Home 
Navigation
The world cries out "Superman!" in rhythm with John Williams' epic guitar rendition. A hopeful new DC Cinematic Universe dawns in the first trailer for James Gunn's Superman film, starring David Corensworth, hitting theaters July 11, 2025. Gunn serves as both writer and director, a decision made after initially planning only to pen the script.
Gunn's inspiration? The acclaimed All-Star Superman comic book, a 12-issue miniseries by Grant Morrison. This graphic novel, where Superman reveals his secrets to Lois Lane and confronts his impending mortality, heavily influenced the film's narrative. Gunn's long-standing love for comic books is evident in this adaptation.
Based on arguably the greatest Superman comic ever, what can we expect?
Table of Contents
- One of the greatest…
- Grant Morrison: A Masterful and Concise Storyteller
- A Gateway to the Silver Age of Superheroes
- An Inventively Told Story
- A Story About People
- Exploring Our Relationship with the Past and Future
- Blurring the Lines Between Narrative and Reader
- A Story of Boundless Optimism
Image: ensigame.com…All-Star Superman, by Morrison and Quitely, stands as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, 21st-century Superman comics. Even those unfamiliar with the source material will find themselves captivated, especially in the era of the new DCU. For those who've read it before, this revisitation rekindles the initial enthusiasm.
Disclaimer: This analysis delves into All-Star Superman without shying away from potential spoilers. The excitement of this comic isn't in the suspense of the unknown, but in its overall impact. While I'll avoid excessive plot retelling, accompanying images and excerpts may reveal plot points.
Here's why All-Star Superman resonates:
Grant Morrison: A Masterful and Concise Storyteller
Image: ensigame.com
Morrison masterfully unveils the plot, humanizes characters, and depicts Superman's sun-flight—all within the first issue—while retaining core Superman mythology elements. The first page, with eight words and four illustrations, encapsulates Superman's origin story with remarkable brevity and impact. Love, a new home, hope, and faith in progress—a powerful image conveyed concisely. The subsequent expansion adds depth and complexity.
The film adaptation highlights the challenge of Morrison's minimalist approach. Certain scenes, due to the merging of micro-episodes, inadvertently portray Superman as culpable in deaths.
Image: ensigame.com
This minimalism persists. Issue #10's prison scene between Superman and Lex Luthor, where Superman expresses hope for Luthor's goodness, is powerfully conveyed in just a few panels. Similarly, the difference between Jor-El and Superman is brilliantly shown in two panels, highlighting their contrasting actions.
Morrison's dialogue, while not always concise, is remarkably impactful when at its best. He notably highlights the "haiku on unified field theory" from issue one and Lex Luthor's concluding words in issue twelve.
A Gateway to the Silver Age of Superheroes
Image: ensigame.com
Modern superhero comics have largely attempted to distance themselves from the Silver Age. However, All-Star Superman acknowledges this legacy. The Silver Age, with its outlandish villains and improbable scenarios, is not dismissed but rather recontextualized. It serves as a foundation, a reminder that even the most seemingly absurd elements contribute to the overall narrative.
Image: ensigame.com
Morrison and Quitely translate the Silver Age into a contemporary language, incorporating its stylistic elements and techniques. The Silver Age isn't simply revisited; it's reinterpreted and reimagined for a modern audience.
An Inventively Told Story
Image: ensigame.com
Superman's inherent invincibility presents a unique challenge for writers. Most superhero stories rely on physical conflict, but Superman's power often renders such conflicts anticlimactic.
Image: ensigame.com
Morrison cleverly navigates this by focusing on non-physical conflicts. Battles often conclude quickly, and the most intense confrontations avoid direct combat. The focus shifts to problem-solving, rescue, and even the attempt to reform villains. This innovative approach showcases Morrison's storytelling prowess.
A Story About People
Image: ensigame.com
All-Star Superman emphasizes the human element. While Superman is present, the narrative often centers on the perspectives and experiences of Lois, Jimmy Olsen, Lex Luthor, and other supporting characters. We witness Superman's impact on their lives, experiencing his heroism through their eyes. The focus is less on Superman's powers and more on his relationships and the impact he has on the world.
Exploring Our Relationship with the Past and Future
Image: ensigame.com
The comic explores the interplay between past and future. The narrative demonstrates that neither escaping nor clinging to the past provides true resolution. Instead, the story emphasizes learning from the past and building upon its lessons.
Blurring the Lines Between Narrative and Reader
Image: ensigame.com
Morrison's work often engages directly with the reader. All-Star Superman utilizes this technique, breaking the fourth wall and creating a sense of immediacy. The narrative addresses the reader directly, placing them within the story's world. This interaction culminates in the final issue, where Lex Luthor's perspective directly engages the reader.
Image: ensigame.com
A Story of Boundless Optimism
Image: ensigame.com
The comic reflects on the process of canon formation within the Superman mythos. Superman's twelve feats, while not explicitly defined, become a reader-constructed canon. This meta-narrative element adds another layer of engagement.
Image: ensigame.com
Ultimately, All-Star Superman is an epic, a testament to Morrison's storytelling genius. It's a story of boundless optimism, a celebration of the enduring power of hope and the human spirit, qualities that hopefully Gunn's film will effectively capture.
Latest Articles
Latest Games
