#or Superman without compassion

[junkdrawerfan]

Superman is the myth that the most powerful being will always chose righteous compassion.

Batman is the myth that the most privileged man will always chose empathetic justice.

Wonder Woman is the myth that the greatest warrior will always chose unwavering love.

These themes are central to the reasons why they are superheroes. It’s also why they stand atop as the Trinity.

[zziggerang]

Hanging up without saying “I love you” prank

Pairing: Clark Kent x Female!Reader

Status: One-Shot

Word Count: ~1.2k

Genres: Fluff, Humor, Established Relationship, TikTok prank, Soft!Clark, female reader.

Summary: You decide to prank Clark by hanging up on him without saying “I love you.” It’s just a harmless TikTok trend, right?

My masterlist

It started as a joke. A dumb TikTok trend.

You were scrolling on your free time when the algorithm blessed you with a video captioned “Hanging up without saying I love you on my boyfriend to see how he reacts.”

The girl in the video ended the call casually and the guy instantly called back, mildly panicked, adorably confused.

You had to admit, the temptation was real.

And okay, yeah, maybe it was a little mean. But Clark? He was the sweetest. He’d call you “my love” like he was born in the 1800s, he always kissed your forehead like he’d never see you again, and he refused to hang up the phone without an “I love you.” Ever.

So obviously, you had to try it.

You leaned against your desk, grinning as you picked up your phone and hit “My Superman💙💙💙” on speed dial.

He picked up on the first ring.

“Hey, sweetheart.”

His voice was warm, velvet soft, and somehow always full of relief like just hearing you made everything in his day better.

“Hey, baby. Just checking in. How’s your day?”

He sighed gently. “Long. Bunch of back-to-back interviews. Cat spilled coffee all over my notes, again. But seeing your face at lunch made it better.”

You smiled despite yourself. “She did look guilty.”

“She did not,” he said, deadpan. “She smirked.”

You laughed. “Okay, okay. I gotta head back to work. Talk later.”

“Okay, I love you, bye.”

And with that, you hung up.

No “I love you too.”

You grinned. And waited.

It didn’t take long.

Your phone buzzed five seconds later. Clark Calling.

You answered, keeping your voice innocent. “Hello?”

There was a pause.

“…Did we get cut off?” he asked slowly.

“No, why?.”

Another beat of silence.

You could feel him thinking on the other end.

“…You didn’t say it back,” he said softly.

Your stomach twisted a little at the confusion in his tone.

“Say what?”

“You know.”

You smiled, gently teasing. “Do I?”

“Sweetheart.” His voice dropped an octave. “Are you mad at me?”

Your heart cracked a little. “What? No!”

“You always say it. You never hang up without saying it.”

He sounded genuinely thrown. Not angry, just off. Like his whole emotional compass had glitched.

“I mean,” he added quickly, “it’s okay if you forgot. Or if you’re just busy. I just— I thought maybe I did something.”

Guilt hit you like a truck. Or maybe a train.

You instantly felt like the worst girlfriend on the planet.

“I’m sorry,” you said softly, “It was just a TikTok prank. The ‘hang up without saying I love you’ one. I didn’t mean to freak you out.”

Clark was silent for a second.

Then: “A TikTok prank?”

“…Yeah.”

“You did this to me for a video trend?”

You winced. “I wasn’t recording it. I just thought it’d be funny.”

A pause.

Then he sighed. Deeply. Dramatically.

“I fought Kaiju,” he muttered. “I saved the world from alien and monstrous creatures invasion. But somehow this—this—is what takes me down.”

You burst into laughter.

“I’m serious,” he said, though you could hear the smile in his voice now. “I felt like I stepped into an alternate dimension. You always say it. My brain thought we broke up.”

You snorted. “From one phone call?”

“You don’t understand,” he said seriously, “I live in a state of constant anxiety. I love you so much it physically hurts. Don’t play with my fragile heart.”

“Clark…”

“Say it,” he demanded softly.

You bit your lip, heart warm. “I love you.”

“Again.”

“I love you.”

“Again.”

“Clark.”

He chuckled. “Just making up for the one I missed.”

You could practically see his dimpled smile through the phone.

After a beat, he said, “You know what this means, right?”

“What?”

“You just declared prank war. And I’m not above using my powers.”

“…Clark.”

“X-ray vision. Super-speed. Perfect memory. You don’t stand a chance.”

You groaned. “What have I done?”

He laughed. “Too late now. Love you, prankster.”

“Love you more.”

He paused. “Don’t hang up this time.”

You didn’t.

[sparrows4bats]

Doctor Damian handles the medical needs of the Justice League and their children.

He is professional, competent, and kind. More importantly, he asks very few questions and is one of the few medical professionals who know how to treat metas and aliens without making them feel less than a person or some mythical saviour.

For the children and young heroes, he speaks to them like any adult. He may lecture them about ignoring his orders, but they have seen him do the same to Batman, so it doesn't feel as condescending. He keeps their secrets unless it's life threatening and doesn't judge.

He even brings in his pets on vaccination days and after big fights so they can act as therapy animals.

The doctor keeps drawers of snacks and food on hand for any who want them, and everyone who leaves his office does so with lollipops and stickers, so matter their age.

Superman especially likes the blue raspberry, and Batman gets little cow shaped stickers stuck to his cape.

Flash has to restock Damians snack drawer every time he or another member of his family empties it in a speedster snack emergency.

He is a very good doctor and the only one who can pull any JL member from duty at any time, no matter their seniority

His work and compassion earn him a fanclub.

Nightwing may be your favourite hero's favourite hero, but the entire Justice League will do just about anything for their doctor.

Damian is brought coffee after long shifts, and every hero team has his takeout orders memorised.

If he is out on the field, no one gets near him while he works on patients.

The kid heroes follow him like puppies, so Damian teaches them first aid and praises their progress in training.

Some even learn how to swordfight with the doctor.

Damian has snuck more than one into Gotham so they can volunteer at his childrens hospital like he did at that age.

Others join his siblings and hang out at his apartment when they need a safe space.

The younger heroes invite him to game nights and come to him for advice.

The older heroes treat him with more respect than Batman half the time.

Even Batman listens to his orders without question. He is the only one who can get away with lecturing the whole Bat clan without consequence.

Some newer members try to date him only to be met with a wall of protective clingy heroes with strong opinions.

One probationary member doesn't take Damians no as an answer and makes the mistake of bragging about how he will 'convince' him one way or another.

He is only alive because Black Canary caught them trying to sacrifice him to Santa Claus.

The guy is banned from League functions until he completely 200 hours of HR training and completes a pych eval.

He was not the only victim of the fan club but the one that taught the cape community a very important lesson.

Doctor Damian Wayne is to be handled extreme caution. He may have taken an oath to do no harm. His gremlins have no such mercy.

Needless to say, when Jonathan Kent realises he is in love with his best friend, he knows he will be in for the hardest fight of his life.

But Damian, who had managed to befriend even the surliest of heroes through the Alfred Pennyworth method of keeping them alive and well fed, was definitely worth it.

Jon asks Damian on a date when he is sure none of the man's baby heroes can hear them. 500 feet in the air.

Jon is bewitched by the way Damian blushes as he says yes.

Jon gets to kiss him after their first dinner, heart soaring as Damian deepens it.

As the weeks go on, Jon carefully starts to integrate himself into the hangouts Damian accidentally hosts at his apartment. He brings pizza and soft drinks.

Eventually, he is invited to game nights, earning respect and admiration through Ma Kents Pies and his gaming skills.

Jon teaches the younger heroes about mastering their powers and shares stories from the supersons, much to Damians embarrassment.

Slowly, the baby hereos comes to him with their problems. Come to him for comfort or just to use him as a not so human shield from a worried Damian.

When Jon slips up at a movie night and kisses Damian in front of the kids, he expects to be tackled or shot.

What he does not expect is for the young heroes to scrunch up their faces and shout ewwwww.

"Wait, You Knew!!"

"That you and Mom are together? Obviously"

"I am not a mother!" Damian shouts indignant.

Jon laughs "You kinda are though."

"You sleep on the couch tonight." He crosses his arms and walks away from them all.

"But Dames, Noooo," Jon whines as he gets up to follow.

"Mom and Dad are fighting!" One of the kids shout with all the other voicing their agreement.

[goldenbrowns]

જ⁀➴ CLARK KENT HEADCANNONS

just boyfriend clark and his antics ◟✿ warnings: not really, pretty fluffy.

જ⁀➴ Clark’s music taste isn’t exactly broad. He mostly listens to what he grew up with—songs that remind him of home, of mornings in the Kent farmhouse with his mom humming along as she cooked. Don McLean is sacred. American Pie, Vincent—classics. He puts them on while making breakfast, like clockwork. And without fail, they wreck him. You’ll glance over and find him tearing up at the stove, blinking fast like that’ll help. You ask him once, “Why do these songs get you so emotional? You’re not even into Van Gogh.” (The song "Vincent" is basically an ode to Van Gogh, and "American Pie" is one to Buddy Holly)

He sniffles, flips a pancake, and says, “You’re heartless. Have you heard the lyrics? That’s poetry, thank you.”

