James Gunn has described his DCU as its own distinct universe influenced by, but not entirely based on, the original comics, and there are plenty of stories ripe for adaptation to his vision. This era of the franchise has been defined by adventure, humor, and genre versatility, leaving the door open for numerous sagas to come to life. Covering characters like Batman, Superman and Green Lantern, they’re aching for a great new lease on life.
With the first look at projects like The People v. Gorilla Grodd and Clayface on the horizon, fans are pumped for the range of this franchise. There’s close to a century of stories to choose from, but some tales stand out for their unique potential in the vision Gunn has brought to superheroes. From space operas to superhero buddy cop stories, these are ripe for the adaptation they deserve.
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Superman: Batman: Public Enemies Could Establish the World’s Finest
In 2003, Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness told one of the best World’s Finest stories of the 21st century in their debut Superman/Batman story, “Public Enemies.” In a world where Lex Luthor has been elected President of the United States, the Man of Steel and Caped Crusader have been made fugitives of the state. Hunted by friend and foe alike, they’re framed for treason, forcing them to operate outside the law to save Earth from an approaching asteroid.
If Gunn wants to introduce the World’s Finest partnership to live-action, there’s simply no better story arc than “Public Enemies.” With the election of Lex Luthor as a key plot point, it could double as the perfect superhero satire of our time, something audiences are more than receptive to. It’s a political thriller wrapped up in the DC universe, and seeing it finally come to live-action is long overdue.
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Sgt. Rock vs the Army of the Dead Could Make DC Thrive In Sci-Fi Horror
In 2021, horror movie icon Bruce Campbell turned in one of the greatest DC horror stories in years when he and Eduardo Risso made Sgt. Rock vs. the Army of the Dead. As the name suggests, it follows Rock and the boys of Easy Company as they’re forced into battle with a horde of reanimated Nazi zombie soldiers. With the war raging on, the hardened troops battle their way to Hitler himself.
Gunn has repeatedly explained he wants his DCU to be dynamic and diverse, applying the full range of genres available in the medium. Sgt. Rock vs. the Army of the Dead could blend war and horror masterfully for an audience not used to either from comic book cinema. If faithfully adapted, it could only further cement Campbell’s place as horror royalty, and flicks like Overlord show the interest is there.
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JSA: Year One Could Be the DCU’s Answer to Captain America: The First Avenger
DC’s All-In initiative delivered the greatest era of the JSA since before the New 52 when Jeff Lemire jumped on the series. In one arc, he set out to explore the early days of the team in “Year One.” Illustrated by Gavin Guidry, it follows the various heroes as they’re united by a series of mysteries that trace back to the StarCo corporation. Realizing they can do more together than apart, they begin to form their partnership, all while war looms in the background.
DC fans are still waiting for a Golden Age Justice Society story, and getting that right could give Gunn’s DCU its answer to Captain America: The First Avenger. Delving back into the history of the universe is essential to creating a sense of scope, scale, and legacy, revealing the foundations of modern superheroes. Lemire’s tale is the perfect blueprint for that, and could work as a thriller-fantasy masterpiece.
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Robert Venditti’s Hawkman Could Be A Perfect Space Opera
In 2018, Robert Venditti and Bryan Hitch revived Hawkman for a fresh solo series that follows Carter Hall’s investigation into his past. He realizes that his life dates back to a death cult in service of a terrifying being from another dimension. Reincarnating as penance for his past sins, various iterations of the hero from across space and time come together to save the world.
Venditti and Hitch’s Hawkman run could be as epic a cosmic odyssey as Green Lantern and as adventurous as an Indiana Jones movie. This tale could be the Guardians of the Galaxy of DC, especially if it stays true to the comics and includes characters like the Atom, Adam Strange, and Hawkwoman. It’s a story that deserves to be told, and is the perfect match for the space swashbuckler vibe of past Gunn stories.
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Damage Blends The Incredible Hulk and The Fugitive Into One Character
In 2017, Robert Venditti, Tony S. Daniel, and Aaron Lopresti unveiled one of the best DC monster comics of all time in Damage. It follows the story of Ethan Avery, a US soldier who volunteered for the titular program, transforming him into a walking weapon of mass destruction. For up to one hour every day, he can turn into the creature known as Damage, but becomes public enemy number one when he abandons the military for his own freedom.
