From Panels to the Big Screen: Your Guide to the New Age of Superman

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So… who’s excited for Superman hitting the theaters in just a few days? I know I certainly am! It’s not just that James Gunn – the man who made Guardians of the Galaxy AND Suicide Squad work on the big screen – is behind the picture. It’s not because it’s the start of a brand-new cinematic DC universe, full of wonder and intrigue and we don’t even know what! No, I am excited for it because it’s a Superman flick!

I love Superman. I think he’s really fun, and in a good writer’s hands, you can do wonders with him. And I will fight anyone who says Superman is “boring” or “unoriginal,” or that Injustice and Red Son is the best thing done with the character in modern times (I don’t just fight them, I encourage them to go read Superman by Phillip Kennedy Johnson).

But don’t let me yap about Supes too much – Math has already written two amazing pieces on the character (Superman 101 reading materials as well as The (un)definitive Superman Omnibus List). No, today, we’re doing something different! Due to how both of us are excited for the movie (as well as everyone at Walt’s, really), we wanted to prepare you guys for a full movie experience. There will be a huge number of characters there – some better and some less known – and we do not want you to miss any of it. That’s why today, we sat down and shared why we love these characters, who they are, and what quick reads you can grab to get to know them better before you hit the theater. With that said, take it away, Math!

Who’s Who in James Gunn’s Superman: Meet the Movie’s Key Characters and Their Best Comics

Who is Lois Lane? (by Matheus)

When Rachel Brosnahan was announced as Lois Lane, you could feel Gunn was about to do something special. Anyone who watched The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel saw what she could do: a lead performance with the wit, timing, and command of Joan Rivers, wrapped in ahead-of-its-time modern charisma. So naturally, the idea of her stepping into Lois Lane feels like a combination made in heaven. We knew we were in for a treat.

With all due respect to Amy Adams, truly one of my favorite actors. I never felt like she was given much to work with. Her Lois was often reduced to flowery monologues or slow-motion shots of her gazing upward, waiting for the man in the sky. And in doing so, we missed the chance to see what a real 21st-century Lois Lane could look like in a big-budget blockbuster.

Crafting a believable, dynamic love interest for a superhero is one of the toughest jobs in storytelling, especially when that hero is Superman. What always made Lois and Clark stand out was their mutual grit, their ability to go toe-to-toe in every situation, at their best and at their worst. Superman’s unwavering belief in doing good is noble but it’s not simple. Doing the right thing is easy to say. The hard part is how that goodness is perceived, how it's framed, and how often that framing doesn’t match the intent. That’s where Clark can struggle. That’s where Lois shines.

Lois Lane is a Pulitzer-winning journalist. Her entire profession is about context, truth, and clarity, she’s a master framer. And what better counterpart is there for a symbol like Superman, the so-called "man of tomorrow"? He needs more than love, he needs perspective. A moral compass when he’s drifting and courage when the world turns cynical. The interview moment in the trailer gets right at that dynamic, it should be charged, it should be smart, and it should be grounded in something real.

The idea of Lois and Clark as some perfect-clean American ideal is outdated. Always has been, really. What’s much more interesting is Lois as the person who almost always figures out Clark’s secret and chooses not to say anything. Out of respect. That’s not blind love, that’s character.

A good way to dive-in to Lois' moments is through special collected editions like Lois Lane A Celebration of 75 Years HC and Superman & Lois Lane: The 25th Wedding Anniversary Deluxe Edition HC.

My personal recommendations

I want to recommend two recent favorites of mine. When Brian Michael Bendis was writing Superman during his not-so-well-received run, he sent Jon Kent into space. That gave Lois a bit of time to herself. Greg Rucka, co-author of what is maybe my favorite DC comic-book of all time with Gotham Central, brings that energy to Lois and it's a perfect fit in the highly underrated Lois Lane Enemy of the People. It's basically a team-up with the Renee Montoya version of The Question about Lois having to step-away from Clark to write a mysterious story that will reshape the universe. It's a thriller done right and a great example of why Lois is a character with so much to give even when she's away from Metropolis.

