Who Is Ultraman from James Gunn’s SUPERMAN? His Bizarre DC Comics History, Explained

The Nerdist article discusses Ultraman, Superman's evil doppelgänger from an alternate Earth (typically Earth-3), and explores why he would be a compelling villain for James Gunn's upcoming Superman movie.

Key points from the article:

1. Who is Ultraman?: He's essentially an evil Superman, possessing similar powers but with a twisted, tyrannical morality. He's the leader of the Crime Syndicate of America, an evil version of the Justice League.
2. Varied Origins:

• Pre-Crisis (Silver Age): A Kryptonian astronaut from Earth-Three who gained powers from Kryptonite.
• Post-Crisis (: A human astronaut, Lt. Clark Kent, who encountered an "Anti-Kryptonian" entity that bonded with him, granting him powers.
• New 52 (Forever Evil): Kal-Il from Krypton of Earth-3, sent to Earth by abusive parents. He gains power by consuming Kryptonite and is weakened by sunlight (the opposite of Superman).

1. Why He'd Be a Good Villain for Gunn's Superman:

• Dark Mirror: Ultraman serves as a perfect "dark mirror" to Superman, allowing the film to explore what makes Superman inherently good by contrasting him with an equally powerful being who chose evil. It can delve into themes of nature vs. nurture.
• Fresh Take: He's a less-used cinematic villain compared to Lex Luthor or Zod, offering a novel threat.
• Multiverse Introduction: Using Ultraman could be an organic way to introduce the multiverse concept into Gunn's new DCU.
• Gunn's Sensibilities: The article notes Gunn's familiarity with dark superhero tropes (e.g., Brightburn, which is very Ultraman-esque).

1. Thematic Potential: An Ultraman story could force Superman to confront the idea that his powers could be used for immense evil, reinforcing his own commitment to heroism and hope.

Visit https://nerdist.com/article/superman-movie-ultraman-dc-comics-explainer-james-gunn/ to read or listen to the article.

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