“You cried during a commercial for arthritis cat food last week.”

“Because I have empathy,” he shoots back, mock-offended.

And yeah—he’s Superman, sure. But you’ve never met anyone softer than Clark Kent listening to a Don McLean song at 8 a.m. in his kitchen.

જ⁀➴ You hadn’t quite gotten used to it—being with Clark, knowing he truly, unshakably loved everything about you. Not just your laugh or your thoughts or the way you held his hand when you were nervous. But you, completely. You used to think Clark’s love for humanity ended with the soul—compassion, hope, bravery. But it’s more than that. He sees the human body as something sacred, something resilient. Even if his is nearly identical, he knows he’s not really one of you. Maybe that’s why he’s so in awe.

Your past—boys who picked apart what you wore, what you looked like, how you looked when you didn’t smile—left marks. And so did your own words, the ones you whispered to the mirror in quiet moments.

But Clark? He traces those same parts like they’re written in gold.

“You know,” he says one night, running a hand gently along your arm, “I don’t think people realize how incredible they are. Everything your body’s been through, and it’s still yours. Still strong. Still beautiful.”

You try to brush it off with a laugh, but he stops you, eyes soft.

“No, I mean it. You’re a miracle. Every inch.”

જ⁀➴ Clark may not get sick like humans do, but he knows how fragile the human body can be—and he reveres it. He reads medical journals like most people scroll social media. Every new study, every breakthrough—he’s on it. If researchers say something might cause long-term damage? It vanishes from your home without a word. One day it’s in the pantry, the next it’s gone. You’ve learned not to ask what happened to the non-stick pans.

He’s quick to scold too, in that soft but stern Clark Kent way.

“You drank that energy drink again, didn’t you?” he says, arms crossed.

You wince. “It was one time. I was exhausted.”

“Caffeine, synthetic taurine, seventeen grams of sugar, and no actual nutrition,” he lists off instantly. “You may as well drink battery acid.”

“Okay, Dad.”

“Oh, but I will call your mom if you keep this up.”

But underneath the scolding is love—a deep, anxious kind of love. Because he’s seen how delicate humans are. How easily hurt. And the idea of losing you to something preventable makes his heart ache in ways even he can’t explain.

“You only get one body,” he murmurs once, wrapping his arms around you. “I don’t get to fix that if anything were to happen to you."

And even though he says that—calm and grounded—he knows the truth. If anything ever happened to you, if you ever got sick and couldn’t be treated here, he’d tear through the galaxy without hesitation. He’d fly straight through the heart of Andromeda if it meant finding a planet, a cure, a fragment of something that could save you. Nothing on Earth or beyond would keep him from trying.

જ⁀➴ Clark was never exactly tech-savvy. He still types with one finger and once called the Wi-Fi “the internet signal.” But he does have an Instagram account—with exactly 15 followers (two of which are your parents) and follows mostly rescue shelters, NASA, and you.

And he lives for Reels.

You can hear them echoing through the apartment when you’re in the shower—dog videos, inspirational quotes in cursive fonts, and Flowers by Miley Cyrus for the fiftieth time in ten minutes, all blasting at full volume like your boyfriend’s a suburban mom on her iPad.

He sends you a steady stream of dog memes, tiny cat posts with a follow-up message saying “you,” and medical infographics with captions like “new study suggests drinking cold water too fast is bad for your esophagus,” followed by no context. Just the link and sometimes “pls read.”

But the best part? When you post a selfie.

He replies three, four, sometimes five times to the same Story. Once with “Sweet Jesus,” then again with “That's my girl!!” and “Good grief.” And maybe five minutes later: “Lord have mercy I need to sit down.”

જ⁀➴ Clark has terrible dad jokes. Like, the kind that make you roll your eyes so hard you’re afraid they’ll get stuck. But he tells them anyway, with that earnest smile that makes you laugh even when you’re trying not to.

He loves puns—the cheesier, the better. One minute you’re having a serious conversation, and the next he drops something like, “Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything.”

You groan. “Clark, please.”

But then he just grins wider, proud as can be. “I’m here all week.”

He saves them for moments when you need a little lift, or when you both are just lounging on the couch. You swear his joke book is infinite—and honestly, a little bit endearing.

જ⁀➴ Clark tries so hard to keep up with your slang, but it doesn’t always land. One afternoon, you’re scrolling through your phone, laughing at a TikTok, and he peers over your shoulder.

“That’s so… cunty?” he repeats carefully, raising an eyebrow like he’s testing the word for balance.

You blink, surprised. “Uh, yeah. Like, unapologetic, powerful, feminine. Kind of fierce energy.”

Clark nods slowly, considering. “So if someone does something bold and… that way, you’d say, ‘That’s so cunty’?”

You grin, amused. “Exactly.”

The next day, you catch him using it in the newsroom, totally deadpan: “Lois was being so cunty about the lead on that story.”

Lois gives him a look that could freeze a volcano. Clark just shrugs, smiling like he nailed it.

You laugh, shaking your head. “You’re never getting rid of that one now.”

જ⁀➴ Clark doesn’t curse. Ever. You’ve known him through world-ending crises, explosive arguments at Daily Planet, and even a dropped pie on Thanksgiving—not once have you heard anything harsher than a “heck” leave his mouth. So naturally, when you stub your toe on the coffee table and let out a very colorful string of expletives, he gasps like you’ve just kicked a nun.

“Language,” he says, pausing mid-fold with a pair of your socks in hand, brows raised in gentle disapproval.

You shoot him a look through the pain. “Clark. I’m in agony. You want me to say ‘gosh darn’ and call it a day?”

“I’m just saying there are... alternatives,” he says, calmly, like this is a productive conversation and not a moral intervention. “You could say, like, ‘shoot’ or ‘fudge.’ Or ‘crumbs.’ People say ‘crumbs,’ right?”

You stare at him. “Clark, no one under the age of 97 says ‘crumbs.’”

He crosses the room and kisses your forehead like he’s trying to cleanse your aura. “You kiss me with that mouth?”

You grin. “You love this mouth.”

He stammers, caught. “W-Well. That’s not the point.”

જ⁀➴In your household, killing bugs is absolutely forbidden—not by you, but by Clark.

You learned this the hard way the first time you spotted a spider on the wall and casually asked, “Can you kill that?” He turned to you like you’d just asked him to burn down an orphanage. “Kill it?” he repeated, hand to his chest in genuine sympathy for the spider.

“It’s more scared of you than you are of it.” You rolled your eyes, but he wasn’t done. “What if it has a little spider family to go back to?” he added softly, already retrieving a cup and a piece of paper to gently relocate the poor thing.

Since then, it's become routine: you scream, he walks in calmly, says something like “Let’s not be dramatic,” and gently escorts the bug outside like it's a guest who overstayed its welcome. You’ve caught him more than once murmuring “Sorry, little guy” while setting them free. You gave up arguing about it—Clark Kent doesn’t kill anything that isn’t absolutely world-ending. Not even spiders.

[cakypa120]

Imagine that Captain Marvel, Billy Batson and Living Lightning are three personalities in one body. Living Lightning is a little over 200,000 years old, Billy is twelve, but Captain Marvel is three years old, because Billy got his powers at nine.

Of course, Marvel will be asked how old he is.

The captain will immediately say that he is three years old.

Only no one will believe him and everyone will think that he is mocking them. Marvel will wonder for a long time why everyone is looking at him with resentment.

Then a curse is placed on Captain Marvel, and Marvel, Billy and Living Lightning are separated.

The League's shock is beyond words when they see a three year old running around a twelve year old boy, who was supporting an old man so decrepit that no one knew how he was still alive.

Captain Marvel, Billy and the Living Lightning, or Thavma.

That's how they introduced themselves.

And you know what's funny? Thávma always wants to go somewhere. Because when else would you get a chance to wander around outside of the Champion's body? The old rascal once withdrew a thousand dollars from Batman's account and went to Vegas, where he multiplied it a thousandfold. Billy suspects Solomon's help, but keeps quiet, amused by how Batman loses his shit when he finds out what Thavma did during his trip to the city. And he always manages to slip out from under every hero's nose without being noticed. So everyone just lets Thavma do what he wants.

Three-year-old Marvel never left Diana's side all day, following her around like a duckling. The Amazon loved to pick him up and kiss his cheeks. Marvel laughed loudly and kept asking for more kisses. Every hero cooed at him and gave him hugs. Superman reminded Batman that he couldn't take the child for himself, no matter how much he wanted to. Barry was constantly feeding the child sweets when no one was looking.

