Comic-Con: Epic new Superman story heralds return of Grant Morrison

Of Superman Current Status about to be exposed, and all thanks to Warworld. At San Diego Comic-Con, writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Alien, The Last God) discussed his plan to challenge the Man of Steel with Action Comics’ upcoming arc, Warworld Rising. Led by a new Mongul, the gladiator planet’s tyranny against its people becomes too much for Clark Kent to ignore. “He doesn’t just belong on Earth.” Johnson pointed out. “Clark doesn’t feel like he has many options in leaving, but he has to.”

Rescuing refugees in Warworld will mean putting a team together, theme by Grant Morrison (Green Lantern, All-star Superman) and Mikel Janin’s (Batman, Wonder Woman) miniseries four issues, Superman & Power. The Authority is Wildstorm’s answer to the Justice League, which was later incorporated into the main DC Universe thanks to the New 52, ​​and the new team will feature fan-favorite characters like Manchester Black and Midnighter.

When creating new looks for the characters, Janín had a simple decree: “Everyone works alone and together, like a strong image.” His aim is to have modern costumes but also to reference the history of the characters. This is most noticeable with Clark’s new Superman suit, inspired by Morrison and Rags Morales’s New 52nd Era. Action Comics run – starring a younger Clark in jeans and a Superman t-shirt – plus Alex Ross ‘designed for’ Kingdom Come.

Regardless of their looks, each member of the Agency will make up for Clark’s dwindling power – oh, did we mention his power is dwindling? – while he acts as a leader. For Morrison, it was an opportunity for Clark to be flexible with parts of himself he couldn’t always use, such as his brain. They explain that the Man of Steel is going through a Kryptonian version of a mid-life crisis and grin as they promise “the cape is off!” Clark will certainly feel comfortable no longer having to represent his home planet in space.

“Suddenly, “I was no longer bound to this role and responsibility,” Morrisson said. “He doesn’t have to be Superman anymore.”

When Clark was in space, it fell into the hands of his half-brother Jonathan Kent to keep the Earth safe. Tom Taylor (Suicide Squad, Unjust) will tell Jon’s story in Superman: Son of Kal-El, where he will battle Jon against more modern problems than Superman has faced before. “It’s easy to punch a space robot, but it’s harder to punch social inequality and the climate crisis,” Taylor said.

Image: John Timms / DC Comics

Jon will be navigating his new role with a supporting cast that includes his BFF, Damian Wayne aka Robin. But it won’t be easy: Taylor points out that even with the best of intentions, Jon will sometimes get into trouble and he’ll face resistance from other forces as he tries to make it happen. world change.

The future of both Supermans is something all three writers wish not to spoil. All Johnson is willing to say is that Clark finally has a “plan” for Warworld, and the Authority will play a role in it. This may sound some alarm bells, as the character has recently sunk into tyranny in other media. But from the way all three writers talk about the character, it seems like we’re going into deep again Unjust script.

“I want [Superman to be] someone I have always aspired to be,” Johnson said, adding “someone who regularly wields absolute power, but uses it with absolute passion and humility. ”

Warworld Rising will start in Action comic # 1033 on July 27th, the same day tháng Superman: Son of Kal-El #1 on the shelf. Superman & Power #1 was released on July 20th.