DC’s Most Successful B-List Superhero Could Become James Gunn’s Iron Man (Here’s How)

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James Gunn’s new DC Universe is off to a promising start, demonstrating a strong respect for DC’s classic characters and even giving attention to lesser-known heroes. We’re already seeing these supporting characters, like Mr. Terrific and Metamorpho in Superman appearances, which is great because they’ve been popular in DC’s animated shows for a while.

While many lesser-known heroes haven’t gotten their due, Bernhard Baker, or Animal Man, truly deserves a chance to shine. Though he’s historically been a relatively obscure character, excellent comic book storylines by writers like Grant Morrison and Jeff Lemire have elevated Animal Man, making him ripe for a fantastic adaptation.

Animal Man Would Shine Like Never Before in the DCU

James Gunn’s vision for the DC Universe clearly embraces the fun and quirky spirit of older comics. Bringing in Animal Man, a relatively unknown hero from that era, would be a great fit. Gunn has already proven he can make even obscure characters memorable, as seen with Peacemaker, Ratcatcher, Polka Dot Man, and Vigilante. Now, what about a superhero known for some really wild and unusual storylines?

The DCU’s early plans are exciting because they cover a wide range of genres. While familiar heroes like Supergirl are part of the lineup, the DCU is also introducing lesser-known series such as The Authority. Plus, James Gunn is planning several horror-themed projects, including stories centered around Clayface and Swamp Thing.

The recent movies don’t quite capture the terrifying body horror that made Jeff Lemire’s Animal Man comic so great in The New 52, though it was still a very successful take on the character. It especially shined with its exciting crossover event, “Rotworld,” alongside Swamp Thing. However, the best way to really revitalize Animal Man is obvious.

Grant Morrison revitalized the relatively unknown comic book character Animal Man with issues #1-26 (September 1988 – July 1990), turning his story into a captivating exploration of the line between fiction and reality. The series culminates in a surreal twist where Buddy Baker, the hero, confronts the person who created him, making it a particularly strong candidate for a movie adaptation.

One Difficult Filmmaking Trick Could Make Animal Man a DCU Legend

Similar to how A-ha’s “Take on Me” featured a famous music video where Morten Harket pulled someone into a comic book world, the comic Animal Man used a technique called rotoscoping to bring its readers into the story. Rotoscoping, which involves tracing over live-action footage to create animation, allowed the comic to seamlessly blend two very different worlds – the real one and the fantastical one within its pages.

This visual style isn’t common in big-budget films; you’ll mostly find it in movies like Richard Linklater’s Waking Life, A Scanner Darkly, or Apollo 10 1/2. It offers a unique look – incredibly realistic, yet still resembling a comic book. This approach could give Animal Man a chance to shine in his own film, and that might actually be a good thing.

I’m a huge fan of Grant Morrison’s Animal Man because it really gets into Buddy Baker’s head. He’s not just fighting villains; he’s dealing with the everyday struggles of being a husband, a dad, and the one who keeps the family afloat. What’s even more powerful is how the story tackles tough real-world problems like animal testing, and it brings in some lesser-known but awesome DC characters like B’wana Beast. It’s amazing to see how far Morrison pushes the boundaries of what a hero who gets powers from animals can do, and what that even means for him.

When the story shows Buddy and his family being manipulated by their creators, he discovers the harsh truth about his different lives – some are much lonelier than others. This would be a more thought-provoking storyline, but the DC Universe has been building a good reputation for taking risks with its plots, as we saw with Peacemaker.

Animal Man Has Safer but Rewarding DCU Opportunities as Well

It’s also important to remember Morrison’s other work on the character, especially if DC ever created a limited series based on 52. They successfully brought Animal Man back in the 2000s, teaming up with writers Geoff Johns, Greg Rucka, and Mark Waid to reveal the full extent of his powers when connecting with alien lifeforms.

Although Gunn is starting the DC Universe with movies featuring well-known characters, adapting the story 52 would offer something truly different. It would allow him to focus on lesser-known heroes, antiheroes, and villains, telling a new story during a year when major heroes like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman are missing. This would be a chance to introduce fresh faces and a compelling plot.

The story arc of ’52’ isn’t something DCU creators should jump into right away, considering how quickly launching complex storylines without proper setup damaged the previous DC film universe, as seen with ‘Justice League’. However, if DCU wants to feature lesser-known heroes like Animal Man – embracing the unsettling body horror elements of characters like Clayface and the unconventional approach of Grant Morrison’s run – it could be a really exciting direction.

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2026-02-23 16:20