As Superman Eyes the Screen, DC Comics Needs to Come Clean About Its Origins

With 2025's Superman and 2026's Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow getting ever closer to their theatrical releases, interest in the shows and films of the DCU is high. As if the over-four-million views on Superman's trailer were not enough of an indicator, at the local comic shop I work at, there has been plenty of buzz about these characters, their movies, and the comics that inspired them.

The Superman trailer was the talk of the store for almost every customer as soon as it hit the internet.

Even beyond the water cooler talk on new comic book day, the interest in comics connected to these films and TV shows is alive and well in store, and what's been a massive help is the fact that James Gunn has been up front about some of the comics he and the others working on the DC Universe's film and TV projects are pulling inspiration from.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, The Authority, and All-Star Superman Sold Ridiculously Well Years After They Came Out

James Gunn's DCU Is Up Front About the DC Comics Inspiring the Films and Shows

When Gunn announced the first chapter of the DCU, he specifically shouted out Tom King and Bilquis Evely's Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow and WildStorm's title The Authority. Following that announcement, these DC comics sold out at several online venues. Gunn also mentioned All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, a massive influence on the upcoming film. Now the popularity of All-Star Superman at our store is through the roof. While already one of the best Superman comics in history, as long as I have worked in comic shops - for several years now - I have not seen this book sell as well as it does now.

With the first trailer for James Gunn's Superman, our store knew we needed to dedicate a section to the books Gunn mentioned, as well as any other comics we suspected those interested in the upcoming film would want to pick up. Lo and behold, that section needed to consistently be restocked. DC is even aware of how beneficial Gunn's comic promotions have been to comic sales, as DC will release a new box set collection of comics that inspired Gunn's movie on June 25th, 2025.

Superhero Movie Fans of DC and Marvel Want to Know What Comics to Pick Up

But They Need Some Guidance on What to Buy

Agatha Harkness in the 1700s in Agatha All Along

At my comic shop, I have seen a genuine interest from new readers in the books that inspire the shows and films of both DC and Marvel, but it's not easy to guess what comics are direct inspirations for these projects without doing outside research or hopefully having a helpful retailer. Even then, the best people who know what the inspirations for these films and shows are those making them. Some projects are obvious about their inspirations, using the name of the comics in their titles, like with Captain America: Civil War.

If a Thor: Ragnarok fan comes in, for instance, I'm pointing them to Planet Hulk...

Others pull from more than just one comic run, like Matt Reeves' The Batman, which had several comics that influenced the movie. Thankfully, even if these studios are not up front about what comics are inspiring the films, we have been lucky enough at our store to point new readers in the direction of comics that feel similar to these films - if not the comics we suspect were inspirations. If a Thor: Ragnarok fan comes in, for instance, I'm pointing them to Planet Hulk - a comic that was a direct influence - as well as Beta Ray Bill, a comic that may not be about Thor himself but absolutely captures the heavy-metal essence of Ragnarok.

That being said, sometimes a new reader expects there to be a comic that was a direct inspiration for a show or film, only to be disappointed when that is not the case, like with Agatha All Along. One customer asked for an Agatha Harkness comic series, but when looking at the best Agatha Harkness comic books out there, none of them were her own series. As the customer wanted something more in line with the show, we recommended James Robinson's run on Scarlet Witch, as well as some independent comics that feature witches and themes similar to what was explored in Agatha All Along.

James Gunn Sets a New Standard For Filmmakers Adapting Comics

Studios And Filmmakers Can Help Comic Readers And Comic Shops More Than They Already Are

It's understandable for someone new to comics to not know what comics inspired their favorite shows and films, especially when said shows and films aren't upfront if they are adapting a specific comic, pulling inspiration from several runs, or telling a practically original story featuring comic characters and some Easter eggs. That's why Gunn's DCU has been a breath of fresh air for new comic readers, as well as retailers, since Gunn has been upfront about the comics he is pulling from. Even some creators, like Chip Zdarsky in an interview with CBR, acknowledge how refreshing it is to have a filmmaker be up front about crediting comics.

James is a real bright spot, isn't he? Years ago, he tweeted some nice words about my Howard The Duck run and was kind enough to answer some questions when I was pitching the movie with Lea Thompson. The fact that he took the time to respond to a comic creator and does the same for others in the comic industry really speaks to his character. He's a fan and uses his platform to spread the word about how great comics can be. I can't think of a better ambassador.

Films and shows do not need to be direct adaptations of comics. In fact, this scenario would not be ideal in many cases, as comics is a drastically different medium than film. There have also been incredible films and shows based on comics - like The Dark Knight trilogy, The Guardians of Galaxy trilogy, The Penguin, Harley Quinn, and more - that are not direct adaptations.

However, when the comics serve as inspiration, filmmakers and studios can be more like Gunn and be up front about the comics they're pulling from. It would help guide new readers, and it would help local comic shopsand the industry at large. I know plenty of our customers, as well as my co-workers, would greatly appreciate it, too, especially after the major buzz from Superman.

The mentioned DC Comics are available now - especially at local comic book stores!

Source: CBR (1, 2)