Superman (2025)

On his own initiative, Superman (David Corenswet) has sought to prevent a war between an allied nation of the United States and its neighbour, much to the annoyance of the American government and tech billionaire Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult).

A social media campaign is orchestrated to turn the American people against Superman, and even his girlfriend, Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) starts to question him.

Superman is not another origin story, rather throwing readers into the non-stop action in media res. However, Superman's backstory is explained episodically throughout the movie as it's a central theme of the story.

This brand, spanking new iteration of the Man of The Steel unapologetically blends the wholesome positivity of the Christopher Reeve era of Superman movies with both Silver Age comic book zaniness and modern sensibilities.

It's clear from the get-go that writer/director James Gunn loves comic book superheroes and has a deep knowledge of his chosen universe, presenting deep cuts - such as Superman's robots and flying dog, Krypto; Metamorpho The Element Man (Anthony Carrigan); bowl-haircut-sporting Green Lantern Guy Gardener (Nathan Fillion); Mr Terrific (Edi Gathegi); and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) - in a matter-of-fact way, rather than tongue-in-cheek.

Superman isn't embarrassed to be a comic book movie, rather it dives headlong into the superhero genre tropes with relish, emerging as one of the finest and most accurate adaptations of the beloved source material that we've yet seen on the big screen.

Gunn's film captures the brightness and optimism of the best, most truthful, Superman stories, yet still manages to weave in the character's inherent "look after the little guy" political nature that has been part of the Last Son of Krypton's makeup since he was created by a pair of Jewish immigrants in the 1930s as a rebuttal to the rise of Adolf Hitler.

Launching the new DC Comics cinematic universe, Gunn brings his A-game to his iteration of Superman, meaning I was hooked from start to finish, and came away totally smitten by this work of art.

However, something I kept to myself until I actually saw this film: I actually wasn't sure if Superman was going to work under the character's current cinematic stewardship.

While I adored Gunn's Guardians of The Galaxy trilogy for Marvel, for embracing the wackiness of comics, his other recent superhero-related shows, such as Peacemaker, Suicide Squad and Creature Commandos, have left me cold. These attempts to force "mature themes" (ie. swearing, crass humour and graphic violence) onto DC characters just doesn't work for me.

These are attitudes I'll embrace on more independent  "superhero" worlds, such as Invincible and The Boys, because they are their own thing and their "edginess" is there for a reason, but for me the 90-year-old beating heart of the DC comics universe isn't like that at all, it's purer, family-friendly and more aspirational.

And that's exactly what Superman is.

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

Building on the foundations laid in Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Zack Snyder's Justice League is a four-hour epic that sweeps its audience up and carries you along, whether through tightly-scripted character beats or frenetic, supercharged fight sequences.

Gone is the element of "heroic cruelty" that rather tainted the previous two films, this is pure, old fashioned, comic book action, served in a modern, celebratory, style.

Having sworn a pledge on Superman's grave, Bruce Wayne aka Batman (Ben Affleck) teams up with Diana Prince aka Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) to hunt down fellow metahumans and form an alliance against the coming darkness foretold by Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg).

Eventually they build a team consisting of Victor Stone aka Cyborg (Ray Fisher), Arthur Curry aka Aquaman (Jason Momoa), and Barry Allen aka The Flash (Ezra Miller), to face down the alien warlord Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds), who is preparing the Earth for the arrival of Darkseid (voiced by Ray Porter), the definitive uber-bad guy in DC Comics.

I don't want to dwell too much on the previous, theatrical, iteration of Justice League, as reshaped by the disgraced Joss Whedon, when he took over the project after Zack Snyder had to step away due to a dreadful family tragedy.

However, if you have seen that then you will recognise certain scenes and moments in this new cut, but so much of it is new - to us - material that was shelved for the version that was released four years ago.

The general thrust of the story is similar, but better developed, explored, and explained now that it's in the hands of its original creator.

All the characters come across as more three-dimensional, and Cyborg has been elevated from an almost incidental player back to the heart of the story, as Zack and scriptwriter Chris Terrio envisaged him.

Cyborg has been on my radar for as long as I've been collecting comics, as he was a founding member of the Marv Wolfman/George Perez era of the New Teen Titans, which transformed me from a dabbler in comics to a full-on collector and addict.

I have to be honest, though, until this movie, I'd never found him that interesting a character, but Zack (and Chris)  - and, of course, Ray Fisher - have totally turned me round on Victor Stone.