Another one is the beautiful Lois and Clark by Dan Abnett that brings Jon Kent into the fold. It's such a carefully crafted look into the dynamics of the now Super family and to me, is quintessential to the modern view of these characters. You can find the sequel available with Superman Lois And Clark Doom Rising.

Recently, Joshua Williamson’s run made the choice to give Lois some provisory powers in Superman (2023) TP Vol 04 Rise Of The Superwoman and if that sounds gimmicky to you... well, it is, but it's a very aware gimmick. The idea of being a "normal” human being in a family of powerful people is such an interesting dynamic to explore and Williamson takes advantage of that and tells a story of responsibility and sacrifices and the costs of being up in the sky. It's a gamble but it's one I'm willing to bet will pay off when her character arc in this phase is all said and done.

Who is Lex Luthor? (by Petar)

Every good hero needs to have an amazing villain – and few are as known and feared as Lex Luthor. What makes Lex so special, what makes him stand out, is that he’s just an ordinary human. It is somewhat ironic, when you think about it – the world’s most powerful superhero has the antagonist who isn’t as strong as him, or as fast or as powerful. No, his greatest enemy is just a guy.

But of course, Luthor is so much more than just an ordinary guy. He is insanely smart and mega rich – meaning he has the intelligence and the resources to put any of his plans into motion. What makes Lex an appealing villain, though, is his humanity and the complicated bundle of emotions that are his character.

Lex Luthor sees himself as the protector of the world. He believes that Superman is a threat, and Lex can save the world. Yes, envy or pettiness or greed are all mix into this, too – but underneath it all, Lex is compelling because he is the darker side of the Superman coin that is hope in humanity. He believes that humans don’t need Superman and can prosper without him, and he is willing to do anything to prove it.

And whatever he did – whether being the CEO of LexCorp (or L-Corp or LuthorCorp like in the movie), wearing the S on his own chest, or becoming the President of the United States, Lex’s schemes and machinations are wide-reaching and multi-layered. In some iterations, he’s even portrayed as an anti-hero, but comics being what they are, that quickly erodes.

It will be interesting to see just how Nicholas Hoult digs into this role. When he was first announced as Luthor, I admit I was skeptical. I could not see how a timid and shy young Hank McCoy from X-Men sequels could be the megalomaniacal Luthor, but I became a believer just from the trailers. While it’s still wild for me to see him bald (it’s a brave look for everyone), I think he brings a razor-sharp charisma to his roles that is necessary for a character like Lex Luthor. And since he already has experience playing clever and complicated characters, this will be an interesting direction to see him in.

As far as what to read to prepare for the movie, I would suggest you try and find the book Gunn is using as inspo too – Lex Luthor: Man of Steel (collected in Absolute Luthor/Joker). Azzarello and Bermejo paint an interesting picture of the world through Luthor’s eyes (and I wish it was collected in DC Compact: Joker too).

Other than that, Superman: Birthright by Waid, Yu and Alanguilan gives you the origin story for the 21st century. If you’ve never read a Superman comic, this could be a great start! (What’s even better is that it also JUST came out in the dirt-cheap DC Compact Edition too!) Another great choice that tracks the early days of the characters is Superman For All Seasons by Loeb, Sale and Hansen (also available as the Absolute Edition). This coming-of-age story is a great heartfelt look into Clark the man – not the hero – and Lex as the perfect counterpoint.

Who is Jimmy Olsen? (by Matheus)

Jimmy Olsen is just a blast of a supporting character to play around with. It’s honestly wild to think about the level of courage it takes to get the shots of Superman that he does. And unlike Peter Parker, Jimmy doesn’t have any powers to fall back. He’s just vibes and proximity. No one leans harder into the “well, if it all goes wrong, I’m sure Superman will catch me” safety net than this guy.

