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New Superman Toys Reveal Which Heroes Are Missing From James Gunn’s DCU (And Why That’s Good)

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The toy collection tied to the upcoming film is now unveiled, boasting collectibles suitable for fans across various age groups. For younger enthusiasts, there are toys that resemble characters from the latest James Gunn movie, making them more appealing to children. Interestingly, one of the product descriptions appears to confirm the name of a specific DC Universe team, which holds significant meaning.

It seems the first DCU superhero squad may be nicknamed somewhat derisively as “The Justice Gang.” Later on, Superman could reorganize this group into what’s famously known as the Justice League. This progression makes sense for the team and avoids repeating a significant error from the past shared universe. However, it also implies that another DC Comics team might exist exclusively within their own universe.

Superman’s Superhero Team Isn’t the Justice League- Yet

The Newest Superman Movie Will Have a Sort of Prototype Team

In the role of a passionate cinephile, I find myself intrigued by the revelation that in the reboot of Superman set for 2025, the metahuman team is dubbed the Justice Gang. This squad consists of characters such as Mr. Terrific, Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern, Isabel Merced’s rendition of Hawkgirl, and potentially Metamorpho. What catches my attention is that this team appears to be backed by the government and funded by the dubious Maxwell Lord. Whether this is their official title or a less-than-flattering nickname remains uncertain, but the latter seems more likely.

In the character portrayal, he should embody the typical boldness and recklessness from the comics, demonstrating that not every hero in the DC Universe can truly appear as a hero in the eyes of the public. Interestingly, the nickname “gang” is also used in relation to the film’s other materials.

A book previously published for very young children has been titled “Superman’s Honorable Hero Team“. In this story, Superman joins forces with other heroes from the movie. The term “team” is used in a positive context, not carrying any negative associations that might be associated with the word “gang”. However, the movie could take a different approach, portraying metahumans as potentially harmful or troublesome, similar to how some may perceive criminal gangs.

This closely resembles the flipped portrayal of Superman as depicted by James Gunn, which bears a striking similarity to the comic book series “Kingdom Come,” where a younger Superman must demonstrate a new form of heroism towards disillusioned and indifferent superheroes. If the Justice Gang is intended to fill the role of the brutal cohort of metahumans depicted in the story, then the term “gang” seems fitting, although it could be refined into something more refined over time.

How the “Justice Gang” Might Become DC’s Most Iconic Team

The Seeds of the DCU’s Justice League are Already Being Planted

It seems evident that the Justice Gang name doesn’t indicate the immediate formation of the traditional DC Universe Justice League. Although there’s a possibility that the original Justice League has been renamed or lost significance, it appears less likely. No matter what the true origins of the Justice Gang are, the widely recognized Justice League as known by DC fans will not be formed anytime soon.

Following the demise of that interconnected universe in 2023 with the premiere of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom”, it’s evident that the foundations for its decline began to show seven years prior. The main criticism leveled against the DCEU was its hasty effort to assemble the Justice League, imitating the overall success of another franchise, which unfortunately hastened its own downfall. If James Gunn and DC Studios aim to steer clear of such mistakes, it’s wiser to gradually establish the team concept now, letting characters organically emerge as potential members. Whether the current lineup makes the final cut or not remains to be seen.

Among the present members of the “Justice Gang,” it’s possible that only Mister Terrific could potentially become part of the DCU Justice League. Superman might appreciate his commitment to justice in all its aspects, given his intelligence and diverse skill set. Guy Gardner, on the other hand, might come across as too impulsive and hot-headed, a trait that Hawkgirl might also exhibit, albeit to a lesser degree. This aligns well with their comic book personas, where Kendra Saunders is particularly known for her fiery temperament.

The decision remains undecided concerning the enigmatic character Metamorpho, who isn’t usually depicted as intimidating or unsavory. Instead, he’s a less mainstream hero with tenuous connections to the Justice League at best. It’s more probable that he’ll team up with Mister Terrific and the yet-to-be-announced DCU Plastic Man in the adaptation of the “Terrifics” team. This implies that another Green Lantern, along with Wonder Woman, Batman, The Flash, Martian Manhunter might still be the main members of the Justice League. This is exciting news for fans who hope to see the traditional “Seven of One” lineup on the big screen. However, this naming pattern also hints that another team may not exist in the new DC Universe – or at least not this particular version.

The Justice Society Might Exist In Another Way In the DC Universe

The New DC Universe Might Already Have Its Own Multiverse

In recent years, a popular theme in superhero narratives (TV series, films, video games, and comics) has been the idea of multiple universes, or the multiverse. For instance, the DC Extended Universe didn’t explore this concept until recently with “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” Critics have also pointed out that the way the multiverse has been handled in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has received criticism. However, given James Gunn’s affinity for comic books and complex ideas, it’s likely that the multiverse will play a role in some form in the future DC Universe. In fact, this could be essential for one specific team.

Originating during the Golden Era of Comics and initially operating during World War II, the Justice Society of America (JSA) was DC Comics’ pioneering superhero group, serving as a precursor to the Justice League that emerged later. Emblematic of the superhero legacy, this team unfortunately becomes something of a conundrum when it comes to continuity if used in specific scenarios.

Initially, the Justice Society and the Justice League were depicted as operating on separate worlds, allowing for distinct interpretations of characters like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, The Flash, The Atom, and Hawkman. However, this was altered post the comic book titled “Crisis on Infinite Earths”, which combined all the realities within the DC Multiverse into one single universe. This merger necessitated a unification of the Justice Society’s history onto what is now known as the “mainstream Earth”. This consolidation, in turn, led to some complicated origin story predicaments for heroes such as Hawkman and even Wonder Woman.

In a different rendition of the narrative: The adaptations have often overlooked this aspect or tried to fit it into the storyline, as the Justice Society depicted in the 2022 film “Black Adam” didn’t establish any links to the past or World War II. This could potentially occur in the new DCU, but considering Gunn’s commitment to portraying classic iterations of traditional heroes on the silver screen, it seems unlikely. However, if the Justice League doesn’t have a well-established presence, it’s challenging to envision that the Justice Society coexisted within the same universe. A straightforward remedy would be to revert to the fundamentals with the JSA and place them on a distinct Earth.

In a way that suits both storytelling and reader understanding, it’s beneficial for the Justice Society’s Golden Age heroes to have their own unique timeline, free from the impact of Superman’s debut. Comparatively, it seems illogical to undermine Superman’s significance by positioning him alongside a team primarily valued for their historical importance rather than current fan appeal. Establishing an alternate universe within the DC Universe through the concept of the multiverse could help achieve this separation.

Starting from there, “Earth-Two” could be depicted in various television shows and films, potentially featuring at least one production focusing on the DC Universe’s Justice Society. This would resemble Marvel’s upcoming movie strategy, but with a more organic or unforced approach. This arrangement would also establish “Earth-Two” as a distinct entity within the multiverse, enriching the roster of heroes for potential crossovers that could bring the Crisis comics to life.

In this multiverse, there’s an abundance of diverse realms to explore and a variety of heroic figures to encounter. Yet, the paradox lies in the seemingly ordinary moniker, “The Justice League”, that encompasses such extraordinary entities.

Superman flies into theaters on July 11, 2025.

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2025-05-11 06:16

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