All the heroes, from the youngest to the oldest, have stuck to Billy. Batman wanted to steal him away, but Oliver stopped him. Billy gets offers every day that he can move in with someone else. Batman and his children are very persistent. Billy cleverly avoids these offers, like bullets. He is not a little boy, he can take care of himself. He does not need pity. But he does not refuse the food that is given to him.

When the curse is lifted and the three are united again, Captain Marvel is caught by Barry and Hal, who asked to see Billy. The Captain transforms and Billy is taken to Barry's house until Batman can intercept them.

And from that day on, the "Great Custody Battle" began, where there was no pity or compassion.

[stellasfictionalworld]

\\in spite of darkness//

superman x anti-hero!reader 

pt. 1: first impressions matter

pt.2: sun sickness (OUT NOW)

black cat x golden retriever !! darkness manipulation yay yay :)) takes place a year before the movie btw

cw: mentions of blood, injuries, violence, swearing, no use of y/n, she/her pronouns, not proof read, also i hope i don’t miss characterize clark AHH

comments and reblogs are always appreciated <333

—

you’ve lived in metropolis all your life, you loved the city with all your heart. your compassion for the dear city led you to use your abilities to protect it. you lived in the southside of the city. where things were more rough, unfortunate, and violent…

you were a “hero” before superman came into the picture, well you weren’t as well known as him. you clung to the shadows, punishing those who wouldn’t learn, who’d hurt the innocent people in your city. your name was rarely whispered, people were afraid if they’d say it too many times you’d appear like beetlejuice. 

the phantom.

your name was never on a headline, overtime though you’d found a blog or two. you shut them all down after pulling a few strings, unfortunately you weren’t a huge tech whiz. you were able to loop camera footage, interfere with walkie talkies, and find ways to get into buildings (with or without force, depending on the day.) the basics. the darkness helped conceal your appearance even if a camera picked you up, and you secretly liked the identity of the boogie man. however, after the first year of your vigilante business. suddenly many posts on social media about a shadow in allies, beating people (who you think deserved it) to a pulp, telling them to remember your lesson. 

luckily, around that time, superman flew into your city. a true superhero. you remember the breath of relief you let out as the press focused on him, and all the social media posts of you were pushed far back into the corner of the internet. big blue making headlines almost daily and you had to say you were impressed. the man was compassionate, genuine, and did everything he could to help everyone. he barely used an ounce of his strength on a robber, while the robber you chased down visited the hospital before heading to jail. the idiots you dealt with lips trembled when they spoke your name while superman’s idiots were a little more relieved he was there to stop them instead. 

you still helped the people in your city, mainly as a civilian. you’d made a name for yourself as the phantom, a dark cloaked figure that only revealed themselves to punish others. you figured you’d help the old lady carry groceries home wearing sneakers, jeans, a white-t. you’d climb a tree without using your powers, to get that damn cat, snowball, down from the tree for the third time that week. your arms scratched while you returned the white feline (you were pretty sure was the devil) to its owner. you helped at your local food bank, chatting with your neighbors. you were just being a good samaritan. 

some days though you slept through the entire day, it was obvious your sleep schedule was fucked either way. your eye bags were apparent no matter how hard you tried to hide them. when you were in civilian mode, you told people you worked as a security guard, working only night shifts. Technically, you were guarding the city at night. how’d you afford your apartment? well… the goons weren’t going to need ALL that cash since they were going to jail… 

you rarely made appearances during the day time as is, since most of the shady stuff happened at night. however, you made exceptions. superman had been in metropolis for 2 years then. you in your apartment, dozing in and out of darkness. literally. when you slept you became enveloped in it, it had terrified your parents as a child, but you found comfort in it. you fell into the shadows like it was second nature. in between brief moments of being awake you caught the news headlines constantly changing. a live report about superman’s fight against a single magic user. it seemed to be going well but somehow this magic user had been there for over– hold on– you sat up in your seat– OVER AN HOUR?

not a single member of that fuckass justice gang was there either? you watched your laptop screen, noting superman’s movement, he’d slowed down. he had enough energy to still save civilians constantly but not enough time to give another blow to the magician. you got up from from your chair, falling back, your body enveloped in darkness. your fingers reached for your eye mask with white slits in them. you switched out the rest of your clothes for your dark one piece suit and then threw on your cloak. your mask was there incase, you needed to show a semi-kind face to a civilian in need. while your victims received a cloak that belonged to a face of a swirling void. 

you let the shadows pull you in many directions, till you found the right place. you never saw where you were going, but it always just felt right to you, so you emerged from the shadows. your boots hit the ground without a sound as you strode out of the alley. there was a park ahead, tall buildings surrounded it. most civilians had cleared the area by now, you stopped in front of an abandoned car. eyes slightly going wide at realizing many elements were decorated across the city. it was summer, but you were freezing all of a sudden, it was colder than your very own shadows. icicles, snow were decorated around the park and there were large holes in the ground. you realized there were boulders wedged into a couple buildings and suddenly smoke filled your nose. 

you were brought back to reality, just as it became dark. thunder rumbled as you looked up, the magician floated in the air, looking untouchable. you could barely see the smug look on his face as he held something in between his hands. it looked like he’d conjured a red sun in between his palms, emulating his face. this magician was a master of elements, conjuring suns in his palm, starting fires. 

the ground rumbled under your feet as you saw superman emerge, he was in the air again. not aiming for the magician but the building enveloped in smoke. he didn’t make it. the magician created a wall of the same sun he held in his hands, superman let out a shout as he fell down. you blinked, surprised superman was in pain, before quickly bending the shadows. he fell into the shadow that looked like a large manhole before completely disappearing. 

he was in your dimension for the moment, you were tempted to keep him there, sort the situation yourself. the building on fire crackled. you sighed, knowing better not to have the man of steel being annoyed by you. first impressions were important afterall, plus civilians' lives were at stake. your turned to your shadow that rose to stand in front of you before spitting out the man. he squinted while stumbling forward, emerging from the inkiness. you caught his arm, having to root your feet to the ground so you wouldn’t fall down with him. you were eye level with the emblem on his chest which was dirtied now. 

“what– where was i?” he asked and you looked up at him. he was more breathtaking in person. the clouds lets some light pass through, coating him in sunlight. handsome, blue sky eyes, and his black hair was damp due to sweat, a single curl still stuck to his forehead. his face was dirtied due to dirt, blood and his skin still sizzled with a new open gash on his right cheek. his forearm in your hand was so weighted, god, how did he not sucker punch this magician yet? 

“shadow realm,” you answered coolly, you were thankful your heartbeat wasn’t pounding against your chest at the moment. it seemed he was too out of sorts to focus on that anyway, his eyebrows scrunched up in confusion. 

“what’s your problem? you’ve let this guy use you as his own personal punching bag,” you said, letting go of his arm slowly. he managed to stand on his own, he swallowed thickly. 

his eyes back on the blazing building, “those people…” he choked up and you followed his gaze. “i got them out, don’t worry big guy,” you tapped his chest. using your like disappearing shadow trick to move the civilians. 

“thank you,” he looked down at you with soft blue eyes, your heart may have skipped a beat.

“phantom,” he sounded uncertain. you nodded, “so you have heard of me,” you said quietly and nodded.

“yeah, i’ve heard of you and the way you handle–” a bolt of thunder interrupted him and you both whipped your heads up. immediately the man stood in front of you, his tall frame blocking your view (not that you minded honestly). 

“are you two gonna chit chat or fight me?” the wizard asked. you tilted your head to the side so you could see the wizard. the magic user was still holding the miniature sun in his hand. you eyed it curiously, remembering the wall he’d created that left a mark on superman. 

“the red sun,” you muttered and superman whipped his head back to you.

“what?” he asked quickly. 

“i can make it disappear, and then you can beat this asshole right?” you asked, needing the clarification. 

“yeah,” he seemed hesitant to agree but he didn’t have much of a choice. you were a hero, it he seemed aware of your… “methods”, but he had a good feeling about you. “you can get rid of it, you’re sure?” he asked, looking at you through a different lens, making sure you were strong enough. you scoffed, “watch me,” you said, sinking into the shadows. 

“wait!” he stepped closer to your shadow pool but you were gone, “nevermind…” he said to cement. he stared at the wizard, standing tall, hovering a couple inches off the ground. it happened so quickly, suddenly a shadow emerged around the ball of sun in the old man’s hands. when the shadow disappeared, superman immediately knocked out the wizard and you’d vanished. 

