Young Superman Stories That James Gunn Could Take Inspiration From

Young Superman Stories That James Gunn Could Take Inspiration From

What’s so hard about making a great Superman film? He is the gold standard of superheroes who paved the way for Batman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, Hulk, and all of the comic book heroes who came after him. And yet there have only been two solo Superman movies in this century: Superman Returns in 2006 and Man of Steel in 2013.

With the confirmation that Henry Cavill’s return to the role is now officially over, there’s a new movie on the horizon. Recently-appointed DC Studios co-CEO, and the director of Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, James Gunn, has confirmed that he is writing a young Superman movie that will take place in Metropolis during Clark Kent’s formative years as a superhero. Gunn also reiterated that his script will not be an origin story. It’s a good thing too, because we can only watch Krypton blow up so many times!

Comic book fans are well-aware that Superboy was created to tell stories about Clark as a teenager. But there are comparatively fewer stories about Clark as a young man. Gunn will likely go his own way with an original story, rather than closely adapting any previous tale. Regardless, there are some young Superman stories that Gunn should definitely take note of while crafting a new future for the Man of Tomorrow.

MAN OF THE PEOPLE

At the beginning of DC’s New 52 reboot, Grant Morrison’s run on Action Comics offered a throwback version of young Clark that was closer in spirit to some of the original stories by his creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. In this incarnation, Clark turned to journalism to help make the world a better place. But when that proved to be ineffective against the corrupt forces in Metropolis, Clark became an anti-establishment vigilante and an urban legend before he matured into the heroic icon he was always meant to be.

A BROKEN FRIENDSHIP

Smallville famously stretched out Clark’s origin story over the course of ten seasons before allowing him to become Superman on screen for a very brief period in the closing minutes of the series. Gunn would be taking the wrong lesson if he adopted the show’s “no tights, no flights” rule. People want to see Superman be Superman, classic outfit and all.

That said, the greatest strength of Smallville was the way it built on the bond between Clark and one of his oldest friends, Lex Luthor. Some Superman continuities have ignored the idea that Clark and Lex were close before Luthor became Superman’s greatest enemy. That robs their rivalry of any tragedy, because it’s much more affecting to know that Lex could have been something more than a villain if he hadn’t given in to his darker instincts. For a long time, Clark refused to believe that his friend was irredeemable until he couldn’t ignore the evidence any more.

CITIZEN OF THE WORLD

Man of Steel briefly hinted at some of Clark’s journey before he became Superman. But Mark Waid and Lenil Francis Yu’s Superman: Birthright truly embraced the idea that Clark traveled the world in an attempt to both

Young Superman Stories That James Gunn Could Take Inspiration From

James Gunn, director of Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, was recently hired to make a new Superman movie. The movie is likely to focus on a younger version of the superhero, and the possibilities for inspiring stories are endless. Here is a look at a few Young Superman stories that James Gunn could take inspiration from.

Superboy

The Superboy comics, which ran from 1949 to 1972, explored Superman as a young, teenage superhero. The comics explored themes of mortality, loyalty and heroism, as well as featuring appearances from other DC characters including Batman, Wonder Woman, and Krypto the Superdog. Superboy provided many exciting and inspiring stories for a younger Superman, and Gunn may want to look to the comics for inspiration.

Superman: The Last Son of Krypton

This classic animated series from 1996 saw Superman as a young man coming to terms with his powers and identity, as he battles evil forces from outside the planet. The series focused on the consequences of Superman’s powers, as well as exploring deeper themes such as morality and justice. This show could give Gunn some unique ideas for a stories that revolve around the experiences of a young, inexperienced Superman.

Young Justice

Young Justice is an animated series that aired on Cartoon Network from 2010-2013. the series followed a group of young superheroes as they battle against evil forces. The show put a unique spin on the Superman mythology, introducing a young version of Superman named Superboy, as well as a teenage version of the Justice League. Gunn could draw inspiration from the series and its portrayal of a young Superman and his allies in their fight against evil.

Superman: Secret Origin

This comic book miniseries from 2009 explored a young Clark Kent’s life before he became Superman. The story focused on themes of identity and abandonment, as Clark struggled to come to terms with his newfound abilities. This series would be a great source of inspiration for Gunn’s project, particularly if he wants to focus on the early days of Superman.

Smallville

Smallville was a live-action television series that ran from 2001-2011. The series followed Clark Kent as he discovers his superpowers and battles evil forces while attending high school. Along the way, Clark encounters an array of colorful characters and villains, as well as learning important lessons about morality, justice and identity. This show could provide Gunn with plenty of exciting stories and ideas for his take on a young Superman.

Frequently Asked Questions About Young Superman Stories That James Gunn Could Take Inspiration From

• What comics feature a young Superman? The Superboy comics, which ran from 1949 to 1972, featured Superman as a teenage superhero, and explored themes of mortality, loyalty and heroism.
• What animated series focused on a younger Superman? Superman: The Last Son of Krypton from 1996 explored Superman as a young man coming to terms with his powers and identity.
• What TV show focused on a young Clark Kent? Smallville was a live-action television series that ran from 2001-2011, which followed Clark Kent as he discovers his superpowers and battles evil forces.
• What comic book series explored Superman’s early days? Superman: Secret Origin from 2009 is a comic book miniseries that explores a young Clark Kent’s life before he became Superman.

Summary

James Gunn recently signed on to make a new Superman movie focusing on a younger version of the superhero. Here, we looked at five stories that could inspire Gunn’s project: Superboy, Superman: The Last Son of Krypton, Young Justice, Superman: Secret Origin, and Smallville. These stories each explore unique themes and offer exciting stories for a young Superman, and could give Gunn some great ideas for his movie.