Superman: Welcome to Metropolis: An Official Novel Inspired by the Film!

by David Lewman

Take to the skies with Superman in this original prequel novel based on the new film, in theaters July 11, 2025!

Clark Kent is a fresh face to Metropolis, trying to balance his new job at The Daily Planet, and his secret identity as Superman, a powerful metahuman, while uncovering a dangerous mystery that seems to tie back to the infamous Lex Luthor. Discover how the world’s first super hero found his place in his new home in this original prequel novel based on the film. Welcome to Metropolis features an eight-page full-color insert with character profiles!

Genres: Dc Comics, Superman, Novels, Audiobook, Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

Published June 3, 2025

Reviews

[Rick Lee Lee James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little junior novel. It feels a bit incomplete in the way that it ends, but I’m sure that’s just because it is a prequel to the upcoming Superman film.

[☮ morgan ☮ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this was a little bit longer, but it was still fun :D

[Chris Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a junior novel, this is surprisingly well written. While the reading level is aimed at young audiences, I didn't notice any bad writing like I often do in young adult or junior novels.

As for the story, it's a prequel to the 2025 movie. For Superman fans, it's quite familiar. We see Clark arrive at The Daily Planet, and we meet the cast of the movie. Metallo is our villain.

This was fairly enjoyable. Good for kids. Good for grown-up kids.

[Chloe W · Rating 4 out of 5]

rip no baby Joey cameo

[Nando Gigaba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I watched the main movie months ago (the incorrect order), I thoroughly enjoyed this short introduction to Superman's story, and it has inspired me to give the film a proper rewatch.

[Ryan Bartok · Rating 5 out of 5]

We aren’t blowing the literary world open with this one.

It is exactly what it promises to be: a fun little story about Superman’s first days in Metropolis. It links nicely to the movie and its characters, giving readers some extra context and charm without ever trying to do more than that.

A light, enjoyable read for anyone who just wants a quick taste of Superman settling into his role.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars rounded up to 5! I really enjoyed this book. I did feel like it ended a bit abruptly, but I understand they wanted the events of the book to happen before the movie. I thought everyone’s characterization was really good. I would totally read another junior novel and I wouldn’t mind if it was even longer.

[alex :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute and fun lil junior novel! wish it was longer but it’s a junior novel so can’t complain

[Emmy Cunningham (Not Ryder) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superman is peak. Argue with the wall! 😗

[Ren ☽°̥࿐ · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a great read for young readers!

[mari · Rating 3 out of 5]

isto foi imensamente meh, nao tem lois a descobrir que superhomem é o clark .... tem desmaiados sound effects escritos .... acho que superheroes em escrita nao ficam mt bem

[Bunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book because I liked the 2025 Lex luthor. It was great; Lex luthor was in it a lot.

[nihaarika · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars (rounded up to 4)

this was actually a lot more fun than i expected it to be, and it’s made me want to go back and watch the movie again

[Todd Tieuli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute! It’s essentially a kids novel, so there wasn’t anything that new and exciting in it, but I love the movie, so any new stuff with those characters is exciting. I hope this means Metallo will be in a movie someday.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book I’m extremely looking forward to checking out Superman Tomorrow

[Chris The Lizard from Planet X · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serving as the official junior prequel to James Gunn’s DCU Superman film(2025), David Lewman’s Superman: Welcome to Metropolis offers a bright, accessible entry point into the new DC Universe. Written for younger readers but enjoyable for fans of all ages, this compact novel captures the optimism and warmth that have always defined the Man of Steel—while setting the stage for his next cinematic incarnation.

Plot Summary

The story follows a young Clark Kent as he arrives in Metropolis, ready to start his new life as both a rookie reporter at The Daily Planet and as the fledgling hero known as Superman. As Clark learns to balance his secret identity, he crosses paths with the city’s key figures: the fearless journalist Lois Lane, the ever-curious Jimmy Olsen, and the formidable Perry White. But Metropolis isn’t just bustling with ambition—it’s also hiding danger. A shadowy plot led by the brilliant and duplicitous Lex Luthor introduces Superman to one of his earliest and most enduring foes: Metallo, a cyborg powered by a mysterious green energy that tests Superman’s strength—and his humanity.

Along the way, the story teases the wider DCU with cameos from heroes such as Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, and Green Lantern, hinting at the “Justice Gang” that will likely play a larger role in future films.

