Superman has nearly 90 years of comic book history. So why do we keep getting the same stories adapted over and over?
Fans are tired of surface-level adaptations and desperate to see some of the character’s best work finally make it to screen.
The Top Picks
“Superman Smashes the Klan” dominates many online conversations amongst Superman fans. Originally a 1946 radio serial that helped expose the real KKK’s secrets, the 2019 graphic novel reimagining tackles bigotry and hatred head-on. Multiple fans called it their number one choice—and in today’s climate, it’s easy to see why.
“Secret Identity”, the beloved Elseworlds tale about a regular guy named Clark Kent who gains Superman’s powers in our world, was another frequent request. Fans want it as a standalone—no sequels, no cinematic universe. Just a thoughtful meditation on power and responsibility.
The Deep Cuts
Some fans went obscure. “Miracle Monday”, Elliot S. Maggin’s novel that directly inspired “All-Star Superman”? Never adapted. “Emperor Joker”, where the Joker gains reality-warping powers and tortures Batman to death repeatedly? Too dark for Hollywood, apparently.
Grant Morrison’s “New 52 Action Comics run”, featuring a younger, working-class Superman in a t-shirt and jeans fighting corrupt landlords? Fans are begging for this take on the character who punches up instead of just punching aliens.
The Frustration
“I would love to see a legit, well-done, accurate adaptation of Death/Reign/Return, but I don’t think it’ll ever happen,” one fan wrote. “It’s already been adapted to death anyway.”
And that’s the problem. Hollywood keeps returning to the same handful of stories—usually doing them poorly—while decades of brilliant Superman comics sit collecting dust.
Why It Matters
With James Gunn’s “Superman” film bringing a fresh take to the character, fans are hopeful the industry will finally start mining the deeper catalog. Stories like “Up in the Sky” (Superman crossing the universe to save one girl) or “Superman: War of the Worlds” prove there’s so much more to explore beyond “Superman punches villain.”
Superman deserves better…
WATCH: Our full breakdown of the Superman stories that desperately need adaptations.
What Superman story would you adapt? Tell us in the comments!
For many years, Warner exes gave the impression that their familiarity with Superman was limited to movies and TV, or that they assumed the same of viewers. Smallville and Superman Returns were aligned with the Reeve universe, and often not to their benefit. The Cain/Hatcher series was the first to reflect the Post-Crisis approach to the identity and the Lois relationship, but it took much longer for that to show up in the theatrical releases.