if everything was different.

[@spacethegamer6426]

One of the most unique Elseworlds stories we ever got, really wish it got continued some day so we could see how different the rest of the Justice League would be

[@CoffeeSorcerer69]

It was unfortunately made to soon. Had it been made later, it would have excelled and been an amazing line of stories.

[@DavideGendo]

​@coffeesorcerer6980 really, it was too ahead of its time.

[@BaeBunni]

you never know Timm is still writing dc movies. It would be really interesting to see a batman solo movie in this universe.

[@rahn45]

The short where this Superman dealt with Brainiac basically told you everything you needed to know about that version of the character: Extremely pragmatic in that he had to do what was necessary, yet still had a heart. It's been often said that everyone is the hero of their own story, usually in justification of the actions of villains, but it was nice to see how they were indeed heroes of their own story; and gradually everyone started to see that they were heroes of more than just their own story.

[@aceofsharks9837]

Watching this movie, I got the strong impression that G&M Superman would/could absolutely be as optimistic and benevolent as main line Superman under better circumstances. Not to say he isn't heroic at all, just that his foundational experience gave him such a close look at the evils of humanity to the point that he couldn't give himself the luxury of more idealistic thoughts and actions.

[@TrueDiox]

Yup. I was essentially sold on the movie after that one short.

[@Sgt.Dornan117]

I love this world's Superman, how he befriends Kirk. How dealing with kid Braniac affected him. When learning the truth decides to do things for the better rather than letting it negatively affect him for the worse. A shout out to the take on Lex Luther in this film

[@oldmanlogan9616]

Its a shame we never got the flashback of how they became friends

[@eamonndeane587]

Jason Issacs is an Underrated voice for Lex Luthor.

[@theknightofroses]

I was suprised that this movie was as good as it was. The "evil superman" concept has been done to death and this one shows how much the kents influenced clark. In this version, even though he has reason to hate, he still gives kirk a home and food because "he was hungry" that's superman, regardless of his past experiences in any medium

[@iem-axoltleater]

I loved the take on inmigration with this superman, straight up makes him more grounded than "farmboy raised in a safe enviroment". He experienced first hand the worst the planet had to offer, and still came more or less a good guy.

[@flickrebeat8936]

​@@iem-axoltleaterkinda Like Red Son

[@SunnyEggLover]

Kinda funny that this "Evil" Batman is the opposite of our Batman. Keeps it in his pants, very respectful of others, likes rules. Never bothers anyone even if he has the powers to do so. He really is kinda an opposite of Batman. Edit: So no more comments I was commenting on how Bruce Timm potrayed both Batman. That's it, not the main comic Bruce but Bruce Timm's version of Batman and his specific fetish of Batgirl. Why do you guys think I compared them in the first place? Because they have the same writer, duh.

[@SunnyEggLover]

Seriously, this Batman may kill, But at least he won't sleep with his Friend's/Father Figure's Daughter. Not only that, he isn't an asshole and knows his boundaries. I love Bruce and his assh0leness but Kirk is just fricking sweet.

[@kharijordan6426]

This one has friends he respects. The real one is destined to die with every one repeating him but ultimately never really wanting to hang out with him. In Batman beyond story line anyway. There are other versions of Batman that has friends and actually addresses how he treats his family and thus starts to treat them better. Lego Batman comes to mind. There are some version of Batman that never gets out of his trauma and some version that do and are happier for it. Now that everything that can be said of Batman has already been said...I wonder what happens now? Edited: repeating and respecting.

[@SunnyEggLover]

@@kharijordan6426 I really love the fluff Batman versions and LEGO Batman. Sadly Drama beats fluff when it comes to entertainment money 😞

[@rog2224]

So, Batman 66, but with the need to drink blood

[@thacobell4700]

@@rog2224 I want this movie.

[@Grizabeebles]

The thing about universes where Darkseid dies is that the more Evil that exists in the Universe, the less powerful Darkseid is and vice versa. That detail about Fourth World characters really changes how a given universe reads when you know about it.

[@Eternus_transmogrifus49]

Then by that logic our universe is so evil that Darkseid doesn’t exist.

[@Grizabeebles]

​@@Eternus_transmogrifus49 -- I know, isn't that awesome?!

