James Gunn's Superman: Insights from All-Star Superman

The world is buzzing with excitement as the chant of "Superman!" echoes to the rhythm of John Williams' epic guitar cover. The first trailer for James Gunn's Superman film has unveiled a promising new era for the DC Cinematic Universe.

Scheduled for release on July 11, 2025, James Gunn's "Superman" will feature David Corensworth in the titular role. Gunn, who initially planned to only write the script, has taken on the dual role of screenwriter and director. His inspiration for the screenplay comes from the acclaimed "All-Star Superman" comic book series, a 12-issue miniseries penned by the renowned graphic novelist Grant Morrison. In this series, Superman shares his secrets with Lois Lane and learns of his impending death. Gunn, a long-time comic book enthusiast, has drawn heavily from this source material.

Given that "All-Star Superman" is considered one of the best Superman comics, what can we anticipate from a film adaptation that stays true to its roots?

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," crafted by Morrison and artist Frank Quitely, is hailed as one of the greatest, if not the best, Superman comics of the 21st century. Whether you're new to the series or a long-time fan, this article aims to reignite your passion for this masterpiece, especially as we approach the dawn of the new DCU era.

Warning: I won't shy away from discussing the "All-Star Superman" storyline, as the excitement of this comic lies not in the surprise of the next page but in its storytelling and themes. While I'll avoid unnecessary retelling, the accompanying images and sample episodes may contain spoilers.

Here are my reasons for loving "All-Star Superman."

Grant Morrison is a skilled and frugal storyteller

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Morrison masterfully condenses the essence of Superman's mythos into a few pages in the first issue, humanizing the characters and setting the stage for the series. The opening page, with just eight words and four illustrations, encapsulates Superman's origin story in a way that is both concise and profound. This minimalism continues throughout the series, as seen in issue #10 when Superman visits Lex Luthor in prison, capturing their century-long rivalry in just a few frames.

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Morrison's dialogue is precise, with moments like the "haiku about unified field theory" in issue one and Lex Luthor's echo of it in issue twelve, showcasing his ability to convey deep meaning with few words.

The door to the Silver Age of superheroes

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The Silver Age of comics, with its often absurd plots and characters, has cast a long shadow over modern superhero stories. Morrison acknowledges this legacy, using it as a foundation to build upon rather than a burden to escape. He and Quitely translate the Silver Age into a language that resonates with contemporary readers, paying homage to the era while making it accessible.

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Understanding the Silver Age is crucial, not just for nostalgia but as a tool for learning and appreciating the evolution of comic storytelling.

This comic is an inventively told good story

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Superman's invincibility poses a unique challenge for writers, as traditional conflict through physical combat is less compelling when the outcome is certain. Morrison navigates this by focusing on non-physical confrontations and moral dilemmas. In "All-Star Superman," most fights end quickly, and the real tension lies in solving mysteries and saving lives, as seen in the "new defenders of Earth" story.

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Even in his battle with Lex Luthor, Superman's goal is not to defeat but to rehabilitate, reflecting the series' deeper themes.

It's a comic book about people

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As Superman faces his mortality, his thoughts turn not to his feats but to his friends and loved ones. "All-Star Superman" shifts the focus from Superman to the people around him—Lois, Jimmy, and even Lex Luthor—highlighting their emotions and interactions. This approach mirrors our own relationship with Superman, where his actions matter most when they impact the lives of others.

A story about our relationship with the past and the future

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"All-Star Superman" explores how the past influences the future and vice versa. Morrison emphasizes the importance of learning from history without being bound by it, using the continuity of superhero stories to illustrate this theme.

This comic breaks down the boundaries between the narrative and the reader

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Morrison's work often delves into metatextuality, and "All-Star Superman" is no exception. From the first issue's cover, where Superman looks directly at the reader, to moments where characters address us directly, Morrison blurs the line between the story and the audience. This culminates in the final issue, where Lex Luthor's realization about the universe's structure seems to include the reader in its scope.

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It's a story about boundless optimism

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Morrison's "All-Star Superman" reflects on the formation of canon, inviting readers to participate in shaping Superman's legacy. The twelve feats Superman is prophesied to accomplish become a framework for readers to engage with the story, forming their own understanding of what constitutes Superman's essence.

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In crafting this epic, Morrison has created a narrative that transcends simple storytelling, offering a profound exploration of heroism, legacy, and human connection. As James Gunn prepares to bring this vision to the screen, we can only hope he captures the boundless optimism and inventive storytelling that make "All-Star Superman" a timeless classic.