Summary

The newDC Universehas plenty of comics to choose from for its movie adaptation , but should n’t be overly afraid to re - read the same stories that have already been adjust . James Gunn’sSupermanwill officially usher in a new cinematic continuity for DC Comics , convey with ita waterfall of potential for a trade name - new take on the classic comic characters bestow to the screen once more . It may be easy for the burgeon franchise to look solely to newfangled floor , hop to differentiate itself from the DCEU .

The upcoming films of the DCU should n’t be afraid to give another try at accommodate the company ’s most illustrious stories , however . When looking at the bigger catalogue of the best stories DC Comics has to offer , most of them have already been adapted in some form or another . Whether it ’s a clumsy free adaptation from theDCEU ’s controversial filmographyto a strictly enliven versionwith a more niche target consultation , the DCU should n’t be afraid to tackle the same stories other DC moving-picture show have already get use out of .

8The Dark Knight Returns

One of the most iconic Batman stories for good reason

The DCU could be the first to directly conform the entire comedian from start to finish .

Penned by risible book fable Frank Miller , The Dark Knight Returnsis one of the undivided most critically - clap pieces of Batman sensitive for a in effect reason . Starring an older , more cynical Bruce Wayne , the comic is something of an elseworlds chronicle that features Batman alongside an original female Robincoming out of retirement to fight crime in a dystopian future Gotham , despite the best efforts of the Gotham PD and even the military . Between the iconic visuals and the though - provoking story , The Dark Knight Returnsis still ripe for the picking .

Perhaps the single most adapted superhero story ever , The Dark Knight Returnshas been cited as an inspiration from a horde ofBatman moviedirectors . Elements of Miller ’s study have made their way intoBatman Forever , Batman v. Superman : Dawn of Justice , The Dark Knight Rises , and theGotham KnightsTV series , not to mention a slew of lineal liven adaptations in place likeThe New Batman Adventures . For all the times various creatives have cherry picked certain parts of the level , the DCU could be the first to right away adjust the entire comic from showtime to finish .

Comic Batman in a rain storm on the right looking slightly behind him with Jason Vorhees to his left slightly looking at batman

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Cast

Batman and Jason have yet to intersect paths in an official capability , with a newfangled cosplay image showcasing their brutal live - action engagement to the death .

7Atlantis Chronicles

Introduced one of Aquaman’s greatest villains

The DCEU finally came to an end with the discharge ofAquaman and the baffled Kingdomin 2023,a strange character to end the dealership ’s ten - yr cinematic run on . While Black Manta has always been Aquaman ’s most iconic villain , Aquaman and the suffer Kingdomintroduced general audiences to Kordax , the ancient undead magician and outcast Atlantean royal that returns to become one of Arthur Curry ’s most significant threat . Kordax first appeared inAtlantis Chronicles # 4,one of the sailing hero ’s strongest books .

Despite how impactful Kordax is as an Aquaman villain , the Jason Momoa fomite mostly regulate him as a vague , distant bribe influence so that returning villains Ocean Master and Black Manta could further strike . It would be amazing to see the bizarre undersea Earth of DC ’s Atlantis furnish with DCU originative theater director James Gunn ’s signature flair , andAtlantis Chronicles # 4could be a fantastic place to start . Rather than tread water with an Aquaman origin news report , arrive out of the gate with a amply - realized and terrifying Kordax might be the DCU ’s best turn for Aquaman .

6Flashpoint

A daring crossover that re-branded DC Comics in-universe

Around the former 2010s , DC Comics decided they want to inject stagnating sale with a reinvigorated outset , ideating on theNew 52reboot . While theNew 52has since come and work , the meta - narrative of theFlashpointcrossover was a brainiac manner to roll up unaffixed ends and clear up the position of every character going into a universe reset . Putting the Scarlet Speedster at the centre of the legal action , Flashpointhas since been loosely adapted in the CW ’s Arrowverse , as well as in DCEU’sThe Flashand theanimated Justice League picture show , Justice League : The Flashpoint Paradox .

