by Matthew Russell - Posted 6 months ago
Welcome my CryptoComics Compatriots. A lot of people have been calling me recently asking me about some set photos for the new James Gunn Superman movie (formally Superman Legacy - I kind of like that original title better, but that's just me).
My first question to them is “What makes you think I know what's going on? I don’t work for DC Comics or Warner Brothers!” Then I see the photos and I instantly know what’s going on, or at least I have a clue.
The reason I know…I’ve read the comics. I’m here today to shed some light on these incredible characters by giving you a comprehensive reading list that will enlighten you to the cast. This is not a complete list, but enough of a list so that you get to know the character a little before the movies come out.
Most of these will be TPB (Trade Paperbacks - a collection of several issues crammed into 1 book). Let me know if you would like a blog post explaining the difference between a Comic, Graphic Novel, & TPB. Many people use these terms interchangeably and it turns out, they are not.
Let's start with the obvious…Superman, Kal-El, Clark Kent, Man of Steel, Man of Tomorrow, Last Son of Krypton, and so many more. Up Up and Away.
The big blue has been one of my favorite characters for quite a while now. I’ve even written a blog post about how he is still extremely relevant in today’s society. We all know his story, so I’m not going to go into that here. I want to really explore that in another blog post when I discuss the real life events that led to his creation.
For now, let me just ask this. After seeing David Corenswet’s suit, trunks or no trunks. Let me know in the comments below. I know that it was integral to the original suit design and is reminiscent of the old “strong-men” of the times, but I still think its a little weird to wear your underwear outside your clothes.
It leads to some strange stories. I’m looking at you, Batman. (He recently used his underwear as a mask to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere from space. Yep, that happened. I can’t defend that story.) Alright, back to what you came for…
All-Star Superman (this mini-series is what James Gunn is basing his movies on)
Kingdom Come (Just read the entire series and thank me later, this is what comics should be)
Superman For All Seasons
Death of Superman TPB
Here is an extra bonus entry to the essential reading list. Head over to the Marketplace and and check out Outed #1 & #2 by Evan David. This is basically a “What If” type story of “What if Superman was Outed”. Click on either of the issue covers below and go directly to the comics.
Due to legal reasons, it’s not actually the Man of Tomorrow but Stellarman AKA Michael Manchester. It truly is a great read. Evan is so fun to hang out with. Check out his interview below.
Lois Lane, the intrepid journalist with a knack for getting into trouble, is the unsung heroine of Metropolis. Born to Sam and Ella Lane, Lois honed her investigative skills early on by exposing her neighborhood’s lemonade stand cartel (Yep, that happened.)
This fearless reporter landed a job at the Daily Planet, Metropolis's premier newspaper, where she quickly earned a reputation for her tenacity, wit, and ability to attract danger like a magnet.
Raised on a diet of ink and intrigue, she grew up idolizing famous journalists and dreaming of front-page headlines. After graduating from Metropolis University with a degree in journalism and a minor in surviving supervillain attacks,
Lois's career flew high (pun intended) for her groundbreaking exposés, including "The Secret Life of Superman" or "I Spent the Night with Superman" (spoiler: she had a hunch about those glasses all along) and "Lex Luthor: Bald but Not Beautiful."
Lois Lane is more than just a damsel in distress; she's a quick-witted, brave-hearted trailblazer whose passion for truth and justice often leaves her stuck between a rock and a hard place—or more accurately, between a falling building and an alien invasion.
Some of my favorite Superman stories tend to focus on her, and her wit. I have no doubt that Rachel Brosnahan can pull off the roll. I think that the chemestry between her and Clark will be competing with that of the CW's Superman & Lois. They actually pull off that relationship perfectly in that show. If the above picture is any indication, we might not have anything to worry about.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane (any issue from this series in the 60’s)
Lois Lane: Enemy if the People TPB
Superman: Lois and Clark #1
FlashPoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance #1
Flashpoint: Project Superman #3
Oh, poor Guy…
Guy Gardner, the Green Lantern Corps' resident loudmouth, was born with a destiny as big as his ego. From Baltimore, Guy grew up in a family where modesty was clearly a foreign concept. Seriously, his Dad was a piece of work. Its actually amazing that Guy didn’t become a bad Guy. (see what I did there, Guy and Guy…OK, I’ll stop)
As a kid, he probably bragged about his finger-painting skills and dominated the playground like he was already wielding a power ring. After barely surviving his time as a kid, Guy found his calling as a social worker, because nothing says “future space cop” like dealing with the most challenging kids on the block.
