Dig Dig and Discover…. Superman Story Recommendations To Extend Your Summer Of Superman By Sean H

So, if you’re anything like me and loved the new Superman movie, you’re undoubtedly clamoring for the next hit of what this new DCU has in store for us. While I can’t make the next one come any faster, given this film’s wide array of influences, here are some recommendations for stories that each lent themselves to the big screen.

Superman: Brainiac

The relationship between Superman and his parents is a big theme of the new movie. Superman Brainiac remains one of the best stories dealing with the Man of Steel’s dual heritage. When the Last Son of Krypton is faced by the Last Son of Colu, who holds the last of Krypton’s cities in his biomechanical grip, he has to reckon with those legacies. Written by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, this was recently reprinted in a new TPB.

Doomsday Clock

Another theme in the new movie deals with the question of what role, if any, superhumans should play in real world affairs. Strangely, this theme is rarely explored in earnest in mainstream comics; Marvel’s most famous examination of this issue (Civil War) was published in 2006. Indies occasionally dab into it, but usually more as a metaphor for other things (The Boys = Celebrity Culture). Doomsday Clock, a multilayered storyline with Superman at the center, actively dealt with the theme head on, with the nations of the world nationalizing their native superheroes into stockpiles of living WMDs, with the prospect of an apocalyptic war hanging over the world. Add to this a metatextual examination of the lasting impact of Watchmen on American comics, and you’ve got a masterpiece waiting to be read. Once again, brought to you by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank. Available in TPB.

The Terrifics

Those of you who were reading comics in 2018 may recall DC’s effort to pick up some of Marvel’s slack at the time (they were going through something of a slump for a while there) with the introduction of the New Age of DC Heroes (and what a short age it was). Out of that experiment, there was good (Curse of Brimstone), bad (Silencer), and… Well just kind of weird honestly (New Challengers). This book, however, was perhaps the most straightforward of these new offerings. Featuring the Quixotic Quartet of Mister Terrific, Metamorpho, Plastic Man, and Phantom Girl, the team served as a band of oddballs whose efforts to escape each other frequently landed them in multiverse situations where they had to save the world, whether they wanted to or not. Fitting both for those who want to see more of the peripheral world of DC as introduced in the film, and those who want Fantastic Four but somehow even stranger. There is an issue in which Plastic Man is a hot air balloon and Metamorpho is a hydroelectric dam and they’re arguing loudly. That alone is worth further investigation. Oh yeah, and Jeff Lemire wrote it. Yes. That Jeff Lemire. Probably have to look in the back issues for these, but they’re worth it.

Action Comics: The Black Ring

This one is Geoff Johns adjacent, look at how far I’ve come. Basically, after Blackest Night saw Lex Luthor become an Orange Lantern for a brief moment, he doubled down on being Lex Luthor. If you want the primary influence for Luthor’s characterization in the new film, it is most assuredly this storyline, in which he is at his most egotistical and ruthless, showing why he is both the world’s smartest man and it’s most dangerous. Written by Paul Cornell it’s an awesome exploration of Luthor and shows just what a megalomaniac he really is. Did you know he sold guns to the Nazis in the Golden Age? You’d think that would come up more… Anyhow, trade’s been out of print for some time, though I suspect it may be due for a revival. In the meantime, look for Action Comics #890 to #900.

The Wild Storm

Finally, an interesting deep cut and underappreciated gem of a series from 2017. Written by Warren Ellis, it introduced a revamped Wildstorm universe in which the Engineer took center stage. Built on conspiracy, espionage, alien interference in Earth’s evolution, and all sorts of other comic book shenanigans, it offered a unique take on the world of Wildstorm and the rich characters first brought to life by Jim Lee all those years ago. If you want more of what you’ve seen as the Authority looms large, I’d give this one a go. Once again, trades are out of print, but the back issues remain readily available

Honorable Mention: Flashpoint Beyond

Without spoiling, there’s a reveal in the new Superman movie that may leave some viewers scratching their heads, wondering why they (the creative team behind the film) made that choice. Those of you who have seen it know what I’m talking about, and those looking for an explanation should read this. While Superman is not the center focus, his subplot inside it shows that something which may be controversial to some actually was a canonical take prior to its inclusion in the film. This is also just a good story honestly. Didn’t get enough love at the time and is worth a look. Trade and back issues are floating around.

Well, that’s it from me. See you all for Supergirl next year. Oh, and this is your obligatory reminder to also read books by Ghost Machine. They’re all good. Seriously, check them out.