If you haven’t seen Zack Snyder’s Justice League on HBO Max yet, I recommend turning around and checking it out! We touch one some spoilers from the epic 4 hour “Elseworlds” special. It is currently unknown if Zack Snyder will make anymore movies, TV shows, specials, or anything else having to do with the DCEU, but the Snyder cut opens the door to some great potential spinoffs. We’re not sharing some secret news or exclusive, we’re just looking at a few potential ways that we’d like to the the ZSJL universe continue. Again, spoilers to follow!

NIGHTMARE TIMELINE MINI SERIES

We saw a warning from the future in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice along with a brief vision Batman had of a “Nightmare” Earth. In Zack Snyder’s Justice League this idea was expanded big time. While connecting to the Mother Boxes, Cyborg got a warning that looks like the start of the “Nightmare”! A future where Darkseid has killed Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and Lois Lane, and has brainwashed a revived Superman. Later in the Epilogue, we see this world again with Batman leading a team of heroes and villains against Darkseid and the now evil Superman. I assume that future Zack Snyder Justice League movies would have expanded this concept further, but without those it would be great to see these ideas as an HBO Mini series or full blown series. Potentially we could even get to the point where Flash goes back in time to stop the future?

STAR LABS ANTHOLOGY SERIES

Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League all worked hard to establish STAR LABS as the go to scientists of the DCEU when the world has to deal with alien attacks and general superhero chaos. ZSJL introduced us to Dr. Ryan Choi, who in the comics took over the mantle of the Atom from Ray Palmer. With a STAR LABS centric anthology series on HBO Max, we could see Choi become the Atom (which could make for a fun episode or two). And since STAR LABS is always there when trouble happens, this could be a great way to expand the universe and introduce all sorts of new heroes and villains- while also showing us new adventures with established characters like Cyborg and (more spoilers!) Martian Manhunter without needing the actors to make multi-year commitments.

NEW GODS TV MOVIE OR MINI SERIES

For years there has been a movie based on the New Gods in development being overseen by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay. There has been mixed information whether it would be connected to the DCEU or its own thing. One of the key things the Snyder cut of Justice League did was to establish Darkseid, his followers, and Apokolips, setting up a great foundation for a New Gods movie. It would be pretty awesome to see DuVernay’s in development movie move from Warner Brothers to HBO Max and become either a mini series or TV movie that further tells the story of those who would rebel or fight back against Darkseid. I’d love to see Orion (the son of Darkseid), Big Barda, and Mister Miracle leading the series.

Did you watch yet? What spinoffs would you like to see from Zack Snyder’s Justice League?

After the craziness of “Dark Knights: Death Metal” & “DC Future State”, the Man of Tomorrow is back to form with the return of his two ongoing titles Superman and Action Comics, now with an all new creative team. 

Writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson is taking over writing duties on both titles with Phil Hester providing pencils for his first two part story that opens in Superman #29. 

Description: “The Golden Age” features both Kal-El and his son, Jonathan Kent, in a story that looks at the legacy of one of the world’s greatest heroes and asks a difficult question—as Superman ages, could we lose him once again? Facing an otherworldly threat powerful enough to truly hurt, or even kill, the Man of Steel, Jon must sort through his feelings towards Superman, both as a beloved and needed superhero and as his dad as they face a battle that will change both of their lives forever.

Preview images cropped from the new issue:

Superman #29 hits stands, shops, and digital on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 from DC Comics.

Time for a quick look at a few issues that are coming out on #NewComicWednesday for November 13, 2019.

DC COMICS

FAR SECTOR #1
Official Description: N.K. Jemisin, the acclaimed, award-winning author of The Broken Earth and Inheritance science fiction trilogies, makes her comic book debut with bestselling Naomi artist Jamal Campbell as they thrust you into a stunning sci-fi murder mystery on the other side of the universe! For the past six months, newly chosen Green Lantern Sojourner “Jo” Mullein has been protecting the City Enduring, a massive metropolis of 20 billion people. The city has maintained peace for over 500 years by stripping its citizens of their ability to feel. As a result, violent crime is virtually unheard of, and murder is nonexistent. But that’s all about to change in this new maxiseries that gives a DC Young Animal spin to the legacy of the Green Lanterns!
Writer: N.K. Jemisin | Artist: Jamal Campbell

SUPERMAN #17
Official Description: Superman’s new Fortress of Solitude sits in the most remote corner of the Bermuda Triangle. Constructed using Kryptonian technology far beyond anything our world knows, filled with intergalactic, pan-dimensional secrets from all over the Multiverse…how could it possibly be missing?
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis | Artist: Kevin Maguire

MARVEL COMICS

MORBIUS #1
Official Description: MORBIUS IS THE LIVING VAMPIRE…OR IS HE MORE? ALL-NEW ONGOING SERIES! For years, Nobel Prize winning biologist Michael Morbius has been struggling to cure himself of his vampirism, and now, for the first time in years, one may be within reach! But the path to it is littered with dangers and worse!
Writer: Vita Ayala | Artist: Marcelo Ferreira

THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #50
Official Description: FINAL ISSUE! This is it! After 58 issues (comics numbering is, dare we say: nuts), an OGN and a whole bunch of both eating nuts AND kicking butts, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl reaches its 50th and final issue! When we say “The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl’s final issue” though, we mean the *comic book*, not the character. Doreen Green will be fine! She’s fine!…OR IS SHE? Because in our previous issue it really seemed like things WEREN’T fine and since it’s our last issue maybe we’re feeling that since anything COULD happen then anything SHOULD happen! There’s only one way to find out, and you’re looking at a solicit text for it! Friendship, explosions, and friendships forged during explosions: it all comes down to this!
Writer: Ryan North | Artist: Derek Charm

BOOM STUDIOS

B B FREE #1
Official Description: b.b. free broadcasts her underground radio show from her remote swamp community, and she has no idea she’s actually the chosen one. It’s been over a hundred years since the Plague That Ate Greed wiped out half the population, and it’s the only world that b.b. has ever known. But when b.b. rebels against her overbearing father, she realizes that everything she believes in could be a lie. On the run from her own family, b.b. will learn the truth about the world she lives in, and about the power she never knew she had. Writer Gabby Rivera and debuting artist Royal Dunlap present an adventure for fans of Blackbird and ‘mysterious destiny’ heroic fiction like Naomi about finding your family when the whole world is against you.
Writer: Gabby Rivera | Artist: Royal Dunlap

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #9
Official Description: A HELLMOUTH TIE-IN! It’s up to the All-New Scooby Gang of Cordelia, Willow and Xander to save Sunnydale. There’s just one problem-the Hellmouth is spreading evil all over Sunnydale, putting everyone under its thrall. As the inhabitants of Sunnydale turn on one another, will the Scooby Gang be enough?
Writer: Jordie Bellaire | Artist: David Lopez

Lots of good stuff is coming out on Wednesday. What are you picking up?

The trunks are back and The Man of Steel relaunches with a new number 1 and a creative team in writer Brian Michael Bendis with art by Joe Prado and Ivan Reis. This is Bendis’ first big project with DC since signing an exclusive deal with the publisher, and what a perfect series to pair with the writer. I’m excited to see where he will take my favorite superhero.

This issue continues from Action Comics #1000, and expands on the story of Superman’s newest villain, Rogol Zaar. Was he responsible for the destruction of Krypton? Is he more powerful than the Man of Steel?

The official description for the first few issues of the new series:

The Man of Steel #1
A new era begins for Superman as a threat from his earliest origins reemerges to destroy the Last Son of Krypton. As Superman struggles to come to grips with what has happened to his wife and son, he must also face a new threat that’s determined to burn down Metropolis!

The Man of Steel #2
With an arsonist loose in Metropolis, Superman’s powers are almost useless in finding the culprit. And back at the Daily Planet, everyone wants to know what’s going on with Lois Lane. How can Clark hold on to the secret of what happened to Lois and Jon much longer?

The Man of Steel #3
The merciless killer and zealot calling himself Rogol Zaar has searched the cosmos for Superman—and when he reaches the Fortress of Solitude, his actions will cut Superman to the core.

I want a really good Superman movie. After Justice League, Warner Brothers and DC Comics have a uniquely clean slate to move forward, correct past wrongs, and really make a great sequel to Man of Steel. The main cast and world have been established. You don’t need to introduce things or retell the origin. Just make a really good damn movie. One thing that would help with that is to add some of Superman’s wonderful supporting characters from the comics and animated shows beyond the main players that have been established. Lois Lane, Perry White, Martha Kent, are all stables that you need, but there are so many more rich characters to add.

Lets look at a few of these characters and potential actors that could bring them to life.

 

Mariska Hargitay as Maggie Sawyer. Captain Maggie Sawyer, one of the toughest members of the Metropolis’ Special Crimes Unit. As Lieutenant Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Hargitay already plays one of the toughest cops ever put on the screen, now picture her going against the Parasite instead of sex offenders and murderers. Hair color aside, she is also the spitting image of the character.

 

D.B. Woodside as John Henry Irons, aka Steel. Sure, Superman now has Batman, the Flash, Wonder Woman, and the Justice League as allies, but he needs to expand his family. Supergirl or Superboy are obvious choices, but my favorite member of Superman’s extended hero family is Steel. In Post-Crisis, he originally stepped up to fill in Superman’s shoes after his death and he could do the same here. Maybe while Superman was gone and then teaming with the league, John Henry Irons stepped up to protect the Suicide Slum in the Man of Steel’s absence as Steel. D.B. Woodside looks spot on as Irons. He is as big as him muscle wise and has the perfect presence and intelligence to pull off the engineer turned superhero.

 

Steve Austin as Bibbo Bibbowski. While speaking about Suicide Slum, how can I not mention (and cast) Bibbo. The big goofy guy who owns and tends bar at the Ace o’ Clubs, happens to be Superman’s biggest fan and could bring much (much!) needed comedic relief to Man of Steel 2. Steve Austin is tough as nails, like Bibbo, and brings a likability and charisma to the character that could be the perfect balance for someone who could too easily turn too cartoony and annoying.