Yeah, no joke, he became a social worker…The guy that Mooned the entire Justice League and put his butt on the glass was incharge of other kids.
It’s no wonder the Guardians of the Universe thought, “Hey, let's give this guy one of the most powerful weapons in the cosmos.”
Of course, Guy didn’t just get any power ring—he was picked as the backup Green Lantern for Earth, proving that even in space, he's everyone's second choice. When Hal Jordan, the golden boy of the Green Lantern Corps, couldn’t do the job, Guy finally got his shot.
Naturally, he handled the responsibility with all the grace and subtlety of a bull in a china shop. Whether he’s butting heads with Batman (Yeah, Batman straight up K.O.’d him in 1 hit) or competing with his fellow Lanterns, Guy’s motto seems to be “go big or go home”—preferably to show off his shiny ring and remind everyone that he's a hero, even if he's the one nobody asked for.
I’m not gonna lie, I did like him better when he wasn’t in the G.L. Corps, and had his own Yellow Power Ring.
Anyway, Nathan Fillion will be playing him in the Superman movie. No word yet if he will reprise the roll during the Green Lantern series that is still scheduled to come to Max. I bet he will at least in some cameo comasity but only time will tell. Also, no sighting of his costume yet, although James Gunn has stated that it will NOT be CGI (Thank Ryan Reynolds for that!)
Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn II TPB
Guy Gardner: Reborn TPB
Green Lantern Corps: Recharge TPB
Green Lantern Corps: Emerald Eclipse TPB
I DO NOT envy Isabela Merced. She has the daunting roll of Hawkgirl. I think she is a decent enough actress to bring the character to life, but she does have some relatively stinkers on her resume (Madame Web - Need I say more).
Ok, onto Hawkgirl…the most confusing character in DC (well, 2nd to Hawkman). I swear, they have no idea what to do with their origins. At one point they took all the many origin stories and simply smooshed them together and hopped for the best (Zero Hour).
Hawkgirl’s origin is a whirlwind of reincarnations, alien technology, and mythological twists that make even the most convoluted superhero backstories seem straightforward.
Initially, Shiera Sanders was introduced as the reincarnation of an ancient Egyptian princess, Chay-Ara, who, along with her lover Prince Khufu, was killed by a jealous priest using a cursed dagger. Reborn in the 20th century, Shiera and Khufu (reincarnated as Carter Hall, aka Hawkman) discover their past lives and the mysterious Nth metal, which grants them flight and other powers.
Together, they don their iconic winged costumes and fight crime as a duo of airborne avengers. This Golden Age origin set the foundation for Hawkgirl’s many adventures and countless resurrections.
However, comic book continuity is never that simple, and Hawkgirl’s story gets even more tangled as the years go by. Enter Kendra Saunders, a new Hawkgirl introduced in the late 1990s. Kendra’s tale begins with her tragic suicide and subsequent possession by the spirit of her great-aunt Shiera.
Unlike the previous reincarnations, Kendra struggles with the memories and identity of her past lives while trying to forge her own path.
To add more spice to the chaos, the Hawkgirl of the animated “Justice League” series, Shayera Hol, hails from the planet Thanagar, bringing an entirely different extraterrestrial dimension to the character’s lore.
The Thanagarian Hawkgirl is a fierce warrior and a cop from a distant world, blending the mystic elements of her past incarnations with high-tech alien gear and a no-nonsense attitude. I actually like this version, until it changed…again.
It turns out that she lied about her mission and was sent to prepare the world for an invasion force, think Omni-Man from Invincible. She eventually turned on her people and became a hero of Earth…again.
Flash Comics #1
JSA #1-4
Hawkgirl #50-56
The Savage Hawkman #1 - #8
Just watch Justice League the Animated Series and Justice League Unlimited, you’re welcome.