Considering the DCEU had just essay their own interpretation ofFlashpointin 2023’sThe Flashto the speech sound of mixed reviews , the DCU would be wise to countenance the theme nerveless for a brief moment . Still , when the time get to refine the DCU or even end it , it would be voiceless to ask for a better cosmic - levelevent to do so than the iconic crossover comic . Flashpointmay even be a great excuse to plunge the likes of Matt Reeves’The Batmaninto the narrative of the DCU , consolidate the many tarry continuities into a unmarried swell package .

5Batman: Year One

The most revered Batman origin

Another all - time great Batman story written by Frank Miller , Batman : Year Oneis a fantastic submission point into the psyche of Bruce Wayne for dedicated comic readers and those more unfamiliar with the persona likewise . Though parts of the story have influenced nearly every Batman film that depicts the Dark Knight ’s extraction , the book is particularly present inBatman Begins , The Dark Knight , the DCAMU’sBatman : Year One , and the DCAU’sBatman : Mask of the Phantasm . The story was also almost like a shot adapted by Darren Aronofsky , but exploitation was scrap in the wake ofBatman & Robin ’s failure .

The first standalone Batman picture of the DCU , Batman : The Brave and the Bold , has already been confirmed to not be an origin tale , instead focusing on Batman working side by side with other fighter . Still , there ’s nothing to say that the DCU could n’t treat audience to a prequel blood line fib of its Batman should the upcoming Caped Crusader incoming be well - received . It ’s worth mark that the DCEU already try introducing interview to a Batman sans lineage level , and may have endure for it .

4Crisis On Infinite Earths

Could be the DCU’s Avengers: Endgame

By far the most prominent DC Comics crossing over event prior toFlashpoint , and perhaps even past it , Crisis on Infinite Earthsis one of the company ’s most challenging stories ever . Taking place at the intersection of nearly every nominate character in DC ’s lofty mythology , the story orb around the Anti - Monitor ’s quest to destroy all biography , result in yet another reboot for DC ’s continuity . Most recently , the comedian has been conform by theTomorrowverse ’s trilogy of celluloid , but has been toy with in the CW ’s Arrowverse , as well .

Crisis on Infinite Earthsrelies heavily on some of the more far - out and metaphysical characters in DC ’s cosmic background of being . This is a space that DCU originative director James Gunn stand out in as evidenced by the cosmic entity present in both theGuardians of the Galaxytrilogy andThe Suicide Squad , Gunn unafraid to present role that may be wacky or unrelatable on a surface layer as dynamic threats worthy of consideration . The DCU ’s take on the Crisis could be the payoff to multiple moving-picture show of apparatus , just as the Infinity Saga was to the MCU .

There have been countless Justice League extremity over the years , but during one Crisis it was revealed one member should never have exist .

DC’s Justice League including Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman by artist Alex Ross

3Batman: The Long Halloween

A chilling Batman story that deserves a live-aciton adaptation

Perhaps one of the dark account on the table for the burgeon cinematic universe

Not an origin tale or a striking reconfiguration of Batman ’s graphic symbol , Batman : The Long Halloweenis a firm book written by Jeph Loeb that read like a police procedural , give Batman actual detective work to do as he investigates a serial publication of holiday - theme murders . Batman : The Long Halloweenwas adapted in a straightforward manner by the Tomorrowverse liven duology of the same name , which proved the potency of the comic once and for all . Nolan ’s trilogy and Matt Reeves’The Batmanalso citeBatman : The Long Halloweenas inspiration , albeit more tonally than anything else .

Even if the DCU is intelligibly uninterested in replicating Bruce Wayne ’s blood line story once again , Batman : The Long Halloweenis sodding for an piquant solo Batman film . Reeves and Nolan may have been able-bodied to replicate the gritty whole step of the book , perhaps picking and choose certain narrative elements , butthe DCU could pull ahead over audiences quickly with a square adaptation . Perhaps one of the darkest stories on the table for the burgeon cinematic universe to assay brainchild from , the history would be a true spectacle if adapted closely with a blockbuster budget .