… 

superman stayed to help out after the battle. he helped civilians to get to the nearest hospital, he helped a kid find their mom, and he did his best to clean up the area. he also kept an eye out for you, his eyes lingering on shadows but he never saw you. after the clean up, he went back home. he’d soaked up plenty of yellow sun earlier, his wounds had healed quickly. it was the first time superman almost lost, the thought troubled him. luckily, you’d crept out of your usual shadows and came to help him. save him really, if he was honest. 

clark could only think about you as he finished his nightly ritual. his bed creaked as he laid down on the comforter that felt like a cloud at the moment. he sighed. something didn’t feel right as he fought his eyes from closing. not single sign from you that you were okay… maybe he’d check in with you. that is, if he could even manage to hold an audience with the phantom.

clark couldn’t help himself as he read up on blogs about you. not even a single article from the daily planet or any other news outlet. he was hunched over his desk as usual, pushing up his glasses occasionally. all he got was your hero name, which everyone knew and he thought he finally had found something. someone had commented under the blog, a link. clark looked around, made sure to turn down the volume so only he could hear. he was hoping it wasn’t a link that would crash his computer. 

a video loaded up on his screen, his pointer finger tapped against his desk. he waited with baited breath, and huzzah it started. the quality was crap, it was night, a single street lamp gave light in the alley. whoever took the video had half their phone tucked in their pocket, creating a black square at the bottom of footage. it was the recorder and older man wearing a hoodie. 

“you got the money?” the man asked with a sly grin. clark frowned, not liking where this was going. then the recorder spoke, and oh boy he didn’t like the situation at all.

“y-yeah,” the teen spoke. 

“good,” the older man held his hand out, and clark’s frown deepened. the man was clearly selling a substance to the kid. clark picked up something in the background of the video, like a swoosh sound, yet subtle. the lamp flickered for a split second and the kid handed the money. 

the man started to count out the money and then the video goes completely dark. 

“what the–” the man says before going quiet. a minute proceeds to go on with the kid breathing rapidly in the darkness before the sound of something hits the floor. then it’s silent for another 5 seconds and the darkness slowly fades away. the video is still blocked halfway but this time the footage is on a street.

“call 911,” you whisper and the kid turns around and you're standing tall. half your hood in view, inside is a swirl of darkness. he lets out a scream and clark swears you rolled your eyes, even though he can’t see your face. you sigh, the darkness disappears from your face, you don’t pull your hood down. however he can see the glimpse of a mask, your face hiding under it. he wishes there were more details to the video, he could see a glimpse of your hair color though.

“c’mon kid, you’re not gonna be in trouble here,” you tell him cooly, “i’ll stay with you till your parents come,” you told him assuredly, he swears he can hear a genuine smile through your voice. it’s smooth like silk and warm, not the blunt way you’d spoken to superman yesterday.

“you just watching that video?” jimmy speaks up and clark jumps in his seat. he quickly closes out the tab and he swivels around in his chair. before clark can say anything, jimmy puts his hands up in self defense with a cup in hand, “i didn’t know you were interested in the phantom, that’s all,” he assured. 

“and you are?” clark asked curiously, “what do you know?” he asked. jimmy shrugged and took a sip of his drink. “i know they’re a real life boogieman,” he let out an exasperated, “now getting a photo of her, would be one of my life’s biggest achievements," he said. 

“you sound like you want more than a photo,” lois said while passing both of them. jimmy coughs up his drink and shakes his head. he didn’t have time to recover as lois gives clark a pointed look. she stops in front of his desk, “just stick to your superman pieces, clark. the phantom is dangerous,” she lowered her voice. the two men leaned in as she looked around before revealing her big news. 

“i heard when she started getting popular after 6 months in the city, a reporter had found her. they attempted to interview her, so she kept disappearing at first. then when the reporter barratted her, she snapped. the reporter ended up stuck on top of the lex corp building,” lois spoke quickly yet quietly. 

“totally, one of my,” he struggled to find something, “...friends knew her. she was from a small news outlet. reporter wanted a story, ended up stuck their all night, brutal,” jimmy said and clark was in disbelief. he’d been in metropolis for 2 years, and this was the first he heard of you. especially placing an innocent (annoying) civilian on the city's tallest building was much in his opinion.

“yep,” lois formed a thin line with lips, “so stay out of her way clark,” she warned him.

“unless you wanna help me take a photo,” jimmy joked and lois hit him with a newspaper. “ow,” he whined dramatically and rubbed his arm. “why are you asking by the way?” jimmy asked. 

clark stared up at the two and they both had cheshire cat smiles. they were greedy to get the latest scoop. “just heard the name for the first time, so i was curious," he told them with an apologetic smile. it sold them, for now at least. 

“too bad,” jimmy said.  

once clark was left at peace all he could think of was you, your soft words replaying in his head. he’d now gotten a proper idea of you in action too, you’d sent that dealer to the hospital. he was infuriated by the dealer as well but he’d never had hurt him, not enough to go to the hospital at least. it gave him a lot to think about and he still wanted to cover all his bases. the justice gang was never too far...

[bodegadulac]

I love the triumvirate + Scion because they all are different interpretations / parts of Superman as a character. Or at least i see them as that.

Legend is Superman as the big blue boyscout, the idealistic hero who is always there to save the day, Superman as the moral paragon. Also you could say his powers may be inspired a little bit by electric blue Superman.

But Legend is also Superman without that same outlandish level of power that makes that idealism posible.

Alexandria is Superman as the man of steel, the unstoppable force, the flying brick to end all flying bricks. She is Superman as an untiring untouchable being.

But she also is a more cynic Superman. Things are how they are and she can only try so much. She is a colder Superman.

Hero is Superman as the man of tomorrow, the golden age "science can do anything" feeling.

But he also is the death of superman, the death of golden age whimsy. If Vikare's death wasn't the start of Worm as the setting we know then Hero was.

Eidolon is Superman as the action ace, the hero that can do anything, the superman who could do any shit you can think of (like throwing smaller supermen from his hands), he is a hero who has whatever power the plot needs (And that to me is a little 'batman with his bat-belt esqur idk).

But Eidolon can't inspire for shit, he is the most bland guy ever and he is only held up by good PR and Cauldron.

And Scion is Superman as the last son, an alien fully disconnected from humanity, all the power but no real reason to use it because of his lose.

Every "superman" in worm is incomplete, if they have the power they don't have the moral compass or the ability to inspire, if they have the guts they don't have the power.

It's tragic but very well tought out.

[acapelladitty]

Unsure if this is your cup of tea, but Lex Luthor having noncon fantasies about Superman only to find out he's actually the kind guy he advertizes himself as

ALSO do you like Gotham 2014 👀

Fic posted below the cut due to some non con elements. And I watched a bit of Gotham but never made it through the full series xx

Link to AO3 ☆ Fic Masterlist ☆ Ko-Fi

All his life he had been warned that if he played with fire then he would eventually get burned. However, success and brilliance had long convinced Lex that he was above such trivial matters – his arrogance a proven barrier against consequence time and time again.

However, as Superman used the unyielding muscle of his knee to easily spread Lex’s legs further apart, his thin body bent fully across his luxury bed and held in place by an inhumanely strong hand, there was a part of Lex which knew that he had brought this on himself.

The safety of his private suite had been torn to shreds as quickly as his clothing, the expensive fabric easily giving way to Superman’s strength as he ripped each piece free at the seams. And, for the first time in a long time, Lex had felt genuine fear as he took in the empty expression in Superman’s eyes – the total lack of compassion or humanity more terrifying than any of the incredible acts he had already witnessed the metahuman undertake.

His roared threats and demands had fallen on deaf ears, defiance quickly dissolving into pathetic begging as Superman had thrown him to the high bed and pulled at his ankles until he was bent across the sheets with his ass hanging over the side. The inevitability of what was going to happen was like a bucket of freezing water, short-circuiting his senses and stealing his ability to speak as Superman made rapid work of his plans to make the bald-headed genius pay.

A thick finger, warm and wettened by spit, had pushed into his hole without warning, sinking to the knuckle as a hysterical yelp tore free of Lex’s lips. It wasn’t a virginal space as he had experimented before. In the privacy of his own bed, he had sought out his prostate, bringing himself to stuttering orgasms as he combined the pleasure of his own fingers with his other hand as it stroked along his cock.

But this was different, this wasn’t about pleasure seeking and, as Superman forced a second finger within his unprepped hole, Lex understood what it was. Control. Something he demanded from every inch of his life and something which was being taken from him, one rough pump of Superman’s digits at a time. Afraid and helpless, it didn’t surprise Lex too much when the corners of his eyes stung and his vision blurred, shame and discomfort allowing tears to gather as he lay trapped.

And through it all, Superman remained silent. His punishment of his greatest rival remaining methodical, almost clinical, as he moved with precision. It was everything Lex himself had attempted but with a much more intimate edge as the fingers in his ass moved with steady rhythm, pumping in and out of his twitching hole before scissoring apart to stretch him wide as quickly as possible.

“I was – fuck – I was right about you!” Lex grunted; his mouth pressed to his forearm as he fought to hold back the keening sobs which threatened to slip free of his throat. “You’re a monster. You’re not one of us, will never be one of us.”

At that, Superman froze and his fingers pulled free roughly, the sudden emptiness more of a threat than anything else as the air sat heavily between them – the silence only broken by Lex’s stuttering breaths. It wasn’t to last though, as the ache of his hole was momentarily soothed by something heavy and blunted rubbing itself against the throbbing ring of muscle.