[@mandalorianhunter1]

This world was actually imo a better done one instead of Injustice else worlds where we actually had villains in charge and it made sense why the world got worse

[@amonnmusic]

Red son and Dark Side Is too imo which is crazy considering Injustice is more popular than all 😓

[@elijahbowers1]

My issue with injustice is even if some characters actions feel justified by the events of the story personally I felt like most of the characters acted too out of character but it's else worlds so whatever.

[@kingofhearts3185]

@@elijahbowers1 Yeah, there's a real disconnect between the understandable response to the story and the insanely cruel things that follow. I think Clark and Hal joining the yellow lanterns is where it really lost me, I couldn't follow how any of it was supposed to make sense to the characters in universe based on what we saw of them. Like it was always just different people wearing their skin.

[@crowfather3838]

@@kingofhearts3185 Really? I can answer the yellow lantern thing easy. Hal has always feared death, since his dad died. In the main line he overcomes that, which is why he's a Green, in the Injustice Universe, everybody succumbs to their worst fears. Clark losing his family and city makes him scared and hurt enough to try and control everything so it won't happen again. I feel like loads of Tyrants start out that way. Not all, but some. I mean Black Adam was a slave and now look at him. Anyway, then Hal is falling to his death and Superman has just been shot with a Kryptonite bullet by a woman who can destroy his eardrums and probably melt his brain with her scream. They were scared of losing their control and lives. Hal mostly scared of death, Superman scared that without him the world would go back to the shit it was before. On top of that, Sinestro's rings fuck with your head. They assimilate you. Cause what is Sinestro other than a narcissistic control freak tyrant. I mean his corps isn't the Yellow Lantern Corps it's the Sinestro Corps and their Oath doesn't say Yellow or Fear's might. It says Sinestro's might at the end. So let's do some math. Clark's loss, plus Hal's fear, not only watching the city get nuked but seeing that Superman will kill anybody now, plus Sinestro's influence plus a war breaking out with the Green Lanterns who were lead by a Guardian (Ganthet) plus a Green Lantern Planet plus Canary shooting Superman with a K-Bullet, Plus her power is good at fucking him up, plus Hal is falling to his death because his ring was taken from him. All Sinestro has to do is go "Hey, you get to live, and you get to stay in control, for a price." and hands them their rings. Superman's ring gives him a defense against his only weaknesses, Hal's ring allows him to be a Lantern and save his own life because just like the colour indicates, he's become a coward. Also giving into their fear being the theme of this universe, Batman's fear of them killing makes him incapable of being their for Clark after killing the Joker because he's a dumb ass, and Wonder Woman's fear that men can't be trusted to do good on their own leads to her blind support and influence over Superman's insanity. Most of the only people who don't give into their fear are the ones that get Killed off. Ollie, facing Superman when he's pissed. Dick, when he's trying to keep the peace at Arkham. Billy is afraid that Superman, the guy he's looked up to since before he became a super hero himself, has lost his mind, and wants to be there for him, but won't stand up to him or call him out on things. When he finally shows the bravery he's killed. It's In the stupidest way possible. As Shazam, Superman can't kill him, legitimately impossible based on DC's own powers listed for him but whatever. His character gets shafted in every scenario. Anyway, Flash's fear is keeping him from acting to do the right thing and etc etc. The only reason why Flash is the last guy to turncoat and survive is he does it at the last possible second when they are about to bring the other Superman over. Also Supes, Adam, and WW aren't in the room when it happens.

[@ShamrockShows]

@@amonnmusicI’m pretty sure if any of those were made for a fighting game they’d be more popular. Injustice had the good fortune of being in a major video game and that’s the only reason its popular.

[@KingOfMadCows]

Gods and Monsters is one of my favorite takes on the "evil superheroes" idea because it ends up being a repudiation of that whole premise. The Justice League starts out very cynical and jaded but throughout the movie, they realize just how dangerous and harmful that attitude is. And they learn to become better people. They vow not to abuse their power and instead try to use it in responsible ways to fight for a better world.

[@MegaNinjaRyan]

One of the best things to happen in an elseworld story.

