'Batman v Superman' Comic-Book Primer

Superfan

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is hitting theaters this week, and it has been getting savaged by many critics. No matter what you think of it, the movie had some pretty solid comics as its basis that are worth checking out, ya know, instead of wasting your typing fingers fighting with people on the Internet.

Back in the summer of 2013, Batman v Superman was revealed at Comic-Con, on the stage of Hall H, with a simple statement:

“I want you to remember, Clark. In all the years to come. In all your most private moments. I want you to remember my hand at your throat. I want you to remember the one man who beat you.”

This powerful quote is direct from The Dark Knight Returns, a one-off graphic novel by Frank Miller. It’s well known that BvS takes most of its inspiration from this one, including the superheroes’ motivation for fighting, Batman being old and angry, Batman’s strength-enhancing armor, and some major elements of how the fight goes down. That said, it didn’t include some of the novel’s more “out-there” elements, like a one-armed Green Arrow and Batman fighting a race of mutants.

As far as Superman comic-book mainstays, Doomsday is also revealed in the movie as created by a superpsycho Lex Luthor via some General Zodd genetics. That’s pretty new. In the comics, Doomsday’s origin comes from a pretty messed up “childhood” involving an alien scientist on ancient Krypton, Superman’s home planet, who repeatedly lets Doomsday die in an attempt to transform him into the ultimate killing machine. Long story short, he ends up on Earth. If you want to see Superman get walloped real good by a big ol’ monster, check out The Death of Superman run.

As far as every other hero in the Justice League, including Wonder Woman, we don’t really know where they’re going just yet, but your best bet is to check out The New 52 run of each of those characters. That’s DC’s newer, edgier version, one that aligns more with Zach Synder’s take on the characters.

Watch: Ben Affleck on the possibility and timing of directing his own Batman film.

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