We’re on the cusp of a definitive moment in time for Hollywood as James Gunn tries to reanimate the superhero movie corpse following years of blindingly bland offerings. While box-office support has remained steady, the fervor that once followed Marvel and DC properties on the big screen has waned. As far as the 21st Century goes, there’s no doubt that Marvel has been paving the way, aside from the Dark Knight Trilogy by Christopher Nolan. The success of Marvel was a game changer—and not necessarily a pretty one. But in recent years, aside from a few novel standouts that feel more like lower bars being cleared than genuine triumphs, any fun of seeing a superhero film in theaters has been diminished by lackluster offerings.
Enter James Gunn, who clearly is seeking revitalization with the release of Superman, the second update to the long-lasting franchise. And, for what it’s worth, the trailers thus far have been effective. In part due to the classic score, the comic-friendly color story, and the way it tugs on our impulse to cast our eyes to the sky in search of a hero. We will soon know if Superman, starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, is worth the unyielding hype. Especially as Superman on the big screen will forever be cast in the looming shadow of Christopher Reeve, the only actor until now to truly embody the character’s goodness (at least in live-action).
And it’s that last note where we pivot into the theme of the week: DC. Despite the noise and chatter regarding the new and improved DCU, DC on the whole has been producing worthwhile and engaging stories for ages now, from the pages of its comics to beyond the silver screen.
DC week celebrates all the many facets of the brand.
Despite the dominance of Marvel throughout (nearly) the last two decades (which…ouch), DC has remained a mainstay for comic fans and not just those who prefer the more serious sensibility it touts. While Gunn, with The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker, and Superman, alongside the underrated Blue Beetle, has pivoted modern adaptations into looser, more fun exports, DC has been playful long before Marvel reached for every easy quip and pop-culture reference, and screeching goats.
Sure, Nolan’s trilogy certainly saw a dampening effect on how people view DC, and the subsequent Man of Steel and abysmally dour Batman v Superman did little to suggest anything in the vicinity of fun. Still, DC has always had a playful side. Look no further than its many animated outputs, from the recent success of Harley Quinn and My Adventures with Superman on HBO, to the early aughts, when animated vibrancy was boundless in Teen Titans, Batman Beyond, and Justice League Unlimited.
Tim Burton’s Batman series may have drawn from classic noir aesthetics and stage work, but the effect was gaudy and camp, especially in the excellent Batman Returns. The Batman franchise is where we got Batsuit nipples and the fever dream nonsense of Joel Schumacher’s take on Gotham. Hell, for Superman himself, all we have to look at is the original Superman, with Christopher Reeve. There was an adaptation that spoke to all the character was without feeling the need to needlessly darken his corners.
But it’s not just about film
Not to say that it’s bad when DC goes dark. There are reasons why Elseworlds stories such as Injustice is so popular, or why a character like Batman, with his grit and tools, would be endlessly engaging, no matter the many iterations. But to contain DC to one flavor of storytelling is to diminish the effects the very best of its offerings can produce.
Which, very often, are through comics themselves. Series such as the contemporary YA approach to Teen Titans, from Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo, work wonders in redefining what comics can be. Similarly, something like the recent Absolute saga positions very family characters like Wonder Woman and The Flash in fresh and unfamiliar settings. Even as the cinematic adaptations grow tiresome, their origins remain ever-evolving.
For DC Week, we look to celebrate DC in all its messy incarnations. From our personal favorites to its video game tie-ins (not the bad ones), DC has been a mainstay in media for decades. DC Comics has been around for nearly a century, and the first Superman movie premiered almost 50 years ago. The history is immense and storied and filled with enormous highs and frustrating lows. As Superman takes to the skies once more in an attempt to revitalize the caped summer blockbusters, we look to the smaller moments that continue to enthrall fans.
Superman arrives in theaters July 11.
Image courtesy of Warner Bros Studios.
Based in New England, Allyson is co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of InBetweenDrafts. Former Editor-in-Chief at TheYoungFolks, she is a member of the Boston Society of Film Critics and the Boston Online Film Critics Association. Her writing has also appeared at CambridgeDay, ThePlaylist, Pajiba, VagueVisages, RogerEbert, TheBostonGlobe, Inverse, Bustle, her Substack, and every scrap of paper within her reach.
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