On social media, artist Liam Sharp shared concept art from an unproducedSupermanseries for DC Comics,which he says would have been a “Heart of Darknesstype story, with Supes gone mad.”Putting in the role of Kurtz, made famous by Marlon Brando in the filmApocalypse Now,which in turn was adapted from the Joseph Conrad novellaHeart of Darkness.
Liam Sharp shared the piece of art on Instagram, explaining that the project sadly “fell through.” Replying to a fan in the comments on his post, Sharp explained the premise for the story, which he said was to be written byiconic author Tom King.
Sharp further elaborated that “marketing didn’t believe it would sell,” which is why the proposed Superman story by Tom King and Liam Sharp never came to fruition. It’s a shame, as the piece of art Sharp posted looks intriguing, with a bearded, long-haired Superman haunting theFortress of Solitude in the arctic.
Sharp Posted HisHeart Of Darkness SupermanOn Instagram
Tom King and Liam Sharp are a killer creative team, and the concept of aSuperman “gone mad” in aHeart of Darkness/Apocalypse Now-styled story-line is an intriguing notion.Tom King previously tackled the Man of Steel inSuperman: Up in the Skywith artist Andy Kubert, in which the Man of Steel traverses the galaxy in search of an Earth girl kidnapped by a group of aliens. King’s proposed Superman story sounds like it would have been the polar opposite, portraying a much darker version of the Last Son of Krypton.
Most readers will be familiar with the “Colonel Kurtz” archetype as depicted in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 filmApocalypse Now, but the movie was itself a modern retelling of Joseph Conrad’s 1899 bookHeart of Darkness, substituting American occupied Vietnam for colonial Africa. The character of Kurtz, across both incarnations, has become a touchstone for the idea of a powerful figure slipping into madness.
Liam Sharp has also risen to be one of the most innovative and exciting artists around thanks to work such ashis run onGreen Lanternwith writer Grant Morrison. That run saw Sharp apply a variety of different techniques and artistic styles to great effect, paying homage to comic book history in a psychedelic space opera that was classic Grant Morrison. Fans would likely expect Liam Sharp to apply the same level of craft and artistry to the rejected Supermanstory with Tom King, so it’s puzzling that DC would pass on a project with such a pedigree.
Liam Sharp’s Incredible Artwork Would Have Made His Untold Superman Story A Must-Read
A Missed Chance For A Different Kind Of Superman
Liam Sharp is the first to acknowledge what a shame it is that his Superman-meets-Heart of Darknesspitch with Tom King fell through, though the artist does note that the fallout led to him devoting himself full force toStarhenge, his creator-owned series at Image Comics. That series also reinterpreted a classic story in a new context, as Sharp remixed Arthurian legends as a wide-spanning sci-fi saga. So, it is interesting how one project falling through led him to tackle something similar, as there are certainly parallels between the two concepts.
The comic book industry is a “never say never” medium; in other words, it is not entirely impossible that some version of Sharp and King’s darkSupermancould be produced sometime in the future.
HisSupermanprojectwith Tom King never came to fruition, but since it led Liam Sharp into creating his own story inStarhenge, fans shouldn’t complain too much. Further, the comic book industry is a “never say never” medium; in other words, it is not entirely impossible that some version of Sharp and King’s darkSupermancould be produced sometime in the future. If it never does come to pass,this unrealizedSupermanstory will remain one of the great missed opportunities in DC Comics history.
Spawn: The Dark Ages Returns After 25 Years with Original Artist Liam Sharp Writing
Superstar artist Liam Sharp returns to the world of Spawn as writer and artist for an all-new take on the classic title Spawn: The Dark Ages.
Source:Liam Sharp Instagram (@liamsharpofficial)
Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