Strengths

For its intended audience, Welcome to Metropolis succeeds beautifully. Lewman’s prose is clear, fast-paced, and energetic, making it ideal for early chapter readers or young fans just discovering Superman. The book balances humor, action, and heart with an ease that mirrors the optimism reportedly at the core of the 2025 film.

The character work is especially effective. Clark is portrayed not as a flawless icon, but as someone still learning what it means to be a hero—uncertain yet determined, humble yet powerful. Lois Lane’s sharp wit and tenacity shine through every scene, while Jimmy Olsen’s curiosity and moral compass offer grounding warmth. Even Lex Luthor’s charisma and cunning feel engagingly human.

The inclusion of a full-color insert of character profiles is another highlight, offering visual context for readers and helping young fans put faces to names within the new DC cinematic world.

Weaknesses

As with most junior novelizations, Welcome to Metropolis is light on complexity. The plot moves briskly but rarely delves into moral ambiguity or emotional nuance. Older readers may find the conflicts simplistic, and the climactic showdown with Metallo resolves a bit too neatly.

Additionally, while the novel is marketed as an “official prequel,” its canonical weight remains somewhat uncertain—some details may differ or even be overwritten once the film releases. For serious lore-hunters, this might limit its long-term appeal.

Verdict

Superman: Welcome to Metropolis is a charming and wholesome prelude to the 2025 film—an engaging bridge for young audiences stepping into the new DCU. It doesn’t attempt to reinvent the mythos; instead, it reintroduces Superman as he should be: compassionate, hopeful, and ready to inspire a new generation.

For children and families anticipating the movie, this is a delightful warm-up. For adult fans, it’s a quick, enjoyable curiosity that captures the spirit, if not the scale, of what’s to come.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 for young readers, ★★★☆☆ for adult fans)

[Patrick Frazier · Rating 3 out of 5]

"3 YEARS AGO, the baby, now grown, announced himself as SUPERMAN, the most powerful metahuman of all."

Look, I get it. This is a junior novel, targeted for readers almost two decades younger than me, but I dunno, man. I absolutely adored 2025's "Superman," to the point where it was easily my favorite movie of the year. I guess I just expected the origin of such a wonderful take on the Man of Steel to be so...meh. Superman's debut isn't an event, he doesn't announce himself as "the powerful metahuman of all," he just pops up on the scene and oh look, the Justice Gang is here because they're in the movie. The Kents make an appearance for all of maybe two pages just to remind us hey, Superman's got parents and they're nice people! And Otis. Oh, Otis. 2025 Otis was a hype guy, a clear right-hand man in the control room. He was clearly subordinate to Lex, but he was someone you listened to and someone who knew what was going on. But this take on Otis? I don't know, I think the writer was thinking of the bumbling sidekick from the 70s when he wrote this. Overall, it's harmless, if a little flat. If you need something to scratch that DCU itch while we wait for Supergirl, there's worse ways to spend a few hours. If you want a good take on Superman's debut in the modern age, check out Birthright instead.

[Evy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Metropolis es la antesala a lo que veremos prontamente en pantalla grande. Esta novela juvenil nos relata como el “torpe” Clark Kent va dispuesto a conseguir su puesto en el Daily Planet.

Esta historia puede ser disfrutada por adolescentes y adultos por igual. Mucho más si eres fan de Superman —(como yo). Y ten por seguro que te sacará más de una sonrisa. Tiene un balance muy bueno en los chistes y comentarios sarcásticos de varios personajes.

Ciertamente, con esta historia nos ambientamos y vamos conociendo a otros heroes que veremos junto a Superman como: Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl y Green Lantern (Guy Garner). Así también conocemos la oscuridad disfrazada del “master mind”, Lex Luthor.

Algo que amé fueron los iconicos personajes: Lois Lane, tan intrépida como insoportable y Jimmy Olsen por fin nuestro pelirrojo, es bien representado, siendo amistoso, cauteloso y con excelente ojo para las fotos de Metrópolis que merecen un pulitzer.

El autor se tomo el tiempo de caracterizar cada personaje con su esencia salida del comic. Eso me entusiasma y espero que Gunn también lo logre en la película.

No hay dudas de que estoy muy emocionada por el filme que saldrá en julio de este año. Por esto, me encantó este pequeño adelanto escrito.

[Ines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this junior novel with modest expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised. The writing is strong and engaging, so much so that I often forgot this was aimed at younger readers. The pacing is quick without ever feeling rushed, making it a fun and easy read that kept me turning pages.