[@flamesofchaos13]

Yeah the concept of Evil/Corrupt/Hated and Hateful Superheroes that ultimately redeem themselves and save the world around them because their personal flaws were directly indicated and accepted is a great story.

[@pramusetyakanca1552]

Basically everyone’s fanfiction storyline at some point

[@JamesAdams-nd1td]

Sadly, you skipped one of my favorite scenes. At the climax of the movie, when the bomb made from Superman's rocket is about to blow, Superman flies in. He doesn't say a word. He doesn't consider what to do. He doesn't hesitate. He lifts the ship up and throws it into space. He sacrifices the last relic he has of his birth world to save his adopted home. THAT is Superman.

[@jozen1098]

Out of every version of Superman Gods and Monsters is my favorite, he’s more serious than optimistic, more willing to do what needs to be done than have a long drawn out dialogue that leads nowhere, plus he’s seen how harsh the world can be leading to him knowing more of who and what he could be to the world

[@KitKatHexe]

I love that he's a superhero that's willing to take lives when necessary, but he's not blood thirsty, he's not vengeance driven, and above all he's not willing to give up hope. Too many stories have a hero that grapples with the idea of taking a life to save countless others, only to conclude that not taking the villains life is somehow the only thing that separated them. No it's not. To analogize this to the infamous trolley problem, the hero is at the lever, and the villain is the one who tied everyone to the tracks, including themselves on the second track. One of the reasons the trolley problem allegory fails as a framework for a narrative, is that the thought experiment has never cared about who put those people on the tracks. It lays all the blame for deaths on the person at the lever.

[@michaelmurray8134]

This movie embodies the notion of never judge a book by its cover or how not to assume the worst because it's looks bad. They are by far the most grounded version of the DC Trinity.

[@angelwing9]

Highly recommend the tie-in comics for this movie to everyone who is interested. It's written by J.M. DeMatteis so it's beautifully layered and characterized. It's a shame DC abandoned this idea (there were talks of sequels) bc I feel it really tackled the "superhero deconstruction" theme fantastically

[@oldmanlogan9616]

I need to read those comics

[@SavageDarksider-sw7rp]

I LOVE Justice League Gods and Monsters. I'm not afraid to admit it, I have A crush on this version of Bekka.

[@gagestork]

The comics add so much to their stories aswell, I personally love Gods and Monsters, i just wish they would do more with it. Not gonna lie i like this Superman more then Clark, he just feels more human which is part of the point.

[@arturopineda1997]

I really liked the origin story depicted in the comic for this version of Superman. It helped to flesh out who he was as a person and where he came from. I also found it ironic that he's an illegal alien raised by illegal aliens in America.

[@samueljones3668]

​@@arturopineda1997 A Spanish speaking Superman was actually cool

[@gilliganIII]

The names and origin of a person don't matter, but what they do with it. We don't always need the same old stories to entertain us, just quality storytelling.

[@Bwillis2099]

I always found it kind of ironic that the the Antihero version of the Justice League only has three members in it-it’s kinda a waste of an opportunity to see an antihero version of flash or perhaps antihero version of the Martian manhunter. 7:19

[@Pandabratti]

Always loved the characterisation in this film.

[@SunnyEggLover]

My definite favorite else world animated movie in DC. Glad your making a video of it. I'm sad that they didn't continue the seres because of production problems. Edit: Word changed.

[@SunnyEggLover]

A *video of it. Am fricking dumb

[@WhatWouldVillainsDo]

RIP Arleen, so interesting that a charecter she played on a soap opera was were they got the idea for Harley from a role she played on a soap opera, so without her there never and most likely ever a Harley.

[@TheRedKnight656]

It’s so frustrating that this movie doesn’t get the recognition that it deserves.

