2013's Man of Steel was the beginning of the DC Extended Universe, a connected cinematic universe that brought together some of the world's most beloved superheroes on the big screen for the first time ever. Thus far, the DCEU has been comprised of solo films, team-up movies, and the big event of Justice League, and of course subsequently Zack Snyder's Justice League.
While fans eagerly wait to see what direction the movies will now head, there are other aspects of the DCEU to explore. From behind-the-scenes books to prequels to side stories, the DCEU is filled with great companion books for fans of all ages.
Man Of Steel: The Fate Of Krypton
One of the most striking sequences in the DCEU is the opening of Man of Steel in which Jor-El, unable to save Krypton from destruction, sends his son Kal-El to Earth, where he will eventually become Superman. Filled with spectacular visuals, the destruction of Krypton is an essential part of Superman's backstory and sets up his conflict with Zod.
Man of Steel: The Fate of Krypton is a children's book that retells this part of Superman's past, bringing this memorable movie moment to young fans. Considering that this scene was the beginning of the DCEU, it is a great way for kids to start reading and learning about the DC universe.
Aquaman: Arthur's Guide To Atlantis
While the character of Aquaman has long been a punchline in pop culture, Jason Momoa has transformed the character into one of the coolest and most well-liked heroes in the DCEU. Momoa, along with director James Wan, successfully brought Aquaman to the big screen in 2018 with his first solo movie ever.
Because audiences were not as familiar with Aquaman's story as they are with Batman and some of the other heroes, DC released several prequel books ahead of the film's debut. Aquaman: Arthur's Guide to Atlantis is a fictional diary written by Arthur Curry, (also known as Aquaman). The book is a fun and colorful way for young fans to familiarize themselves with Aquaman's world.
Man Of Steel Prequel Comic Book
Man of Steel reinvented the Superman mythos in a number of ways, one of which was replacing the traditional Fortress of Solitude with a Kryptonian scout ship as the place where Superman speaks to Jor-El and receives his training.
Taking place 18,000 years before the movie, the Man of Steel prequel comic reveals how that ship got to Earth in the first place. The ship was commanded by Superman's distant cousin, Kara Zor-El, who becomes Supergirl in other versions of the character. The comic tells an engaging side story that highlights the aspects of Kryptonian culture that led to Krypton's description.
Wonder Woman 1984: Destined For Greatness
While Wonder Woman 1984 received mixed reviews when it was released in 2020, there was no denying that the opening action sequence, which depicted an obstacle course-like Amazonian competition, was one of the highlights of the movie. The events in this scene taught a young Diana Prince the value of earning things the honest way.
Wonder Woman 1984: Destined for Greatness is a children's tie-in book that retells the events of this opening scene. It is a great book for kids to enjoy an action-packed superhero story while also learning a valuable lesson in the process.
Suicide Blonde
2016's Suicide Squad left many disappointed, leading to James Gunn's upcoming soft reboot of the property with new characters. However, the standout of the film was undoubtedly Margot Robbie's portrayal of Harley Quinn.
The prequel tie-comic Suicide Blonde explores Harley Quinn's relationship with Joker, a huge aspect of her character arc so far in the DCEU, and how she became a member of the Suicide Squad. For fans who wanted to see more of Joker and Harley Quinn's relationship, this comic illustrates their dynamic and fleshes out more of her backstory.
Aquaman: Undertow
In Aquaman, the titular hero's emotional journey is one of identity. Arthur Curry grew up in the human world, as a half-human and half-Atlantian, believing that Atlantis had executed his mother for having a child with a human. He received training from Vulko, but rejected Atlantis because of what they did to his mother.
The young adult novel Aquaman: Undertow follows a 13-year-old Arthur Curry as he begins to learn about Atlantis and grapples with both his powers and his true identity. For young fans, this book makes Aquaman more of a relatable character, who is trying to find his place in the world.
Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice: The Art Of The Film
Iconic heroes Batman and Superman appeared together in the big screen for the first time ever in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The final result was divisive, but the film was inarguably an important moment in superhero movie history.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: The Art of the Film is a behind-the-scenes look at the film filled with concept art, interviews, storyboards, and costume details. With beautiful visuals and insight into the locations, characters, and props from the film, this book is an essential read for fans of Zack Snyder's vision.
Man Of Steel: Inside The Legendary World Of Superman
Superman is arguably the most iconic superhero of all time and, as such, rebooting the famous character in Man of Steel was no small undertaking. Zack Snyder brought his signature visuals to the film, delivering a unique take on the character and setting the visual tone for the entire DCEU.
Man of Steel: Inside the Legendary World of Superman offers fans a look at the production process from previsualization all the way up to the final product. This book is a great look at the new iteration of Superman and the DCEU world around him.
Shazam: Superhero Hooky
While many of the DCEU films have had a similar tone, Shazam! took a different approach. Following the story of young Billy Batson as he gains superpowers, the film uses a more humorous tone to explore a story about what it means to be a family. By the end of the movie, Billy Batson's foster siblings have also gained powers, creating the Shazam family.
The comic book Shazam: Superhero Hooky takes place after the events of the film and depicts the Shazam family working together to stop a robbery at a museum. The movie only showed the Shazam family together for the film's climax, so this comic offers fans an opportunity to see more of them in action before the release of Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
Justice League: The Official Collector's Edition
The behind the scenes story of the making of Justice League is arguably far more interesting than the actual movie itself. Fan's will likely never know the whole story of took place on the set, but the end result was a movie that was largely panned by critics and fans alike, eventually resulting in Warner Bros. releasing Zack Snyder's Justice League.
Despite everything, Justice League remains an ambitious visual spectacle that united one of the most famous superhero teams of all time. Justice League: The Official Collector's Edition provides readers with a look at the visuals, effects, production design, characters, cast, and crew. For better and for worse, Justice League will forever be one of the most important moments in the DCEU's history, and this book allows fans a glimpse behind the scenes.