Skyler Gisondo recently mentioned in an interview that he thought he was auditioning to be a bold take as this nerdy, 21st-century Superman, and James Gunn just found that funny and called him back for Olsen instead. C’mon. That’s the most perfect Jimmy Olsen story ever told.

Jimmy, to me, is this strange, glorious mix of Bugs Bunny and Doug (2000s kids, rise up). He’s always stepping in it, always turning left when he should’ve gone right, and somehow pulling off cross-dressing disguises that make you question your own taste. And dates the most beautiful models around. He's the kind of comic book character who absolutely could still be carrying a strip in the New York Times, back when printed media was still a real thing and not just a vintage aesthetic.

My recommendation is the Matt Fraction Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen solo series (YES, that’s right, solo Jimmy). It’s bonkers. It’s hilarious. It’s told in these chaotic little 3–4-page zines, out of order, that somehow all lock together into a surprisingly tight narrative by the end. It’s pure joy. It’s inventive, goofy and smart. Fraction nails the tone, calling Jimmy’s life “hijinks and shenanigans,” and honestly, that’s all you need to know. You’ll be smiling like an idiot the whole way through. But in case you're not convinced, Fraction plays around with some of Olsen's best character moments throughout the years, and that includes mutations, the already mentioned crossdressing and dummy-copies of himself. It's available in trade paperback with a new hardcover edition coming this year.

Who is Krypto, the Superdog? (by Petar)

Sorry Jimmy Olsen, but you need to step aside for Superman’s REAL best friend – Krypto the Superdog! How EXCITING is it that we’re getting a live-action Krypto for the new DC Universe? Honestly, out of all the characters, THIS is the one I am mostly pumped about! (can you guess if I am a dog or a cat person?)

For those who do not know, Krypto is Clark’s dog. He was there on Krypton before its destruction and is usually used as a test subject by Jor-El (Clark’s dad) for the rocket that will take their baby away to Earth. However, Krypto’s rocket gets off course and he ends up coming to Earth ten-ish years too late. Thanks to cryogenic sleep, he awakes on the new planet with a teenage Clark, and gains the same abilities as the boy – flight, stronger senses, strength – although they are proportional to his species (so he might not be as strong as Clark, but has a better hearing and sense of smell).

When Krypto first appeared in the trailer for the movie, my heart melted. That little bundle of joy and mischief was just perfect (like every dog), and I was literally jumping around my room with how happy I was about this movie. But not everyone has been as happy, though, and it’s wild that the casting for Krypto might have been one of the most controversial ones.

In the books, Krypto is usually a generic breed of dog with white fur – sometimes a Lab, or a German Shepherd, or the like. In the movie, though, Krypto has been modeled after Gunn’s rescue pupper Ozu, who’s a mutt. People were not the happiest about this, but hopefully they will warm up to him once the movie is fully out. I know I will be one of his loudest defenders (my puppy is an unhinged mutt too).

For what to read, there’s plenty to choose from. If you want something new and hot off the press, then look no further than North, Herring and Norton’s Krypto – The Last Dog of Krypton. This story retraces the origin of Krypto, with heartwarming art and a twist at the end – and it’s only the first issue! If you want something more classic, then look no further than DC Finest’s offering of Superboy: The Super-Dog from Krypton. These are the stories when Clark was but a Superboy, and collect Krypto’s first ever appearance in comics!

Who is Guy Gardner? (by Matheus)

If you saw the movie and now find yourself kinda obsessed with this asshole you’d never even heard about before, don’t be afraid. Join the club. There’s actually millions of us (or… hmm… at least 10). When Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis were writing Justice League International back in the '80s, they weren’t aiming for another best of the best superhero team, they were making a sitcom. And for a sitcom, you need that one lovable jerk to shake things up. That was Guy. Guy was the guy. (Hehe.)