[@christopherauzenne5023]

I really love this film and it has my favorite interpretation of an evil Superman/Batman/wonder woman /a dark justice league from the fact that on a surface level they all seem like they’d be evil but the film shows them wanting to be good and change for the better (The trope of “what if the superheroes were evil” has become so played out that the concept of “what if the evil heroes were actually heroes” is way more clever and interesting to do)

[@Rock_on_R0bita]

No surprise that this is kinda my favorite alternate justice league universe. It's harsh (and a bit too horny) but still hopeful. The individual League members are pretty gritty on their own but together they make an interesting wholesome found family (Which is pretty much in spirit with how almost every JL is). I still think that in a better world the series would have been noticed more and we would have had more additions to the Justice League of of this universe. What if Orm or Black Manta was the Aquaman? What if Dexstar had a Green Lantern ring instead of red one? Were the Martians spared from extinction? Who could become this generation's flash. The Thanagarians? Who knows? But it seems in the case of Gods and Monsters, anything is possible.

[@sylph4252]

This Superman still has the drive to help anyone that needs help, it's just motivated differently. Instead of "help those less fortunate than you" it's "the only way we survive is by helping each other". Which I find a very unique and resreshing take on universal goofness

[@gameply347]

" Doing good is how you move from the past " , OMG I SHED A TEAR , LOVELY VIDEO :) .

[@izziedevil]

Gods and Monsters really surprised me with how much I loved it. I expected a pretty average else-worlds story, but was really amazed and fell in love with it. Especially with how it did Superman here.

[@kuno3336]

I unapologetically like this film. Also. Props to Gods and Monsters for giving us the first animated short-haired Lois ❤

[@wafagdplqs4421]

I really enjoyed this movie ! What they did with the concept, the characters and the themes was not only interesting but also surprising with how its optimism was earned.

[@iantaran2843]

I genuinely loved this movie. I remember watching it ages ago but it's nice to see it get some attention

[@CCootauco]

Gods and Monsters was the most down to earth DCAU type movie. It was also so fucking rad when Superman becomes the hero he was meant to be, and breaks away from his world conqueror schtick.

[@thecontentbender]

This is the best trinity movie we ever got and it's not even the main versions of them

[@DeltaVTango]

I loved this movie, I wished there was a sequel movie or series or cameo but at the same time I like that the whole story was wrapped up with a bow. I also really enjoyed the fact that you would assume that because of their character heritage they would be villainous but they were actually good people trying to do good. I wish more writers took amazing risks like that, elseworld is an amazing concept and a lot of stories can benefit from using it instead of the constant list or reboots we're getting these days

[@d3duction1st23]

This is one of my favorite Elseworld stories, I wish we could get to explore this universe more! Glad you covered it, love the channel!

[@henrypeters5291]

Although this was not part of the DCAU, it was written by Bruce Timm so it can be considered another branch of the Timmverse.

[@zinniaferguson461]

Excellent video, Mr. Dryden. Gods & Monsters is an excellent Elseworlds story, from the characterization to the worldbuilding and everything in between. I love the note of optimism it ends on. Even if the world makes you out to be a monster, you can still do good, and things will get better.

[@Comicbroe405]

It was actually one of the first DC animated I'd watched as a kid. Didn't understand much but I'd really loved the concepts of these characters.

[@Karlos1234ify]

Rest in peace, Arleen Sorkin

[@tahern8043]

Loved the movie and all the storylines they put into it without overwhelming the plot. Especially the Langstrom part with the metal men. The part with Apokolips and new genesis was suprisingly good too.

[@oldmanlogan9616]

This movie and the three shorts that came out before the movie are masterpieces, and some of the best DC stuff in decades. Its total shame that the rest of the project was cancelled, I wanted to see the rest of the justice league so much 😢

[@tuckernutter]

Now I'm just imagining a soft and timid Hawk Girl and a Yellow Lantern... a calm and collected no nonsense Flash horrifies me

[@dschehutinefer5627]

Or the Flash is just Eobard Thawne who succeeded in replacing a deadbeat Flash and decided it would be funny to actually be a hero!

[@davidogundipe808]

Justice league God and monsters, was an epic road trip, and it was damn enjoyable.

[@kalroy1230]

If you haven’t watched this movie you HAVE to. The amazing world and characters in this elseworld story is phenomenal!!!! I’d love to see these characters again.

[@ninja1man4u]

This movie was bonkers

[@bet0v966]

A perfect DC elseworld story. Despite wishin they did, maybe it’s best DC never came back to it cuz they might’ve ruined it. Or maybe not. We’ll never know and can only imagine

[@justinclark397]

This movie really deserves a sequel. I would love to see the other characters of this world and the other stories that this world has to offer.

