James Gunn’s Superman is simply across the nook, however DC followers hungry for early particulars are already digging into the formally licensed prequel novel Superman: Welcome to Metropolis.
Written by David Lewman and launched June 3 through Penguin Random Home, the 144-page e book serves up an origin-lite model of Clark Kent’s early days in Metropolis full with a job hunt, supervillain fights, and first contact with future allies.
The novel is described as being “impressed by the movie,” which provides Gunn loads of wiggle room to maintain, or discard, no matter he needs from it. However for followers who need a head begin on this new model of Superman, it’s a enjoyable tease at what’s coming.
The story opens with Clark making an attempt to land a job on the Every day Planet. He will get it by writing an unique interview with Superman. That’s proper, the rookie reporter’s first task is principally a PR piece on himself, written after stopping Lex Luthor from sabotaging a toy manufacturing facility.
Why a toy manufacturing facility? Luthor claims it’s smuggling contraband in stuffed animals. His henchman Otis questions the logic, however Luthor rapidly shuts him down. Both approach, the incident places Superman on his radar.
After Clark’s “debut,” Luthor sends a half-human, half-machine weapon, Metallo, to assault Metropolis Corridor. Superman intervenes, and for the primary time, we meet the so-called Justice Gang, which incorporates Mister Terrific, Man Gardner (Inexperienced Lantern), and Hawkgirl.
It’s value noting that Man is the one who insists on the identify “Justice Gang,” although Mister Terrific and Hawkgirl clearly don’t find it irresistible.
Superman manages to overpower Metallo and toss him into the harbor, however Luthor recovers the physique and upgrades it utilizing a mysterious inexperienced component. Although it’s by no means named, we will assume it’s kryptonite.
In spherical two, Metallo practically defeats Superman, who’s saved on the final second by the Justice Gang. Impressed by their teamwork, Mister Terrific invitations Superman to affix them. He doesn’t give a solution, however the door is clearly open.
In the meantime, Lois Lane is making an attempt to get an interview with Lex, and she or he’s lower than thrilled concerning the Every day Planet’s new rent. Jimmy Olsen additionally makes an look. Ultimately, Clark helps Lois get an unique with Superman, persevering with his pattern of scooping the newsroom utilizing inside data.
The e book ends with Lex gathering items of the destroyed Metallo and realizing that the unusual inexperienced component often is the key to bringing Superman down for good.
That story thread, together with the point out of the armored villain The Hammer of Boravia (an unique creation from James Gunn’s movie), means that whereas Metallo won’t seem within the film, parts from the e book might bleed into future movies.
The timeline is fuzzy. It’s not made clear how lengthy earlier than the movie the e book is about, or whether or not it matches into the DCU continuity Gunn is crafting. However Welcome to Metropolis positively looks as if a soft-launch for the tone and world of Gunn’s Superman.
Whether or not this story formally “counts” or not, it’s a strong warm-up for what’s coming in July.