DC Comics has announced a digital-first comic book series that ties into the recently released The Death of Superman animated movie. Oh man, there’s so much to unpack here.
If you haven’t seen The Death of Superman animated movie, the good news is, it is a remake of the animated movie Superman: Doomsday that came out in 2007. That movie is based on The Death and Return of Superman event that nearly destroyed the comic book industry. So while The Death of Superman: Part 1 digital comics looks at what Superman means to those in the DCU, DC already did this in 1992!
Anyway, here’s a bit from the press release:
What is it like to be Superman—when the events of a day can be completed in a matter of minutes? This series begins as readers follow the hours that lead to the Man of Steel’s face-off with Doomsday—the alien that is destined to destroy him. He’ll save an astronaut when a meteor crashes into their shuttle, he’ll save Major Lane when his experiment-gone-wrong Metallo comes for revenge, plus he’ll save time for a visit when Ma and Pa come to Metropolis to meet his new lady, Lois—and that’s just the beginning. The series contains additional chapters following the path of the Daily Planet’s Jimmy Olsen in those fateful hours, plus the aftermath of the loss of a true hero.
The Death of Superman: Part 1 is a 12-part series that is being released weekly via all the digital comic outlets, which should lead up to the Death of Superman Part 2 animated movie.
Why? WHY!?
Obviously, no one wants to read old comics anymore, and the only way to keep the industry going is to retell those old stories for a new audience. Yes, that statement is full of sarcasm and vitriol mainly because the movie is only so-so in the end.
So, is there anything that we can take away from the announcement? At the very bottom of the press release is the following statement
The Death of Superman is the inaugural film in the DC Universe Movies series, produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment.
You’re probably scratching your head, because this is the second time we’ve seen a change in the direct-to-video line. Before this announcement, there was the DC Universe Animated Original Movies, which included such greats as Justice League: The New Frontier and Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths. This is different than the DC Animated Universe, which is the shared universe that was born from the Batman: The Animated Series. The DC Universe Animated Original Movies were often based on comic book properties, but as the series grew there was more connectivity between the stories, which may be why the company has changed to the DC Universe Movies.
Is your head screaming yet? Mine is.
Bottom line: If you want to read stories that spin-out of the newest animated movie, there are titles out there for you to grab and read. They will be modern takes on old stories, feature new art, and bring in some modern sensibilities. On the other hand, if you want to read classic comics, track down the following arcs:
Doomsday
Action Comics #684; The Adventures of Superman #497; Justice League America #69; Superman: The Man of Steel #18–19; Superman #74–75
Funeral for a Friend
Action Comics #685–686; The Adventures of Superman #498–500; Justice League America #70; Superman #76–77, #83; Superman: The Man of Steel #20–21
Reign of the Supermen
Action Comics #687–691; The Adventures of Superman #501–505; Green Lantern #46; Superman #78–82; Superman: The Man of Steel #22–26