[@TheMandaloreFett]

We need more this. I’d like to see as live actionz

[@pritamsahakeerthi]

I'd love to see this series to continue. This is something different.

[@alexandercolic405]

These are just great man, keep it up.

[@zomaster1]

This was such a good movie, shame they never made the sequel.

[@haleymeyer1830]

This is one of my hands down favorite dc animated movies

[@southparkking2]

I still wish that they crossovered with dcau as a sequal to this masterclass story. Honestly hope someone goes back to this timeline somehow some way.

[@ryszakowy]

DC: makes gods and monsters getting praise also DC: makes injustice assassinating characters also also DC: ruins every alternate idea by flashpointing it out of existence

[@KittMcKay]

I only recently discovered your channel, but I have become addicted to your videos. Your format, along with your depth and careful attention to nuance, has been a buoy in a sea of media illiteracy. Thank you for your work; I look forward to each of your videos

[@jasoncaldwell5627]

The three shorts that promoted the movie are essential to the characters. If you haven't seen them, they're available here on KZbin. The Superman story in particular is excellent.

[@jameshowlettii761]

I learnt just *now* that Arleen Sorkin died ☹️😞 R.I.P. Legend. Thank you for the laughs 🕊️❤️🕊️

[@TheOvervoid]

This is why I love Elseworld stories. It gives writers so much more freedom

[@graefx]

I really loved Gods and Monsters. Part of me wishes they had made more in that world, but part of me loves the note it ends on. The reimaginings were exceptional and worked so well. Superman's background also made me think of The Metabarons too.

[@mikailirwan3717]

Man I really want more stories with this trinity I think they’re so interesting

[@michaeljebbett160]

I kinda wish this universe had been explored more. How different would the other heroes have been?

[@mrhoapro1]

Sinestro would probably Green Lantern of sector 2418. And there's a white Martian version of Jon

[@michaellabonte6390]

​@@mrhoapro1or just choose one of his evil Martian green or white Martian villains

[@prixodiydacha8114]

​@@mrhoapro1Orm may be Aquaman, Dr zoom - flash in this universe, Sinestro - green lantern

[@thefez-cat]

Gods & Monsters Superman looks like Vandal Savage and Wonder Woman is spicy Big Barda. Interesting design choices.

[@graverobbingcleric2745]

This was a great watch, glad to see G&M get acknowledged.

[@PosthumanHeresy]

I loved Gods and Monsters so much. It's easily one of my all time favorite Elseworlds.

[@freddogrosso9835]

Maybe the only "evil superman" I like.

[@mere_mort4l]

To me this is the best DC animated movie ever made, and these are my favourite versions of the characters.

[@dorthvoder9375]

This world is in that sence just like ours, everything is possible if you're willing your assumptions are wrong, its a truth that is ignored, that to discuss one must be willing to change your assumptions of the world around you and yourself.

[@dragon_ninja_2186]

Dang shame we didn’t get more of this universe. At least we have this solid movie.

[@Zekrel]

I’ll admit that when I first saw this movie, it left me feeling unsatisfied. I don’t think I understood what it was about and just wanted it to live up to my expectations. I may need to rewatch it so I can appreciate it for what it is.

[@superbrian7997]

I love Justice League: Gods & Monsters. It’s a masterpiece of captivating storytelling, pacing and god tier editing! The fact that they were able to give each member of the Trinity adequate screen time in a 90 minute runtime is extraordinary! I was absolutely shocked and stunned that the writer or writers of the story dared to change who Kal-El’s biological father is. And I was even more surprised at how much I grew to like Superman the Son of Zod. I love how he proved that he is still, “A Friend.” As Christopher Reeve iconically said to Lois Lane in Superman The Movie even though the son of Zod used lethal force at times he was still a true superhero imho. He literally proves the son of Jor-El wrong. The son of Zod proves that the defining characteristic of a superhero is not whether they use lethal force or not. It’s whether they help people or not. The defining difference between superheroes and supervillains is that superheroes are socially responsible and supervillains are socially I irresponsible.

