Look up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s a ton of deep cut comic book references!

Superman has arrived in theaters and it’s simply amazing. David Corenswet is our newest Man of Steel, and the movie feels like a love letter to the classic comics. If you know me, then you know I love looking for Easter eggs in DC films and this one had plenty! Let’s break them down…

Keep in mind, this Easter egg rundown contains spoilers.
 

  • We get our first Easter egg before the film officially begins! The DC Studios logo shows an animated image of Superman breaking chains, which was originally seen on the back cover of 1939’s Superman #1.
  • The introduction text gives us a brief history of metahumans in this universe. It also namedrops the term “Gods and Monsters.” According to Gunn, Gods and Monsters is the name he’s giving to the first wave of DC Studios’ movie and television projects. “Gods and Monsters” is also the name of a Justice League storyline set on an alternate world.
  • During the introduction text, we learn that two European countries called Boravia and Jarhanpur are currently embroiled in conflict. Both of these countries are from the comics, with Boravia first appearing in 1939’s Superman #2 and Jarhanpur first appearing in JLA #62.
  • Krypto to the rescue! Superman’s dog first appeared in 1955’s Adventure Comics #210 (reprinted in Superboy: A Celebration of 75 Years). Krypto has some chaotic behavior in his first comic book appearance, which matches his portrayal in the film.
  • Superman’s Fortress of Solitude is visually modeled after the crystalized version which first appeared in 1978’s Superman: The Movie. For more on Superman’s hidden base, check out this deep dive from my colleague Alex Jaffe.
  • The first Superman Robots made their debut in 1949’s World’s Finest Comics #42. The robot helpers were frequently seen at the Fortress during the Silver Age and would occasionally travel to Metropolis to get Superman out of secret identity jams. While their physical design is different, these particular robots are heavily influenced by the ones seen in All-Star Superman.
  • By the way, you should listen closely to the robots, because you might hear some familiar actors. Robot #4 (aka Gary) is voiced by Alan Tudyk, who you might know as Mr. Nobody from Doom Patrol, Clayface and the Joker from Harley Quinn and Doctor Phosphorus from Creature Commandos (giving him two roles in this newly formed DCU). Additional robots are voiced by Michael Rooker, Grace Chen, Jennifer Holland and Pom Klementieff.
  • Enter the Engineer! Luthor’s deadly enforcer is a longtime member of the anti-hero group known as the Authority. Angela Spica made her first appearance in 1999’s The Authority #1. 
  • The Hammer of Boravia terrorizes a conference room of Chocos cookie executives. Chocos are the DC Universe version of Oreos, and Martian Manhunter’s favorite snack.
  • Did you spot the Zesti Cola can in Luthor’s command center? The soda brand was introduced in Detective Comics #645.
  • Lex’s command center and the PlantetWatch base are filled with numerous comic book characters. While we don’t hear their names in the movie, the credits tell us that these characters are Amanda McCoy, Cheryl Kimble and Larry Chin. We also get Dean and Desmond Farr, two characters who date all the way back to 1965’s Tales of the Unexpected #90 (where they turned into tigers).
  • By the way, I have to give the hair and makeup team props for how they made Stephen Blackehart look for his role as Lex’s aide Sydney Happersen. He looks like someone 3D-printed an image of Happersen from the comics!
  • Lex is also joined by Eve Teschmacher and Otis Berg, two associates who were first introduced in 1978’s Superman: The Movie. Otis is given the last name Berg, which is a joke regarding an exchange he and Gene Hackman’s Lex had about naming land. (Otis had previously been given the surname Berg in the Smallville Season 11 comics.)
  • Lex’s organization PlanetWatch is likely a reference to the WildStorm comic book team Stormwatch—a team which the Engineer has served on. Could this be an early iteration of it?
  • The Raptor battlesuits were first seen in 2006’s Nightwing #25. Their color scheme has been changed to evoke Lex’s iconic green and purple warsuit, which was introduced in Action Comics #544 (reprinted in Lex Luthor: A Celebration of 75 Years). One of the Raptors is voiced by Michael Rosenbaum, who DC fans might remember as Lex Luthor in Smallville and the Flash in Justice League.
