5 Comics That Will Shape the DCU’s Future (and 4 That Deserve an Adaptation ASAP)

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The DCU has officially begun with the premiere of Creature Commandos on Max, and it’s continuing to build momentum with its first feature film, James Gunn’s Superman, coming out in July 2025. On top of that, more and more announcements have come to light about the DCU, including news about animated projects along with live-action titles. What’s been true of the DCU even before its first project hit screens is that it will be upfront about what comics it’s adapting or pulling inspiration from.

As the DCU unfolds with each new project, some may be wondering what future projects are in store, as well as what comics can further inspire shows and movies in the early stages of development. With decades of storytelling under its belt, there are plenty of comics to pull inspiration from or directly adapt, whether they are new fan-favorite comics or older, iconic comic runs. For those curious about what books to turn to as the DCU pans out, five comics are some already inspiring the DCU (via Reddit) while four others deserve their chance at adaptation.

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All-Star Superman Will Shape The DCU’s Future

One Of The Best Superman Comics Will Influence The 2025 Film

The first film in the DCU is James Gunn’s Superman, set for release in July 2025. Starring David Corenswet as the titular Man of Steel, Superman appears to be Clark Kent’s origin as the hero. While other comics, like Superman: Birthright by Mark Waid, Leinil Francis Yu, and Gerry Alanguilan, could serve as inspiration for his origin, another comic — one more focused on a well-established Superman — will be a massive influence on the film, especially with regard to Superman’s tone and message.

All-Star Superman is one of the best Superman comics, and it’s one of several Superman stories that inspired the James Gunn movie. By Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, All-Star Superman is about the Man of Steel wanting to leave the world a better place, doing everything he can to help others and tend to any loose ends before it’s too late. This comic captures the heart of Superman and reminds everyone that Clark Kent is who we all aspire to be. The trailer for James Gunn’s Superman seems to capture this, paving the way for a bright future for the DCU.

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Far Sector Deserves An Adaptation ASAP

It’s Time To Give This Green Lantern Her Own Adaptation

The future is also bright for the Green Lantern Corps. in the DCU. HBO’s Green Lantern show just got its first look at John Stewart and Hal Jordan. Meanwhile, an animated series for Jessica Cruz titled My Adventures With Green Lantern is set for production. Even Guy Gardner, portrayed by Nathan Fillion, is set to play a part in 2025’s Superman. With the Green Lanterns appearing to be a staple for the DCU, there is a perfect Green Lantern comic to adapt. Far Sector by N.K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell is one of the best Green Lantern comics, and it is a perfect stand-alone series.

Not only does it give Jo a great introduction as a Green Lantern, but it also gives her a contained story, one that can appeal to new and old readers. As such, it could serve as a direct adaptation to the big or small screen. After all, this is a sci-fi detective story, so it could be serialized like a classic murder mystery for HBO. However, Jo’s constructs and the world-building are epic and deserve to be seen on the big screen. With the DCU committing to the Green Lanterns, it would be criminal not to adapt Jo and her debut comic as well.

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Supergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow Will Shape The DCU’s Future

This Definitive Cosmic Comic Will Influence Supergirl’s Feature Film

Superman is not the only member of the House of El getting a movie with the new DCU. His cousin, Kara, will also get her own solo film, one that shares the same title as the hero’s definitive tale, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. By Tom King and Bilquis Evely, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is True Grit in space, and Supergirl is the gruff “sheriff” approached by a young woman who wants help on her revenge quest against the man who killed her father. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is one of the most beautiful comics from DC, and it captures the heartbreak of Supergirl.

Where Superman escaped Kyrpton before he ever got to know it, Supergirl is a survivor with the guilt and trauma of someone who watched her home, culture, and people perish. Despite all of this, Supergirl rises to the occasion as a symbol of hope. It will be a treat to see this comic adapted, and it will give audiences a great understanding of what the cosmic side of the DCU has in store. If it’s even half as beautiful as what Evely delivered as an artist, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow could be one of the most visually stunning superhero films ever.

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Wonder Woman: Historia Deserves An Adaptation ASAP

With Paradise Lost, This Black Label Series Could Be The Perfect Inspiration

While Superman and Batman are set to have films for themselves in the DCU, another pillar of DC’s trinity, Wonder Woman, does not have a titular movie for herself yet in the DCU’s slate. However, the DCU will have a Wonder Woman prequel series for TV. This series, Paradise Lost, is set before Diana’s birth, exploring the world and lore of Themyscira. Of course, James Gunn and the creative team behind this show can turn to Greek mythology itself to flesh out this world, as well as plenty of Wonder Woman-centered comics; however, there is a DC Black Label series that has practically the same premise as Paradise Lost.

Wonder Woman: Historia is an essential Wonder Woman comic by Kelly Sue DeConnick, Phil Jimenez, Gene Ha, and Nicola Scott. This comic takes place before Themyscira came to be, exploring the Amazons’ origins, as well as their connection to the goddesses, who grew dissatisfied with the gods. Wonder Woman: Historia is a modern Greek epic for the comic book medium, and it does not hold back. This comic is full of feminine rage, and it is a great exploration into the expansive mythology and lore behind Wonder Woman’s home, so it would make a wonderful blueprint for Paradise Lost.