“Who said I want to be one of you?” Superman asked, the words so low and threatening that they felt like a noose around Lex’s neck as he knew what came next.

“No, no. No- don’t do thi- fuck, no. Pleas-”

The plea was cut off by a sharp cry as Superman ignored him and pushed through, his cock sinking deep into Lex’s strained hole as it fought to expand around the impressive girth. Pain, agonizing and hollowing all in one, bolted up his spine as the muscles in his ass were pressed to their breaking point, the only thing preventing any real damage having being the thick fingers which had at least scissored him open a little.

And yet, with the pain came something infinitely worse as a very undeniable arousal slowly built around the discomfort, his cock twitching with interest as Superman’s cock reached new depths within his ass.

His dignity stripped and his struggle only seeming to make Superman thrust all the harder as the pressure of his hand between his shoulders increased, all that was left was the shame which gutted him as his hard cock rubbed against his stomach. Trapped between the sheets and his skin, his length throbbed as Superman’s cock pushed across his prostate with every push and the heat of his own body betraying him was worse than anything else.

A wide hand wrapped around his throat, pulling his neck back as the other hand remained planted on his back. Panic setting in as his breath was restricted, Lex’s struggle picked up renewed strength as he fought to gain a solid inhale – every pull of air burning his lungs as warm breath tickled his right ear.

“Mine now.”

Awaking with a start as a soft hand shook at his shoulders, Lex shot up in bed with such speed that even Clark flinched at the sudden movement, his chest rising slightly. A sheen of sweat laced Lex’s forehead and he raised a shaky hand to swipe it away, his whirling mind quickly taking stock of the pleasant aches which sat across his body – the memory of his earlier fuck with the visibly concerned man sitting next to him quickly reminding him of where he was and who he was with.

Lex sank back down to the pillows after a moment, his blood rushing in his veins as he fought to centre his thoughts and regain control of his breathing.

“Hey, you okay?” Speaking softly, Clark rolled to his side and reached over with one hand to rest it gently on Lex’s exposed arm. His gaze was soft, filled with the haze of his own recently interrupted sleep, and his voice was just as thick. “Your heart is going haywire an-”

“Don’t touch me.”

Clark snatched his hand back as though Lex’s skin had burned him, the suddenness of the outburst catching him off-guard as his eyes widened in surprise.

“Sorry.” Clark mumbled, “I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Your dream seemed,” his brow furrowed, mind clearly scrambling for the appropriate term, “intense. Like someone was hurting you.”

“Here’s a thought,” Lex snapped, “perhaps someone was.”

“Okay.” His voice almost surrendering as he realised that Lex was in no mood to discuss whatever nightmares had plagued him, Clark brushed his fingers through his tousled hair as he rolled back over to his original space. “I can take the hint. Do you want anything? I can go grab some water?”

His eyes narrowing as he turned to gaze down at Clark’s easy positioning, something within Lex’s chest jolted as he reconciled the sight before him with the events of his dream.

The ease with which the hand on his body had been removed.

The quick offer of support.

These were not the actions of a monster – at least, not the monster that Lex had spent years convincing himself that Superman truly was. These were the actions of a man, of a lover concerned by their partners actions, and Lex hated having to swallow that bitter pill of being wrong time and time again.

“Sure. Water. Grab me some.”

Waving an almost dismissive hand as Clark slipped out from between the sheets with a graceless exhale, his thick body catching the moonlight which filtered through the curtains, Lex watched him trot off to the nearby fridge with sharp eyes as he was once again forced to recalibrate his thoughts on his super-powered lover.

[silkandstrarz]

James Gunn's Superman is EXACTLY What We Needed - Superman (2025) A Review.

Word count: 2730

James Gunn's Superman is EXACTLY What We Needed

OKAY BESTIES, we need to TALK because I am literally still shaking after seeing this movie and my brain has been completely rewired??? Like, I've been emotionally preparing for this movie since the moment James Gunn announced he was taking over the DCU, and by "emotionally preparing" I mean I've been alternating between pure excitement and existential dread because LITERALLY what if it was bad???

Because let's face it, as someone whose bedroom walls are covered in more posters than actual paint (my mom has Opinions about this but whatever), who owns a concerning amount of comics AND has them more organized than my actual life, and whose idea of light research is a deep dive into continuity changes post-Flashpoint (I HAVE THOUGHTS about the New 52 but that's another essay), Superman movies have been... a journey. A long, complicated journey that includes Christopher Reeve perfection (no notes, literally perfect, the standard by which all other Superman media is judged) AND whatever that was supposed to be when they decided Batman and Superman should brood together for three hours while completely missing the point of World's Finest dynamics.

But listen ladies, I cleared my weekend plans faster than Barry Allen escaping the Speed Force (and yes I know that reference is slightly incorrect shut up) because this wasn't just any superhero movie - this was James Gunn directing the most iconic character in comic book history!!! The man who made us cry over a talking raccoon was about to tackle the character who literally CREATED the superhero genre, invented the concept of secret identities, and has been the moral compass of the DC Universe for 85+ years, and honestly??? As someone who has spent an almost mind-boggling time watching DC movies, who can explain the difference between Earth-1, Earth-2, and New Earth Superman continuities WITHOUT looking it up, I needed to witness this cultural moment in the theater with my boyfriend (who is VERY patient with my DC obsessions and only looked semi-concerned when my grin got a little bigger whenever David Corenswet was on screen).

Spoiler alert: I'm still not emotionally recovered, and it's been three days. ALSO, I might have a dozen comic book websites open so I can order more stuff when your girl has more funds, 

David Corenswet Said "Watch Me Channel Every Great Superman Era" (And We Said "YES DADDY")

Can we just TALK about David Corenswet for a hot minute because I am DECEASED and also slightly FERAL??? This man walked onto screen and basically channeled the perfect blend of Christopher Reeve's earnestness (ICONIC), the Golden Age's optimism, the Silver Age's boy scout energy, the Bronze Age's social consciousness, AND the modern comic book Superman's philosophical complexity, and then actually made it all work as one cohesive character while looking like he was SCULPTED BY THE GODS and I literally cannot??? The TALENT! The JAWLINE!?!?!

Listen, I really did think I was prepared for how attractive this man is because I'd seen the photos, but seeing him in motion as Superman??? With the cape billowing and that smilethat could probably end wars??? I literally forgot how to breathe for several minutes and had to pause my mental analysis to just... process the fact that this gorgeous human being was bringing one of my favorite characters to life??? The way he looks in that suit should be illegal, and don't even get me started on how his voice gets all soft and gentle when he's talking to people who need help because I was melting in my theater seat. My boyfriend definitely noticed and gave me a look, but listen, we both have eyes and he absolutely agreed that David Corenswet is unfairly attractive???

As someone who has very, very strong opinions about the difference between pre-Crisis and post-Crisis Superman characterization, Corenswet's performance hits that sweet spot that honors ALL eras of the character WHILE being absolutely STUNNING to look at. This isn't just another buff guy in a cape situation - this is an actor who clearly read "All-Star Superman", studied the emotional depth of "Superman: For All Seasons" (Mark Waid I owe you my life), amd somehow made the Golden Age boy scout, the Silver Age science fiction hero, the Bronze Age social crusader, and the modern philosophical icon feel like different facets of the same incredibly complex person who also happens to be one of the most beautiful men I've ever seen. I’m not okay.

The way he switches between Clark Kent and Superman isn't just about posture and vocal changes (though he nails those classic Christopher Reeve transformations and I literally had to contain in the theater) - it's about understanding that these aren't two separate people, they're two equally authentic expressions of the same moral framework!!! When he's Clark, you can see the Superman underneath trying to connect with humanity on their level, and you can see why Lois Lane would absolutely fall for this adorable, bumbling, secretly-ripped journalist. When he's Superman, you can see the Clark underneath who genuinely loves people and wants to help them, and you can see why the entire world would trust this absolutely gorgeous alien god-man with their lives"

Also, can we discuss the chemistry between him and Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane because I am slightly jealous I fear. THIS is the dynamic I've been waiting to see properly adapted to screen!!! Brosnahan's Lois isn't just "competent love interest #47" - she's the Lois who won a Pulitzer prize for investigating corruption, who figured out Clark's identity through actual investigative journalism rather than plot convenience, and who challenges Superman intellectually and morally rather than just being someone he has to rescue!!! And the way Corenswet looks at her??? Like she's the most fascinating person in the universe??? Chef’s kiss to the casting director.

These two had me invested in their relationship faster than I get invested in DC's monthly solicitations. Their banter feels ripped straight from the best Lois and Clark comic interactions, with that perfect balance of professional respect, personal chemistry, and the underlying tension of secret identity maintenance that makes their relationship so compelling in the comics!!! I literally almost squealed in the theater. My boyfriend squeezed my hand and kept asking if I was okay, which was super sweet but also sir, are you gonna make me float in the air when we kiss, I thought not!!!