Ok, unlike Isabela Merced’s last comic movie appearance, you’ll love this next one. Edi Gathegi (Mr. Terrific) was last seen in X-Men First Class. This dude is a brilliant actor. The suit that he was seen in is probably the most comic accurate suit I have seen since Deadpool’s. Its actually amazing how good it looks.
The problem I personally have, weak character. This is just my personal opinion, so don’t shoot. I just feel like Mr. Terrific isn’t that strong of a hero. I think that they should have used that character in much the same way that the DCU used Ryan Choi in Zach Synder’s Justice League.
Anyway, I will get off my soapbox and give you the rundown.
Michael Holt, is a genius-level intellect who deserves recognition for his brains over his brawn. Born with (yes, born with) an IQ of 192, he earned multiple PhDs in fields like engineering and physics by the time most people are finishing college. However, his world shattered when his wife and unborn child died in a car accident, leading him to a dark place.
It was the inspirational story of Terry Sloane, the original Mr. Terrific, that pulled Holt back from the brink. Determined to honor Sloane’s legacy, he took up the mantle of Mr. Terrific, donning the iconic "Fair Play" jacket and employing his vast intellect and technological prowess to fight crime and injustice.
Ok, a lot of people ask why the Fair Play on the sleeves of the jacket. Terry Sloane used it as a mantra of sorts. He hated the fact that he was born into privilege while so many others weren’t. Sloane was on the OG JSA so when they restarted in a more modern era, Holt joined, donning the Fair Play.
He is said to be the 3rd smartest person in the DCU. First being Lex Luthor, 2nd is Ray Palmer “Atom”. Batman is actually #10 (yep, he was beat out by the likes of Ted Kord - Blue Beetle).
Spectre Vol 3 #54-62 (Holt’s origin)
JSA #1-25 (focus on “The Next Age” and “Black Reign”)
Mr. Terrific TPB (this 8 issues will prove to you why I think he shouldn’t be in costume)
This dude is crazy. I love the guy, but have feel that they have never used him to his full potential…even in the comics.
You may recognize Anthony Carrigan from Gotham, Barry, of Bill & Ted Face The Music. I had to research this, but his lack of hair is due to Alopecia. This explains the lack of eyebrows. Great actor. There hasn’t been any leaked footage of him in costume yet, but I think Anthony will somehow pull off the crazy look. I hope.
So who is Metamorpho?
Metamorpho, the Element Man, is the DC Universe’s walking, talking periodic table with a personality as colorful as his elemental transformations. Born Rex Mason, he was an adventurer and fortune hunter (think DC Comics version of Indiana Jones) who got more than he bargained for when he stumbled on the Orb of Ra.
Instead of a golden treasure, Rex got a full-body makeover courtesy of an ancient artifact, transforming him into a being capable of changing his body into any element or compound found in the human body. Give him and Firestorm a team-up and it would be a crazy science lesson with explosions! (Why have they never teamed up!?!)
Now, instead of looking for treasure, Rex navigates the bizarre landscape of superhero life, balancing his newfound abilities with his unending love for Sapphire Stagg, whose father, the devious Simon Stagg, was indirectly responsible for his transformation.
In the grand tapestry of the DCU, Metamorpho stands out as the guy who can literally turn into gas to avoid awkward conversations at Justice League meetings. You have to admit, that ability would be helpful at the next progress meeting here at CryptoComics. (Don’t tell Joe I made that joke…please, I’ll give you a badge code if you don’t.)
His unique powers make him an invaluable member of teams like the Outsiders (Batman’s JLA replacement team) and the Justice League. Despite his freaky appearance and sometimes self-pity, Rex's good-natured humor and bravery make him a loved character among his superhero peers.
Whether he's transforming into iron to stop a speeding train or simply turning into water to fill a pitcher at a superhero barbecue, Metamorpho proves that being a superhero isn’t just about capes and muscles—it’s about embracing your weirdness and turning it into something extraordinary. We need a little of that in our lives at times.
My only question is, Anthony tends to play darker characters, can he play Rex for laughs and still keep the heart?
Wednesday Comics #1-12 (Dude, its Metamorpho written by Neil Gaiman…dude)
The Outsiders (any issues from #1-28 all highlight his awesomeness)
Metamorpho: Year One TPB
The Brave and the Bold #57 (First Appearance)
Angela is a tough one. I’m going to be honest, before writing this post, I have only read The Authority by Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch. So basically, I knew who the character was, but not much more. I had to do some deep diving to give you this much.
