Superman! Superman! Superman!
The world is chanting "Superman!" in time with John Williams' epic guitar cover. A hopeful new DC Cinematic Universe is fully revealed in the first trailer for James Gunn's Superman film:
On July 11, 2025, James Gunn's DC Comics Superman, starring David Corensworth, will be released in theaters. Gunn is the screenwriter and director. At first, Gunn only intended to write the script for Superman and had no intention of directing the film.
James Gunn drew inspiration for the script from the All-Star Superman comic book. It is a 12-issue miniseries written by renowned graphic novelist Grant Morrison. In it, Superman tells Lois Lane his secrets and finds out he is going to die soon. Gunn has acknowledged that he has been a comic book fan for a long time.
Drawing inspiration from possibly the best Superman comic book in history? Awesome! So what can we expect from a film adaptation based only on the source material?
Table of Content ---
One of the greatest… Grant Morrison is a skilled and frugal storyteller The door to the Silver Age of superheroes This comic is an inventively told good story It's a comic book about people A story about our relationship with the past and the future This comic breaks down the boundaries between the narrative and the reader It's a story about boundless optimism 1 0 Comment on this One of the greatest…
Image: ensigame.com… Superman comic books of the twenty-first century, if not the best, is this one by Morrison and Quietly. For those who aren't interested in it, I'll try to pique their interest today. Especially in the dawn of the new DCU Era. For those who read this comic years ago and put it on the distant shelf, I also hope to revive their enthusiasm for it.
Warning: I don't consider the All-Star Superman storyline to be so important that I avoid discussing it for fear of "spoilerizing" it. What's exciting about this comic isn't that you don't know what to expect from the next page. I will try to avoid unnecessary retelling of the story, but the accompanying pictures and sample episodes are taken from all issues of the comic and may spoil some readers' enjoyment.
So, I have for you my reasons to love All-Star Superman.
Grant Morrison is a skilled and frugal storyteller
Image: ensigame.com
Morrison masterfully reveals the series' plot, humanizes the characters, and showcases Superman's iconic journey to the sun in the first issue, all while encapsulating the essence of the Superman mythos in a concise manner. This efficiency is a testament to Morrison's storytelling prowess.
The first page of the All-Star Superman series uses just eight words and four illustrations to encapsulate Superman's origin story, making it one of the most impactful and succinct origin tales in modern comics. It evokes themes of love, a new home, great hope, and faith in progress, all within a few panels. Comparing the comic to its potential film adaptation highlights the challenge of maintaining such narrative economy.
Image: ensigame.com
Morrison's minimalism remains consistent throughout the series. In issue #10, a brief exchange between Superman and Lex Luthor in prison encapsulates their century-long rivalry in just a few frames. Similarly, issue #9 uses two panels to illustrate the difference between Bar-El and Superman, emphasizing their contrasting approaches to heroism.
Morrison's dialogue, while not always the most concise, is purposeful and impactful. He takes pride in moments like the "haiku about unified field theory" spoken by Quintum in the first issue and echoed by Lex Luthor in the final issue.
The door to the Silver Age of superheroes
Image: ensigame.com
The Silver Age of comics, with its often whimsical and fantastical elements, has cast a long shadow over modern superhero narratives. Morrison and Quietly's All-Star Superman serves as a bridge between this era and contemporary storytelling, paying homage to the past while translating it into a language that resonates with today's readers.
Image: ensigame.com
Understanding the Silver Age is crucial, not just for nostalgia but as a foundation for appreciating the evolution of comic art. Morrison's work doesn't merely revisit this era; it educates and contextualizes it, making it accessible and relevant to modern audiences.
This comic is an inventively told good story
Image: ensigame.com
Superman's unique challenge in storytelling is that his invincibility can make traditional conflict resolution less compelling. Morrison navigates this by focusing on non-physical confrontations and moral dilemmas. Most fights in the series are resolved quickly, emphasizing Superman's role as a savior rather than a combatant.
Image: ensigame.com
In his confrontation with Lex Luthor, Superman's goal is not to defeat but to redeem, showcasing a deeper narrative layer. The battle with Solaris, a known survivor and eventual ally, is handled efficiently, allowing Morrison to focus on the broader themes of heroism and redemption.
It's a comic book about people
Image: ensigame.com
As Superman faces his mortality, his thoughts turn not to his feats but to his friends and loved ones. This focus on human relationships is a recurring theme throughout All-Star Superman. Morrison shifts the spotlight from Superman to characters like Lois, Jimmy, and Lex, exploring their interactions and emotions.
The comic emphasizes that Superman's stories are ultimately about people. His actions matter because they impact individuals and humanity as a whole. Even when exploring alternate scenarios, the narrative remains grounded in human experiences and relationships.
A story about our relationship with the past and the future
Image: ensigame.com
All-Star Superman delves into the interplay between past and future, using the continuity of superhero narratives to explore how history shapes the present and future. Morrison suggests that understanding and learning from the past is essential for progress, rather than being bound by it.
This comic breaks down the boundaries between the narrative and the reader
Image: ensigame.com
Morrison's work often blurs the line between the story and the reader, a hallmark of postmodernism. In All-Star Superman, this is evident from the first issue's cover, where Superman looks directly at the reader. Throughout the series, characters address the audience directly, creating a sense of interaction and immersion.
Image: ensigame.com
The climax of this interaction occurs in the final issue, where Lex Luthor's realization about the universe's structure is shared with the reader, blurring the lines between character and audience. Morrison's approach invites readers to see the world through Superman's eyes, enhancing the emotional and narrative connection.
It's a story about boundless optimism
Image: ensigame.com
All-Star Superman also explores the concept of canon formation, inviting readers to engage with the narrative actively. The twelve feats Superman is prophesied to accomplish become a framework for readers to interpret and engage with the story, reflecting the broader process of how fans and creators build a character's legacy.
Image: ensigame.com
These feats, from defeating time to curing cancer, underscore the epic nature of Morrison's storytelling. As readers, we contribute to the canon of Superman, making All-Star Superman not just a story but a testament to the enduring power of optimism and heroism.
And I believe that Gunn should reimagine it and make a bold statement this summer.
