20 Years Ago DC’s Superman Masterpiece Wrote The Perfect Blueprint For The Man of Steel

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2025 was a fantastic year for Superman. His return to the movies was a hit, and DC Comics released new comic books featuring the iconic hero. The success drew on Superman’s rich history, particularly one influential story. James Gunn, the writer and director of Superman, revealed that All-Star Superman – a 12-issue series by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely – was a major inspiration for his vision of Kal-El. Many longtime fans weren’t surprised by this choice, as the story, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, remains incredibly important to the character even today.

Many consider All-Star Superman to be one of the greatest Superman stories ever told. It beautifully combines the best elements from every era of the character, resulting in a truly exceptional narrative. From the moment it was released, readers recognized its special quality, and it has since become the standard for everything fans admire about Superman. It’s a landmark comic, offering a timeless and flawless story that remains impactful even today.

All-Star Superman Showed The Classics Never Go Out of Style

As a huge Superman fan, I absolutely love All-Star Superman. The story starts with a classic Lex Luthor scheme – he tricks Superman into absorbing a deadly dose of solar radiation while seemingly rescuing scientists. But what follows isn’t about Superman fighting to survive; it’s about him deciding how to make the most of his remaining time. It’s brilliantly structured around a quest that feels like a modern take on the twelve labors of Hercules. Morrison and Quitely really deliver a captivating and surprisingly emotional story, and it’s packed with incredible superhero moments – it’s just a fantastic read.

While many see the All-Star Superman series as primarily inspired by the classic, optimistic sci-fi stories of Superman’s early years, it actually draws on ideas from throughout his entire history. It features the familiar themes of Superman helping everyday people, along with elements like Kryptonite and storylines reminiscent of “The Death of Superman.” The series also introduces new Kryptonians and variations like Bizarro, and explores the romantic relationship between Lois Lane and Clark Kent, with the staff of The Daily Planet playing a significant part. Writer Grant Morrison even references their own DC One Million storyline by bringing back characters like Superman Prime and Solaris the Tyrant Sun. Ultimately, All-Star is a rich mix of concepts from different eras, all centered around the original superhero.

As a lifelong Superman fan, it really bothers me when creators feel like they need to ‘update’ him for today’s world. I’ve seen so many interviews where they talk about making him ‘relevant’ to modern times, and honestly, it usually feels really off. Remember when they tried to make him a conservative businessman? Yikes! But All-Star Superman proved something important: Superman doesn’t need a makeover. He’s a timeless character, and the core of who he is already works perfectly. He’s just… perfect as is.

Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s acclaimed run didn’t revolutionize Superman, but proved that the character’s core elements still work brilliantly with thoughtful handling. He doesn’t need updating to feel relevant – he’s timeless. While society evolves, Superman’s fundamental ideals remain consistently powerful, as do the classic elements of his universe. For example, Morrison reimagined Bizarro World as a menacing cosmic force, but maintained its inherent humor. It was a fresh take on a familiar concept. Similarly, Lex Luthor’s over-the-top plans can still feel exciting and impactful, just as they did in the past, if executed well. All-Star Superman served as a reminder of the scale of threats Superman should face, all without drastically altering his character.

All-Star Superman Showed the Limitless Potential of Superhero Comics

Many of the best Superman stories from the past two decades have been inspired by All-Star Superman. James Gunn recently shared he’d be drawing from this source material, and while some expected specific plot points, he actually captured the feeling of the comic. His Superman feels remarkably similar to the version in that classic story, which greatly enhances the movie. Instead of trying to modernize or darken the character, Gunn presented Superman as the hopeful, god-like figure who believes in humanity – a truly powerful and inspiring portrayal.

Superman is a surprisingly delicate character, and many interpretations have missed the mark. However, his fundamental qualities are timeless and don’t need updating for modern audiences. All-Star Superman perfectly demonstrated this, proving that a compelling story can be told simply by highlighting what makes the hero great, without resorting to grimdark themes. It’s a prime example of how to write a truly great Superman story, and its impact on DC Comics has been significant.

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2026-01-28 02:43