I googled a reading list and started my journey. Damn, Gotta love “research”. My wife calls B.S. when I picked up a bunch of comics from my local comic shop (shout out to Inner Circle Comics and EntertainMART)
The Engineer, AKA Angela Spica, is actually a really fascinating character known for her incredible technological abilities and her role as a member of the Authority. Angela was a brilliant scientist and the successor to the original Engineer.
Driven by her ambition and intellect, she underwent a radical transformation by injecting herself with nine pints of nanotechnology, replacing her blood with liquid machinery. Ok, in layman's terms, she replaced her blood with the same stuff Iron-Man’s suit is made of in the movies. I wonder what would happen if the Red Cross ever asked her to donate blood?
Basically, this gave her the ability to reconfigure her body into various forms and gadgets, essentially making her a living Swiss Army knife.
Angela's powers are not just limited to physical transformations; she can interface with technology, create complex devices out of her own body, and even fly by forming mechanical wings.
Despite her technological enhancements, Angela retains her humanity and often serves as the heart of the team, balancing their sometimes morally ambiguous methods with her own sense of right and wrong.
I gotta say, I like the silver look from the comics more than the suit she was shown in, in the released photos. I wonder if the blood issue will come later and her origin story is a subplot of Superman? It almost doesn't even look like the same character. Engineer in name only.
The Authority #1-12
The Authority: The Lost Year TPB
The Authority: Revolution (It’s Brubaker, the guy that made Captain America cool again)
Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor…I think I love it. He is a great actor. I first saw him in that Zombie movie (Warm Bodies) and loved him as the Beast (X-Men First Class). Not fond of the look of the Beast in those movies, but I loved him in the roll.
So far, I still believe that Michael Rosenbaum has been the best Lex Luthor (Smallville). Kevin Spacey had so much potential but we don’t talk about him anymore for obvious reasons.
As far as who Lex is, just like with my Superman entry, I don’t feel like I need to really explain who he is. Brilliant, bad guy, hates Supes. I think that covers it for now.
The Man of Steel #4
Lex Luthor: Man of Steel (5 Issue Miniseries that I can’t find in TPB form yet, but I’ll keep looking for you.)
Superman: Birthright TPB
Superman: Red Son
Action Comics #890-900
Luthor (Graphic Novel)
Superman: Lex 2000 #1
We only got a single picture of Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen but I have to say, just with that one picture, we have our most comic accurate casting in the history of comic book movies. Skyler IS Jimmy Olsen.
Everything he has ever played in, he has been Jimmy Olsen. It’s almost like Jerry and Joe could see the future when they created him.
Wendell Pierce was absolutely amazing on Jack Ryan. Funny & likable when he needed to be, stern and somehow almost menacing in a boss-type way when needed. This guy exemplified Perry White.
Neva Howell as Martha Kent and Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan Kent. Some are probably asking why I put these 2 characters together in a single entry but they are kind of a package deal. I mean, their casting was announced in the same post.
I have to say, after Annette O’Toole and Diane Lane, it’s nice to see an actual elder portray the grandma type Martha Kent typical of the comics.
Now Pruitt Taylor was AMAZING in Identity and Legend of 1900. Plus he was the hard-drinking Father Hennessy (aptly named) in Constantine. Damn, this guys' acting credits speak for themselves.
Now, who are the Kent’s? We’ve seen them in live action before. They are the quintessential heartland couple whose values and upbringing form the moral backbone of Superman.
Before they became the adoptive parents of Clark, they lived quiet, humble lives as farmers in the small town of Smallville, Kansas. Jonathan, a steadfast and hardworking man, grew up on the family farm, instilled with a strong sense of duty, integrity, and an unwavering work ethic.
He met Martha, a compassionate and nurturing woman with a heart as vast as the Kansas sky, and together they built a life grounded in love, community, and the simple joys of rural living.
Their journey before Clark's arrival was marked by the struggles and rewards typical of farm life, including the joys of harvests and the hardships of unpredictable weather. They still managed to face personal trials as well, such as their inability to have children of their own, which was a source of deep sorrow for the couple.