Damage is a story that would be a perfect vehicle for Gunn to use to expand the DCU. On the surface, it’s an epic fugitive monster series in the vein of classic Incredible Hulk, but it could also introduce some of the universe’s most obscure characters along the way. After all, Avery’s quest for peace and sanctuary brings him up against the Justice League, Suicide Squad and the inhabitants of Dinosaur Island.
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James Robinson’s Starman Could Be A Streaming Hit
In 1994, James Robinson, Tony Harris and Wade von Grawbadger teamed up to pass the classic Starman mantle to a new generation. Their series follows Jack Knight as he begrudgingly picks up the Cosmic Staff following the retirement of his father and the murder of his brother. Setting out to find who wants to silence the Starman, he makes it his own, becoming a unique brand of superhero made for the ’90s.
Jack Knight would fit in perfectly with the vibe Gunn has crafted for his DCU, a counterculture hero who plays by his own rules and isn’t afraid to shake things up. A TV series based around his adventures could combine the best ingredients of Watchmen, 1990s comics, and the success of Peacemaker into something completely new.
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The Question: The Deaths of Vic Sage Could Rival Spider-Noir’s Marvel Presence
In 2019, Jeff Lemire partnered with Dennis Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz to turn in the darkest mystery of modern DC with The Question: The Deaths of Vic Sage. It follows the universe’s foremost hard-boiled vigilante and private eye as he looks into a cult in Hub City. That search sends him spiraling throughout history, from the Old West to the noir-tinged world of the golden age, coming to realize his town is haunted by pure evil.
Spider-Noir has already shown the blueprint for a good detective superhero project, and Gunn could easily go even further with the Question. It has all the makings for a surreal thriller sure to remind people of a David Lynch movie, from time travel and the supernatural to cults and murder plots. If done right, this comic book miniseries could become the Twin Peaks of the superhero genre.
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Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps War Is the Next Step For Hal Jordan
Geoff Johns’ Green Lantern run brought Hal Jordan to his absolute best, and nothing proved that like the “Sinestro Corps War” arc. Here, the former hero becomes an aspiring cosmic despot as he forms his own corps based around the power of fear. As both sides clash in a battle to determine which color will rule the universe, sparking an epic years-long power struggle still present in the DCU today.
With Lanterns officially a streaming success, the door has been flung open for them to become the cosmic powerhouse they should be. The series has already laid the groundwork for Sinestro to become a big bad in the universe, and there’s no better way to do him and the GLC justice than the “Sinestro Corps War.” It helps fans understand the dynamic between the Corps, the villain’s motivations, and just how grand the cosmos can be.
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Superman: The Warworld Saga Is A Gladiator Parallel For Sci-Fi Fans
In 2021, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Daniel Sampere and Ricardo Federici undertook one of the most ambitious Superman projects in decades with “The Warworld Saga.” After being weakened by a cosmic force and attacked by soldiers of Mongul, he recruits the Authority to aid him in liberating Warworld. However, in his weakened state, the Man of Steel and his allies are taken prisoner, forced to fight in the planet’s hellish gladiator games.
“The Warworld Saga” could be the greatest and most epic Superman story ever put to the silver screen if handled by someone like Denis Villeneuve or Gunn himself. This should be the superhero answer to Robert E. Howard and Ridley Scott’s Gladiator all at once; it just takes the right hand to make it work. Here, the best of Clark Kent is pulled to the surface, showing he’s truly a champion for everyone, no matter his power level or how impossible the task may seem.
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DC: The New Frontier Needs to Be the Justice League Origin Story
In 2004, Darwyn Cooke turned in his magnum opus when he wrote and illustrated DC: The New Frontier. The story explores the universe’s transformation from the Golden Age to the sci-fi-inspired Silver Age, with the first formation of the JLA. When a cosmic entity known as the Center surfaces to wipe humanity from the face of the Earth, characters like Hal Jordan, Barry Allen, and J’onn J’onnz come together to save the world.
The New Frontier basically reinvented the JLA’s classic encounter with Starro, transforming it into something more existential in nature. Cooke’s story could easily be modernized to fit the movie franchise, especially as a way of introducing key team members not yet established. Made as a story of national unity with an eye towards the legacy of DC Comics, Darwyn Cooke’s DC: The New Frontier is perfect for a Justice League origin story.
- Cast
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David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Milly Alcock, Edi Gathegi, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Anthony Carrigan, Viola Davis, John Cena, Xolo Mariduena
