For over 80 years, superheroes have been inspiring people around the globe to be more than they ever thought was possible. Whether it’s in the form of a Halloween costume or a mind-bending work of cinema, superheroes are there for their fans every step of the way. In recent years, one particular superhero franchise has begun to stand out more and more: D.C. Comics.
With iconic heroes such as Batman and Superman, it is no doubt that D.C has made a name for itself worldwide. However, the company has had its fair share of struggles over the years from the box office failure of the “Green Lantern” movie of 2011 to the varied opinions on director Zack Synder’s series of films, dubbed “The Snyderverse,” throughout the 2010s.
Despite these setbacks, D.C. has made recent moves to set itself up for a whole new level of success. With the birth of a brand new collection of comic series, a new cinematic universe directed by James Gunn and the continuation of the popular works of director Matt Reeves, D.C. is ready for a complete takeover of the superhero genre.
Set to exist in a universe parallel to the main cannon of the D.C. universe, the new Absolute Universe (AU) of comics is a creative take on the already beloved heroes. Published works in this series include “D.C. All-In Special,” “Absolute Batman,” “Absolute Wonder Woman” and “Absolute Superman.” More characters are being adapted into this universe in the future including the Flash, Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter. Each run alters specific elements of the characters’ backstories, introducing an exciting new storyline.
As co-chair and co-CEO of D.C. Studios, along with Peter Safran, veteran director of superhero films, Gunn, has been tasked with creating an entirely new D.C. universe comprised of both movies and TV shows.
His films are known for their irreverent humor, colorful characters and unconventional plots. Some of his most popular works include the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy, “The Suicide Squad” and the “Peacemaker” TV show.
Fans of Gunn can look forward to new takes on beloved characters in his upcoming projects. The most highly anticipated of these works is “Superman: Legacy,” which will premier on July 11, 2025. Fans of the character look forward to a more lighthearted and human approach to the Man of Steel played by David Cornswet.
Trinity High School Junior Cody Clifford says, “I’m excited to see Superman finally act like Superman instead of a soulless alien like he has in other movies.”
Clifford isn’t the only D.C. fan eagerly awaiting an improved adaptation of one of their favorite heroes. Trinity Senior Ally Slack is ready for the recently announced “Lanterns” TV show, which will serve as a much needed redemption for the character after the poorly received movie adaptation in 2011.
“I’m expecting Green Lantern to finally get a better backstory. It’s about time they gave him another chance after doing him wrong in the past,” Slack adds.
Even with a variety of new projects to look forward to, D.C. fans can rest assured that Reeves’s already popular world, which includes “The Batman” and “The Penguin,” will live on. “The Batman” is confirmed to have two sequels, the first of which will be released on October 2, 2026.
The popularity of “The Batman” can be attributed to the captivating cinematography, focus on storytelling and the performances of lead actors Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz and Paul Dano.
“My favorite D.C. movie is ‘The Batman’ because of the way it was filmed and the way they let everything just take its time to get you interested in the movie,” says Clifford, who has been a fan of both Batman and D.C. as a whole since childhood.
With so much in store, D.C. fans new and old are sure to be entertained with new stories for years to come!
