James Gunn has unveiled the major comic book inspirations for his Superman movie, set to hit theaters on July 11, shining new light on how classic tales shaped his vision for the Man of Steel. By drawing from pivotal works such as “All Star Superman,” “Superman For All Seasons,” and “Lex Luthor: Man of Steel,” Gunn honors decades of stories while crafting a unique take that aims to resonate with long-time fans and newcomers alike.
A Cinematic Homage to Superman’s Comic Legacy
Gunn’s Superman film is deeply rooted in the enduring comic mythology that has surrounded the character for over 87 years, incorporating nods to legendary creators like Mark Waid, Alex Ross, Curt Swan, and Jim Lee. These creators, who have defined Superman in titles such as “Kingdom Come,” “Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen,” and “Justice League,” helped establish styles and stories that eagle-eyed fans will recognize as subtle Easter eggs throughout the movie.
Despite the wealth of inspiration, Gunn emphasized three standout comics: “All Star Superman” by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, “Superman For All Seasons” by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, and “Lex Luthor: Man of Steel” by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo. These titles contribute significant thematic and visual elements that inform the characterizations and visual style of the upcoming film.
The Comics that Shaped the New Man of Steel
To commemorate these influential origins, DC is releasing
“DC Comics Presents Superman: The Official Comic Book Stories That Inspired the New Movie,”
assembling issues from all three landmark series. This limited-edition release—featuring cover art by Dan Mora in tribute to Superman’s 1938 debut in “Action Comics #1”—pairs each key comic with an introduction that explores its direct influence on the film. The collection includes “All Star Superman” #1, “Superman For All Seasons” #1, and “Lex Luthor: Man of Steel” #1, inviting readers to discover the roots of Gunn’s cinematic approach.
How All Star Superman Defines Gunn’s Vision
Among all the comic book inspirations for James Gunn’s Superman movie, “All Star Superman” stands as the most pivotal. This acclaimed twelve-part miniseries by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely follows Superman through twelve extraordinary challenges, weaving elements like Krypto the Superdog, Superman Robots, Lex Luthor, and giant monsters attacking Metropolis into a grand narrative. These are reflected in scenes and motifs within the new movie.
“There’s a couple of [influences], but All Star Superman is the thing that we borrow the most heavily from,”
—James Gunn, Director
Gunn made clear during a trailer premiere press event that while the movie’s plot diverges from “All Star Superman,” he was deeply affected by the series’ aesthetic and signature sci-fi sensibilities. He credits Morrison’s writing and Quitely’s artwork with giving shape to the film’s ambiance, while highlighting Lex Luthor’s role as a “mad science sorcerer” and the Silver Age influences filtered through a modern lens.
“Our plot has nothing to do with All Star Superman, but some of the aesthetics of what Grant wrote and what Frank drew were incredibly influential.”
—James Gunn, Director
“They also had that sort of science fiction, and the idea of Lex as a mad science sorcerer, almost. You know, science is his own sort of sorcery.”
—James Gunn, Director
“And the giant monsters and the threats and all of that, the Silver Age look through a green lens. I think a lot of that was taken from All Star Superman, and that was my biggest one, for sure. Also my favorite.”
—James Gunn, Director
Exploring the Spirit of Superman For All Seasons
“Superman For All Seasons,” another cornerstone of Gunn’s influences, is a four-issue series that traces Clark Kent’s growth from a humble farm boy in Smallville, Kansas into the mythic figure who would become Superman in Metropolis. Written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Tim Sale, the narrative unfolds through the eyes of Pa Kent, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Lana Lang, granting insight into both Superman’s humanity and his enduring legacy.
Recently collected alongside “All Star Superman” in “The Superman Box Set,” the series is among those described as
“some of Superman’s greatest and most influential tales,”
highlighting its resonance across generations. The heart of “For All Seasons” centers not on Clark’s superhuman powers but on the character and values that make him a true hero—an aspect that Gunn is keen to reflect in his adaptation.
Lex Luthor: Man of Steel and the Movie’s Antagonist
“Lex Luthor: Man of Steel,” later republished as “Luthor” under DC’s Black Label for mature readers, radically reimagines the traditional rivalry between Superman and his nemesis. The five-issue narrative, written by Brian Azzarello and drawn by Lee Bermejo, is told entirely from Luthor’s viewpoint. In this story, Lex Luthor’s perception of Superman as an unnatural, almost alien force inspires him to refer to the hero as “it”—a theme echoed in Nicholas Hoult’s performance in the upcoming film.
“He’s not a man,” Lex says while confronting his LexCorp lieutenant Mona. Luthor later tells Wayne Enterprises’ Bruce Wayne, “It isn’t natural,” and describes the name Superman as a label
“we gave him, an attempt to humanize him — as pointless as naming a hurricane.”
These direct passages stress the contrasting worldviews at the heart of the story: where “All Star Superman” and “For All Seasons” strive to bring humanity to Superman, “Luthor” seeks to strip it away. Luthor’s answer to Superman isn’t another superhuman, but a scientifically engineered heroine—named Hope in the comics and appearing in Gunn’s film as Angela Spica (the Engineer), portrayed by María Gabriela de Faría—illustrating Lex’s belief in humanity’s potential through science rather than otherworldly power.
“…a name we gave him, an attempt to humanize him — as pointless as naming a hurricane.”
—Lex Luthor
The Impact on Gunn’s Superman Film and Its Ensemble
This suite of influences is woven throughout the new Superman movie, not only in its depiction of the central character but also in its reimagining of the supporting cast. David Corenswet takes on the role of Clark Kent/Superman, with Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Other key figures include Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific), Anthony Carrigan (Metamorpho), Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardner/Green Lantern), Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl), Skyler Gisondo (Jimmy Olsen), Sara Sampaio (Eve Teschmacher), María Gabriela de Faría (Angela Spica/the Engineer), Wendell Pierce (Perry White), Alan Tudyk (Superman Robot #4), Neva Howell (Ma Kent), Pruitt Taylor Vince (Pa Kent), Sean Gunn (Maxwell Lord), and Frank Grillo (Rick Flag Sr.). Each of these characters draws aspects from the comics that inspired the film, blended with Gunn’s distinctive cinematic vision.
Looking Ahead: Evolution of Superman Through Comic and Film
By intricately merging the spirit of these acclaimed stories into his upcoming film, James Gunn is not only paying tribute to Superman’s iconic legacy but also adding new depth to the character’s mythos. The careful balance of respect for tradition and commitment to innovation ensures that this Superman will stand apart while remaining true to the core values that have defined the character for generations. As fans prepare for the film’s release, the echoes of “All Star Superman,” “Superman For All Seasons,” and “Lex Luthor: Man of Steel” promise an intense, emotionally complex, and conflicted take on the beloved hero and his world.
