James Gunn’s Superman film draws directly from multiple landmark comic books, placing the spotlight on the comic book inspirations behind James Gunn’s Superman movie. The upcoming reboot, set to release in theaters on July 11, honors nearly nine decades of Superman history by weaving in elements from celebrated titles, influential creators like Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely, Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale, Brian Azzarello, Lee Bermejo, Curt Swan, Jim Lee, and more, ensuring that both casual fans and die-hard readers will recognize hints of the hero’s rich past throughout the cinematic experience.
These inspirations aren’t just surface-level references; Gunn and DC Studios have carefully identified three seminal works as core influences: 2005’s All Star Superman, 1998’s Superman For All Seasons, and 2005’s Lex Luthor: Man of Steel. Each comic shapes the new film’s tone, character approach, and visual style, setting the stage for a Superman story that aims to balance mythic grandeur with fresh vision.
Classic Comics that Shaped the New Superman Film
DC is commemorating the arrival of Gunn’s Superman by assembling issues from these three seminal series—All Star Superman, Superman For All Seasons, and Lex Luthor: Man of Steel—in the new collectible
“DC Comics Presents Superman: The Official Comic Book Stories That Inspired the New Movie.”
For fans seeking a direct connection between the comics and the forthcoming film, this special edition, featuring a striking Dan Mora cover that pays tribute to Superman’s historic 1938 debut in Action Comics #1, offers not only the first issues from each influential mini-series but also commentary on their precise impact on the movie. These comics are essential reading for understanding the creative roots guiding Gunn’s vision of Clark Kent, Lex Luthor, and the world they inhabit.
All Star Superman spans twelve issues, each considered an “episode,” and presents Superman’s legendary labors in modern mythic form. Superman For All Seasons, told across four chapters, explores Superman’s growth from a rural Kansas farm boy into the spirited guardian of Metropolis. Lex Luthor: Man of Steel flips the perspective, centering Lex as the protagonist and inviting readers to see Superman through a more conflicted, possibly humanizing—or dehumanizing—lens. Together, these works serve as both homage and foundation, influencing everything from character arcs to story aesthetics.
All Star Superman: The Main Blueprint
Director James Gunn has consistently credited All Star Superman, by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, as a central influence on his approach to the new film. This revered miniseries recasts the hero’s greatest challenges as near-mythic “labors,” incorporating vivid imagery and unusual characters such as Krypto the Superdog, a squad of mechanical Superman Robots maintaining the Fortress of Solitude, and even kaiju-like monsters menacing Metropolis. Many of these concepts are expected to show up onscreen, connecting the new movie to some of the most imaginative moments in Superman’s comic book lore.
“There’s a couple of [influences], but All Star Superman is the thing that we borrow the most heavily from,”
—James Gunn, Director
Gunn clarified that while the movie doesn’t directly retell the plot of Morrison and Quitely’s series, the visual and thematic atmosphere—especially the blend of awe-inspiring science fiction with a Silver Age sensibility—was crucial in shaping the new film’s identity.
“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
He highlighted the influence of how Lex Luthor is depicted as a “mad science sorcerer”—a concept that taps into the surreal, almost magical portrayal of science seen in certain Superman eras. Openly admiring Morrison’s creative take and Quitely’s visuals, Gunn acknowledges the comic as his favorite and the primary springboard for many of the movie’s unique elements.
“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
The film carries forward this vision, mixing giant monsters, unconventional threats, and a modern-retro Superman style lifted straight from the pages of “All Star Superman.”
“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
Superman For All Seasons: Heartfelt Origin and Growth
Sharing the spotlight with “All Star Superman,” the 1998 limited series Superman For All Seasons by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale delves into the emotional and personal side of Clark Kent’s journey. This four-issue narrative unfolds across the four seasons of the year, paralleling key milestones in Superman’s evolution—from childhood with Pa Kent and Ma Kent in Smallville, Kansas, to the responsibilities of adulthood as the iconic protector of Metropolis. The story is structured through the distinct voices of pivotal characters: Pa Kent, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Lana Lang, each offering a fresh perspective on Clark’s growth.