The Real World Parallels That Made This Hit DIFFERENT (And Why Superman Still Matters)

But beyond my  thirst for David Corenswet (seriously, that man could read me the phone book in Kryptonian and I'd swoon), this movie hit on something deeper that I wasn't expecting and honestly wasn't prepared for??? Without spoiling anything specific, the central conflict of the film draws some very intentional parallels to what's happening in Gaza right now, and as someone who's been doom-scrolling Twitter, watching civilians caught between superpowers while the world debates who deserves to live in peace... It hit different

Gunn didn't just make a generic "alien invasion" movie - he made a film about power, displacement, civilian casualties, and the moral responsibility that comes with having the ability to intervene in conflicts where innocent people are suffering. The way Superman navigates the impossible choice between action and restraint, between helping and potentially making things worse, between his desire to save everyone and the political reality that his intervention might escalate violence... it felt like watching someone grapple with the exact moral questions we're all asking ourselves while watching the news.

And look, I’m aware Superman is fiction, but there's something about watching a character whose entire moral framework is built around "everyone deserves to live, everyone deserves protection, everyone matters" dealing with a situation where those principles are tested by a real geopolitical complexity... it made me understand why we need these stories right now. Superman can't just punch his way out of this conflict because the real enemies are systemic oppression, historical trauma, and the way powerful people use civilian populations as pawns in larger games.

There's this moment where Superman has to choose between stopping immediate violence and addressing the root causes that created the violence, and it felt like a direct commentary on how we talk about "both sides" when one side has F-16s and the other side has rocks. As someone who's been struggling with feeling helpless while watching actual genocide happen in real time, seeing Superman face the same feelings of "what if my intervention makes things worse" while still choosing to act, still choosing to center civilian lives over political convenience...  It really showed us that sometimes we need to see heroes grapple with impossible choices to remember that giving up isn't an option, even when every choice feels wrong.

Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor: Straight Out of "Superman: Birthright" With a Touch of "All-Star" (And I'm OBSESSED)

We need to discuss Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor because this casting choice initially had me frantically preparing for either celebration or complete devastation!!! This man showed up ready to serve bald hater.

He's not just generic villain #47 or "businessman who doesn't like aliens" - he's the Lex who genuinely believes he's saving humanity from what he sees as an alien threat, while being absolutely consumed by jealousy that this alien is everything he wants to be but could never achieve!!! This is the Lex who's so brilliant he could cure cancer but is too obsessed with proving Superman is a fraud to focus on actually helping humanity. This is the Lex from whose hatred stems from a fundamental inability to accept that someone could be genuinely good without ulterior motives!!!

The way Hoult delivers every line like he's so deeply offended by Superman's existence isn't just good acting - it's an understanding of comic book Lex's core psychology!!! He's not threatened by Superman's power; he's threatened by Superman's goodness, because it exposes everything petty and small about Lex's own motivations. When he talks about Superman, you can so very clearly see him trying to convince himself as much as everyone else that this alien is dangerous, because the alternative - that Superman really is just trying to help - would destroy Lex's entire worldview.

The best Lex Luthor stories always make you understand his point just enough to remember why he's terrifying- he's not wrong that Superman is incredibly powerful and could potentially be dangerous, he's wrong about Superman's character and motivations. Hoult nails that balance perfectly and I may be slightly in love with this portrayal???

The Supporting Cast That Actually Feels Like They Live in the DC Universe (And I'm Here for ALL of It)

Can we appreciate a superhero movie where the supporting characters actually feel like they belong in the DC Universe rather than just Generic Superhero Movie Land??? Nathan Fillion showing up and immediately making me wonder if we're getting hints of a full Justice League International lineup (PLEASE James Gunn I'm BEGGING)? Anthony Carrigan bringing that perfect blend of intensity and depth that had me thinking about every great DC character actor performance from the animated universe???

The Daily Planet scenes feel like they were ripped straight from the comics - not just the Superman comics, but the ENTIRE DC Universe approach to journalism and media that runs through everything from "The Question" to "Gotham Central"!!! These aren't just "newspaper movie" supporting characters; they understand that in the DC Universe, journalism matters as much as superheroics because truth and information are literally superpowers in their own right.

Even the smaller roles felt like they understood the assignment!!! This isn't just "generic superhero movie supporting cast #12" - these feel like characters who could anchor their own comic book runs, which is exactly how DC's best stories work. Every character feels like they have their own agenda, their own life, their own relationship with Superman that isn't just "person who needs rescuing" or "person who explains plot points"!!!

The Metropolis we see feels lived-in and real, like a city that exists independently of Superman rather than just being a backdrop for superhero action. This is the Metropolis from the comics - a place that's beautiful and optimistic but also dealing with real urban problems, a place where Superman fits naturally rather than being an alien presence disrupting normalcy, and I'm literally getting emotional just thinking about how perfect the world-building is???

The Moments That Made Me Ugly Cry

WITHOUT spoiling anything (because I'm not a monster, and also because spoiling DC content is punishable by banishment to the lego batman Phantom Zone), there are at least three moments in this movie that had me crying actual tears while simultaneously thinking "oh my god they actually adapted that essential comic book Superman feeling to screen" and I'm never gonna get over it.

One sequence involving Superman making a choice about heroism felt like watching "Superman vs. The Elite" come to life, reminding me why I've been defending this character's relevance against "but he's too powerful/too perfect/too boring" arguments on twitter. The way Corenswet delivers what amounts to the "World of Cardboard" speech from Justice League Unlimited but specifically for this story had me dead.

Another moment involves Superman's relationship with humanity that directly echoes the best "Superman saves everyone" comic moments - you know, the ones where he's not just stopping the obvious threat but actually solving the underlying problem that created the threat in the first place!!! It's the kind of scene that reminds you why Superman stories work best when they're about hope and inspiration rather than just "alien punches bad guy until bad guy stops being bad.”

The final act somehow managed to capture the epic scope of a Crisis event while maintaining the intimate character work of the best Elseworlds stories!!! I left the theater wanting to immediately re-read my ENTIRE Superman collection to catalog what Easter eggs and deep cut references I missed, because Gunn clearly packed this thing with comic book DNA

But the moment that really got me was a quiet scene�� - just Superman being superman, not because he has to save the world, but because helping people is WHO HE IS!!! No big action sequence, no world-ending threat, just the most powerful (and gorgeous) being in the universe taking time to do something small and human because it matters to someone. That's when I knew this movie really understood what makes Superman special, and I'm literally tearing up just thinking about it again.

.

Final Thoughts: This Is Why I've Been Defending DC Comics for LITERAL DECADES (And Also Why I'm Now a David Corenswet Stan Account)

I can't help but feel completely vindicated as a lifelong DC Comics obsessive!!! This movie GETS IT. It understands what makes Superman work in comics and translates that perfectly to screen without losing any of the depth, complexity, or fundamental optimism that makes the character so special.

Gunn didn't just make a Superman movie - he made a love letter to 85+ years of comics history while proving that yes, actually, the character who inspired every superhero who came after him can still inspire us today!!! This felt like someone who owns longboxes full of Superman comics, who has strong opinions about different creative runs, and who actually understood what made all those comics special, then decided to share that feeling with the rest of us!!! And he cast the most beautiful man alive to play the role, so honestly, what more can you ask for?

Yes, Superman can be interesting. Yes, there are stakes when you're dealing with someone this powerful. Yes, you can tell compelling stories about someone who's fundamentally good without making them boring or naive. Yes, you can make Superman relevant to contemporary political struggles without losing his essential optimism.

James Gunn, you've somehow made a movie that honors both "Superman: The Movie" AND "All-Star Superman" while feeling completely fresh and contemporary and relevant to our current political momentI cannot thank you enough!!! You've created something that works for people who have never read a comic book and for those of us who have, which is basically the holy grail of comic book adaptation!!!

P.S. - If anyone has high-quality screenshots of David Corenswet as Superman for my totally academic research into comic book adaptations, please send them my way. It's for SCIENCE. And also because he's absolutely gorgeous and I have NEEDS.

[jesncin]

In MAWS,

When Superman is told to "go back to where he came from" Asian American Lois doesn't react with compassion and understanding from lived experience of having gone through similar things. She dismissively reacts without a hint of recognition.

When Vicki Vale spouts xenophobic Replacement Theory nonsense about Superman "wiping out good American jobs", Asian Lois and Black Jimmy have nothing to say about that. Characters who should know what being called a "diversity hire" or be told "they're taking someone's place" is like.

When Jimmy proclaims he can relate to Mallah and the Brain's allegorical marginalization for homophobia, and Mallah asks "were you also hunted?" Jimmy doesn't bring up how, as a Black American, he would have insight into being violently oppressed by the government. Instead he responds "close, my friends stood me up for a camping trip!" Because comparing oppression to being stood up by your friends for not supporting your hobbies is the condescending analogy this show decided to go with.

