit in Justice League serves as a minor but significant plot point that fans of the original comic books find intriguing. While the decision to include it in the film was no doubt made in the name of action and character development, its abrupt appearance without proper context leaves a lot to be desired. Nonetheless, this controversy highlights the intricate challenges of blending comic book continuity with the demands of a modern film production.