Mankind’s “Century Of Horror”
When the monster is dead, the movie is over – but not before all the cliffhangers have been properly set in place. As Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince stand together, considering the enormity of the brave new world in which they find themselves living, Diana explains her unique perspective to Bruce – and adds the perfect coda to this chapter of the story.
Referring to her reluctance at being called into action once more, Diana describes the way in which she once walked away from mankind, and left them to their “century of horror.” This goes to the passage of time, once more, and the way in which these characters change over the years. While Batman has simply the benefit of his own lifetime of experience, Wonder Woman is an ancient being, and has watched mankind prey upon itself for centuries.
[zergpaid]It also speaks to the way in which these fictional heroes reflect the times in which they ‘live,’ because the characters themselves reflect the time in which they are used. We have, by this point, seen the photograph of Wonder Woman, in full battle-gear, from World War I, and her “century of horror” comment clearly indicates that it was that conflict that prompted her to walk away. This obviously sets up the currently in-production Wonder Woman movie, but also does the same for Justice League: Part One.
Most significantly, however, it calls upon us to cast our minds over our “century of horror” and how that has led us here, where these conflicted superheroes in Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice are a reflection of our time. This, coupled with an evolving Superman, a newly re-purposed Batman, and the rest of their Super Friends, points to a next chapter that will see the Justice League seek to right the sinking ship of humanity, under threat from a terrifying quarter, drawn to conflict and destruction.
Darkseid. He’s coming.