I became light in American comics

metropolis.

Bruno Mannheim hasn't left the house in a long time.

From the outside, the International Gang appears to be at the height of its power. The entire metropolis, and even some other city underworld leaders including Gotham, have heard that the International Gang has found a powerful backer and is now growing rapidly, seemingly poised to become the world's number one criminal empire.

But logically speaking, with equipment that was centuries ahead of the world, they had the resources to arm an entire interstellar force. Yet, the most wicked idea they could come up with was simply to rob more banks and make more money to spend; their so-called vision was really just that limited.

However, there's some truth to this. After all, DC is a special place. Your technology might be centuries ahead of the world as a whole, but it's nothing compared to the overwhelming power of individuals everywhere. With a bunch of mass-produced Apocalypse-type grunts, you might be able to easily crush weaker opponents, but if you really want to do something big, you won't even be able to get past the Metropolitan Superman.

Furthermore, the suspected connection to extraterrestrials has recently attracted the attention of the Sky Eye Society. As a result, Bruno, the leader of the International Gang, has had to keep a low profile, changing his identity and moving his hideout several times a week to avoid being caught.

Actually, after the initial excitement of getting the interstellar weapon, Bruno now feels a bit nostalgic for the past.

He used to be the kingpin of crime in the metropolis, living a life of luxury and influence in both the legal and illegal worlds. Now, he not only has to hide and live a life of servility, but he also has a powerful, unapproachable boss behind him. Those aliens can dictate his every move; where is the aura of his former kingpin days?

Just as he was huddled in his newly relocated base, preparing to eat, a trusted subordinate named Jack quickly came looking for him.

As the head of the organization, his position is a closely guarded secret even within the international gang. Ninety percent of the members are not qualified to know where the boss is, and Jack, as his right-hand man, is one of the few who knows his hiding place.

Bruno was a little surprised: "Jack? Didn't I tell you to take some men to raid Belreve Prison and kidnap that Martian?"

“Yeah, I’ve been there,” Jack said sheepishly.

"You've been there? So quickly?" Bruno exclaimed in surprise. "Why didn't anyone report to me?"

"Uh, there was a slight mishap."

Jack secretly glanced at his boss's expression and whispered.

"As planned, we successfully blew open the gate and stormed into the prison. The guards at Belreve were indeed no match for us, but... well, an unexpected and ruthless character appeared."

Bruno's eyes flickered, and he frowned as he asked, "Superman again?"

Recently, the International Gang's main adversary has been Superman; in nine out of ten major operations, it's Brother Blue who's causing the trouble. But what can they do? After all, they're the villains of Metropolis.

“Superman. As expected, that man was right. We must find a way to deal with this threat, or we will be unable to move an inch.” Bruno said in a deep voice, “Clinton did set up an ambush before, successfully luring Superman into our carefully laid trap.”

It was supposed to be a great achievement, but then Batman suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Otherwise, those Boy Scouts shouldn't be a threat anymore.

Jack shook his head, gritting his teeth as he said, "Even more ruthless is that Ultraman."

Bruno Menhänden gasped.

Good grief, when did we get involved with someone like this again?

"Um... there's one more thing," Jack hesitated, as if something was difficult to say, "It's about Ultraman. Although the mission didn't go well this time, I managed to lure him to the designated location."

"Oh?"

Bruno's eyes lit up.

Although their opponents are strong, their confidence has inflated due to the support of Apocalypse Technology. If they could set up a trap in advance, like they did with Superman last time, even someone as powerful as Ultraman might not be unable to defeat them.

“Very good. If the ambush succeeds, it will be a great achievement.” Bruno nodded. “Where did you place it?”

Jack stammered, "He's right outside. He's waiting for you to come out."

"what?"

Bruno's brain went blank for a few seconds, and he couldn't immediately grasp what this meant.

He was immediately shocked, slammed his fist on the table, and shouted angrily, "You're the one who lured Ultraman here!?"

He then suddenly drew his gun and pointed it at Jack's head.

Jack looked miserable: "I was forced into this, boss. You didn't see what he did."

Anyway, let's stop, boss. There are Ultraman everywhere outside; we're surrounded by him all by himself.

Bruno was furious. He had been hiding and enduring all this time, and all his efforts had been ruined by a traitor.

At this thought, anger surged within him, and with a vengeance, he snapped the safety off his pistol: "You...you...you..."

With righteous indignation rising in his head, he glanced back out of the corner of his eye and suddenly discovered that a red and silver steel body had somehow appeared in his room, sitting there expressionlessly.

Clearly, even if he pulls the trigger, that being can disarm him 100% of the time before the bullet leaves the barrel.

Bruno's angry expression vanished instantly, and his tone became gentle and pleasant.

"You, you, you really are something! Such an important guest is coming and you didn't even tell me in advance. Ugh, I didn't even have time to prepare for the arrival. What kind of behavior would it be to neglect such an important guest?"

He placed the gun on the table, quickly stood up, and offered his chair to Shen You, politely saying, "Please sit down, please sit down."

"Don't be shy, just ask a few questions." Shen You waved his hand.

"Don't be so polite." Bruno waved his hand with a smile. "Ask whatever you want. Let alone a question, even if you asked me to dig up my mother's grave, I would arrange for someone to do it right away."

Even Shen You couldn't help but glance at him. Good heavens, that's ruthless?

So you're the one who's being a filial son?

