Comicsbeat ran an article about the lack of Clark Kent in the new film. Specifically, the whole “double identity” thing in relation to his life in Metropolis and at the Daily Planet. We do get a little of that in the film, the article notes, but for the most part the “Clark” bits are with folks who know of his double life.
I mean, granted, Superman was otherwise occupied for most of this flick, but I certainly would have liked seeing him frustrating Steve Lombard’s attempted pranks on him throughout the work day. Yes, that’s what I want in my multi-million dollar blockbuster film.
What’s more interesting about the film’s version of Clark is, of course, how the movie’s tail is wagging the DC Comics’ publishing dog. (I do realize the argument can be made for the metaphorical dog and its tail to swap in this case.) And this is happening despite the relatively small appearance of the Traditional Clark Kent in the film.
Some time ago, we started getting our Superman movie trailers, and our first glace of David Corenswet as Mr. Kent:
And in a bit of corporate synergy, the Clark of the comics starts getting an equivalent mop-top, this example of which is taken from the recent Superman Unlimited #1:
I was going to say once the film’s run is over, Comics Clark will remember how to start combing his hair properly again. The success (so far) of this new Superman movie could mean this minor redesign mighjt stick around longer than expected, but we’ll have to see.
Speaking of Kryptonian hair styles, the cute ‘n’ fuzzy cinematic Krypto has inspired a similar redesign in the comics. I’m okay with extra-fuzzy Krypto in the movies. I’m also okay with Clark’s new look. But I’m not ready to see that version of Krypto in the comics:
As we all saw recently in the new facsimile edition of Adventure Comics #210, the original version of Krypto had a duo-toned mug and mmmmmm not my preference, I’m afraid.
This is still my Krypto:
Well, let me amend that…my Krypto is the one who thinks coherent thoughts in plain English:
And if he had a crown and some royal robes, that would be okay too.
“King Krypto” sounds like it should be the name of a King Crimson cover band which sings in Kryptonese…
Checking out a few Superman 2025 videos today, somebody has a posting about a mural or painting in the background of the Hall of Justice behind Guy Gardner which apparently depicts Jay Garrick Flash, Wesley Dodds Sandman, Dr. Fate, The Black Pirate, The Silent Knight (who may be an ancestor of Pa Kent), Amethyst, Black Bison (or is it Super Chief?), and several other characters. So, maybe they will be showing up in future Gunn projects?
Another theory brought up is that the clone might be brought back as Bizarro in the sequel film, although I would really like to see Brainiac, and maybe a cameo by the Legion of Super-Heroes–or at least Saturn Girl, Lightning Lad, and Cosmic Boy. Actually, if the Legion were utilized , it could be fun to get Mordru (have we seen him in live action since the “Challenge of the Super-Heroes” TV movie from the late ’70s?), and see Superman going up against magic.
Krypto needs his own currency!!
I’m not certain to what extent DC is already doing this, but since the facsimile edition of the first appearance of Krypton was mentioned, it seems that DC should be trotting out a bunch of facsimile editions to the in with the Superman movie this summer: Action Comics no. 1 and Superman no. 1 (yet again), Action Comics no. 23 (1st Lex Luthor), Superman no. 7 (1st Perry White), Superman no. 13 (1st Jimmy Olsen), and they might as well add Superman’s Girlfriend Lois Lane no. 1, and Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen no. 1 to the mix. And maybe the 1st appearances of other Daily Planet staff?
And how about facsimile editions for “The Justice Gang?” Green Lantern no. 59 (1st Guy Gardner –although maybe they should also reprint the first appearance of jerk, bowl-cut iteration of Guy Gardner?), Spectre no. 54, (1st appearances of Michael Holt/Mr. Terrific), Brave and The Bold no. 57 (1st appearance of Metamorpho), Justice League Europe no. 11 (1st appearance of Joey the Metamorpho baby), and JSA: Secret Files and Origins no. 1 (1st appearance of Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl)–although I would also love it if they reprinted All-Star Comics no. 5 (1st Shiera Saunders as Hawkgirl), and Brave and The Bold no.34 (1st Shayera Hol/Hawkwoman) as well. Also, The Authority no. 1 (1st appearance of The Engineer). Or, DC could just release a couple of 8O or 100 Page Giants or Treasury Editions reprinting these stories:a Superman Family edition, and a “Justice Gang” edition.