What makes that run maybe one of my favorite comics ever is how you slowly fall for these idiots, one by one. You stop caring about the villain-of-the-week and start hoping the next issue is just them bickering over breakfast or wrecking a diplomatic event by saying something wildly inappropriate. Guy, in all his cockiness and big dumb energy, is about intent. He is a good person, and it’s not hard to see that if you stop rolling your eyes long enough to notice. He’s obnoxious, but he’s also raw, unfiltered, and, in a team full of people hiding behind masks, he’s probably the most genuine one there.

It's collected in three omnibuses.

• Justice League International Omnibus HC Vol 01
• Justice League International Omnibus HC Vol 02
• Justice League International Omnibus HC Vol 03
• Justice League International Omnibus Bundle incl. Vol. 1-3

It's also being reprint in trade-paperbacks:

• Justice League International TP Book 01 Born Again (2025 Edition)
• Justice League International TP Book 02 Around The World (2025 Edition)

There’s no one better to wear a Green Lantern ring - the thing that literally demands fearlessness - than a guy who just… doesn't think too hard about the consequences. It’s easier to be brave when you’re (mostly) unaware. But it’s also pure, almost childlike courage. The kind of courage that makes someone throw themselves in front of a punch first and deal with the reasoning later.

Guy’s perfect in those “space cop” dynamics. Think about every action group movie you’ve ever loved. There’s always that guy: the loudmouth, the class clown, the one who lights the mood and mocks authority.. That’s Guy. And for all the times you think, “Man, this dude is exhausting,” he ends up being the one person you can always count on. And that’s the real magic. That moment when the rest of the team, Batman included, is ready to strangle him, but the second someone else tries to hurt him? They’ll burn the galaxy down in response. You earn that kind of loyalty.

Want to see this play out in real time? Go read Green Lantern Corps by Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason. Everyone gives Geoff Johns credit for reviving the Lantern franchise (and fair enough, he deserves it), but Tomasi and Gleason are the ones who made everyone shine. They made the Corps feel like an actual group, with relationships, rivalries, and real emotional weight. And Guy is the heart of it as the loud, reckless, and almost all the time completely wrong, but when it matters, he’s there.

It's collected in two omnibus: Green Lantern Corps Omnibus By Peter J. Tomasi And Patrick Gleason HC Vol.1 and Green Lantern Corps Omnibus By Peter J. Tomasi And Patrick Gleason HC Vol. 2

And let’s not forget: Guy and Batman dynamic are every bit iconic. Batman represents discipline, control, the always-ten-steps-ahead mindset. Guy has bad impulse control. Batman tolerates Guy, but he respects him. Because no matter how much crap Guy talks, he shows up when it matters. He’s not afraid of Batman. That alone should put him in some kind of comic book hall of fame.

So yeah, this is my completely unapologetic love letter to Guy Gardner. He’s my favorite DC Comics character, and yeah, I said it. (It's a tie with Blue Beetle and Booster Gold, just so you can get how much I LOVE JLI)

Who is Hawkgirl - Kendra Saunders? (by Matheus)

Let’s talk about Hawkgirl. Yes, that Hawkgirl. No, not the one from the cartoon. Well, yes, her too, but this one’s a little more complicated. Her name is Kendra Saunders, and she is a reincarnated warrior and a young woman with mental health baggage and the inheritor of an absurd cosmic soap opera legacy. She’s also one of the coolest, most quietly badass characters DC has ever had, and I will never shut up about her.

The Hawks are a mess. Let’s just start there. Hawkman and Hawkwoman (sometimes Hawkgirl) have one of the most convoluted mythologies in comics, like, X-Men-level tangled. Are they alien cops from Thanagar? Are they reincarnated Egyptian lovers cursed to die over and over again? Are they both things at the same time, somehow? (Spoiler: yeah.) But instead of being a flaw, I’d argue that mess is what makes them so special. They’re about memory, identity, past lives. An eternal game of how much of yourself is you, and how much is something you inherited.