 

Robert Patrick as Sam Lane. Lois’ father is a war hero and (depending on the version) a sometimes foe of Superman. He needs to be a military man through and through. He also needs to be believable as coming up against Superman, but not having the audience hate him as he is Lois’ father. Will he press on against Superman or flip and end up helping? Robert Patrick is a badass who can be the hero or the villain (changing in an instinct if needed). He is tough enough to look Superman in the eye and tell him to backdown.

 

John Shea as Frank Berkowitz. This is a smaller character that a lot of modern readers might not know. He was the Mayor of Metropolis introduced Post-Crisis in John Byrne’s “Man of Steel” mini-series. He stood up against Lex Luthor and in return was gunned down by a sniper hired by Luthor. John Shea, who portrayed Lex Luthor in Lois & Clack: The New Adventures of Superman, would be the perfect legacy actor to fill this role. There is something poetic with having a former Luthor be the Mayor who stands up to the new Luthor. He has the look and it would be sad to see him get killed. Bonus: They could use this as a potential cameo for Will Smith’s Deadshot as the sniper.

 

Adam Hicks as Jimmy Olsen. Jimmy is Superman’s best friend and one of the most important characters in his universe. It is also one of the hardest characters to cast. He needs to be young, but not too young, energetic but not annoying, and needs a full head of red hair. Before you comment, NO that photographer in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was not Jimmy Olsen. I don’t care what deleted scenes or extended versions say. Bring him in Man of Steel 2 as the spunky younger brother of Rebecca Buller’s Jenny Olsen. Have him become an intern at the Daily Planet with dreams of being a photographer. He gets a lucky break with a picture of Superman saving the day and the rest is history. I honestly don’t know Adam Hicks (I’ve never seen Freakish, Pair of Kings, or Zeke and Luther), but he is spot on the spitting image of Jimmy Olsen.

Who would you like to see in Man of Steel 2? Agree or disagree with my suggestions? Let me know in the comments! 

Official Description: Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes—Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash—it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.

As exciting as it is to have these characters on screen together, the costumes feel off and while overall the vibe is lighter in tone, the movie is still so dark. The lack of Superman in the trailer is understandable, but it makes the team and movie feel so incomplete. Without Superman it is not the Justice League. One of Batman v Superman‘s biggest mistakes is now hurting any anticipation I want to have for the team up.

The movie hits theaters on November 17, 2017.

This week we have a pretty awesome mix of comics coming out on Wednesday. Here are six spotlight issues from a variety of publishers.

MARVEL COMICS

Uncanny X-Men #600
Description: The final explosive issue in Brian Michael Bendis’ epic X-Men saga! Scott Summers – savior or destroyer? Questions will be answered! The Jean Grey School, the New Xavier School – it’s all going to change. The X-Men are at a crossroads. And not everyone will make it through in one piece. Featuring 40 pages of a host of popular X-Men creators!
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis | Artist: Kris Anka | Cover Artist: Chris Bachalo

Ant-Man: Larger Than Life #1
Description: Join Hank Pym, a.k.a. ANT-MAN, as he learns that a little experiment can land him in BIG trouble! Can Ant-Man tame something as painfully formidable as the Bullet Ant before it’s too late?! Find out! PLUS: Reprinting Tales to Astonish #27 (the first appearance of Hank Pym) and Tales to Astonish #35 (the first of appearance of Ant-Man in costume)!
Writer: Corona Pilgrim | Cover Artist: Jung-Sik Ahn

DC COMICS

Superman #41
Description: The epic new storyline “TRUTH” continues with the debut of the amazing new creative team of new writer Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese) and continuing artists John Romita Jr. and Klaus Janson! What will happen when the big secret is revealed?
Writer: Gene Luen Yang | Artists: Klaus Janson, John Romita, Jr.

We Are Robin! #1
Description: Spinning out of the pages of BATMAN! The teenagers of Gotham City have adopted the “R” and made it their own. A new Robin? No, HUNDREDS of new Robins! Don’t miss the start of this new series from rising star writer Lee Bermejo (JOKER, SUICIDERS), who also provides the covers!
Writer/Cover Artist: Lee Bermejo | Artists: Jorge Corona, Rob Haynes, Khary Randolph

IMAGE COMICS

The Walking Dead #143
Description: A Union.
Writer: Robert Kirkman | Artist: Charlie Adlard, Stefano Gaudiano, Cliff Rathburn

Spawn #253
Description: What if you had the ability to communicate with someone inside their final dream but were powerless to prevent the dream from ending? Al Simmons journeys to a place he vowed he would never go: to his childhood, and to the side of a dying man he never fully knew in order to save the soul of his own estranged father. Meanwhile, Al’s personal tragedy magnifies as the forces of darkness close in on the souls of those he loves the most.
Writer: Paul Jenkins | Artist: Jonboy

All of these issues are on sale this Wednesday, June 24, 2015. What issues do you have in your pull list?