It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s an inspiration! James Gunn has revealed some of the Superman comic panels that inspired his DC Universe reboot.
James Gunn’s upcoming Superman movie truly seems to be a love letter to the Man of Steel. Everything fans know of the film seems to place it, not just as the start of his DCU, but as a start of a new era for how fans perceive the Big Blue Boy Scout.
However, just as the internet tends to do, the conversation about what inspired James Gunn’s Superman reboot has been simplified down to a few key sources. While everyone points to the Donner films and All-Star Superman as key influences, there are dozens of pieces of media that don’t get the credit they deserve for building the character into what he is today.
James Gunn has tried to rectify this injustice with a recent Instagram post. In it, the director revealed a swathe of inspirations for his Superman film, including comics and even animated shows. The full slideshow of his inspirations for the DCU can be seen below.
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While those familiar with James Gunn’s social media presence may recognize some familiar comics, such as Kingdom Come and Fleisher’s Superman, there are some deeper cuts. There are panels from the New 52, the Silver Age of comics, and even Superman for All Seasons.
However, what immediately stood out to fans of the animated DCU was the inclusion of an image from Superman: The Animated Series. The iconic cartoon, which ran from 1996 to 2000, redefined the character for the modern era and is, to many fans, the definitive version of the character.
It’s not likely any specific moment for any of these comics will make it on screen in the DCU. However, it is a relief for fans to know that James Gunn isn’t just adapting a single version of the Man of Steel for Superman. Instead, he seems to be taking the best of every version and combining them into something new.
Superman is currently scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, 2025. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of the DC Universe and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!