Geoff Johns got that. When he took over JSA in the early 2000s, he didn’t run from legacy, he dived straight into it. That run is incredible at showing how overwhelming and beautiful it is to be a young hero living in the shadow of a massive heroic lineage. Kendra Saunders and Courtney Whitmore (Stargirl) are kind of the emotional spine of that book. They’re teenagers thrown into this world of old men and long-standing traditions, trying to figure out who they are while everyone around them keeps trying to tell them who they’re supposed to be. Kendra, in particular, is this brilliant mix of defiance and quiet grief. She doesn’t want to be the reincarnation of Shiera Hall. She doesn’t want to carry Hawkman’s whole romantic tragedy on her shoulders. She wants to be Kendra. And sometimes, she doesn’t want anything at all. Which is real.

• JSA Omnibus Vol. 1 HC
• JSA Omnibus Vol. 2 HC
• JSA Omnibus Vol. 3 HC
• JSA Omnibus HC Bundle inc. Volumes 1 | 2 | 3
• JSA Compendium 1 TP (Republishes the omnibus with a much better mapping and more affordable format)

Then Johns spins the whole Hawk-lore into its own title with Hawkman, and that book is an Indiana Jones-style sci-fi adventure in the best way. It leans deep into the violence, high fantasy, and cursed doomed love story, but what I love most is how confident Johns is in his main character. I knew nothing about this guy and ended up obsessed with him. Johns’ books are always great at exactly this.

After he leaves, we have a bunch of guest-authors including a lost to memory story from BRUBAKER AND SEAN PHILLIPS. And THEN we get Hawkgirl, as the book changes title under Simonson and Chaykin-  so a solo book, finally! And it rules. It leans into this tension of legacy versus selfhood and instead of turning that into melodrama, the book lets her have space. She protects her city. She questions her place. She makes decisions that don’t revolve around some reincarnated dude. It’s not perfect, but it tries and it gives Kendra the breathing room she always deserved.

The John's run is newly reprinted in the The Hawkman Omnibus by Geoff Johns (2025 Edition) HC. Let's hope for more so we reach those Hawkgirl issues.

Fast forward to now and yes, I’m gonna end this like a cool comic book shop clerk shoving a floppy into your hand and never shutting-up about this one character he thinks should be popular. That said.. you should absolutely check out the new Hawkgirl mini by Jadzia Axelrod and Amancay Nahuelpan. It’s got style and queer-coded villain ladies with swords. It explores grief, identity, and the strange loneliness of being someone who has lived so many lives and still doesn’t know who they are. Kendra’s voice has never felt more modern and lived-in. It’s about someone trying to step out of the cycle and just be for once. I don't feel like I was the target audience for this exactly but THATS IS GOOD. DC should be expanding their roster of stories. This, flawed or not, does just that. And Kendra has always felt like a character who should be explored more in this YA space.

So yeah. If you’ve ever felt a little unsure of where you belong, a little tired of carrying other people’s expectations, or just want to watch a woman in wings beat the crap out of gods and monsters with a mace, Kendra’s your girl. Hawkgirl forever.

(Side note: Why is Hawk such a hard word to grasp? Like, I think I typed this wrong 100 times while writing. Am I the only one? Maybe it should be Hankgirl.)

Who is Mr. Terrific? (by Petar)

This is the first time we are seeing Mr. Terrific on the big screen (and the second we’re seeing him in live-action, other than Arrowverse). No one would blame you if you were to confuse his and Mr. Fantastic’s names – they’re both very intelligent boys who come up with various inventions. But this is basically where the parallels end.

Michael Holt is the second person to take up the mantle of Mr. Terrific, and the one better known in the role. He is traditionally connected to Justice Society of America team, and it known not only for his intellect but also his calm, cool demeanor.

The characteristic that makes Mr. Terrific instantly recognizable are his T-Spheres – robotic spheres which always float around him, letting him hack tech, shooting energy and doing whatever he (or the story) requires of him.

