For The Man Who Has Everything
Superman has a lot of fantastic runs revolving around him saving citizens of Metropolis. There are even scenes where Superman talks down a suicidal young adult who is sick of bullying.
However, there’s one story in particular that focuses on Superman’s dual life.
For the Man Who Has Everything is written by Alan Moore and drawn by Dave Gibbons. It’s Superman’s birthday and he receives a gift that latches itself onto him and takes him back to Krypton.
Meanwhile, Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman visit the Fortress of Solitude and find Superman in a catatonic state.
An alien warlord, Mongul, reveals he is behind the Black Mercy and it’s feeding off his deepest desires. Once Superman realizes what’s going on, he battles through the dream and wakes up in time to save Wonder Woman from Mongul.
Batman is also attacked by the Black Mercy.
There are several ways to use the story in the movies but it requires becoming a loose adaptation. Mongul can be replaced by Lex Luthor. Lex is Superman’s biggest enemy so replacing Mongul works for the general audience. Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman can be replaced as well if they didn’t want to keep it to Superman characters.
Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and Jonathan Kent can be used. It’s a good way of introducing the characters to the general audience as well. Even if this is the first movie in a Superman trilogy, using the Krypton dream shows Superman’s family, including his cousin.
This works better as there have already been several Superman movies showing his origin. Using For the Man Who Has Everything turns the origin upside down and breathes new life into it. The story was loosely adapted for the Supergirl TV series.
