Batman’s tank seen at the end of Zack Snyder’s Justice League could have been made with Kryptonian technology. The debut of 2021 Zack Snyder’s Justice League redeems the film’s characters with their much more elaborate and layered depictions compared to the controversial re-shot version of Justice League which hit theaters in 2017. Ben Affleck’s Batman benefited greatly from the release of the Snyder Cut, the film that sees him as a capable leader who is reborn after the confidence instilled in him by Superman (Henry Cavill) in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
The denouement of Zack Snyder’s Justice League also sees Batman busting criminals in Gotham City as he escapes aboard his massive tank the dark knight returns. Given the influence of Frank Miller’s graphic novel on the Batman embodied by Ben Affleck, the tank’s appearance is a fun Easter egg, but also one without a clear explanation for its origin in the movie itself. However, the Snyder Cut provides reason to think that Batman may have built the tank using Kryptonian technology and originally had another purpose for it as well.
Batman’s Tank Has No Comparable Previous Vehicle In The DCEU
During the time the public has seen Ben Affleck’s Batman during his record-breaking tenure, he will be fully equipped with the usual array of Dark Knight gear, technology and vehicles, including the Batmobile and Batwing (and will also ride the Batcycle in The flash). Even as well-prepared as Batman is, his tank doesn’t match the kind of vehicles he’s used. The Flying Fox may be an arguable exception, but it’s introduced as an experimental military aircraft that Bruce has a hard time repairing. Only through the deep technological connection of Cyborg (Ray Fisher) can the Flying Fox finally take off. That leaves the question of Batman’s construction of a massive combat vehicle like the tank unanswered, but the Snyder Cut offers an important clue.
After the Kryptonian invasion led by General Zod (Michael Shannon) in Man of Steel and the events of Batman vs SupermanBruce Wayne and his close ally Alfred Pennyworth (Jeremy Irons) have developed a similar interest in Kryptonian weapons and technology as the US government. Among the upgrades Batman makes to his armor are his energy blast resistant gloves, which come in handy against Steppenwolf’s Parademon forces and Superman’s heat vision during his amnesia resurrection. Of course, you’d hardly expect Bruce and Alfred to stop there adapting Kryptonian technology to fight both human and alien threats. Since Batman is always upgrading his crime-fighting arsenal, there may be a connection to the tank’s appearance in Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
Batman and Alfred’s experiments made the tank possible
A vehicle like Batman’s tank is more than done taking down criminals, but its sheer size and combat capability make it equipped for greater threats. Batman and Alfred’s experiments with salvaged Kryptonian technology could provide the answer to the tank’s origins. With the rise of alien threats to Earth, including the ruthlessly powerful Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds) and his Apokoliptian overlord Darkseid (Ray Porter), Bruce and Alfred had always intended to create a vehicle capable of large-scale threats outside the criminals. from Gotham City. The tank could also tie in with how Batman once saw Superman.
The fact that Batman previously saw Superman as an alien threat might initially motivate him to build the tank. Although Batman considers Superman a sworn ally by the time of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, his and Alfred’s experiments with Kryptonian weapons may have started earlier than in the movie itself. Even when Alfred objected to Bruce’s hostility to Superman, Batman was just as determined to counter Kryptonian threats as Jesse Eisenberg’s version of Lex Luthor. While Bruce may have theoretically started the tank as a combat vehicle against Superman, the discovery of the Kryptonite silver bullet could have diverted his attention from it. Batman’s altered perception of Superman could have led him to re-evaluate building a vehicle like the tank. Bruce still saw it as a valuable asset, but changed his mind about its purpose.
The Dark Knight Returns influences on Ben Affleck’s Caped Crusader present him as a uniquely experienced and weathered cinematic portrait of Batman. The story of Affleck’s Batman still came with adaptations of his Frank Miller inspirations, and that probably extends to the presence of Batman’s tank at the end of Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Bruce Wayne’s skills in innovation are unparalleled, with Affleck’s Batman being the smartest version of the character yet. With his intellect and many remnants of Kryptonian weapons and technology scattered throughout Metropolis, the Dark Knight could have used such scraps as the basis for his most fearsome combat vehicle.
