James Gunn's Superman: All-Star Inspirations

Superman! The name echoes worldwide, perfectly synced with John Williams' legendary guitar riff. The first trailer for James Gunn's Superman film unveils a promising new era for the DC Cinematic Universe:

On July 11, 2025, theaters will premiere James Gunn’s DC Comics Superman, starring David Corenswet. Initially, Gunn planned only to write the screenplay but later took on directing duties as well.

Gunn found inspiration for his script in the acclaimed All-Star Superman comic series. This 12-issue miniseries, penned by graphic novel virtuoso Grant Morrison, follows Superman as he reveals his secret identity to Lois Lane and confronts his impending death. A lifelong comic enthusiast, Gunn acknowledges the profound influence of this iconic storyline.

Basing a film adaptation on what many consider the greatest Superman comic ever? That sounds exciting! But what can viewers expect from a faithful cinematic retelling?

Table of Contents

One of the finest… Grant Morrison’s economical yet masterful storytelling The gateway to superheroes’ Silver Age A brilliantly inventive narrative A comic grounded in humanity Exploring our ties to past and future Blurring the lines between story and reader A tale of unwavering hope 1 0 Comments

Among the greatest…

Image: ensigame.com…Superman comics of the 21st century—if not the greatest—is Morrison and Quietly’s collaboration. For skeptics, I aim to spark interest today, especially with DCU’s new dawn approaching. For past readers who shelved it long ago, I hope to reignite their passion.

Note: While I won’t avoid discussing All-Star Superman’s plot for fear of spoilers, the thrill lies not in unpredictability but in execution. I’ll minimize direct retellings, but accompanying visuals and excerpts may reveal key moments.

Here’s why All-Star Superman deserves acclaim.

Grant Morrison: Master of conciseness

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Morrison accomplishes the extraordinary in All-Star’s debut issue: advancing the plot, humanizing characters, and paying homage to Superman’s mythos—all within few pages. Eight words and four panels on the opening page distill Superman’s origin into comic-book perfection: a testament to hope, love, and faith in progress.

Compare this efficiency to film adaptations—where compressed scenes sometimes create narrative inconsistencies—and Morrison’s minimalist brilliance shines. For example, a prison confrontation between Superman and Lex Luthor encapsulates their decades-long rivalry in just three frames.

Portal to the Silver Age

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Modern superhero comics grapple with the Silver Age’s legacy—an era of outlandish foes and implausible escapes under editor Mort Weisinger. How should contemporary creators engage with this whimsical past?

Morrison argues we stand on those giants’ shoulders, even when laughing at their absurdity. Like appreciating Dostoevsky without loving his prose, understanding this lineage helps trace comics’ evolution. All-Star Superman bridges eras by "translating" Silver Age tropes for modern sensibilities.

Innovative storytelling

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Superman stories face a unique challenge: their protagonist seldom loses. This requires creative conflict resolution beyond fistfights. Morrison excels here—battles conclude swiftly, while true tension arises from intellectual challenges like solving Atomhotep’s riddle.

Even against Lex Luthor, Superman’s goal isn’t victory but redemption—except against Solaris, whose survival (from DC One Million lore) makes extended combat unnecessary. Such narrative economy lets one slim volume encompass Superman’s grandeur.

Human-centered narrative

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Facing mortality, Superman dwells not on cosmic wonders but personal connections—a theme reflected in All-Star’s focus on Lois, Jimmy, and even Daily Planet staff. These perspectives mirror readers’ relationship with Superman: we engage through his impact on others.

Past meets future

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All-Star explores temporality—how legacy shapes destiny. Unlike most superhero tales shackled to continuity, Morrison suggests true progress comes not from rejecting history, but building upon it.

Breaking the fourth wall

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Morrison dissolves barriers between narrative and audience—from Superman’s cover-page gaze to Lois’ direct "Let’s go!" invite. The climax achieves this brilliantly: when Luthor glimpses the universe’s fabric, is he seeing through Superman’s eyes... or ours?

Unshakable optimism

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All-Star becomes canon through readers’ engagement—we construct Superman’s twelve labors, though the hero himself pays them no mind. By defeating time, creating life, and curing cancer, these feats transcend mere adventures. They form an epic—one Gunn should reinterpret boldly this summer.