Under The Gunn: Comic book inspiration for DCU

This was a big week for the new DC Studios. Co-Chairs James Gunn and Peter Safran held a private press conference at Warner Bros to unveil the beginning of their 10-year journey to create a connected universe otherwise known as the DCU.

It was their Big Bang.

The next day, a visibly giddy Gunn posted a video on Twitter announcing the new DCU slate this morning. “One of our strategies is to take our diamond characters, which is Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and use them to prop up other characters that people don’t know,” Gunn explained yesterday.

Now Gunn, who is a great communicator on Twitter talked more about their choices and what led to them. “We’ve talked a lot about Woman of Tomorrow, but these are more of the comics inspiring #DCStudios and the new #DCU in these early days. That doesn’t mean we’re adapting all these comics, but that the feel, the look, or the tone of them are touchstones for our team. Check ’em out!”

The comics are: Grant Morrison’s All-Star Superman (which Gunn has previously teased), The Authority Omnibus by Warren Ellis, Grant Morrison’s Batman Vol. 1, and Alan Moore’s Absolute Swamp Thing Vol. 1.

 

REELated:

Fate of Superman & Lois revealed

We’re sure many of you have read some or all of these titles already, but if not, here’s a summary of each:

All-Star Superman: Considered by some to be one of the best Superman stories ever told, All-Star Superman is a twelve-issue American comic book series. Written by Grant Morrison, drawn by Frank Quitely, and digitally inked by Jamie Grant, the series revolves around Superman, who is dying due to overexposure to the Sun, as he accomplishes many heroic feats and attempts to make peace with the world before his imminent death. This will be the basis for Superman: Legacy.

Batman: Volume 1: This collection kicks off with the introduction of Damian Wayne! Then, Batman and a group of global heroes face a killer on a mysterious island, and Batman relives an adventure in the life of young Bruce Wayne: the hunt for his parents’ killer. And when Bruce Wayne disappears, the Club of Villains begins a crime spree through the streets of Gotham City, while Batman’s allies attempt to keep order. This will serve as inspiration for Batman: The Brave and the Bold

The Authority: Warren Ellis’ New York Times bestseller The Authority is considered one of the most groundbreaking titles in modern comics history. The Authority are heroes in only the strictest sense of the word. Ruthless and unforgiving, this group of insanely powerful superhumans face down countless menaces to Earth, protecting mankind with their cold version of justice. The team includes:

  • Jenny Sparks, the team’s perpetually young leader.
  • Midnighter, an unstoppable fighter capable of taking down the toughest opponents.
  • Apollo, the nearly invulnerable Sun King with astounding control of solar energy.
  • The Doctor, a man capable of warping reality itself.
  • The Engineer, a brilliant scientist with complete command of nanotechnology.
  • Jack Hawksmoor, God of the Cities, who draws his powers from urban surroundings.
  • Swift, the winged superhuman known as the fastest flyer on the planet.

This tough team must face an invasion from an alternate Earth, an international terrorist who is laying waste to major cities and a hostile alien intelligence who calls himself God–and all fall under their rule. Whether it’s terrorists or superhuman villains capable of destruction on an unthinkable scale, the team is ready to take on the foes the rest of the world isn’t strong enough to fight. This is The Authority. Pay allegiance. Or get your head kicked in.

Swamp Thing: Alan Moore’s legendary run of Swamp Thing tales is collected in Absolute format at last, completely recolored for this new edition! This first of three volumes includes Moore’s first Swamp Thing story, issue #20’s “Loose Ends,” a prelude to his haunting origin story, “The Anatomy Lesson,” which reshapes Swamp Thing’s mythology with terrifying revelations. Collects Saga Of The Swamp Thing #20-34 and Swamp Thing Annual #2.

Logan director James Mangold is in talks to helm Swamp Thing and Gunn is writing the new Superman movie himself (he may also direct, but that’s yet to be confirmed). The DCU, with these choices, is off to a good start!

Nominate Someone You know For 5th Annual The Reel Black List OR Reel Women

The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.