When Clark opens up that he kept his alien identity a secret for fear of being othered, Asian Lois and Black Jimmy don't respond like people who understand that kind of marginalization. They can't fathom it.

These aren't characters of color with lives informed by their identities. It's "colorblind" writing- no thoughts, identity is decorative, and white is the default.

[lorde-fish]

I have a lot of thoughts about Samira but they’re hard to get into order. She wants to be the best, not for honors but to actually help people, and in the process she has worked herself to the bone. And when I say she wants to be the best I very much mean her fear of making a mistake and catching all these small details. How ‘slow’ she moves is a method of reaching the level of greatness she aspires to have. I think I read that her actress says she works 24 hour shifts a lot and it makes sense. Yes, she’s slow moving, but she is gutting herself everyday for her patients.

This doesn’t make her without flaw, she didn’t show her usual amount of compassion to the man going through withdrawals. And it makes sense. I definitely think she should have treated him better but she’s not Superman, she’s a 29 year old resident who has short comings despite trying her hardest. It’s important to me that she has flaws because it means she’s not just a concept like a lot of TV doctors, she’s written to be a real person with shortcomings and ideas.

I love Samira btw. If you couldn’t tell.

[damienkarras73]

REVIEW: Superman Soars Off the Comics Page

A comic book brought to life, not in the ultra-formalistic manner of Ang Lee’s (underrated) Hulk or the pages-as-storyboard approach of Zack Snyder and Robert Rodriguez, but in how James Gunn and DP Henry Braham can evoke a panel or splash page without directly replicating them. Gunn has all but said that he drew on All-Star Superman for his retelling, and while his Superman doesn't adapt any of its plot points or even character beats—I was expecting an “I love you Lois Lane, until the end of time” but alas never received one—he nevertheless captures that series’ feeling, pacing and the way it structures its individual moments. The scene where Clark and Lois have a serious heart-to-heart while the Justice Gang battles an interdimensional entity out of focus in the background is pure Morrison & Quitely.

Like The Suicide Squad, which in some ways was Gunn’s R-rated trial run for this movie and still my favourite comic book adaptation of all time, Superman throws you into the fray without needing three or four movies’ worth of setup or a protracted origin story that takes up a third of the running time (I imagine most people reading this will naturally assume I'm ragging on Batman Begins, but Richard Donner’s 1978 Superman is absolutely egregious on this front). Instead, he takes his cues from the opening title crawl of Star Wars: A New Hope and wisely trusts that the audience can make do with the basic facts: Superman exists, he's from another planet, and he just got his ass handed to him for the first time. In short order we're introduced to his friends, allies and enemies, and despite the number of characters thrown our way, which includes the Daily Planet staff (rendered perfectly and hilariously) and a proto-Justice League International of second- and third-stringer characters, it never feels over-crowded because Gunn writes them as a proper supporting cast, not other protagonists making cameos, and recognizes they don't all need origins and pathos, just personalities.

On the point of the cast, they all basically knock it out of the park. At its core it comes down to David Corenswet, who maintains—really, after the Zack Snyder and Henry Cavill era, restores—the Big Blue Boy Scout’s compassion and golly-gee wholesomeness, grounding him with occasional moments of frustration and self-doubt without veering into Superman: Earth One woe-is-the-Superman territory. Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor is a generational hater, continuing Gunn’s tradition of making his main villains unpleasant pieces of shit, Rachel Brosnahan embodies the take-no-shit Lois Lane of the comics who probably would put her own career ahead of a relationship with Supes, and Skyler Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen captures the newsboy's unwitting rizz. Unexpectedly, Edi Gathegi steals scene after scene as the stoic yet perpetually exasperated Mister Terrific, a character my nerdy ass hardly knows, to say nothing of most laypeople in the audience, but perhaps this is something I should have expected of James Gunn, the man who helped make Rocket Raccoon a household name.

It's funny, for how heavy in CGI every action sequence is, and realistically has to be, I never once thought "This looks so fake," even when it isn't going for anything remotely realistic, such as the cubic river flowing through Luthor's pocket dimension. The action is where the comic book sensibilities really flourish, helped by these fight scenes clearly being the result of intensive storyboarding and a clear vision, rather than the Marvel Studios approach of pre-visualizing before the director even comes on board and then tinkering and revising until the very date of release. Simply put, I don't care if it doesn't look "real" because it looks cool as shit.

On paper, there's so much going on in this movie that the critical part of me is compelled to think it's a bit overstuffed, but the emotional part of me thinks Gunn’s Superman feels like a self-contained comic you might find in the back issue racks of a shop. This new era of DC movies could crash and burn right here and now, but I'd be fully satisfied if this is all that we're left with.

I'm listening to the music with no fear You can hear it too if you're sincere…

[calvincell]

Overwhelmingly fell in love with Superman (2025) & finally feel the same excitement & joy for a James Gunn-helmed Superhero Movie (outside of The Suicide Squad) that fans of Guardians of the Galaxy have shown for that trilogy. The GotG films are great but, though I don’t hate the GotG trilogy at all, I was always lukewarm on the characters, their setting and stories such that none of the GotG films would rank in my own Top 5 or even Top 10 of personal favorite MCU films.

In the case of Superman (2025) though, the film absolutely fired on all cylinders for me, not only with the characters & world but the action, plot, themes & emotionality too; all also collectively enhanced by the brilliant soundtrack. In the entire DCEU project, Superman (2025) might now rank in my Top 5 DC films next to The Batman & Shazam. It’s not only equal in caliber to Superman (1978) IMO but also straight up LIGHTYEARS BETTER than anything in the Snyderverse catalogue & Superman Returns as well.

Extremely limited Superman (2025) spoilers ahead:

With the film, Gunn proves that he absolutely understands the core of Superman as a character & icon. It’s extremely similar to how I feel about Grant Morrison’s All-Star Superman & New 52 Superman, both of which reveal their own incredible insight & grasp of Superman at a deep, fundamental level. Gunn knows exactly how to challenge/create believable stakes for him & the exact sort of personality and values he has, showing that he isn’t a stoic joyless Boy Scout/demigod who can’t lose. Highlighting Superman’s humanity by making him struggle as well as having him admit to struggling and being flawed and imperfect was an absolute stroke of genius.

Same with Gunn making Superman an unapologetic antifascist who fundamentally rejects bigotry, inhumanity, inequality, xenophobia & propaganda/rhetoric that dehumanizes & justifies violence against & oppression of vulnerable & marginalized peoples the world over. Gunn gives the character empathy such that even one lost life is enough to make him weep. This Superman asks for help from his friends, he loves & is loved by his parents and his girlfriend, he apologizes & thanks civilians for their help & support, he fails and tries again, he respects & trusts his fellow metahumans and knows they are skilled heroes in their own right; enough to handle problems that he can’t always immediately address. The Superman crafted in this movie doesn’t see empathy, charity, kindness, self-reflection, trust, emotionality or compassion as weaknesses but rather valueable strengths that make humanity marvelous and powerful.

When you take all of that into account, it becomes blatantly obvious why so many ignorant antiwoke pricks despise Superman (2025) and desperately attempt to paint the film as a critical & commercial “failure”, claim its messages & themes are “harmful/dangerous” and treat Superman’s characterization as a blasphemous “bastardization” of the character; the latter of which is a clear sign that they either have zero awareness of the character in the comics and/or, similar to bigoted X-Men fanboys, they read the comics without any regard for the deep or surface-level themes & messages within those comics. Hell, one of the most acclaimed modern Superman graphic novels has Supes confront the KKK and yet close-minded obtuse comic “fans” say that by making Clark a confirmed immigrant who is a friend to the vulnerable, marginalized, oppressed & minority populations the world over, Gunn & the “woke agenda” have “warped & ruined” the character.

Beyond Superman himself, Gunn also deftly introduces the members in the Justice Gang. They might not all get as much development in the limited scenes they have, they still absolutely shine whenever they show up. I have to thank Gunn particularly for also using the movie to give a spotlight to Mister Terrific, a severely underutilized & underrated black DC Comics hero. So many of his scenes are truly fantastic & build the intrigue of the character due the blend of the great character writing & pitch perfect acting by Edi Gathegi. So many come away from the film rightfully hoping to see more Mister Terrific in the future which is incredible & a sentiment I wholeheartedly share.

Unlike Man Of Steel, Superman (2025) is an extremely sturdy foundation to build a cinematic universe on and I absolutely plan to be seated if any future DC films are even half the quality of this one.

Also, I’m praying that Gunn & the Powers That Be at DC/WB reverse course & fold Matt Reeves’ The Batman into the DCEU because I would pay good money to have Corenswet’s Superman/Clark interact & form a friendship with Pattinson’s Batman/Bruce.

[critical-condition]

Film Review: Superman (2025)

“Hope never really left. We just stopped looking for it.”

