The world roars "Superman!" in rhythm with John Williams' epic guitar riff. A hopeful new DC Cinematic Universe dawns in the first trailer for James Gunn's *Superman* film.

James Gunn's *Superman*, starring David Corensworth, soars into theaters July 11, 2025. Gunn penned the screenplay and directs, a departure from his initial plan to solely write the script.

Gunn found inspiration in Grant Morrison's acclaimed *All-Star Superman* comic book, a 12-issue miniseries where Superman reveals his secrets to Lois Lane and confronts his impending mortality. Gunn's long-standing love for comics is evident in this adaptation.

Based on arguably the greatest Superman comic ever, what can we expect from this faithful adaptation?

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…This Morrison and Quietly collaboration ranks among, if not *the* best, Superman comics of the 21st century. For the uninitiated, let's explore its appeal, especially within the dawn of the new DCU Era. And for those who shelved it years ago, let's reignite that enthusiasm.

Warning: I won't shy away from discussing *All-Star Superman*'s plot. The comic's excitement lies not in surprise, but in its execution. While I'll avoid unnecessary retelling, accompanying images and examples span all issues and may contain spoilers.

Here's why *All-Star Superman* deserves its accolades:

Grant Morrison is a skilled and frugal storyteller

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Morrison masterfully unveils the plot, humanizes characters, and depicts Superman's sun-flight—all within the first issue's concise pages, while simultaneously reminding us of the core Superman mythos. This economy of storytelling demands attention.

The first page, with eight words and four illustrations, encapsulates Superman's origin story—a marvel of brevity and impact. It's a potent blend of love, a new home, hope, and faith in progress. Eight words, four images—everything essential, leaving room for the writer's subsequent elaborations and deeper explorations.

Comparing this to film adaptations highlights Morrison's skillful minimalism. Film often necessitates expanding scenes, sometimes inadvertently altering the narrative's nuance.

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Morrison's minimalism persists throughout. Issue #10's prison scene between Superman and Lex Luthor, a decades-long conflict condensed into a few panels, exemplifies this economy. Similarly, the difference between Jor-El and Superman is brilliantly conveyed in two panels—a stark contrast in actions, not lengthy exposition.

Morrison, while not always the most concise dialogue writer, achieves remarkable precision in *All-Star Superman*. He takes pride in the "haiku about unified field theory" from issue one, and Lex Luthor's poignant words in issue twelve.

The door to the Silver Age of superheroes

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Recent decades of superhero comics have been a journey to escape the Silver Age's shadow. Navigating its lengthy, often whimsical, chronology is a challenge.

The Silver Age, with its outlandish villains and improbable escapes, presents a unique dilemma. Morrison's approach acknowledges this legacy, reminding us that we stand on the shoulders of giants, even if those giants seem somewhat absurd from a modern perspective.

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We can't recapture the Silver Age's perspective, but we can learn from it. Morrison expertly translates the Silver Age into a contemporary language, using its tropes and techniques in a fresh and insightful way.

This comic is an inventively told good story

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Superman comics face a unique challenge: Superman rarely *needs* to fight. Most superhero narratives express conflict through physical confrontation, but Superman's overwhelming power changes the dynamic. Morrison cleverly circumvents this, focusing on conflict resolution through problem-solving and character interactions rather than brute force.

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Confrontations often end quickly, with the emphasis on saving, not simply defeating. The tension arises from moral dilemmas and intricate plots, not just fisticuffs. Morrison's brilliance lies in making these quieter moments as compelling as any action sequence.

It's a comic book about people

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Facing his mortality, Superman's reflections center on his loved ones, not his accomplishments. This humanizes him, making him relatable and deeply empathetic. The story prioritizes the relationships and emotional connections surrounding Superman, rather than solely focusing on his superhuman feats.

The narrative often shifts focus away from Superman himself, allowing us to experience the story through the eyes of Lois, Jimmy, Lex Luthor, and other supporting characters. This approach mirrors our own relationship with Superman: We connect with him through his impact on others.

A story about our relationship with the past and the future

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*All-Star Superman* explores the interplay between past and future. The comic's strength lies in its exploration of legacy and the impact of past events on shaping the future. The narrative skillfully navigates the complexities of this relationship.

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

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Morrison's work often engages in meta-narrative techniques. *All-Star Superman* directly addresses the reader, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. The comic creates a unique sense of intimacy and engagement.

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The narrative's climax involves Lex Luthor directly addressing the reader, prompting reflection on the nature of storytelling and the relationship between the characters and the audience. This innovative approach fosters a deeper connection with the story.

It's a story about boundless optimism

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The comic subtly examines canon formation in superhero narratives. Superman's twelve feats act as a framework, encouraging active participation from the reader in constructing the story's meaning. This participatory element enhances the overall experience.

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Ultimately, *All-Star Superman* is an optimistic epic, a testament to the enduring power of hope and the importance of human connection. It's a story that deserves to be reimagined for a new generation, and Gunn's adaptation promises a bold and exciting vision for the summer.