Superman soars into theaters in just a few months and DC is celebrating Superman Day. Ahead of the massive summer blockbuster, there’s one Superman story that you need to read before any other book. Last year, James Gunn tweeted a picture of himself reading All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. That story isn’t the complete story of The Man of Steel in the new movie. But, it might be the comic that influenced its creation more than any other.

Gunn has been very vocal about bringing comics creators on board during the process of making Superman. There has been multiple videos and photos from the set and the WB studios of different comics creators touring the premises.

It’s a nice moment for fans who grew up with these stories to see people who helped move this medium forward actually get to play a role in these massive movies. But, it’s also a great way to stealthily get someone in there to help bounce ideas off of as you’re crafting this new vision.

Superman: Legacy

 All Star Superman is always included on best of and essential reading lists for people looking to get into The Man of Tomorrow.  The director of the upcoming movie obviously agrees with that sentiment as you can already see the kernels of All-Star Superman radiate throughout the new movie in the trailers.

All-Star Superman Is The One Comic You Need Headed Into Superman

 Over the course of twelve issues, All-Star Superman seeks to show viewers and readers exactly what makes Superman so great. Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, along with Jamie Grant, take a super classic approach to DC Comics’ flagship hero.  There’s a lot of old world charm surrounding All-Star Superman. In the trailers for the new movie, Gunn lays into those tropes as well.

For those who don’t know, the book follows a Superman well into his heroic career that faces an unimaginable obstacle. Kal El discovers that he’s dying because of his near constant exposure to the Earth’s sun. (Ironic considering Superman’s powers.) He has to accomplish a series of heroic feats to feel at ease before his passing.

All-Star Superman

It’s heartfelt and emotional, and quietly funny in parts. Superman is also not afraid to rip out your heart when it feels necessary.  So yeah, the perfect inspiration for a movie designed to reintroduce the world to the Man of Steel.

 Taking Superman back to the most basic elements worked to a devastating effect.  All-Star Superman is now regarded as a modern classic in the genre for the artwork by Frank and Grant. It’s also very clear that Morrison has a clear grasp on all DC characters, especially Superman and Batman. Heading the almost retro, nostalgic route, it is probably going to pay dividends for the movie. James Gunn has never been one to shy away from including Golden Age elements like the Superman robots or crypto in his other work in the comic book movie genre..

Superman’s New Movie Leans Into Hope

 Quite possibly the biggest ace up Gunn’s sleeve in crafting Superman 2025 is leaning right into the kind of hopeful optimism that the character embodies. There are multiple moments in All-Star Superman that get referenced in other video essays and social media posts about the character. Moments that make Superman, “Superman.” 

More than any other comic book character, Kal-El stands as a signal that everything’s going to be alright in a world of uncertainty. All-Star Superman really hammers home that even when faced with his own mortality, he’s striving to do the right thing and save the Earth.  The first trailers for James Gunn’s Superman point out a sort of genteel, timeless vibe for the rest of the movie. Metropolis is there and it’s bustling, but it’s also from about 50 years ago in our time.

David Corenswet as Superman

 Coming out of the age of superhero stories that were either ashamed of some of their comic origins or just hewn darker like the 90 stories that some of the creators absorbed when they were coming up, Superman stands in stark contrast. (It’s also funny to think of pairing this movie with Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four. That film also shares a sort of optimistic retro futuristic aesthetic.)

That kind of hope is powerful. It makes us wanna go forward and be better people. If you’re only gonna read one Superman comic on this Superman Day, All-Star Superman is a pretty safe bet. You’ll be fully in the mood for the big movie this summer and possibly thinking of how we get to truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.

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