I’ll be honest — I’ve never been a Superman person. I’ve always leaned more toward Batman — darker, moodier, more complex. Superman always felt too clean-cut, too good, too… perfect. But this film? It made me get it. It made me see what Superman’s always been meant to offer, and why — especially now — we need him.

From the opening minutes, Superman (2025) makes it clear this isn’t just another reboot. This is a reminder of what Superman is — not just a superhero, but a symbol. Not some invincible god, but someone who shows up with kindness, empathy, and real love for the people he’s trying to protect. In a time that feels genuinely dark, this movie doesn’t just bring back the light — it feels like light.

James Gunn understands Superman in a way that feels personal. There’s sincerity in every scene. He’s not trying to make him edgy or ironic — he lets him be good. And David Corenswet? He is Superman. He brings so much warmth and vulnerability, you can’t help but root for him. He’s the kind of hero who makes you feel safe just by existing.

“Even when the world is breaking apart,” he says, “you don’t stop showing up. You don’t stop being kind. Not ever.”

It’s such a simple line, but it says everything.

And the film doesn’t tiptoe around what’s happening in the world, either. There are clear references to Gaza, and it handles them with care and urgency. Watching Superman engage in that kind of real-world conflict — not with violence, but with compassion and clarity — felt powerful. It says something not many blockbusters are willing to say.

“Neutrality isn’t peace,” he says. “It’s comfort dressed as justice.”

That line lingered.

This version of Superman isn’t “apolitical” or watered down. He’s exactly what he always was — a character created to stand with the vulnerable, to speak up when others stay quiet. It doesn’t feel performative. It feels like a character reconnecting with his roots, and it’s kind of emotional to see.

And as much as Gunn is known for his needle-drop soundtracks, this time he leans into a gorgeous, sweeping score — and it absolutely works. There aren’t a ton of songs, but the music carries every emotional beat perfectly. It’s cinematic and mythic without being overdone. You feel it in your chest.

The cast? Honestly perfect. Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is quick, bold, and actually gets to do things. She’s more than just a love interest — she’s his equal. Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific is charming and layered, and the supporting characters all feel like real people with their own weight in the story.

And okay — one of the best parts of this whole experience has been watching the cast off-screen. The behind-the-scenes TikToks, the goofy interviews, the way they all seem like actual friends? It’s so wholesome. You can feel that chemistry on-screen too. It makes the whole thing even more fun to love.

Now, about Corenswet again — he really fixes everything that went wrong with Cavill’s Superman. Nothing against Cavill as an actor, but his version always felt distant, like we were looking at Superman instead of connecting with him. Corenswet brings back the heart. He lets Superman be vulnerable, thoughtful, even awkward sometimes. And somehow, that’s what makes him feel stronger. He’s not cool because he’s brooding — he’s cool because he genuinely gives a damn.

And here’s the wild part: this movie made me realize that in today’s world, maybe it’s actually punk rock to be nice. To be hopeful. To believe in people. Superman’s not cheesy — he’s radical. He’s the hero who chooses empathy over ego, every single time.

“I don’t do this because I can. I do it because I must.”

That line kind of broke me, in the best way.

I didn’t expect to walk away from this movie feeling emotional. I definitely didn’t expect to want more Superman stories. But here we are. This film reminded me of being a kid again — of believing that good people can actually make a difference. And that’s what Superman’s always been about.

★★★★★

“He doesn’t just save the world — he makes you believe it’s still worth saving.”

And yeah, maybe I’m still Team Batman… but now I get why Superman matters just as much.

[arjay-bee-04]

Superman (2025) Review

Positives

DC is in the best place it’s been since The Dark Knight. Superman was my most anticipated movie of the year, yet it managed to exceed my wildest expectations. It - and, hopefully, The Fantastic Four: First Steps - seeks to usher in a brand new era in comic book filmmaking, where love and adoration for the comics these iconic characters stem from is shown in all its glory rather than dampened through a more “realistic” lens.

David Corenswet may as well have been shaken right out of the comics, because he was BORN to play Clark Kent/Kal-El. He brings the perfect blend of unabashed hope and flawed humanity to the role. Clark feels the most human he’s arguably ever been on-screen, messy and emotional in the ways that we all are. The film gets this right above all else: despite being an alien, Superman is the most human of us all.

What is Superman without Lois Lane? Rachel Brosnahan brings the plucky charm and sheer righteous passion needed for the Daily Planet’s star reporter. Despite being Clark’s lover - which is felt through Corenswet and Brosnahan’s infectious chemistry - Lois doesn’t pull her punches when doing her job. When she’s reporting on a story, she’ll stop at NOTHING to get the truth out there. Lois’s interview with Clark is so compelling that it could be its own 30-minute episode of a TV series, and she’s given plenty to do outside of her relationship with the Man of Tomorrow.

I don’t think we’ve seen a cinematic Lex Luthor with this much hatred dripping from his shiny bald head as we do with Nicholas Hoult’s iteration of the character. Lex is a SCUMBAG; an enraged and psychopathic billionaire who orchestrates the film’s events to smear the one man who will always be above him. You can feel the malice searing within his black hole of a heart. Hoult is fantastic.

The action in Superman goes CRAZY. Superman’s powers are used in ways we’ve never seen before, placed in situations that’ll make fans of the DC universe jump for literal joy. James Gunn’s direction is incredibly dynamic (and confident!) in these big sequences, reeling the focus back to Superman’s heroism before we get lost in the spectacle. Each hero - Mr. Terrific (who’s a BIG standout), Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, Metamorpho, and Krypto - get their own moments to shine amongst the chaos.

It’s not just the perfect movie to jumpstart this new DCU - it’s the perfect movie for right now. In a world where kindness and compassion for your fellow man is considered “woke” or “not that deep,” Superman stands as the shining beacon of hope to combat that cynicism. And the fact that audiences are responding to it with enthusiasm? I believe a man can fly again. James Gunn has solidified his place in the genre for me as the best to ever make comic book adaptations.

Negatives

Most of what I have concerning complaints for Superman are nitpicks, because I believe that this movie is fantastic. But there are some things I can point out in order to be as fair as I can.

A couple - and I really do mean a couple - of VFX-heavy shots were a tad distracting. They involve a sequence with Metamorpho somewhere in the middle of the movie.

James Gunn is very confident in the chaos of this movie’s story, but the way it starts thrusts you into this world and expects you to catch up rather than easing you into it. For some people, that may be too much. I equate it to reading a random comic; you know there’s more to this universe, but as far as you know what the deal of the core characters are, you’ll be fine.

Superman gets an A

[thecursedcryptid]

Movie Yap: Superman (2025)

[Spoilers under cut]

Saw the new Superman movie, and honestly I was ready for it to be over-hyped. I was kind of expecting to walk out of the theater disappointed, but I didn't.

It was a great movie.

Obviously it wasn't without a few flaws, but those are pretty minor in the grand scheme of things if you ask me. Honestly though, the best part of the movie was it's messaging on the world right now. Like yes, billionaires are this level of corrupt, and everyone is human despite where they came from.

I think my favorite part of this movie, however, was the fact that it wasn't necessarily a story about Superman, the god amongst men, the strongest metahuman. Instead, it was a movie about Clark Kent, a man who, above all else, just wants to do good and make the world a better place.

It was about his struggles in a world that isn't always kind, and that views compassion as a privilege. The entire movie, he's just doing what he believes to be the right thing, because that's all he knows how to do. He stops a country from invading another, he fights against the rich guy trying to take over the world, he rescues the person who was (involuntarily) helping to keep him imprisoned, and he saves his cousin's annoying, destructive dog. Because Clark Kent, at heart, is good.

In the beginning, he thought that was what he had to be. Because that's what he thought his parents sent Kal-el to Earth to do. And then it gets revealed that he wasn't hearing their full message, which contradicts everything he knew. Superman was good because that was what the world expected of him. But then that backfires because he got involved in things that "weren't his business."

In the end, Clark Kent is good because that's just who he is, not because it's what others wanted him to be.

I think that this point really gets driven home by two of the main speeches of this movie.

Clark's speech about what it means to be human, and how he's no less of a person than anyone else just because he's not from Earth. Biologically he may not be a part of the human species, but he's still a person in every other sense of the word. Because he has gone through and experienced life on Earth for thirty years. He loves and he feels pain and gets beaten down and yet he still keeps going, and if that doesn't make him a person then what does?

And his Pa's speech about the role of parents in a person's life, along with what he says about the massage Clark's biological parents left him.

“Parents aren’t for telling their children who they’re supposed to be. We’re here to give you the tools to make fools of yourselves all on your own.”

"What you wanted that message to mean is more important than what it actually said."

Clark is his own person, and he shouldn't be good just because it's what others tell him to be. He should be good because that's who he wants to be.

I think this quote from Peter Safran sums it up nicely; “He is kindness in a world that thinks that kindness is old-fashioned.”

This entire movie was just a story about a man doing his best to be a good person. At the end of it all, he is still good, but now it's because that's the kind of man that he wants to be. For everyone, and for himself.