Joshua Williamson Teases Summer of Superman Special, Ties to DC’s Big All In Mystery, and More (Exclusive)

The much-anticipated “Summer of Superman” will commence officially with the release of the Summer of Superman Special #1. This special issue boasts a stellar lineup of creators, including Joshua Williamson, Mark Waid, and DC’s newest addition, Dan Slott. Together, they are crafting a three-part tale that not only celebrates a significant wedding but also emphasizes the links to the main Superman series while progressing the larger narrative of DC’s All In era. ComicBook recently had an exclusive chat with Williamson about collaborating on the Summer of Superman Special, its connection to the main storyline, and yes, even WWE and John Cena.

Williamson reminisces about his encounters with Waid at conventions where he used to wait in line for autographs on his Flash comics. Now, they’re collaborating on a Superman story, and Williamson feels incredibly fortunate. It’s like looking back at himself as a kid and thinking, “I’m sorry to sound dated or to mention the people I’m working with, but I waited in line for Mark Waid’s autograph when I was a kid.” So, that is someone he admired immensely for a very long time. He often seeks his guidance and advice on DC Comics, as he believes there isn’t anyone else who knows DC like Waid does. Thus, they frequently discuss various aspects of their work together.

Williamson stated, “Then, for quite some time, I’ve been an ardent admirer of Dan Slott. It’s amusing to recall purchasing the Ren & Stimpy comic as a child, but he’s undeniably accomplished much more since then. There was the impressive Arkham Asylum book he penned, and then, naturally, we move on to Spider-Man. Sometimes, it seems funny with Dan Slott and Spider-Man because it feels like the joke from South Park, ‘they’ve already done it,’ applies to him. In discussions about superhero books and storylines, a part of me often thinks, ‘Dan Slott has already come up with that in Spider-Man’.

Williamson stated, “He was incredibly passionate about Spider-Man, just as Mark and I are about superheroes. It was a treat to have him join our universe and discuss his plans with him. He’s brimming with ideas and eager to explore various aspects of this world.

In “The Summer of Superman Special #1,” the narrative is divided into three distinct segments, with each creator tasked with a specific objective for their respective portions of the tale. One key objective was to commemorate the wedding of Lana Lang and John Henry Irons, a sneak peek of which you can view below. Meanwhile, Williamson’s chapter has several objectives, and one notable aspect that fans will witness is how crucial the primary Superman series becomes in relation to the broader DC Universe narrative that unfolds.

Currently, I’m deeply immersed in the world of Superman, as I pen this book and delve into its stories. As a comic book, Superman is becoming increasingly significant in our ongoing “All In” mystery. The hints we dropped in issue #23 about the importance of the Superman book were just a taste of things to come. To give you an idea, at the end of the All In special, you saw the Darkseid Legion of Superheroes. We’ve also referred to them as the Omega Legion and the Absolute Legion, but those superhero characters you saw in issue #23 are a reminder that Superman is connecting these elements together.

Williamson explained that Waid is primarily working on the first project, which happens to be Superboy in Action Comics. This means a portion of his attention is dedicated to this character, giving us a sneak peek into what he’s up to while maintaining narrative continuity. In contrast, Dan Slott’s focus seems to be more immediate or present-oriented, as seen in the Free Comic Book Day special and Unlimited #1 issues, where you can truly appreciate his storytelling.

Williamson explained that his aim was to conclude the story while also looking forward. In his perspective, his chapter was more about wrapping up the main plot points, such as the beautiful two-page wedding scene, which is mentioned in the solicitations and therefore not much of a spoiler. The story went through an exciting sequence set in the present day that tied up some plots from previous books while also celebrating this significant moment and growth.

In simpler terms, Williamson explained that he was responsible for setting the direction for Superman’s future and planning the upcoming events. This was done through numerous Zoom meetings, discussions, and scriptwork with Waid. They were in constant communication, often over the phone and text messages, to ensure a consistent storyline. The editor, Paul Kaminski, helped organize everything, while artist Jorge drew all the illustrations for the project, which Williamson praised as excellent.

Let’s not depart without discussing a bit about wrestling, given that John Cena’s heel turn in WWE has recently been announced. This development occurred after The Rock demanded Cody Rhodes’ soul, and when I wondered if Superman was battling for his soul, it wasn’t too much of a stretch.

Williamson cautioned against revealing too much about the “Summer of Superman,” as it ties into a larger narrative we’ve been developing, one that extends beyond Superman himself. The struggle for Superman’s soul is an upcoming theme, and he hinted at its significance without giving away specifics. Some insights into this will be given in the “Summer of Superman” special, serving as a setup for what’s to come. He also mentioned that they have some ambitious plans for Superman in the future, which he finds very exciting.

The Summer of Superman Special #1 will soar into comic stores on April 16th.

2025-03-22 00:42

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