Superman’s Big Reveal Could Introduce One of DC Comics’ Most Underrated Teams

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Alongside the debut of David Corenswet as the latest Superman and launching the DC Universe onto the silver screen, James Gunn’s Superman brought to life an array of well-known and underappreciated DC Comics characters for this rebooted series. Characters like Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) and Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), who were already fan favorites, were joined by newcomers such as Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), and The Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría). However, one character created specifically for this film may shape the future of the DCU in significant ways.

WARNING: The following contains MAJOR spoilers for Superman

In a different take, Ultraman – distinct from the renowned Japanese superhero by Eiji Tsuburaya – was introduced as a secondary antagonist to Corenswet’s Clark Kent in the movie Superman, penned by James Gunn. Clad in an all-black attire and mask, his true identity remained hidden until the grand finale. In their ultimate showdown, it was disclosed that Ultraman was a less intelligent duplicate of Superman, with Corenswet portraying both characters within the film. While some viewers foresaw this plot twist, few anticipated his abrupt disappearance into a dark abyss. Nevertheless, there’s speculation that he may reappear in the future, possibly teaming up with one of DC Comics‘ lesser-known yet promising groups.

Ultraman Could Introduce The Outlaws to the DCU

Introducing Fake Superman/Bizarro into the DC Universe could spark numerous opportunities for a possible sequel to Superman or related projects. Although some fans are fixated on Bizarro being a Superman antagonist, the character becomes much more intriguing when portrayed as a misunderstood ally instead.

In his role as a member of The Outlaws, he hasn’t appeared in any DC movie yet. Despite their dedicated fan base and exceptional character development in the comic books, particularly among its main trio, introducing The Outlaws would be ideal for the “Gods & Monsters” era of the DC Universe on the big screen.

In my perspective, while the Outlaws may not boast the centuries-old legacy that Superman carries, they certainly compensate with their captivating narratives and unique team dynamics. Initially debuting during the New 52 era, I was among those who welcomed Jason Todd (Red Hood), Starfire, and Roy Harper (Arsenal) into the comic book world. Yet, it wasn’t until the Rebirth initiative that the real magic happened. The team underwent a transformation with Starfire and Roy being replaced by Bizarro and Artemis – a Themysciran warrior who rivals Wonder Woman. This new lineup added a fresh twist to the Outlaws, making their stories even more compelling.

In the Rebirth universe, originally known as The Outlaws and later transformed into the Dark Trinity, these three characters were under the constant surveillance of Batman due to their former lives as villains. Batman was concerned about them wandering the cities of Gotham and Metropolis because of their past criminal activities. However, they all demonstrated their value as anti-heroes, following a (very flexible) moral code. The Rebirth universe delved into their roles as anti-heroes and developed Bizarro more extensively than many other comic books had in the past. Instead of portraying him as a comical character, the series depicted him as a troubled clone grappling with an identity crisis who strove to emulate Superman’s legacy.

The Outlaws Could Easily Be Introduced in the DCU

It’s great to suggest that James Gunn and DC Studios could introduce any team, but actually writing those characters into the cinematic universe is an entirely different challenge. Fortunately for the DC Universe, a lot of the groundwork for these characters has already been laid out. If fan theories are correct, Ultraman might reappear as Bizarro in a future DCU project.

Regarding Red Hood/Jason Todd, it’s been confirmed that his future in the DC Universe includes a role in the upcoming animated movie titled “Dynamic Duo”. In this project, Jason Todd will team up with Dick Grayson. The script is penned by Matthew Aldrich and directed by Arthur Mintz, offering a glimpse into the early stages of their friendship. What makes this film unique is its fusion of stop-motion animation, computer-generated imagery (CGI), and puppetry.

There are two potential ways for Artemis to make her debut in the DC Universe. Firstly, considering the massive success of Superman at the box office, James Gunn has expedited the production of a Wonder Woman film. Although details about this movie remain unclear, it could be an ideal opportunity to introduce Artemis, another resident of Themyscira. Secondly, Artemis might make an appearance in the Paradise Lost HBO series, which is currently under development in its early stages.

Superman is in theaters now.

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2025-07-20 02:13