*facsimile edition of the first appearance of Krypto
I also see it as the movie tail wagging the publishing dog and I hate it. THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE SEEING THE DC AND MARVEL MOVIES ARE NEVER GOING TO READ THE COMICS! And the ones already reading the comics aren’t expecting to see the movies reflected in the books.
The worst case, in my view, is Hawkeye. That character is now a completely different one than the Clint I grew up with. You can’t even point to how one evolved into the other–he just changed. (I did like the Fraction series as a well-written comic, but not as a Hawkeye comic.)
Sean, they did put out facsimiles of Metamorpho and Guy Gardner first appearances in the past month or two. Can’t remember about the others, although All-Star Hawkgirl rings a bell.
@Randall
Thanks for the info. It does make sense that DC would be doing that.
Krypto was a standout, although I was surprised that he was Supergirl’s pet in the movie. I suppose it gave her a reason to turn up at the fortress. I want a Streaky the Super-Cat.
@ Andrew Davidson
What about Supergirl’s Super Horse/Centaur…?
Just saw an interview with James Gunn about his initial involvement with the DC movie universe. Apparently, one of the ideas he fleshed out a little bit (before agreeing to write/direct The Suicide Squad and then stepping into his current role) was a Krypto movie with Superman as a supporting character. I have a feeling some of the ideas from that movie made it into his Superman.
@Sean Mageean: In the movie, I was half-expecting the clone to have the Bizarro face when his mask came off.
@Dean
Yeah, I could see where they would have done that, although I suppose the clone will reappear either in the sequel or another Gunn DCU film, transformed into Bizarro after having been in the Black Hole/Pocket Universe or whatever.
It would have been more wild if it were actually a case where the mask came off to reveal Ultraman from The Crime Syndicate of Earth-3.
Okay, it looks like the full rundown of the characters who appear in the mural seen inside in The Hall of Justice in the Superman film are:
Sister Symmetry (an alias of Madame Xanadu), The Silent Knight (Brian Kent, an ancestor of the Kents), and Exoristos (an exiled Amazon) which means we may see an iteration of The Demon Knights from the Medieval Period in Gunn’s DCU.
Next, The Black Pirate, the 16th century bucaneer.
Next, Miss Liberty, a heroine from The Revolutionary War.
Next, Super-Chief, El Diablo (Lazurus Lane–possibly an ancestor of Lois Lane?),
and Whip Whirlwind (an alias of Max Mercury), representing the wild West era of the 1800s.
Next, we have a bare knuckles boxer who could be Slam Bradley or else Hugo Danner–the inspiration behind the creation of Superman–from Philip Wylie’s novel “Gladiator” (“Gladiator” is now in the public domain, and Hugo Danner is father of Young All-Stars member Iron Munro in DC continuity), and the Ghost of Flanders (an obscure Quality Comics character). These two characters would seem to represent the early 20th century WWI and the 1920s.
Next, Sandman (Wesley Dodds), Amazing Man, and Zatara representing the Pulp-inspired 1930s.
Next, Liberty Belle, Bulletman and Bulletgirl (from Fawcett Comics),TNT and Dan the Dynamite, and Phantom Lady and Quicksilver-aka Max Mercury (both from Quality Comics) representing the 1940s Golden Age WW II characters–and hopefully hinting at The All-Star Squadron or Young All-Stars or Freedom Fighters featuring somewhere in Gunn’s DCU.
Next, the Atomic Knight–representing the Atomic Age or Silver Age dystopian futurism.
Next, Freedom Beast, the reimagining of B’Wanna Beast, representing the Silver or Bronze Age.
Next, Wildcat –maybe an older version of the character–representing the Bronze Age. There is already speculation about Gunn casting Sylvester Stallone as old man Wildcat. Will we see Wildcat mentoring Black Canary, Catwoman, etc ? Or will we see a JSA team that includes Wildcat and Sandman? Personally, since Wildcat and the original Mr. terrific (Terry Sloane) both debuted in Sensation Comics no. 1, and both joined the JSA in the same issue of All-Star Comics, I would like to see a backstory where Ted and Terry were pals, and maybe Ted tells the current Mr. Terrific, Michael Holt, stories about Terry.
Next, Vibe, representing the late Bronze or Copper Age of the late ’80s. Maybe we will see an iteration of Justice League Detroit?
Next, Gunfire, representing the ’90s.
And finally, a figure with grey hair dressed in a suit holding a glowing atom in the palm of his hand. Is it Maxwell Lord–or Captain Atom?