Sidious, Tyranus, Maul, and Vader.

2The Death Of Superman

Was fumbled by the DCEU and animated movies

The Death of Supermanis an infamous comic sport the Man of Steel whose title say it all , introducing Doomsday as one of Superman ’s most muscular enemies and the first one to finally get the better of him . While Superman ’s death may have been impermanent , the blow and reverence of this story still made it a unquestionable event . The concept was badly tweet into the last third ofBatman v. Superman : Dawn of Justice , and has been the fundament of two ofSuperman ’s many animated films , to varying point of success .

If given room to breathe as a singular flick on its own , an adaption ofThe Death of Supermancould easily be the greatest Superman version ever made . In truth , the DCU would need to wait a few films before pulling this placard , lest they devolve under the same flame as the DCEU for jump the gun on the story for Henry Cavill ’s second movie coming into court as Superman . But with enough reverence , The Death of Supermancould leave a devastating impact on audiences while setting up another fantastic laughable adaptation .

1Reign Of The Supermen

Could pick up after Superman’s death

One of the least noted of the gravid DC comics to be adapted , Reign of the Supermenwas a 90s comedian that picked up where the dramatic events ofThe Death of Supermanleft off , with multipleMan of Steel replacements flying in to throw their cape into the halo as Clark Kent ’s replacement . Thus far , Reign of the Supermenhas only been conform by a unmarried animated film of the same name that let go of in 2019 , though the graphic symbol Steel , a.k.a . John Henry Irons , did get a springy - action movie helmed by Shaquille O’Neal in the abysmalSteel .

Reign of the Supermencould give up James Gunn to put his signature talent with ensemble casts into aSuperman story , with Steel , Cyborg Superman , Superboy and Last Son of Krypton all bouncing off one another in amusing ways . to boot , if stick to aDeath of Supermanfilm , it could usher in the triumphant return of Clark Kent himself , exemplifying why his personality is so important to be at the helm of Kyrptonian great power . This revival could be an prosperous dig - stuff shot revival instant for theDCU , similar to the portal scene inAvengers : Endgame .

The DC Universe is one of the bad comic Quran dealership and often competes with Marvel .   DC Comics started as National Allied Publications , founded by Malcolm Wheeler - Nicholson in 1935 . Since then , the franchise has exploded with 1000 of comical Word , movies , TV show , and video games . 2013 scar the beginning of the most recent iteration of the superheroes , with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman . After several movies with mixed review , DC underwent a soft reboot under the helm of James Gunn and Peter Safran .

The Dark Knight Returns and Reign of the Supermen Custom Image

Custom Image by Alex Valentino

Batman Dark Knight Returns Part One Poster

HeaDSHOT oF Peter Weller

Headshot Of Ariel Winter in The  Wags & Walks 10th Annual Gala

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Headshot Of Grant Gustin

Headshot Of Danielle Panabaker In The Hallmark Channel Summer TCA

Batman leaping forward as he casts a shadow of the bat symbol in the background.

Bruce Wayne crying over his parents thumbstones in Batman Year One

Batman Year One animated movie cover

batman-year-one

Headshot Of Ben McKenzie In The World Premiere of Triple Frontier

Justice League Crisis on Infinite Earths Part One Poster

Headshot Of Alexandra Daddario In The Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Headshot Of Matt Bomer

DC FanDome Poster

The DC Universe is one of the biggest comic book franchises and often competes with Marvel. DC Comics started as National Allied Publications, founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935. Since then, the franchise has exploded with thousands of comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games. 2013 marked the beginning of the most recent iteration of the superheroes, with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman. After several movies with mixed reviews, DC underwent a soft reboot under the helm of James Gunn and Peter Safran.

DC Extended Universe