Superman! Superman! Superman! The world echoes with the iconic name, set to the soaring strains of John Williams' epic guitar score. A hopeful new dawn for the DC Cinematic Universe bursts forth in the first trailer for James Gunn's *Superman* film.

On July 11, 2025, James Gunn's *Superman*, starring David Corensworth, will soar onto the big screen. Gunn himself serves as both screenwriter and director, a role he initially wasn't planning on taking; his initial focus was solely on crafting the script.

Gunn drew inspiration from the critically acclaimed *All-Star Superman* comic book, a twelve-issue miniseries penned by the legendary Grant Morrison. This story, where Superman reveals his secrets to Lois Lane and confronts his own mortality, clearly resonated deeply with the filmmaker, a self-proclaimed lifelong comic book fan.

Based on arguably the greatest Superman comic ever written, 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… One of the greatest, if not *the* greatest, Superman comics of the 21st century is Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's *All-Star Superman*. For those unfamiliar, let me pique your interest, especially in this exciting new era of the DCU. And for those who read it years ago, let's reignite that passion!

Warning: I won't shy away from discussing *All-Star Superman*'s plot. The excitement lies not in the unexpected, but in the masterful storytelling. While I'll avoid unnecessary spoilers, accompanying images and examples are drawn from all issues and may reveal plot points.

Here's why I love *All-Star Superman*:

Grant Morrison is a skilled and frugal storyteller

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Morrison masterfully unfolds the plot, humanizes the characters, and even shows Superman flying into the sun—all within the first issue! He manages to encapsulate the essence of the Superman mythos in remarkably few pages. The first page alone, with eight words and four illustrations, perfectly encapsulates Superman's origin story—a concise and powerful feat.

Morrison's minimalism continues throughout. The confrontation between Superman and Lex Luthor in issue #10, for example, is powerfully conveyed in just a few panels. The difference between Jor-El and Superman is similarly highlighted in a brief but impactful sequence.

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Morrison's dialogue, while not always succinct, is precise and impactful when it needs to be. He takes pride in the subtle details, such as the haiku about unified field theory.

The door to the Silver Age of superheroes

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Modern superhero comics have long struggled to escape the shadow of the Silver Age. Morrison, however, doesn't shy away from it; instead, he uses it as a springboard. He acknowledges the sometimes-absurd elements of those earlier stories, but rather than dismissing them, he shows how they laid the foundation for everything that followed. He cleverly "translates" the Silver Age into a language that resonates with modern readers.

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This comic is an inventively told good story

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Superman stories present a unique challenge: he's virtually unbeatable. Morrison cleverly navigates this by focusing on the emotional and intellectual conflicts rather than solely relying on physical battles. The tension comes from problem-solving, rescuing, and even the attempt to reform villains.

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Morrison's brilliance lies in condensing the epic scope of Superman's mythology into a concise and compelling narrative. Superman's battles are less about physical prowess and more about saving people, demonstrating his heroism in diverse ways.

It's a comic book about people

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While Superman is the titular character, *All-Star Superman* shines a light on the people around him. We see the world through the eyes of Lois, Jimmy Olsen, Lex Luthor, and others. Their relationships with Superman, their reactions to his actions, and their own struggles are central to the narrative. It's a story about human connection and the impact Superman has on the lives of those he encounters.

A story about our relationship with the past and the future

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The comic explores the complex interplay between past and future, showing how past events shape the future and how future events can influence our understanding of the past. It’s a reflection on legacy and the importance of learning from history.

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

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Morrison masterfully blurs the lines between the story and the reader. The comic directly addresses the reader, placing us within the narrative. This creates a unique and engaging experience, making the reader an active participant in the story.

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The final issue culminates in a powerful moment where Lex Luthor, looking directly at the reader, reveals a profound truth about the universe and our connection to it. The reader becomes intimately involved in Superman's journey.

It's a story about boundless optimism

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The comic explores the very concept of canon formation, challenging the reader to actively participate in shaping their understanding of Superman's story. Superman's twelve feats become a framework for the reader's own interpretation, highlighting the boundless potential for optimism and the enduring power of hope.

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Ultimately, *All-Star Superman* is not just a story; it's an epic, a testament to the enduring power of the Superman mythos. It's a story that deserves to be reimagined for the big screen, and I believe Gunn is the perfect director to bring this vision to life.