I'd been looking forward to seeing Zack Snyder's Justice League since it was announced, but had always considered it simply an "Elseworlds" alternate take on the characters, and a chance to see what should have been in 2017 under better circumstances.

And I'll watch any big budget superhero flick eventually, because I still can't believe we live in age where the comics I read as a child (and am still regularly reading) are being made into box office-topping blockbusters.

With its prevalence on the silver screen and small screen, the superhero genre has become as ubiquitous as westerns were in the early days of Hollywood and television, the new American (global?) mythology.

However, Zack Snyder's Justice League far exceeded my expectations and deserves all the kudos that I hope were showered upon it.

It may be four hours long, but it doesn't feel it. Never does the pace drag, nor are there any corny or uncomfortable scenes, or substandard CGI creations, to take you out of the moment.

Let's put it this way: about two hours in, I was already planning on watching it again.

Without a doubt, Justice League is Zack Snyder's tour de force.

It's such a pity that Warner Bros - for a minute - decreed that the earlier, inferior, cut of the film remained canon in the DC Extended Universe, when really all copies of it should have been shovelled into the same landfill as the E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial video game.

Yet, while Zack Snyder's Justice League is a magnificent conclusion to the Snyderverse trilogy, it's highly unlikely that we will see the continuation of this storyline and the resolution of the movie's apocalyptic cliffhanger.

Now, it appears as though we are getting into an era where Superman (and the DC Universe as a whole) is under the stewardship of someone who understands the four-colour comics of old and the positive value of superheroes. 

Snyder has had his moment, but now we are moving into the light of James Gunn.

Let's hope his Superman is everything we want it will be.

On July 11, The Entire World Will Look Up

Character Posters For The Daily Planet Staff in Superman

Character Posters For The Bad Guys in Superman

I'm sure Metamorpho is being coerced into villainy and will be revealed as a goodie!

Character Posters for The Metahuman Good Guys In Superman

The Return of Tonbridge Comic-Con

"I could do this all day!"

Tonbridge Comic Con & Toy Fair has returned, with (I believe) different people running it, eschewing celebrity signings for more cosplayers, more photo ops, and more traders.

It must be a good five years since there was a Comic-Con at the Angel Centre in Tonbridge (that time I got flustered meeting Hannah Spearritt from Primeval and S Club 7 and got her to sign my copy of the Primeval roleplaying game), but this was quite a different affair.

In a strange - but comforting - kind of way, this fresh iteration reminded me a lot of Cavalier (our annual wargames show), but with people dressed as superheroes and anime characters and staged cinematic photo opportunities in lieu of wargaming displays.

The time we spent at the comic-con was really enjoyable, I got to chat to a load of people (stall holders and cosplayers) and - as you can see - Rachel took loads of pictures.

Today's event was 'nicely busy' (enough people to make me think it was a success for the organisers, but not so many that it felt claustrophobic or made getting to any particular place a struggle).

This definitely helped me adjust to the situation, and I surprised myself with how conversational I was with the many people I spoke to. Normally, I hold back, for fear of my aphasia tripping me up, but this felt really relaxed.

Major kudos to the Captain America cosplayer who we met before we got inside the event. He embodied the spirit of Cap nicely and, after he remarked on my t-shirt, we talked enthusiastically about James Gunn's impending Superman movie.

Meanwhile, inside the Angel Centre, the chap who'd 3D printed then built the array of animated Star Wars droids was clearly a Doc Brown-level genius.

Huyang moved (he didn't walk though!) and spoke with David Tennant's voice

These are the droids I was looking for

Deadpool dance class

"You now have fifteen seconds to comply." Robocop's ED-209 was quite threatening

"Beam me up!"

"This is The Way!"

Rachel snuck into Andy's room to play with Woody and Buzz

"The claw! The claw!"

Just chillin' with Thanos before we destroy the Universe

Radio-controlled baby droids to play with

Lightning McQueen

Our shockingly conservative haul from the day

Much to my (and Rachel's) amazement I didn't actually buy anything at the show (although there was some great art, action figures, and prop replicas that caught my eye), although I did get a free 28mm goblin from a man promoting promoting his self-published fantasy novel.

Rachel treated herself to a "Trust Me, I'm A Dogtor" pin badge to go on her NHS lanyard.

We may have stayed for only an hour, but we had a great time.

The only minor quibble I would point out is that for a COMIC convention, there was no one selling actual comics, which was a shame.

