Superman! Superman! Superman! The world echoes with the iconic name, set to the soaring strains of John Williams' legendary guitar score. A new dawn breaks for the DC Cinematic Universe, unveiled in the electrifying first trailer for James Gunn's *Superman* film.
On July 11, 2025, James Gunn's *Superman*, starring David Corensworth, takes flight in theaters. Gunn serves as both writer and director, a role he initially didn't anticipate, originally planning only to pen the script.
Gunn's vision draws heavily from the acclaimed *All-Star Superman* comic book, a twelve-issue masterpiece by Grant Morrison. This seminal work depicts Superman revealing his secrets to Lois Lane and confronting his own mortality. Gunn, a lifelong comic book enthusiast, has openly cited this influence.
Inspired by arguably the greatest Superman comic ever created, what can we expect from this faithful adaptation? Let's delve into what makes *All-Star Superman* so exceptional.
Table of Contents
- 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
Image: ensigame.com… *All-Star Superman*, by Morrison and Quitely, stands as one of the greatest, if not *the* greatest, Superman comics of the 21st century. For the uninitiated, let's explore its captivating appeal, particularly relevant in the dawn of the new DCU era. And for those who've shelved this classic, let's reignite your enthusiasm.
Warning: I won't shy away from discussing *All-Star Superman*'s plot. The excitement lies not in the unexpected twists, but in the journey itself. While I'll avoid unnecessary retelling, accompanying images and examples span all issues and may contain spoilers.
Here's why *All-Star Superman* resonates so deeply:
Grant Morrison is a skilled and frugal storyteller
Image: ensigame.com
Morrison masterfully unfolds the narrative, humanizes characters, and even depicts Superman's sun-flight within the first issue, all while deftly weaving in essential elements of the Superman mythos. This economical storytelling deserves closer examination.
The opening page, comprising just eight words and four illustrations, encapsulates Superman's origin. It's a breathtakingly concise origin story—love, a new home, hope, and faith in progress. Eight words, four images—a testament to powerful storytelling. The subsequent narrative expands upon these core elements, adding depth and complexity.
Comparing this to film adaptations highlights Morrison's masterful minimalism. For example, a scene in the film awkwardly combines two short segments, inadvertently portraying Superman as responsible for several deaths.
Image: ensigame.com
Morrison's minimalist approach continues throughout. In issue #10, Superman's encounter with an imprisoned Lex Luthor—a centuries-long conflict condensed into a few panels—is a prime example. Similarly, the difference between Jor-El and Superman is brilliantly conveyed in two panels showcasing their contrasting actions.
While not always the most concise dialogue writer, Morrison's skill shines in *All-Star Superman*. He's particularly proud of the "haiku about unified field theory" spoken by a quantum scientist in issue one, and Lex Luthor's closing remarks in issue twelve.
The door to the Silver Age of superheroes
Image: ensigame.com
Recent decades of superhero comics have been a continuous attempt to escape the shadow of the Silver Age—a challenging legacy to navigate. The Silver Age, with its sometimes outlandish villains and improbable escapes, presents a unique challenge for modern storytelling.
Image: ensigame.com
Morrison and Quitely cleverly "translate" the Silver Age into a language we understand today. The Silver Age serves as the foundation, subtly influencing the narrative and techniques employed in *All-Star Superman*.
This comic is an inventively told good story
Image: ensigame.com
Superman comics face a unique challenge: Superman rarely needs to *fight*. Most superhero narratives resolve conflict through physical confrontation, but Superman's overwhelming power makes this less compelling. Morrison cleverly addresses this by focusing on other aspects of conflict—solving mysteries, saving people, and even mentoring villains.
Image: ensigame.com
Morrison's genius lies in his ability to capture the grandeur and classic elements of Superman stories within a concise narrative. Superman saves people, competes with other heroes, and solves riddles—all within the framework of a Silver Age-inspired comic.
It's a comic book about people
Image: ensigame.com
When faced with mortality, Superman's reflections aren't on his feats, but on his friends and loved ones. This human element is central to *All-Star Superman*. The narrative often shifts focus from Superman to Lois, Jimmy, Lex Luthor, and other supporting characters, emphasizing their relationships with the Man of Steel.
The story highlights the human connections that make Superman's mythos so enduring. It's not just about his powers, but about the people he impacts and the bonds he shares.
A story about our relationship with the past and the future
Image: ensigame.com
*All-Star Superman* explores the interplay between past and future. The comic acknowledges the weight of history and the importance of learning from past experiences to shape a better future.
This comic breaks down the boundaries between the narrative and the reader
Image: ensigame.com
Morrison masterfully blurs the lines between the narrative and the reader. The comic directly addresses the reader, placing us within the story, experiencing events through Superman's eyes. This intimate connection elevates the reading experience.
Image: ensigame.com
The climax of this interaction occurs in the final issue, where Lex Luthor's poignant reflection—"We are all we have"—leaves the reader pondering its meaning and its application to both Superman and ourselves.
It's a story about boundless optimism
Image: ensigame.com
Morrison's *All-Star Superman* isn't just a story; it's a reflection on canon formation itself. The twelve feats Superman undertakes become a canon that the reader actively constructs, mirroring the process of building a shared understanding of the character across various iterations.
Image: ensigame.com
These twelve feats—defeating time, traveling to alternate universes, creating life, conquering the sun—ultimately reveal the epic scope of Morrison's vision. It's a testament to boundless optimism and the enduring power of hope.
Gunn's adaptation of this masterpiece promises a bold and unforgettable cinematic experience. The summer of 2025 is set to be a landmark moment for the DCU.
