Entertainment
James Gunn’s Superman Can’t Make One Crucial Mistake, The DCU Is On The Right Track
By Drew Dietsch
| Updated
I have a ton of hope for James Gunn’s Superman and the upcoming DC Universe, or the DCU as it is being officially branded. I called The Suicide Squad, “the best DC movies in decades,” and I stand by that (my review). Now, after Creature Commandos has me wanting even more superhero stories done in animation, I’m more than ready for whatever James Gunn has to bring to the original superhero. But, there is one thing I can’t help but feel a touch trepidatious about, and it goes all the way back to Superman’s origins on the Planet Krypton.
Superman’s Parents
I’m currently reading Absolute Superman, part of DC’s new Absolute run of comics which allow for some radical new takes on iconic heroes. In the first issue, it’s revealed that Superman’s parents are farmers in a Kryptonian society with a distinct and brutal caste system. Normally, Superman’s parents are depicted as scientists in a utopian world. In Absolute Superman, they are low-class workers who recognize the ruling class is leading to the destruction of the planet.
This is a fantastic and fresh idea to inject into the origin of Superman. It gives a reason for us to actually see Kal-El’s parents and spend time with them and their story. And if James Gunn has a creative and new idea about the lives of Jor-El and Lara, I’m all for seeing how it influences his idea of Superman.
But, if James Gunn is taking the inspiration I believe he is, I think Superman needs to show us as little of Karl-Ed’s birth parents as possible. In fact, I’d be fine without seeing them at all.
The Origins Are Now Myths
James Gunn has been very vocal about the comic book series All-Star Superman being one of his sources of inspiration for this take on the Man of Steel. In that comic, writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely summarize the origin of Superman with one page, four panels, and eight words. Morrison boils everything down to its most purely mythic elements. It’s one of the single greatest pages in comic book and superhero history.
I get the vibe that James Gunn feels similarly about the origins of the original superhero. At least, I hope so. Much like we don’t need to see Bruce Wayne’s parents gunned down anymore, the kickoff to Clark Kent’s life has entered a level of pop culture mythology that feels as omnipresent as knowing Santa lives at the North Pole. It’s understandable that both Richard Donner’s Superman and Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel felt they needed to strongly establish their versions of Superman’s parents (mainly Jor-El in those movies). But, Gunn could make a bigger statement by downplaying that part of Superman’s story.
Superman is the ultimate immigrant story, and while I don’t want his Kryptonian heritage to be thrown out with his escape pod, it feels like focusing on Superman’s love and connection to Earth is the best story to tell with the character on the big screen. Even this one picture of Superman and his pet Krypto seems to focus on this mindset. Yes, Krypto is a part of his alien past, and I can’t wait to see how that relationship plays between Clark and his dog. But, the framing of that photo puts them in a context that emphasizes the beauty and importance of Earth to Superman.
The less time we spend on Superman’s parents and the influence of Krypton’s history on his story, the better of James Gunn’s Superman will be. Whatever may happen, I can’t wait to see this new movie, even if it means more time on that planet what blows up.
Entertainment
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
Mother figures are the backbone of the world. Yours may be your biological mother, or maybe she’s your mother-in-law, your best friend’s mom, or simply someone whose motherly instinct has helped you through hard times.
Moms teach you the adulting necessities, give advice even if the problem is your fault, and above all, they put up with your shit and (almost) never complain.
The game plan here isn’t just to snag the last bouquet at CVS just so you’re not the kid who forgot Mother’s Day (but definitely also get flowers). And you don’t even need to spend a lot of money. (Peep our list of Mother’s Day gifts that cost less than $50. Want even more cheap gift ideas?
Skip the generic mugs and show your appreciation with a gift picked just for her: Whether it’s something to make a part of her life easier, something she’s mentioned wanting in passing, or simply something to make her feel like a damn queen, you can’t put a price on everything she’s done for you, but heartfelt gifts certainly help.
After all, they say “No matter how hard you try, you always end up like your mother.” But is that even a bad thing?
Entertainment
Ban subscriptions and get Microsoft Office 2024 for life for just £121
TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business for PC or Mac for just £120.54 through June 1.
You wouldn’t keep paying for Netflix if you could own your favorite shows, right? So why are you still subscribing to Office apps you use every day? Microsoft 365’s price keeps going up, but there’s finally a way to break free — and it’ll cost you way less in the long run.
Microsoft Office 2024 is the answer you’ve been looking for. Instead of monthly payments, simply pay £120.54 once and be set for life (reg. £188.37). It’s that simple. And, yes, this lifetime download works for PC or Mac.
What’s included?
This license comes with:
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Word
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Excel
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PowerPoint
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Outlook
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OneNote
The newest version of Microsoft Office is a little different from Microsoft 365. But just because you’re switching to a lifetime license doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on some of the most recent updates. Word and Excel both still have AI integrations for text suggestions and smart data analysis, and PowerPoint still has improved tools for recorded presentations.
Once you’ve redeemed your purchase, you can install your apps on one computer. After that, they’re yours to use however you want. No more subscription fees or sudden price hikes to worry about.
Why rent when you can own?
Mashable Deals
Get a Microsoft Office lifetime license on sale for £120.54 with no coupon needed.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 9, 2025
Oh hey there! If you’re here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we’re serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today’s answer.
If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Where did Wordle come from?
Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What’s the best Wordle starting word?
The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?
The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?
It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.
Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:
Gibberish.
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Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?
There are no recurring letters.
Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today’s Wordle starts with the letter T.
The Wordle answer today is…
Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today’s Wordle is…
TRIPE.
Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
