Batman v Superman: A Balance of Terror

This could have been a better full name for Batman v Superman, even if nothing was changed in the actual movie. We didn’t need yet another reminder that the Justice League is coming. However, this title would have perfectly showcased what the DCEU has been all about until now.

A Balance of Terror is actually the painting seen behind Clark Kent during his first conversation with Bruce Wayne. Created by Cleon Peterson, the painting is about the way in which power corrupts – the fears of both Batman and Lex Luthor. However, it is also about the victims who will rise and become executioners themselves, thus beginning a never-ending cycle of destruction.

And we don’t think we read too much into this detail. For example, Zod tries to destroy Earth and is killed by Superman, thus becoming a victim himself. However, by the end of Batman v Superman, he returns in a different form and kills his executioner, while also opening the possibility of further appearances.

How does it all end? It never does. The DCEU, just like any shared universe featuring superheroes, will be about the never-ending battle between good and evil.