Plus Jonathan served as a Marine in WWII and was also a P.O.W. by Japanese forces in 1944.
Despite these challenges, they remained pillars of their community, offering help and kindness to their neighbors. Their lives took an extraordinary turn when they discovered a crashed spaceship containing a baby boy in a field near their farm.
They are designed to actually make your heart melt and you get the warm and fuzzies whenever they grace the page.
One of my personal favorite lines from a live action Superman came from the 1st episode of CW’s Superman and Lois, when some kids tells Clark that he likes his costume and Superman responds with “Thanks, my mom made it for me.”
Unbeknownst to them, this child, whom they named Clark (after actors Kent Taylor and Clark Gable, in the comics Clark was Martha’s maiden name), was destined to become Superman.
The Kents' unwavering love and guidance would shape Clark Kent's character, teaching him the values of honesty, empathy, and humility—qualities that would define his role as Earth's greatest protector.
Superman: Birthright TPB
Superman: Secret Origin TPB
Superman: For All Seasons TPB
The Man of Steel #1
Action Comics #870
Adventures of Superman #500 (one of my personal favorites)
Even though as of this writing, they have not released any images of Milly Alcock in the Girl of Tomorrow duds, her announcement as the Girl of Steel came as a bit of a shock. I have only ever watched the first season of House of Dragon’s but I think that she can successfully pull off the roll of the absolutely tragic Kora Zor-El.
Born on the planet Krypton, Kara was the older cousin of Kal-El (Superman). Her life on Krypton was filled with the typical joys and challenges of youth, but everything changed when her planet faced imminent destruction.
As Krypton neared its end, Kara's parents, Zor-El and Alura, devised a plan to save her. Unlike Kal-El, who was sent to Earth as a baby, Kara was a teenager when she was placed in a spacecraft. Her mission was to protect and guide her infant cousin upon their arrival on Earth.
Her spacecraft was knocked off course, resulting in a delayed arrival that left her in stasis for many years.
When Kara finally reached Earth, she discovered that her baby cousin, Kal-El, had already grown up and become Superman. Struggling with the loss of her home planet and adjusting to an unfamiliar world, Kara faced the emotional turmoil of being a stranger in a strange land.
She embraced her role as Supergirl, determined to honor her family and her fallen planet. Her journey is one of overcoming immense loss and finding her place in the universe, all while upholding the values of courage, hope, and resilience that were instilled in her on Krypton.
Through her struggles and triumphs, Supergirl remains a beacon of strength and perseverance in the face of overwhelming adversity. As long as they don’t talk about her affair with the horse (totally happened) then we should be alright.
Now, Kara isn’t the first Supergirl. Offhand, I can think of 4 but that is another post.
Action Comics #252
Supergirl Vol. 5 #0-5
Supergirl: Being Super
Supergirl Vol. 1: Reign of the Cyborg Supermen
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow TPB
Superman/Batman #8 - #13 (Michael Turner at his best!!!)
This one is difficult because it is still mainly speculation. An actress has been seen on set in a very pink prom-esqu style dress. Assuming that she is a major character, and knowing that LexCorp is known as LuthorCorps in this cinematic universe, my official guess is that this is Lena Luthor.
Lena was originally Lex’s younger sister. When Lex was first arrested, the family changed it’s name to “Thorul” (an anagram of Luthor). She was told that Lex had died in a mountain climbing accident. It was right after that that they died in a car accident.
In later comics she became paralyzed. I’m going to be honest, I didn’t read the Adventure Comics where she was injured so I am not entirely sure how it happened, nor can I find the issue that explains it. DC was a little weird then with some pretty disjointed stories.
Anyway, to get the skinny on Lena, I would really just recommend watching the CW’s Supergirl show. I can’t believe that I actually suggested that. It’s a pretty horrible show with poor writing and poor acting (for the most part). I ended up watching until the end hoping that it would eventually get better.
Frank Grillo can be seen here as Rick Flag Sr. At first I thought it was Photoshopped job where they tried to add Crossbones from the MCU into a DC movie. I had to do a little research to find out that he was in the movie as Rick Flag Sr.
We’ve seen his son (Rick Flag Jr) in both Suicide Squad movies also by James Gunn. The funny thing is Frank Grillo is 59 years old and his son is played by Joel Kinnaman who is 44 years old.
