Top 5 Non-Superman Stories To Read Before James Gunn Superman
5. Superman: The Coming Of Atlas (2006)
Superman: The Coming Of Atlas collects issues Superman #677 to #680 and is written by James Robinson, artwork done by Renato Guedes and the cover art is done by Alex Ross. Yes, this is a Superman comic, but the story doesn't revolve around him at all. Atlas is a Warrior from a different time period who witnessed the slaughter of his own people. When, Atlas takes revenge on the man that slaughtered his people he soon turns into the same monster that murdered his people.
This story is more of a Krypto story than a Superman one. Honestly, Superman is more of a supporting character in the Coming Of Atlas. Everyone keeps telling Clark/Superman that Krypto isn't that great of a dog and how much they don’t like the superdog. However, Clark/Superman has all the faith in the world in Krypto and tries to get everyone to see his Krypto as much more than just a “dog”. Coming Of Atlas actually shows how important Krypto is to the Man Of Steel and that he is much more than just a “pet”.
4. Guy Gardner: Warrior
Yesterday Sins is written by Chuck Dixon, Artwork by Joe Staton and ink done by Terry Beatty. It collects issues #11 to #14 and tells the origin story of Guy Gardner as he is kidnapped by a group of aliens looking to replace the Green Lantern Corp with evil duplicates. Guy Gardner is commonly known as the, “a**hole" Green Lantern and in Yesterday Sins we see exactly why that is. The story is actually pretty tragic when we get to see inside of Guy's mind. From his upbringing with being envious of his popular older brother, to a drunk abusive neglectful father, to even finding out that his older brother isn't as “perfect" as he thought he was.
3. JSA: Prelude To The Return Of Hawkman/Return Of Hawkman #22 - #25
Prelude To The Return Of Hawkman/Return Of Hawkman is written by Geoff Johns and David S. Goyer, artwork by Stephen Sadowski and ink done by Michael Bair. Seeing how Isabel Merced will be portraying Hawkgirl/Kendra Saunders, I figured this would be an excellent story to read if you want to better understand the lore of Hawkgirl/Hawkman and their history together. When the JSA travel to Thangar (the home of the Hawkpeople), Hawkgirl begins to learn the true history of her people and her previous life or lives with Hawkman. Despite, Hawkman (Carter Hall) telling Hawkgirl that no matter how many times they die and reincarnated that they will always have love for each other.
There is just something so gratifying about two heroes whose journeys are defined by each other and in the end they will always come back to each other. Geoff Johns is one of my favorite comic writers and this is easily one his best stories.
2. JSA: Classified #29 - #31
This trilogy collects issues #29 through #31 of JSA: Classified, which is written by Arvid Nelson, with artwork and ink done by Alex Sanchez. One thing I really hate about non-comic book readers is when they say, “Marvel/DC has gone woke.” Sorry, to break it to you racist/misogynistic jerks but comics have always been woke and this is one of them. When Mr. Terrific is framed for murder of a government official he must find a way to clear his name by uncovering hidden secrets about the Cold War. One of the best things about this story is how it tackles white supremacy, racial stereotypes and microaggressions.
1. Justice League Of America #42
Issue #42 of Justice League Of America is written by Gardner Fox, artwork by Mike Sekowsky and ink done by Bernard Sachs. Metamorpho doesn't have a human form like most super-humanoids do and rejects the Justice League offer to join because he considers himself a “freak". When the Unimaginable hears about Metamorpho rejecting the Justice League's offer he puts a plan into action that’ll convince the Justice League that he is a better recruit than Metamorpho.
