A new look at the upcomingSupermanmovie has showcased lore that needs to be made DC Universe canon as soon as possible. The CinemaCon sneak peek atJames Gunn’s upcoming rebootis generating hype for the film by teasing new pieces of his Man of Steel’s lore.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting a new look at Superman, and they got their wish this past week thanks to an extended sneak peek released by DC Studios (available onYouTube). Though it was only a few short minutes, fans got a look at a number of surprising things, including some cool helpers that should come to assist the Prime DC Universe Superman.
Superman’s Robot Helpers Steal the Show in New Sneak Peek
These Automatons Just Vibe with the Man of Steel
TheSupermansneak peek starts off with a bang as a peaceful Arctic landscape is interrupted by the Man of Tomorrow as he comes to a crash landing in the middle of nowhere. He’s clearly just been in a fight as he’s bleeding, bruised, and struggling to breathe. Through the pain, he manages to whistle loud enough forSuperman’s canine companion Krypto, causing the excitable pup to come running. Krypto arrives, eager to play with the hurt Superman, but once he realizes Clark needs help,Krypto grabs Superman’s cape and begins to take him home.
The Superman Robots lay Superman down and analyze his injuries…
Krypto drags Superman through the Arctic just as a series of giant crystal structures begin to pop up from the ground.The Fortress of Solitudetakes shape and Krypto brings Superman right to the front door, opening the giant, crystalline hideout with a bark. Krypto brings Superman inside and waiting for the duo are the Fortress of Solitude’s staff, the Superman Robots. Led by Superman Robot #4, a small unit of automatons collect Clark taking him inside. Superman thanks his team,but #4 pleasantly says it’s their duty, while introducing Superman to the latest addition, #12.
The Superman Robots lay Superman down and analyze his injuries, determining that he has 14 fractured bones and damage to his bladder, kidney, large intestine, and lungs. Despite the seriousness of Clark’s ailments, #4 determines that all the hero needs is a healthy dose of yellow solar rays. The robots turn the Fortress of Solitude around to face the sun while preparing a device to magnify the sun’s beam. Ready to blast Clark with intense sunlight (noted to be at “292 times Saharan Prime” according to #4),the robots hold Superman down as the painful healing process begins.
The Superman Robots are the Perfect Update to a Silver Age Staple
Clark is No Stranger to Working with Robot Friends
Fans well-versed in Superman history may already know that Clark has a history of having automated assistants working for him in the Fortress of Solitude. During the Silver Age of Comic Books, Superman had a number of Superman Robots that looked exactly like him and even possessed part of his powers. These robots were mainly used to help Superman protect his identity, though they did occasionally help out on specific missions.The Superman Robots were largely phased out in the Post-Crisis DC Universe, though they still occasionally re-appear for a gag every once in a while.
Superman Robots made their first appearance in World’s Finest #42!
Though the Superman Robots were mostly removed from continuity, Clark still had a robot pal in the form of Kelex. This robotic servant used to work for Superman’s father, Jor-El, before later becoming the custodian of the Fortress of Solitude. Kelex essentially served the same role as the Superman Robots (except for filling in for Clark as Superman), and keeps the Fortress running when the hero isn’t around. Despite Kelex remaining a part of Clark’s lore,Gunn has opted for a more Silver Age approach, and honestly, the Superman comics should follow.
… Perhaps Kelex could create a new line of Superman Robots…
DC Comics has taken a more all-encompassing approach to canon in recent years and so far, there’s nothing that’s too silly or wild for creators to bring back. Gunn obviously sees value in a team like the Superman Robots, and it would be interesting to see what modern comic creators could do with them. Perhaps Kelex could create a new line of Superman Robots, or there could even be a dispute over which automatons the Man of Steel prefers. Either way,if Gunn is willing to take a chance on the Superman robots, the comics should go for it too.
It’s Time to Bring the Superman Robots Back
If Synergy Was Meant For Anything, It’s This
It’s not uncommon to see comic universes make small adjustments to make things a little bit more like they are in the movies. While Superman’s lore shouldn’t be completely overhauled, if these robots prove to be a hit with audiences (and let’s face it, having #4 voiced by Alan Tudyk won’t hurt those chances), then DC Comics should bring the Superman Robots back into canon full-time. The Fortress of Solitude can be a pretty empty place most of the time, and having these charming automatons return to keep it running would be a real treat forSupermanfans.
