The world roars "Superman!" in time 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 script and directs, a departure from his initial plan to solely write the film.

Gunn found inspiration in the acclaimed *All-Star Superman* comic book, a twelve-issue miniseries by Grant Morrison. This graphic novel masterfully portrays Superman revealing his secrets to Lois Lane as he confronts his own 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

1. One of the greatest…
2. Grant Morrison is a skilled and frugal storyteller
3. The door to the Silver Age of superheroes
4. This comic is an inventively told good story
5. It's a comic book about people
6. A story about our relationship with the past and the future
7. This comic breaks down the boundaries between the narrative and the reader
8. It's a story about boundless optimism

One of the greatest…

Image: ensigame.com… *All-Star Superman*, by Morrison and Quitely, stands as one of the greatest, if not *the* greatest, Superman comics of the 21st century. For the uninitiated, let's explore its captivating appeal, especially within the dawn of the new DCU Era. And for those who've shelved this masterpiece, let's reignite your enthusiasm.

Warning: I won't shy away from discussing *All-Star Superman*. The excitement lies not in the unexpected, but in the masterful storytelling. While I'll avoid excessive retelling, accompanying images and excerpts from all issues may contain spoilers.

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

Grant Morrison is a skilled and frugal storyteller

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Morrison masterfully unfolds the plot, humanizes characters, and depicts Superman's sun-dive—all within the first issue—while seamlessly weaving in essential elements of the Superman mythos. This economical storytelling deserves exploration.

The first page, with eight words and four illustrations, encapsulates Superman's origin story—one of the most concise and impactful in modern comics. It evokes love, a new home, hope, and faith in progress. Eight words, four images—a testament to Morrison's skill. The subsequent expansion adds depth and layers to this foundation. The stark contrast between this minimalist approach and potential film adaptations, where scenes may feel disjointed due to editing, highlights Morrison's mastery.

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Morrison's minimalism persists throughout. In issue #10, Superman's brief, poignant interaction with an imprisoned Lex Luthor—"Lex, I know there's good in you"—perfectly encapsulates their decades-long conflict. Similarly, the difference between Jor-El and Superman is subtly conveyed in just two panels, highlighting their contrasting approaches to helping others.

While not always the most concise dialogue writer, Morrison's best work (including *All-Star Superman*) avoids unnecessary words. He's particularly proud of the "haiku about unified field theory" in issue one and Lex Luthor's closing lines in issue twelve.

The door to the Silver Age of superheroes

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Decades of superhero comics have attempted to escape the shadow of the Silver Age. Managing the chronology and the inherent "silliness" of that era is a challenge. The Silver Age, with its outlandish villains and improbable escapes, presents a unique hurdle for modern storytelling.

Morrison acknowledges that we stand on the shoulders of giants, even if we find those giants somewhat comical. Understanding the past is key to understanding the present. While we don't need to love Dostoevsky, knowing his legacy informs our understanding of art's evolution.

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We can't revisit the Silver Age with the same eyes as past readers. We see the simplistic plots and naive morals differently. Morrison understands this and uses the past not as something to be avoided, but as a teaching tool. He translates the Silver Age into a language we understand, drawing inspiration from its techniques and tricks.

This comic is an inventively told good story

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Superman comics face a unique challenge: Superman doesn't *need* to fight. Most superhero stories use physical conflict to express other conflicts, but Superman's overwhelming power makes this difficult. Morrison cleverly navigates this, often resolving conflicts quickly or focusing on non-physical challenges.

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Confrontations often prioritize non-violent resolutions. The conflict with Lex Luthor focuses on redemption rather than physical combat. Even the fight with Solaris is brief, as its ultimate fate is already established in other DC narratives. Morrison’s skill lies in fitting the grandeur and classic elements of Superman stories into a concise narrative.

It's a comic book about people

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In *All-Star Superman*, the focus shifts from Superman's exploits to the people around him. We see Lois, Jimmy Olsen, and Lex Luthor's perspectives, experiencing Superman's impact on their lives. The story emphasizes the human connections rather than just superpowers.

The story explores what truly matters to Superman: his relationships with his friends and family. This mirrors our own relationship with the character: we care less about his battles and more about the people he saves.

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 uses chronology to its advantage, showing how past events shape the future and vice versa. Morrison demonstrates that neither escaping nor clinging to the past is the answer; learning from it is key.

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

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Morrison masterfully blurs the lines between narrative and reader. The comic directly addresses the reader, placing them within the story. This interaction, starting with the cover and continuing throughout, creates a unique reading experience.

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The climax occurs in the final issue, where Lex Luthor's perspective directly involves the reader, questioning the nature of reality and our perception of Superman. The reader is not just an observer but an active participant in the narrative.

It's a story about boundless optimism

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Morrison reflects on the process of canon formation, showing how individual stories combine to create a larger narrative. Superman's twelve feats become a canon that the reader constructs, mirroring the construction of Superman's overall mythos.

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These feats—conquering time, traveling to other universes, creating life—lead to the realization that *All-Star Superman* is not just a story, but an epic. This boundless optimism and masterful storytelling make it a truly remarkable work.