  • After the Hammer of Boravia retreats, we learn that it’s Ultraman behind the armor. In the comics, Ultraman is an evil version of Superman from another Earth who was first introduced in 1964’s Justice League of America #29. This version is a far cry from him, though, and is arguably the character with whom Gunn and his team have taken the biggest liberty.
  • Welcome to the Daily Planet bullpen! You’re probably familiar with Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and Perry White. In addition to those roving reporters, we meet gossip columnist Cat Grant, who was introduced in Adventures of Superman #424 and played a prominent role on TV’s Supergirl. We’re also introduced to Steve Lombard, sportswriter and the bullpen’s version of a high school bully. Lombard made his first appearance in 1973’s Superman #264. Later on in the film, we see Ron Troupe, a reporter that was briefly Lois and Clark’s brother-in-law after marrying Lucy Lane. Ron first appeared in Adventures of Superman #480.
  • At one point we hear Perry White tell Jimmy Olsen, “Don’t call me chief.” This has been a running bit between the two since the 1952 television series Adventures of Superman.
  • Take a look around the bullpen, and you’ll see a Superman postcard that looks like Jim Lee’s iconic Superman #204 cover. You’ll also see a Mighty Crabjoys flyer. The band was previously referenced in the show Creature Commandos and a billboard for them can be seen in the Peacemaker season two trailer.
  • Speaking of Creature Commandos, Frank Grillo is back as Rick Flag Sr., and he’s not alone. Tinashe Kajese-Bolden reprises her role as Flo Crawley from The Suicide Squad. It seems her coup against Amanda Waller didn’t negatively impact her career, as she seems to have been promoted to director. Does she have Waller’s old job?
  • Park Ridge is referenced during the scene in Lois Lane’s apartment. The Metropolis borough was first introduced in Adventures of Superman #447.
  • Lois interviews Superman using a LordTech recorder. This is a reference to Maxwell Lord, the DC Universe mogul (and Justice Gang financer) played by Sean Gunn.
  • A newspaper in Lois’s apartment references Stagg International, the corporation owned by Simon Stagg. Simon, who first appeared in 1964’s The Brave and the Bold #57, is Metamorpho’s crooked father-in-law. This newspaper serves as great foreshadowing to Metamorpho’s introduction later in the film.
  • News reports claim that Lex’s kaiju was first spotted at Jitters, a popular DC Universe coffee shop. Jitters was first seen in 2010’s The Flash #1 and was prominently used in the CW’s The Flash television series.
  • Pay attention to the various street names during the kaiju battle. Each road is named after a notable Superman creator. I spotted references to Dan Jurgens, Alex Ross and Mark Waid. Did you catch any?
  • A Big Belly Burger logo can be seen during the kaiju battle. This fast food burger chain was first seen in Adventures of Superman #441. We also see an advertisement for Soder Cola, a soft drink that was first seen in Action Comics #663.
  • One of the news anchors is played by Will Reeve, the son of the famed Superman actor Christopher Reeve. Will is a television reporter in real life, so he’s essentially playing a DC Universe version of himself.
  • Meet the Justice Gang! While the name has never been used in the comics, this group appears to be partially inspired by the Justice League International, which was Maxwell Lord’s attempt to create a corporate version of the superteam.
  • The idea that Jor-El sent Superman to Earth to enslave humanity was first explored in Smallville. However, the series softened Jor-El as it went on, walking back his tyrannical characterization and implying that some of it was his AI going off script.
  • Believe it or not, there is a Superman with a harem somewhere in the multiverse. Superman’s Girlfriend Lois Lane #57 gives us a glimpse of a world where bigamy is legal, and Superman marries both Lois and Lana. I don’t think Gunn had this comic in mind when he wrote the script, but it’s wild that it exists.
  • During the news montage, we see a network called 52, which is a reference to DC’s New 52 publishing initiative. WGBS aka Galaxy Broadcasting Systems is also seen. First appearing in Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #133, WGBS was the Daily Planet’s parent company during the Bronze Age. Clark served as a TV reporter for them from 1970-1986.
  • Bakerline is mentioned during a conversation at the Daily Planet. The Metropolis borough was first seen in Action Comics #599.