In Superman, he will be played by yet another X-Men: First Class alum - Edi Gathegi, who played Darwin in the movie. Gathegi has the screen presence and cool to carry the role, and it’s very exciting to finally see Michael Holt realized alongside some of the other less mainstream DC characters.

As for the reading material – you can grab the recent Mr. Terrific Year One book which is part of DC’s All-In. This story promises “The secret origin of Mr. Terrific” and is positioned to get you ready for the movie. And if you are blown away by the character, make sure to pick up Terrifics – The Complete Collection which should be out at the end of July. This book is DC’s Fantastic Four – with Mr. Terrific leading a ragtag group which includes Plastic Man, Phantom Girl and Metamorpho. Of course, JSA Compendium is always there for some earlier, more establishing appearances of the character too, while Strange Adventures is an odd choice since it focuses on Adam Strange, but lets Mr. Terrific shine through!

Who is Metamorpho? (by Petar)

I cannot really just mention Metamorpho without talking more about him. Even though he wasn’t really that present in the trailer (I only saw one), Rex Mason seems to play an important role in the movie. He was an explorer and an adventurer until an ancient artifact cursed him. If Mr. Terrific is somewhat similar to Mr. Fantastic, then Metamorpho could be the Absorbing Man or Mystique – a shapeshifter.

Originally, his powers were constricted to only elements in the human body, but this has been changed in his long publication history. Nowadays, Metamorpho can take properties of different chemical elements and compounds, stretch his body, become a pool of liquid and whatever else is needed at the time.

In the movie, he will be played by Anthony Carrigan – and I cannot even begin telling you how happy this makes me. This is not Carrigan’s first foray into DC universe – he had a subdued but standout role as Victor Szasz in the TV show Gotham, and he killed it in the role (pun intended). The man has a fantastic comedic timing but can also deliver some heartfelt pathos, and this is exactly what we need for the role.

If you get as charmed as me by Carrigan’s performance during the movie, make sure to grab that Complete Collection of Terrifics I mentioned in the previous part. Other than that, you can again peek into DC’s Finest and check out Metamorpho: The Elemant Man which has some of his early appearances as well as the first 17 issues of his own series. Metamorpho: The Element Man is another DC All-In series that featured him in the main role, and the first six issues will also be collected in its trade paperback if you are too lazy to get them separately and are willing to wait.

Who is The Engineer (by Petar)

Apart from Lex Luthor, another antagonist that not too many people have been talking to seems to be Angela Spica, or the second Engineer. She was one of the original founding members of Ellis and Hitch’s The Authority, under the Wildstorm imprint. There are talks of the whole team being developed for the new DC cinematic universe, and Angela will be our first teaser for it.

Her powers comes from nanotechnology – in the comics, she replaced her blood with it in order to gain the power of reshaping her body into anything she wants – things like blades, shields and wings are not out of her scope.

In the trailer, we see her with her blades and her design differs somewhat from the comics. It will be interesting to see how María Gabriela de Faría will carry this part. She has already brough a lot of intelligence and edge in her roles in Deadly Class and Animal Control, and this role should be as radical as those.

If you want to prepare, then make sure you grab The Authority (or the newly-released omnibus edition) – also available in the Compact Edition.

Now it’s up to you to meet the Superman movie cast through their comic origins and key stories

As James Gunn’s Superman prepares to soar onto the screen and into all of our hearts, this is the perfect time to become (again) the fan of the DC universe. It’s not all gargoyles and brooding masked men – there is so much to learn and discover in the grander DCU – and this is why Superman was the right call for the first movie.

Whether you are revisiting your old friends or meeting the legends for the first time, this is bound to be one of the best movies to get hyped for. The cast is stacked, the creatives have been through this drill and delivered before, so Superman promises a fresh and dynamic take on DC, while charting a new path to take. Here’s to the next movie! And the one after it! And the next!