The new movie’s portrayal of Superman as both a god-like alien and a deeply human figure owes much to the intimate storytelling found in “Superman For All Seasons.” The focus on Clark’s moral and emotional development, as opposed to simply his powers or heroic feats, reinforces themes of humility, compassion, and the enduring impact of upbringing. Many fans can expect to see echoes of this personal touch in Gunn’s big-screen adaptation.
In August, DC will also release “The Superman Box Set,” which includes both “All Star Superman” and “Superman For All Seasons,” as well as other renowned tales such as Alan Moore and Curt Swan’s
“Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?”
and Mark Waid and Alex Ross’s “Kingdom Come.” These collections further underscore just how essential emotional storytelling and character depth are to Superman’s appeal.
Lex Luthor: Man of Steel: A Villain’s Perspective
Lex Luthor: Man of Steel, originally launched as a five-issue limited series from Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo, provides a striking contrast to Superman’s hopeful narrative. Presented entirely from Luthor’s point of view, this story reevaluates Superman’s place in the world and explores humanity’s complicated relationship with power, fear, and alien “otherness.”
The new Superman trailer even borrows dialogue directly inspired by this comic, as Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor refers to David Corenswet’s Superman as “it”—underscoring Lex’s drive to dehumanize his rival. This approach is revealed in key scenes, such as Luthor chastising his LexCorp colleague Mona or discussing Superman with Bruce Wayne. The distinction between Superman as an embodiment of hope, and as a potentially unrelatable alien threat, forms part of the philosophical tension at the core of both the comic and the film.
“we gave him, an attempt to humanize him — as pointless as naming a hurricane.”
—Lex Luthor, as featured in Azzarello and Bermejo’s story
As the comic makes clear, while some stories aim to humanize Superman by focusing on his Kansas origins and everyday kindness, “Lex Luthor: Man of Steel” is about reinforcing Superman’s difference—a glowing, super-powered visitor that Lex believes humanity must resist in order to chart its own destiny. The story even unveils a lab-engineered superheroine named Hope, viewed by many as an early influence on María Gabriela de Faría’s character, Angela Spica (the Engineer from The Authority), who appears alongside LexCorp and other major players in the upcoming film.
Everyone Involved: Cast, Creators, and Connections
DC Studios has assembled a diverse ensemble led by David Corenswet as Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific. Other notable cast members include Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner (Green Lantern), Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, María Gabriela de Faría as Angela Spica/the Engineer, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Alan Tudyk as Superman Robot #4, Neva Howell as Ma Kent, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Pa Kent, Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, and Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr. This impressive roster highlights the film’s broad embrace of Superman’s allies and adversaries within the larger DC Universe, ensuring a blend of familiar faces and fresh interpretations.
Behind the camera, James Gunn leads the creative charge, weaving together the mythic, emotional, and philosophical elements inspired by each influential comic. Key contributors to the source material include writers Grant Morrison, Jeph Loeb, Brian Azzarello, Mark Waid, and Alan Moore, along with artistic legends like Frank Quitely, Tim Sale, Lee Bermejo, Alex Ross, Curt Swan, Jim Lee, and Dan Mora, who collectively form the backbone of DC’s modern storytelling legacy. Their work not only inspires individual storylines but also permeates the movie’s entire visual landscape and character dynamics.
The Lasting Influence of Superman’s Comic Legacy
By fusing select moments from these acclaimed comics with original cinematic storytelling, Gunn’s Superman promises to be more than a routine reboot. The deep connections to All Star Superman, Superman For All Seasons, and Lex Luthor: Man of Steel add layers of complexity—blending heroism, vulnerability, ideology, and the eternal struggle between hope and cynicism. The mix of classic and new, reverence and reinvention, creates a film that both honors Superman’s origins and carves out a striking vision for the future of the DC Universe.
As anticipation builds, fans and newcomers alike can look to these essential comics to better understand the spirit and style shaping the next chapter for the Man of Steel. The dedication to legacy and innovation—embodied by creators and cast alike—marks this as one of the most highly anticipated superhero movies of the year, with the comic book inspirations behind James Gunn’s Superman movie set to shape perceptions long after the credits roll.