What really stood out was how well it sets the stage for Metropolis and its iconic cast. Each character is introduced with clear ambitions and motivations, laying the groundwork for what’s to come without ever feeling heavy-handed. It’s the kind of prequel that feels complete on its own, while also leaving you wanting more.

Another highlight is that it doesn’t spoil anything about James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film. Readers can safely enjoy this as a warm-up without fear of major plot details being revealed. Instead, it works as a smart, accessible introduction to the world and characters, whether you’re a longtime fan or just getting into Superman.

Overall, this is a surprisingly enjoyable read that exceeded my expectations for a junior novel. It’s fast, fun, and a perfect appetizer for the new movie.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a pretty solid little story to get into the world and see the characters a bit. It introduces some familiar faces from the comics, most notably Metallo, and makes references to major companies from DC, which helps flesh out the world in a neat way. Even if it’s not canon, I found it fun. I feel like it got better as the story went on; some of the early writing felt a little off to me, but maybe that’s just because I got more into it as I read. I’m pretty sure there were a couple of writing mistakes in the book, just minor things though, and not many.

It was interesting to see Superman's first team-up with the "Justice Gang," as well as his first exposure to Kryptonite.

I also really enjoyed the banter between Lex and Otis.

Overall, it’s a fun little prequel story that gives a good sense of how Clark got started in Metropolis, how the Daily Planet operates, and how Lex Luthor runs his businesses, both legitimate and illegal. There were also a few pages in the middle of the book that were colored and included character drawings and descriptions, which was neat.

[Niles Sheppard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little book for the upcoming James Gunn’s Superman film! You can feel the hope and wonder of this new DCU world. The author of this book previously wrote the prequel book for Matt Reeves’s The Batman. What I loved about that prequel book is that it went deep into the lore. It felt like a prequel. Setting the origin and all that. With this book? It’s a prequel story for the movie but not a full origin story. The only origin it establishes in this book is Clark coming to Metropolis and starting his new life. I’m not that disappointed about it but I can feel that James Gunn has put a lot of restrictions on what this author can do with the DCU canon lore. Besides all of this, I can’t wait to see the film!!

[Brett Hiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

For fans of Superman, of any age, this book will bring a smile to your face. There are some clear hints to what is to come in the film, but the story itself, is self-contained with Metallo serving as the primary villain. I appreciate the opportunity to being given a little backstory to the flick so we don't have to sit through that stuff in the movie. Lewman's love of the character, and comics in general, is clearly evident and any youngster who has this on their Scholastic Book Order Form will be happy when it arrives!

[Sir Brier · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD!!!!!

I bought this book for my little brother, but he wanted to read the hockey book first so I got to read this one. It was genuinely one of the best Superman books I have read. He is so relatable as a 20 year old just starting his career. I pictured the characters as their versions in My Adventures With Superman for part of the book, just because I love that show. If you like that show too, I would totally recommend this book.

[Michael David · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a really big fan of not only Superman, but DC in general, Lewman gets it. The characterization of every character is spot-on, making this book an excellent introduction for readers who likely wouldn't be familiar with them.

Also, massive shoutout to my boy Otis. Not sure if he'll be making it into the movie, but regardless, it's still a really nice cameo appearance to see.

[Josh Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect set up for the movie.

This book really helps me get excited to see these characters in the upcoming Superman movie! I’m really excited to see how the dynamic between Clark and Lois, Superman and Lex Luthor, and Superman and the Justice Gang will be further explored in the new Superman movie!

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, enjoyable book that helps expand the world of the new Superman movie. Nothing amazing and absolutely skippable, but it's fun to see more of the great characters introduced in the movie, especially Lex Luthor. I'm a bit past the age range for the target audience, but I'll definitely give any more of these junior novel tie-ins a read.

[TheKonamiMan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the book with my 10-year-old son, it was a nice little book for young readers that and some more after seeing the great recent Superman film. The story moves at a fast pace so it should keep the attention of most readers until the end. The author does rely on onomatopoeia a little too much in action scenes and the climax is over pretty fast. Besides that this is a fun easy read.

[Ryan Goldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★½☆ - Very good.

While clearly written for children, this book gets the characterization of all the characters down really well. It also managed to make me feel like a child again and connect me with my desire of becoming a superhero. I cannot wait for the movie.

[Rory Felton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read with some good characterisation before the film releases, it’s a good origin story of sorts but at times heavily relied on the Justice Gang. This is also not necessary a bad thing but just overall average

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Half good writing, half “hype moments & aura,” but it works! Surprisingly dark for a book made for babies but it’s better that way. There’s some good underlying political commentary about misogyny in here!