[@TobeWilsonNetwork]

3:20 love that Kurt is doing pollster work on the side

[@seandischer8632]

it'll always be a god damn shame we never got a sequel to this one. thanks machinama

[@pavlemarjanovic1896]

It was a very interesting Elsworlds story. Even though it borrowed some elements from the prime universe it still felt like it was it's own universe. You could see things worked differently it their world and it felt kind of unique.

[@finnche9555]

Thank you for another poetically beautiful video essay filled with hope, love, and philosophy.

[@TrueDiox]

To me, this was the most interesting Elseworld take on these character this side of Red Son. I was sold on this movie the second I finished the first Brainiac short.

[@jackmack4181]

This is my favorite alternative Superman, he’s not evil but is a clone of a warlord

[@Gustopher838]

God I love your videos so much

[@unnamedx2]

The confrontation between batman and magnus at the end was peak

[@Noms_Chompsky]

I'd given this one a pass after maybe 10 minutes in and I was all: "ugh, Snyder" so I guess I ought to afford it a second chance.

[@TheOvervoid]

Please do 🙏

[@Noms_Chompsky]

@@TheOvervoid Watched it last night in fact, it was worth it.

[@frenchfri5106]

Michael C Hall as Kirk was one of the best and most unexpected castings I can think of.

[@KinoFlexReviews]

Great video on a great one-off AU story. I miss these especially since everything gets bogged down by multiverse storylines nowadays.

[@Nomar04x]

The prospect of someday transcending my monstrosity and achieve the status of a true hero is what ultimately sustains me.

[@kingfear4816]

ik this is random but i just love watching this guys videos before going to sleep.

[@Tusitala1967]

This was a great analysis, Leo. Subscribed!

[@lucastheprinceofdarkness9344]

Honestly, this is one of my favorite Elseworld stories. Right up there with Kingdom Come and The White Knight.

[@toxictaro]

I loved Langstrom as Batman. Wish we could see more folks wearing the mantle for these kinds of stories.

[@ReelPodcasts]

Gods and Monsters is one of my favorite Elseworld movies and just one of my favorite animated DC movies.

[@Advante]

I love this concept of justice league. I wish Son of Zod Superman meet with the Superman we familiar with and both learn about each other & work together in the war crisis if infinite earth or something.

[@guy5396]

One of the best JL films

[@AlexKlindt]

Gods and Monsters SLAPS.

[@Fyre19]

with the multiverse in full swing in dc comic these guys need to appear as anti heros or villians

[@greendude7650]

Idk honestly these guys didn't turn into Tyrants formed a dictatorship and oppressed the people at least they are just messy with actually dealing with crime besides the little Zod moments he has.

[@Longshanks1690]

Gods & Monsters is underrated as fuck. It should be among the best known superhero properties, widely known and something that DC continued building upon rather than one movie. But sadly it flopped commercially and despite having a cult following of people who adore it - myself included - it’s never gotten the accolades that it really deserved. It could have kickstarted a whole series of elseworlds movies, whether based on this premise or an anthology of premises that made us rethink the way we looked at many beloved DC characters. But it wasn’t to be, and it went largely unknown instead. Depressing and undeserved, but unsurprising all the same. I’m just glad when it gets any love at all. 🫶

[@andreworders7305]

5:14 it’s another parallel earth too it and has the art style and Bruce Timm involvement though, so it basically is.

[@vice2792ocl]

So that's how the whole intro song goes, remind me to ask for all the bgm implicit uses cause I like that style of music

[@matthewmccoyd2578]

Miguel O'Hara: You couldn't stop me before. Terry McGinnis: I was alone before. *GAM Trinity busts in*

[@mostlyjoe]

I keep wishing they would do a Gods and monsters book with extended stories fleshing out the universe more.

[@MarioGMan25]

God I would've loved to see a sequel in this world but I guess it all kinda fell apart.

[@OBIONEBARRONI]

*I wished they made a second part of this series. I LOVED it when it came out. Very Dark :)*

[@dynaguy3]

The shorts were great too

[@alexandercarder2281]

The song at the end really spoke into my life ❤

[@jonmckaye]

Every time I hear your intro I know peak is incoming

[@DeadManTalking.]

I can't tell ya how big of a disservice it is that this movie never got a sequel