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Grant Morrison’s Batman Will Shape The DCU’s Future

This Will Not Be Matt Reeve’s Batman

While Matt Reeves’ The Batman has been well-received by movie-goers, critics, and comic fans, it is technically outside the DCU at the time of this writing. In fact, the DCU has plans for its own Batman, and said plans are going to be relying on Grant Morrison’s Batman comics, which include Batman by Morrison, Andy Kubert, Tony S. Daniel, and J.H. Williams III and Batman & Robin by Morrison, Frank Quietly, and Philip Tan. These Morrison comics will serve as the groundwork for the DCU’s The Brave and the Bold movie.

The Brave and the Bold is still in the early stages of pre-production, but James Gunn and Peter Safran are determined to bring their own Batman to the DCU via The Brave and the Bold. What makes this Batman film stand out from all the rest is who Bruce Wayne’s Robin is in it. Since it is based on the Morrison books, it appears Robin will be Damian Wayne, who has yet to have his story told in a live-action film. Their unique father-son dynamic will make for an interesting, unique Batman film, to say the least.

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Nightwing Deserves An Adaptation ASAP

The Teen Titans Are Coming, And This Is The Nightwing We Deserve

There are a few DCU projects that are set to feature Nightwing. One is the Dynamic Duo movie, an upcoming DC project that will be an animated theatrical film featuring Dick Grayson (Nightwing) and Jason Todd (Red Hood). James Gunn has also confirmed a DC Universe Teen Titans movie is in progress, and a key member of the Titans is none other than Dick Grayson. In fact, Dick’s transformation from Robin to Nightwing was originally in Tales of the Teen Titans #44 (1984). With Dick Grayson set to be a part of two DCU projects, it’s best the DCU adapt his Eisner-winning comic, Nightwing by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo.

This comic will make new readers fall in love with Nightwing, superheroes, and the comic medium as a whole. It also sees Nightwing stand proudly on his own as hero, and it shows how Dick Grayson is as much a hero as his vigilante persona, serving his community in ways that could inspire the average person to take action. What Taylor and Redondo have done with Nightwing is something that should be incorporated into the DCU’s version of the character, especially since this is long overdue.

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Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing Will Shape The DCU’s Future

Swamp Thing Gets Another Shot At The Big Screen

One of the most mysterious yet anticipated upcoming DC movies is none other than Swamp Thing. The titular character has had a few on-screen adaptations, with his more recent television series coming to a tragic end prematurely, breaking the hearts of fans who were delighted to see the character come to life and embrace the horror elements of the Alan Moore, Stephen Bissette, and John Totleben comics. Swamp Thing marked Moore’s first DC comic, and he came out swinging with a beautiful horror story and a creature feature unlike any other in comics.

Swamp Thing is a comic that pulls no punches, especially when it comes to the real-world issues it addresses. Like some of the best horror stories, Swamp Thing is unafraid to make a commentary about political issues, especially ones connected to the environment. With the DCU willing to embrace an R-rating and the horror genre, as seen with the upcoming Clayface film, this run of Swamp Thing will hopefully reach its full potential as a film.

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DC: The New Frontier Deserves An Adaptation ASAP

The New Frontier Could Inspire A New Team Up For DC

With the DCU building outwards, it will be a matter of time before a crossover or team-up film comes to fruition with the heroes introduced so far. There are more than a few Justice League, Justice Society, Teen Titans, and Suicide Squad comics that could lay the groundwork for whatever team-up or crossover is in store. However, perhaps the best comic to adapt for a team-up film is none other than DC: The New Frontier by Darwyn Cooke and Dave Stewart.

This is an idealistic look at superheroes, a tone Superman is aspiring for already. While The New Frontier is a period piece, the themes, beats, and characters from this hopeful tale of heroism can still be adapted, especially since a key part of The New Frontier is how now is the time for heroes to step into the light and step up to the challenge. If not the groundwork for a live-action crossover, then a straightforward animated adaptation would be well-deserved, especially given how beautiful and charming Cooke’s art is.

The Authority Is A Difficult Comic To Adapt Nowadays

The Authority was one of the first projects announced for the DCU alongside Superman and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. The Authority is by Warren Ellis, Bryan Hitch, and Philip Jimenez, and the tone of this comic is different from what Superman has going for it so far. The Authority is about a ruthless team of superheroes, including the likes of Midnighter, Apollo, Jenny Sparks, and more. While they protect the Earth, they do so in a cold and harsh manner. This DC Universe project is going to be hard to get right, something James Gunn addressed at an event Screen Rant attended.

“Authority has been the one that’s been the hardest, both because of the shifting overall story and because of getting it right in a world with The Boys and a world with all the things that The Authority influenced that came out after it.”

One of the most appealing things about the DCU is that some titles will embrace the hopeful optimism of heroes, and that makes this era of DC stand out from the last era of DCEU films, as well as other more violent interpretations of superheroes, like with The Boys and Invincible. As Gunn points out, though, stories like that were no doubt influenced by The Authority, so it will be difficult to nail down this adaptation while making it feel innovative and new, but Gunn and co. are determined to deliver on this project, as well as the other DCU titles in development.

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