Fans Frantically Pick Apart Superman’s History of Metahumans Mural as James Gunn Finally Shares Full Image

Superman Director and DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has published the full Hall of Justice History of Metahumans mural online for all to see, and fans are already working together to identify its biggest heroes.

DC fans of every shape and size have picked apart Superman since it premiered in theaters earlier this month. In addition to introducing the world to David Corenswet’s Man of Steel, the film serves as the jumping-off point for the new DCU, meaning every little detail and hero reference included in its two-hour-and-10-minute runtime are considered canon going forward. With endless possibilities for how Gunn could build a new DC cinematic universe, something like the History of Metahumans is crucial.

Warning! Spoilers for Superman follow.

Die-hard DC fans were quick to comb through every pixel on the Hall of Justice’s mural when Gunn posted it to social media today. That’s mostly because this is the first time everyone has been able to see it unobscured. (Hit the link for our breakdown of who we think is in James Gunn’s metahuman mural.)

Any one of the millions who have seen the new Superman movie could have spotted the Hall of Justice mural in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment that appears about halfway through the movie. When Corenswet’s Clark Kent turns himself in to Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, he’s transported to what we’re told is a pocket universe between dimensions. With nowhere else to turn and no sign of Superman, Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane looks to The Justice Gang (working title) for help.

Shortly after entering the in-development Hall of Justice, the short-staffed group can be seen lounging around an open living space. It’s here that Gunn snuck in the History of Metahumans mural, which includes what is surely the largest roster of new DCU heroes we’ve received so far.

There are 26 DC heroes in the mural that we can see, and almost all of them are deep cuts. The first of Gunn’s two images seemingly features characters like Madame Xanadu, Silent Knight, Black Pirate, Super Chief, Amazing-Man, Wesley Dodds’ Sandman, Commander Steel, and Zatara. In the second picture, we believe we can spot Liberty Belle, Bulletman, Bulletgirl, Max Mercury, Phantom Lady, Atomic Knight, Wildcat, Freedom Beast, Vibe, Gunfire, and Max Lord.

The last name on that list shows up for a cameo toward the end of Superman and is played by Gunn’s brother and actor Sean Gunn. Every other name, however, could turn up in another DCU movie down the line or maybe never even appear at all.

The only thing for certain is that their presence in Superman’s Hall of Justice means each name exists in the early days of the new DCU canon in some capacity. It’s a clever tactic to flesh out its world as viewers try to get a handle on all of the changes coming to the DC movie universe.

Fans are still piecing together some of the other names featured on the mural. Some believe they’re able to identify heroes like TNT and Dan the Dyna-Mite, El Diablo, and the Amazon Queen Hippolyta, while others are just sad the painting seems to kill suspicions that it included the original Flash, Jay Garrick, and Doctor Fate.

Superman features Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), and so many other famous DC names, but fans will always dig for more as more movies come out. With so many other major players from the comic books (we’re still waiting to see the DCU’s Batman) yet to make an appearance, Gunn is staying quiet about how he plans to flesh out the new universe.

While we wait for more concrete information from Gunn or for fans to identify every DC hero themselves, you can read our 8/10 Superman review. You can also check out the director’s thoughts about the call to reverse one of the film’s big twists and learn more about what the film’s ending sequences mean for the future of the DCU.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).