I'll Say It Now: This Is Going To Be A Classic

From today's trailer, James Gunn's Superman feels like it ticks all the boxes for superhero movie greatness (although I'll confess I'm slightly anxious about the 'political' issues that Lois raises at the start of the trailer. But, sadly, that's the world we live in - a world that struggles to accept that Superman is the best of us).

I cannot wait to see Superman: and, yes, all being well, I'll drag my sorry ass to a genuine cinema and watch it on the big screen. Because I want to see it "first" (before any surprises are inevitably spoilt by da Interwebz) and I want to do my very small part in ensuring that this movie is a success.

HAPPY SUPERMAN DAY!

Eighty-seven years ago, Action Comics #1 was published on this date, heralding not just the arrival of Superman but the birth of the comic book superhero genre. 

April 18 is now - and forever - Superman Day, celebrating the first, and greatest, superhero.

While we didn't get a new trailer for James Gunn's eagerly-anticipated Superman movie today, as many of us had hoped, we were gifted this look behind-the-scenes which is full of tantalising glimpses of things to come:

Among the many Superman items being released - or put up for pre-order - today was, the previously mentioned, Golden Age facsimile of 1938's Action Comics #1.

Action Comics #1: Where it all began...

However, available for pre-order from today, DC is releasing another Golden Age facsimile on July 30: 1939's Superman #1.

See the origin of Superman retold as the infant Kal-El escapes the destruction of Krypton and is adopted by the kindly Kents on Earth. Then, thrill to the early escapades of the Man of Tomorrow as he saves an innocent woman from the electric chair, foils a plot to foment war, and champions the cause of workers’ rights as a reporter for the Daily Star!

Welcome To The Family: A First Step For The Fantastic Four, One Giant Leap For Superhero Cinema

Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps arrives in theaters July 25.

This trailer makes the MCU's Fantastic Four look as near to perfect as an old school superhero flick can get. Honestly, I cannot wait, I'm buzzing to see First Steps.

It's also quite sneaky of Marvel to release this trailer today, the day before Superman Day, when we expect to see a new, full trailer for James Gunn's Superman.

For me they're not competition, but complementary displays of the positivity that symbolises the best comic book adventures of both The Fantastic Four and Superman.

It's A Five-Minute Sneak Peek - Not A Trailer!

Superman, DC Studios’ first feature film to hit the big screen, is set to soar into theaters worldwide this summer from Warner Bros. Pictures. In his signature style, James Gunn takes on the original superhero in the newly imagined DC universe with a singular blend of epic action, humour and heart, delivering a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind.

Krypto Is Best In Show With His Cute Variant Cover For The Summer of Superman

I'm lost for words over the cuteness of this Krypto variant cover by Chrissie Zullo-Uminga

Following on from the recent announcement of the new Superman Unlimited ongoing title by Dan Slott, DC has unveiled further details of its Summer of Superman initiative (that just happens to coincide with the release of James Gunn's highly-anticipated Superman movie).

First out the gate, on April 16, will be the 48-page oversized one-shot Summer of Superman Special #1, featuring the work of Dan Slott, Mark Waid (Justice League Unlimited, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest), Joshua Williamson (Superman, DC All In Special) and Jorge Jiménez (Batman, Super Sons).

In this oversize issue, Slott, Waid and Williamson deliver a single story in three acts, highlighted by Jiménez’s dynamic art style that has made him a favourite of comic book fans worldwide.

The wedding of Lana Lang and John Henry Irons (a.k.a. Steel) serves as the backdrop for an outpouring of love and support from family and friends. However, their big day will also be big trouble, as threats from the past, present and future will spawn major new conflicts for the Superman family.

Featuring a main and variant cover by Jiménez, this... features additional variant covers by Alexander Lozano, John Giang, Mahmud Asrar, and Dan Jurgens, plus an adorable variant cover featuring Krypto, (Super)man’s best friend, by Chrissie Zullo-Uminga.

Main cover art byJorge Jiménez for Summer of Superman Special #1

Variant cover by Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund

This is quickly followed by Superman Day on April 18, celebrating the anniversary of the 1938 publication of Action Comics #1, which will be marked - at participating outlets - by special releases and rereleases of a curated collection of Superman's most "epically heroic and heartwarming" tales.

Oversize (48-page) issues of Superman's regular titles - Superman and Action Comics - will also be appearing in April. 

June sees the publication of new anthology Superman: The World, highlighting the character's global impact, and then in July Superman's Good Guy Gang debuts, the first in a multivolume series for early readers, following the adventures of an eight-year-old Clark Kent and his superpowered friends.

More details about these releases can be found over on the DC website here.