***Contains Spoilers***
DC One Million takes readers on an epic journey to the 853rd century, where the Justice Legion Alpha—a futuristic team inspired by today’s Justice League—crosses paths with their 20th-century predecessors. When the original Superman returns from his self-imposed exile in the sun, chaos erupts as a villainous scheme threatens the cosmos. The story seamlessly blends grand-scale stakes with an exploration of what legacy means for DC’s iconic heroes. While part of a larger crossover event, the main storyline holds together well as a self-contained narrative.
What stood out to me most was the creativity in crafting these future superheroes. From the sun-powered Superman Prime to the Green Lantern powered by an artificial intelligence, Morrison presents a world that feels fresh but still familiar. The concept of a Justice League stretching thousands of years into the future adds depth to the idea of heroism being a timeless ideal. One particularly memorable moment was J’onn J’onzz’s arc, where he becomes one with Mars. It felt poetic and grounded the cosmic chaos in something deeply personal and emotional, adding gravitas to the story.
The Superman focus was another high point for me. While it’s undeniably Superman-centric, Morrison’s take on the Man of Tomorrow was inspiring. The future Superman’s connection to the original adds weight to the legacy theme, and it’s always interesting to see how his mythos evolves across time. Still, the story balanced this focus enough that other characters like Wonder Woman and Batman’s descendants didn’t feel overshadowed.
That said, DC One Million has its downsides. The main story is strong, but some of the event’s tie-ins feel unnecessary and, at times, convoluted. I appreciated that this collected edition didn’t demand familiarity with every single tie-in issue, but I could have done without some of the extra material that didn’t significantly enhance the narrative. Additionally, the story’s complexity might not work for readers unfamiliar with Morrison’s layered style—at times, the book feels like it’s trying to do too much.
Overall, I really liked DC One Million. It’s a creative and ambitious story that successfully brings the far future of the DC Universe to life, though it’s not without its flaws. I’d give it 3 stars: something I enjoyed enough to want to revisit someday, but not quite among my favorite DC stories. If you’re a fan of Morrison or love futuristic takes on classic heroes, it’s worth a read.
Feature Image DC One Million #1 cover art by Val Semeiks, T. Horie and Prentis Rollins
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