What would you do with the powers of a god? And what turns someone into a monster? James Gunn’s Superman asks exactly that.

Superman soared into theaters this weekend after two years in production. While many directors have emphasized the super in Superman, Gunn focuses on the man.

Gods and Heroes

In 2023, James Gunn announced Superman as the first chapter in a new DC Universe slate called Gods and Monsters. As writer, director, and Co-Chairman of DC Studios, Gunn chose to start this new era with the original comic book superhero — the blueprint himself.

It was a strategic move.

Superman created the superhero blueprint. Still, fans keep asking: are DC’s heroes really as relatable as Marvel’s? Marvel gives us flawed humans who stumble upon powers. DC gives us godlike figures trying to understand humanity. Or, as Shakespeare put it: “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”

Superman has always belonged to that first category — born great. That’s why, for the past two decades, he’s struggled to connect with modern audiences.

Meanwhile, Batman — who achieves greatness through trauma, strategy, and sheer will — has risen in popularity. He’s human. He’s gritty. He bleeds.

Superman, by contrast, often feels too perfect. Too powerful. And sometimes, too boring. After all, what’s compelling about a hero who never faces real obstacles?

It’s hard to root for someone who never falters. Marvel, on the other hand, sometimes overcorrects by traumatizing its characters into complexity.

“Yes, Superman has incredible powers. But what makes him human are the choices he makes.”

In Superman, Gunn finds a new balance. He leans into Clark Kent’s humanity. He shows us a hero who makes hard decisions, who fails, and who needs others to survive.

The film opens with Superman losing his first fight. Kryptonite nearly kills him. Lois Lane and Mister Terrific step in and save him.

This isn’t a Superman who always saves the day. He’s powerful, but not invulnerable. And that vulnerability makes him feel real.

Monsters Are Made

Lex Luthor, on the other hand, has no physical powers, only a brilliant mind and limitless wealth. And yet, he chooses to harm.

He imprisons those he dislikes, holds children hostage as blackmail, and engineers global conflict just to trap Superman. He is, without question, the monster.

The depiction of Lex is deeply intentional. He operates a literal war room, issuing commands to a team of keyboard-bound lackeys who control his cloned metahumans — weapons designed specifically to fight Superman.

Lex is rich beyond belief. But unlike Batman, who uses his fortune to fight injustice, Lex invests in sketchy tech, dangerous science, and manipulation — all because Superman bruised his ego.

We Could Be Heroes

Every day, we are faced with the same choice: be monsters or heroes. A human with wealth or power can use it to destroy — or to protect.

Superman could annihilate anyone he wanted. Instead, he chooses restraint. He chooses empathy. He chooses humanity.

It’s this choice — deliberate, difficult, and deeply moral — that makes Gunn’s Superman one of the most relatable heroes in a sea of superpowered figures.

We don’t need to fly or see through walls to be heroic. We just need to make the right choices, every day.

And Superman isn’t the only hero in this film. No, I’m not talking about the Justice Gang. The real MVPs? Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and the staff of the Daily Planet. It’s the power of the press that ultimately brings Lex down.

And here’s the terrifying part: Superman isn’t real. But Lex Luthor? He’s already here — replicated again and again in powerful billionaires who crave even more control.

When we leave the theater, we aren’t just entertained or inspired. We’re left staring into a mirror, asking what choice will we make?

Will I be a monster? Or will I be a hero? 

 

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