James Gunn’s vision for the rebooted DC Universe (DCU) appears to be drawing heavily from a period of comics often characterized by deconstruction and experimentation, according to recent statements and a review of his early recommendations. Among the titles highlighted by Gunn is Top 10, a series created by Alan Moore, Gene Ha, and Zander Cannon, which debuted in 1999.
Top 10 distinguishes itself from more conventional superhero narratives by focusing on the everyday lives of police officers in Neopolis, a city populated almost entirely by individuals with superpowers. The series, published initially by WildStorm Comics before DC’s acquisition of the imprint, blends the tropes of superhero fiction with the procedural elements of police dramas, as noted by both Amazon and Goodreads summaries of the function.
Unlike Moore’s more widely recognized works, such as Watchmen and V for Vendetta, Top 10 is described as possessing a notable optimism and a genuine affection for the superhero genre. The narrative follows rookie officer Robyn Singer, also known as “Toybox,” and her colleagues as they navigate the unique challenges of policing a city where extraordinary abilities are commonplace. The series ran for twelve issues, collecting issues #1-12, as detailed on Goodreads.
The inclusion of Top 10 alongside other WildStorm titles like The Authority suggests Gunn is interested in exploring stories that exist outside of established DC continuity. The Authority, created by Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch, presents a more pragmatic and often morally ambiguous accept on the superhero team dynamic. Both series, still, share a common thread of challenging traditional superhero conventions.
Darwyn Cooke’s DC: The New Frontier, also cited by Gunn, offers a different approach, reimagining the dawn of the Silver Age of comics with a blend of retrofuturism and social commentary. Cooke’s work addresses themes such as PTSD and McCarthyism, while maintaining an optimistic tone, mirroring what has been described as Gunn’s own perspective on superheroes.
While direct adaptations of these titles may not be imminent, their influence on Gunn’s approach to character development and world-building within the DCU is becoming increasingly apparent. Gunn has specifically mentioned an adaptation of The Authority as a priority, indicating a willingness to embrace the complex and often controversial themes explored in these earlier works. The integration of The Authority into mainline DC continuity, as noted in web search results, further suggests a potential pathway for incorporating these ideas into the broader DCU narrative.
The unique blend of genres and the willingness to deconstruct superhero tropes present in Top 10, The Authority, and DC: The New Frontier may signal a significant shift in tone and style for the DCU under Gunn’s leadership. The extent to which these influences will manifest in future projects remains to be seen.