As the saying goes, a true man can bend and stretch. Some people can rise to such heights and even curry favor with the emperors of the universe; they really need to have some silver tongue.

When Shen You asked him, he told him everything in detail.

The cause was similar to what Shen You had guessed, and it was also similar to the development in the original comic and the Superman cartoon. One day, a spatial tunnel (most likely the Explosion Channel) suddenly opened in the headquarters of the International Gang, and a gentleman in a suit walked out of it (based on the cartoon, it was speculated to be Desard in disguise).

The gentleman was very generous and provided them with incredible weapons free of charge, giving them the ability to fight Superman.

But as everyone knows, the most expensive things are often the free ones. When the other party finally started making demands, they realized they couldn't escape their predicament; the entire international gang had essentially become Apokolips' henchmen on Earth.

"Batman? How would I know where Batman is?" Bruno looked bewildered.

"Before Batman disappeared, he was investigating the International Gang and your alien master," Shen You prompted.

Bruno shook his head repeatedly: "If you think we've taken care of Batman, you're sorely mistaken. He came to see me just before the Gotham media reported his disappearance."

"Looking for you?"

“Yeah, in one of my safe houses, not many people in the organization even know where I am. God knows how he found me,” Bruno scoffed. “I was in bed in the middle of the night when he suddenly dragged me out of bed and asked me a bunch of questions that were pretty much what you just asked me.”

Shen You's mind raced.

So, Batman actually caught the leader of the international gang a long time ago. But he didn't take action, probably because he thought Bruno Menhaldon was just a puppet.

Making a hasty move against him would only alert the enemy and have no impact on the mastermind—they would simply switch to a different puppet to continue their actions, and it would also cut off the only lead we have so far.

"What else did he ask?" Shen You asked.

"I also asked someone else, and I don't know how he found out, but he had an amazing understanding of what was going on inside our organization."

He even knew about 'Steppenwolf'.

"Wait, what wolf?" Shen You interrupted.

"He called himself 'Steppenwolf,' and seemed to be some high-ranking alien general. The contact said that from now on we must obey his orders, and he will be in charge of all affairs on Earth."

But we've never seen him in person, and I don't even know if he might actually be a wolf.

Shen You pondered for a moment.

Steppenwolf, the villain in the DCEU Justice League movie. A member of the Neo Gods and a general from Apokolips. But unlike Dessard, who is a strategist, he is a general.

The fact that the matter was handed over from Disadard to Steppenwolf is likely a signal.

Apokolips is signaling that it is preparing to formally launch a war.

"So, did that Steppenwolf say when he's coming?" Shen You asked.

Bruno Menhänden gave him a strange look.

"In fact, I was told that he had already arrived a long time ago."

Chapter 234 The Threat of the Steppenwolf

Deherrean, a fictional nation in DC Comics.

The capital of the kingdom, Saint-Dreymier.

"Thank you for your generosity, King Malov."

The man sat cross-legged in an opulent chair, exuding an air of authority and aloofness. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit that accentuated his imposing physique. His pure white shirt was slightly open at the collar, and his silk tie featured subtle dark stripes with a striking logo in the center.

A blood-red Omega.

“No need for formalities, my friend.” The young king stood beside him, a slight smile on his refined face. “My country is yours, as long as you still need it.”

This is a tradition of Deherrean; we have always been hospitable, as we have known since our ancestors. And now…”

King Malov took the goblet filled with golden wine from the silver tray brought by the waiter and handed it to the man.

"Let's toast to this lovely Sunday. Tell me, do you like champagne?"

The man glanced at him. When he turned his head, his face was resolute and deep, his eyebrows like two fiery blades pointing forward above his bright, piercing eyes, which were like black amber.

“No,” he said calmly. “To be honest, I haven’t drunk it. But…”

He reached out his rough hand and took the wine glass.

"Ha, don't let people say that I, Steppenwolf, am afraid to try new things or a new world."

Yes, his name is Steppenwolf. A general from Apokolips, the vanguard of Darkseid's wars of conquest, a legend who conquered countless worlds for a great monarch.

Now, disguised as a human, he has become a guest of honor in Deherrean.

Behind a massive jade screen lies a spacious hall. A huge long table sits in the center of the palace, covered with a pristine white tablecloth. The table is laden with a variety of delicacies prepared by the finest chefs.

“No need to be so polite, guest from beyond the heavens.” King Malov pulled out his chair and said with a smile, “It’s getting late, I’m already hungry, and I’m sure you are too. We’d better eat something, even if it’s just for our future efforts. Tell me, what kind of place have you come to?”

These aren't there, are they?

Steppenwolf sat down at the table expressionlessly and said calmly, "I don't want to talk much about the affairs of that person, and you should ask less, mortal. The less you know about that person, the better. One day you will be grateful for it."

“Alright, alright, I remember. Let’s get back to reality, about us,” King Malov said. “Let me confirm again. You said the time is ripe, and you’re ready to take action against this planet.”

You said you need a very, very big gate to transport your army here?

"That's called the 'sound channel,' yes. That's the key, but thanks to the help of your technicians, that part of the work is almost finished."

The main problem now is the guardians of this world.

"Superman, Ultraman, those weird guys?" King Malov asked.

"Almost, of course, that's not the primary issue. Once that great one arrives, those will all be minor figures. Those are not your concerns, Your Majesty. You have your own matters to attend to."

Malov smiled: "Of course, I know your capabilities; I've already witnessed them. My only concern is Deherrean, nothing more."