James Gunn’s first official glimpse at David Corenswet’s full Superman suit is a great sign for the DCU’s adaptation of the Man of Steel. Expectations for every movie and show in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe are soaring, but Gunn’s upcoming Superman movie especially so. Henry Cavill’s Superman, despite the DCEU’s issues, left the bar quite high, and Superman will lay the foundations for the whole DCU with its plot, cast, tone, and setting. With dozens of projects already in motion for the DCU’s “Gods and Monsters” chapter, Superman needs to guarantee a good reception.

First impressions truly matter, and Superman‘s full DCU suit reveal is no exception. James Gunn heightened anticipation with the chest logo’s reveal and various posts and comments on social media hinting at different parts of the costume. On May 6, 2024, Gunn posted an image of David Corenswet’s Superman wearing the suit as he gets ready for battle. Unlike previous first glimpses at live-action Superman suits like Henry Cavill’s in Man of Steel and Brandon Routh’s in Superman Returns and The CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths, David Corenswet’s first Superman image shows a visibly tired and battered hero.

David Corenswet’s Superman Reveal Image Is Surprisingly Mundane

The DCU’s Superman Looks Beaten Up And Weary In Between Battles

Superman is synonymous with hope and power. It would have been sensible for David Corenswet’s Superman to be shown flying or posing heroically in Superman‘s first official image. Instead, the Man of Steel appears weary, bent over, putting his boots on. Superman’s suit is also damaged and dirty, and unlike every other live-action iteration, it’s thick and prone to wrinkling. In short, the DCU’s Superman is presented to the world as a human being rather than as an untouchable deity.

Despite having the possibility to ignore conflicts that don’t require his help or solving every problem by brute force, Superman approaches his job as a responsible duty he must fulfill, like any humble worker does. Superman‘s first official image perfectly represents this aspect of the character, with Superman preparing himself for battle despite his exhaustion. He might be faster than a speeding bullet and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but he also grows frustrated and feels personally affected by his battles.

Superman Is At His Best When He’s Human

Clark Kent’s Regular Human Lifestyle Is The Hero’s Core Quality

Superman’s Kryptonian nature makes him one of the most powerful characters in the DC universe, but his humble upbringing makes him the most modest. While he’s basically an invincible god, Superman chooses to live as a regular human, interacting with others as a soft-spoken Clark Kent when he’s not saving the world. It’s Superman’s humility that makes him such a special superhero. No superhuman feat or temptation corrupts him. Kal-El is technically a higher being with everything he needs to take over the world, yet he sacrifices his time, relationships, and his emotional well-being to serve and protect it.

The DCEU captured Superman’s struggle to fit in quite nicely. Henry Cavill’s Superman was depicted as a godlike figure who insisted on saving a world that judged him and rejected him, which is a valid take on one of the many dramatic elements of Superman’s history. James Gunn’s Superman seems to explore a similar struggle from the opposite angle. Instead of an unstoppable god trying to be human, David Corenswet might be depicted as a human being facing the trials of a god.

Why A Down-To-Earth Superman Is Perfect Right Now

Superman’s Humble Personality Helps Him Stand Out In The Superhero Movie Genre

The superhero movie genre has gotten pretty crowded with powerful heroes in recent years. The MCU has gone from Super Soldiers and armored heroes to multiverse-changing sorcerers and star-igniting aliens. The DCEU’s 16 movies introduced a wide variety of powerhouses like Aquaman, Black Adam, and the Flash before the franchise’s premature conclusion. Superman’s usual feats of power are no longer as impressive as they used to be when Christopher Reeve’s Superman first took flight in 1976. An invincible superhero isn’t a groundbreaking sight anymore.

Superheroes’ world-saving exploits can age quickly, but their values and morals are timeless. Regardless of whether Superman is fighting Darkseid, stopping Lex Luthor, or rescuing a cat from a tree, it’s his willingness to help that sticks with viewers and readers. Emphasizing Superman’s generosity and humility could be the basis for his DCU arc, which could help avoid the age-old challenge of making the Man of Steel relatable for the general audience. Beyond James Gunn’s Superman, gentleness and relatability could also be the overarching theme across the whole DC Universe.