No one is quite sure how much of the Suscide Squad movies are coming over to the new DCU movies. Some of the cast are reprising their roles in this new universe such as Amanda Waller and Peacemaker, so, who knows.
In the comics, Rick Flag Sr. is almost a carbon copy of Nick Fury and his Howling Commandos. He was chosen to lead the first Suicide Squad by President Harry Truman himself. His wife died when their son was 8 years old (pushing Jr out of the way of a car). 2 years later, he died while fighting War Wheel by crashing his jet into it. This left Jr alone at the age of 10.
Just read any issue of the Suscide Squad comics and you will find him (JR)
Secret Origins Vol 2 #14
Day of Judgement #11-12
Suscide Squad #26 (Flashback only, but damn good)
The wall is back. Not sure if she will appear in the Superman movie but she is back in the DCU, still played by Viola Davis. She will be reprising either the original Suscice Squad version or a Multiversal version of the same character. We know that she will appear in the Creature Commandos (coming out BEFORE Superman), and Peacemaker Season 2. According to DigitalSpy, she will also be getting her own show “Waller”. Lets hope.
Amanda Waller is kind of a controversial character. A high-ranking government official and intelligence operative, she is best known for her role as the leader and architect of the Suicide Squad, also known as Task Force X.
Waller's background is rooted in tragedy and resilience; she grew up in the crime-ridden streets of Chicago and endured the violent deaths of her husband and children. Driven by a fierce determination and a no-nonsense attitude, she clawed her way up the ranks of the U.S. government, utilizing her keen intellect, and strategic mind. The girl is RUTHLESS!!
Amanda Waller's defining characteristic is her unyielding belief that the ends justify the means. She recruits and coerces supervillains and criminals to undertake high-risk missions for the government in exchange for reduced sentences, often implanting explosive devices in their necks to ensure compliance.
Despite lacking any superpowers herself, Waller commands respect and fear from metahumans and government officials alike. Her morally ambiguous methods and willingness to make hard, often ethically questionable decisions for the greater good make her a controversial figure.
In various storylines, Waller has been depicted as both a hero and an anti-hero, always maintaining her steadfast commitment to protecting national security, no matter the cost. Hell, in one story she was both…she cloned Batman (villainous) to give us Terry McGinnis (heroic). Damn Waller.
Batman Beyond" Vol. 6 #1-6 (Told Ya)
Suicide Squad: Raise the Flag TPB
Checkmate Vol. 2 #1-31 (Ya, I know its a lot)
Legends #1-6 (Gotta love the first appearances)
It is still undetermined who this character is as of today. There have been a lot of online rumors that there will be a non-multiverse version of an evil Superman. This has led to the speculation that there will either be a clone of Superman (possibly created by Lex Luthor) who is Ultraman (evil Superman from Earth-3) that will eventually become Bizarro.
The “U” on his chest and the fact that he is able to hold Superman in an arresting position lends to this, but…
There is also the possibility that this could be Ulysses. He has a very similar origin to Superman (if you squint a little). In order to save their son from an earthquake, scientist Peter and Bridget sent their son Neil Queen (no relation to Oliver Queen AKA Green Arrow) to the 4th Dimension.
It was there that he came back with powers (Energy Transference, enhanced Intellect, Enhanced Senses, Flight, Superhuman Durability, Toxic Immunity (Sorry Poison Ivy), Superhuman Speed/Agility/Reflexes, Strength, and Super Breath).
I have to say, if this Black Noir (The Boys) inspired suit is Ultraman, it is a huge let down. If it is a comic accurate Ulysses, major upgrade.
Forever Evil #1 & #2
Justice League Vol. 7: Darkseid War Part 1
Justice League of America #29
Trinity of Sin: Pandora #5
Superman Vol 3 #32 - #38
Superman Vol 3 #52
Action Comics Vol 1 #976
Superman/Wonder Woman Vol 1 #28
Ok, I truly don’t think that anyone will be putting Crypto the Super Dog in the movie. That being said, try heading over to your dashboard and enter the code “CryptoDog” and see what happens. I can’t promise anything, but it might be pretty cool if it does something…hint, hint, hint.
I told you that I would give you a badge for not telling Joe that I made that joke earlier.