  • Eve mentions Jimmy’s mother. According to Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #123, the Pre-Crisis version of his mother died in a car wreck. Sarah Olsen, the Post-Crisis version of the character, was introduced in 1988’s Superman #15.
  • One of the Daily Planet computers has a picture of Lex that seems to evoke the iconic Lex Luthor: The Unauthorized Biography cover.
  • The Justice Gang operate out of a still under construction Hall of Justice, the iconic superhero headquarters that was introduced in the 1973 Super Friends cartoon.
  • The Hall of Justice contains a mural that shows the history of metahumans in the DC Universe. Although it’s hard to see in some shots, the mural depicts various Justice Society members, including Wildcat.
  • No, Guy Gardner was not joking about Superman’s hypno-glasses. In 1978’s Superman #330, Clark learns that he’s been unintentionally hypnotizing all his friends for years. It turns out that because his glasses were made from the glass on his rocket ship, they had special properties that allowed him to hypnotize people, causing them to believe Superman and Clark looked like different people. It was never mentioned again…until now. For more on the hypno-glasses, keep your eyes on DC.com for a special feature later this month.
  • According to Lois’s license plate, this version of Metropolis is located in Delaware. This was first established in 1977’s Amazing World of DC Comics #14 and reaffirmed in 1990’s Atlas of the DC Universe.
  • We get to see Mister Terrific’s T-Spheres in action and it’s a moment I can’t wait to see again. Terrific’s T-Spheres were first introduced in 2000’s JSA #11.
  • During his trip to the pocket dimension, Mister Terrific briefly turns his mask lens white. This is nodding to the way that he and many other superheroes are drawn in the comics.
  • Clark’s bedroom has a pennant for his high school football team, the Smallville Giants. Clark was first seen playing for the Giants in 1986’s The Man of Steel #1.
  • Pay close attention to the map in Eve’s selfie and you might spot Markovia, the home country of Geo-Force and Terra.
  • Metamorpho is seen watching television alongside a blonde woman. That woman could only be Sapphire Stagg, Rex’s longtime love interest and the mother of Joey. She’s also the daughter of Stagg International CEO Simon Stagg.
  • Throughout the last act Lois is seen wearing a purple top. This seems like a visual reference to her character design in Superman: The Animated Series.
  • As the citizens of Metropolis are evacuating, we see interstate signs leading to Queensland Park, a Metropolis borough that was introduced in Action Comics #699. The interstate sign also references Gotham City, and I don’t think we need to tell you the significance of that.
  • Superman and Mister Terrific battle the Engineer and Ultraman in LordTech field, home of the Metropolis Meteors, the city’s baseball team. The team originated in 1973’s Strange Sports Stories #1. There’s also a football team with the same name that Steve Lombard once played for.
  • As the world reacts to Luthor’s duplicity, one news channel shows a brief interview with Maxwell Lord, who is played by Sean Gunn. Lord, who first appeared in 1987’s Justice League #1, will also appear in Peacemaker season two later this year.
  • When Luthor is arrested, he’s taken to Belle Reve, a high security prison for supervillains. First seen in 1987’s Suicide Squad #1, the prison has appeared in other DC projects, including The Suicide Squad and Creature Commandos. In other words, Luthor is going to have some interesting roommates.
  • The film ends with a cameo appearance by Milly Alcock as Superman’s cousin Kara Zor-El. According to Superman, Kara enjoys drinking and partying on planets with a red sun so the alcohol can really hit her. This is exactly what we see Kara doing in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the comic which serves as the basis for next year’s Supergirl film.
     

As you can see, James Gunn wasn’t playing around. In fact, I’m pretty sure there were tons of other references that I missed. The only solution is to watch the movie again. I suggest you all do the same and let me know if I missed anything!
 

Superman, directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult, is now in theaters! Click here to get tickets.

Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, movies and comics for DC.com, is a regular contributor to the Couch Club and writes our monthly Batman column, "Gotham Gazette." Follow him on Bluesky at @joshualapinbertone and on X at @TBUJosh.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.