This was a big week for the new DC Studios. Co-Chairs James Gunn and Peter Safran held a private press conference at Warner Bros to unveil the beginning of their 10-year journey to create a connected universe otherwise known as the DCU.

It was their Big Bang.

The next day, a visibly giddy Gunn posted a video on Twitter announcing the new DCU slate this morning. “One of our strategies is to take our diamond characters, which is Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and use them to prop up other characters that people don’t know,” Gunn explained yesterday.

Now Gunn, who is a great communicator on Twitter talked more about their choices and what led to them. “We’ve talked a lot about Woman of Tomorrow, but these are more of the comics inspiring #DCStudios and the new #DCU in these early days. That doesn’t mean we’re adapting all these comics, but that the feel, the look, or the tone of them are touchstones for our team. Check ’em out!”

The comics are: Grant Morrison’s All-Star Superman (which Gunn has previously teased), The Authority Omnibus by Warren Ellis, Grant Morrison’s Batman Vol. 1, and Alan Moore’s Absolute Swamp Thing Vol. 1.

 

REELated:

Fate of Superman & Lois revealed

We’re sure many of you have read some or all of these titles already, but if not, here’s a summary of each:

All-Star Superman: Considered by some to be one of the best Superman stories ever told, All-Star Superman is a twelve-issue American comic book series. Written by Grant Morrison, drawn by Frank Quitely, and digitally inked by Jamie Grant, the series revolves around Superman, who is dying due to overexposure to the Sun, as he accomplishes many heroic feats and attempts to make peace with the world before his imminent death. This will be the basis for Superman: Legacy.

Batman: Volume 1: This collection kicks off with the introduction of Damian Wayne! Then, Batman and a group of global heroes face a killer on a mysterious island, and Batman relives an adventure in the life of young Bruce Wayne: the hunt for his parents’ killer. And when Bruce Wayne disappears, the Club of Villains begins a crime spree through the streets of Gotham City, while Batman’s allies attempt to keep order. This will serve as inspiration for Batman: The Brave and the Bold

The Authority: Warren Ellis’ New York Times bestseller The Authority is considered one of the most groundbreaking titles in modern comics history. The Authority are heroes in only the strictest sense of the word. Ruthless and unforgiving, this group of insanely powerful superhumans face down countless menaces to Earth, protecting mankind with their cold version of justice. The team includes:

  • Jenny Sparks, the team’s perpetually young leader.
  • Midnighter, an unstoppable fighter capable of taking down the toughest opponents.
  • Apollo, the nearly invulnerable Sun King with astounding control of solar energy.
  • The Doctor, a man capable of warping reality itself.
  • The Engineer, a brilliant scientist with complete command of nanotechnology.
  • Jack Hawksmoor, God of the Cities, who draws his powers from urban surroundings.
  • Swift, the winged superhuman known as the fastest flyer on the planet.

This tough team must face an invasion from an alternate Earth, an international terrorist who is laying waste to major cities and a hostile alien intelligence who calls himself God–and all fall under their rule. Whether it’s terrorists or superhuman villains capable of destruction on an unthinkable scale, the team is ready to take on the foes the rest of the world isn’t strong enough to fight. This is The Authority. Pay allegiance. Or get your head kicked in.

Swamp Thing: Alan Moore’s legendary run of Swamp Thing tales is collected in Absolute format at last, completely recolored for this new edition! This first of three volumes includes Moore’s first Swamp Thing story, issue #20’s “Loose Ends,” a prelude to his haunting origin story, “The Anatomy Lesson,” which reshapes Swamp Thing’s mythology with terrifying revelations. Collects Saga Of The Swamp Thing #20-34 and Swamp Thing Annual #2.

Logan director James Mangold is in talks to helm Swamp Thing and Gunn is writing the new Superman movie himself (he may also direct, but that’s yet to be confirmed). The DCU, with these choices, is off to a good start!

Nominate Someone You know For 5th Annual The Reel Black List OR Reel Women

The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.

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