Posted By Dan Greenfield on Jul 18, 2025 | 2 comments

FRANCO’S FREE-FOR-ALL FRIDAYS!

By FRANCO

Warning: Superman SPOILERS AHEAD!

It was time for a family holiday. A day that I was determined to see if I could capture the feeling of that first time I saw 1978’s Superman, starring Christopher Reeve, which I recounted last week.

I know what you’re thinking. It’s impossible to recreate what was a feeling from so long ago about something you experienced as a kid. And trying to get that as a cynical, grown adult? Even more impossibler(??)

But I’ll tell you what. It was even better!!!

Here’s how my day played out:

We all got dressed for the movie. Unprompted, my family all wore their Superman shirts. I think they know I’m a big Superman fan, only because I’ve worked on Superman Family Adventures and Super Powers and been reading and talking Superman all the time.

Super pizza time. A day with my family is awesome time. Going for pizza before the movie and laughing and eating. The waitress asking what movie we were going to see — hint: our shirts gave it away — all of us laughing when I asked if the waitress was ready to go with us.

We settle into our seats with popcorn and candy and all smiles as we chatter, and the theater fills with more people — many wearing Superman shirts. The air was electric with those about to have fun.

The movie itself:

I loved it! There were some small things I would have done differently but overall it was a movie I will see over and over. It was the most unapologetic superhero movie I’ve ever seen. It made me feel like I was being dropped into the middle of a comic book. Like an issue of a comic book I had picked up off the spinner rack like I did way back when. I didn’t know what happened the few issues before but I could pick up the thread of the story and follow it forward.

David Corenswet was a great choice for Superman. In my mind he nailed the charisma and kindness of what the character should be. It was so much fun to go to a movie that wasn’t so leaden. It didn’t have that overbearing gloom of the end of the world to weigh you down… oh wait. It did. But this Superman had a boyish type of charm and a personality that made me feel at ease, even though he was dealing with some pretty heavy stuff. Just like he assured that woman after saving her. He was telling everyone: Things are going to be OK.

There were some Earth-shattering (literally) things happening in this movie, and you did feel the heft of the characters but Superman made you feel safe.

I’m a humor guy and loved all the laughs. Subtle but placed perfectly within the plot.

I loved Krypto. Although I did have an issue with his behavior. In my mind I kept thinking that Superman’s dog would not have acted that way. Superman’s personality type would have been to train that dog so it would have been less unruly. But by the end of the movie, that was explained by the arrival of you-know-who.

I would also argue that this was by far the best portrayal of Lois Lane ever on screen. Hard-hitting reporter. Strong woman confident in her shoes and very unafraid of metahumans, monsters and/or Lex Luthor.

All the other characters were given their moments to shine as well. Even though there were so many. Mr Terrific, by far, my favorite. I even liked Guy Gardner!

I will be seeing this again. My son loved it as well. My wife, who is not a superhero movie-goer, was also excited to see this and also loved it!

Overall verdict: The day was fun filled and perfect! Surpassing my original Superman: The Movie day! This movie was great! Spending the day with my family — SUPER!

Thank you James Gunn, David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan and the rest of the cast and crew!

Special shout-out to my former student David Fleming for the incredible job on the score! I cheered when I saw his name in the credits. Made my teacher’s heart proud!

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MORE

— BEYOND EXCITED: I Am So Ready to Soar With the New SUPERMAN. Click here.

— JULY FOURTH, JIM SHOOTER, and Comics That Give Off Fireworks. Click here.

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Franco and his forehead have traveled the world and he writes and draws stuff. Franco is the creator, artist and writer of Patrick the Wolf Boy and Aw Yeah Comics! Franco has worked on books/comics, including Tiny Titans and Superman Family Adventures. Franco was also a high-school teacher and is one of the principal owners of Aw Yeah Comics retail stores. Dan made Franco add that he has won three Eisners.