Frank Miller is often considered a legend among DC fans, perhaps most famous for his contributions toBatmanandSuperman’s comic legacies. His critically acclaimed seriesBatman: The Dark Knight Returns(1986) redefined both the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel in the minds of fans. However, Miller is also known for creating one of the most controversial Superman covers ever published.
“I’d hate to think that all my heroes had been castrated.”
Nearly 10 years ago, DC releasedDark Knight Universe Presents: Atom#1,written by Frank Millerand Brian Azzarello, originally bundled withDark Knight III: The Master Race#1 (2015–2017).
While both the issue and the series are notable for many reasons, it became best known for one particular cover by Miller, with colors by Alex Sinclair, thatput a certain part of the Man of Steel’s anatomy onvivid display for anyone whose eyes wandered below his waistline.
It’s True: Frank Miller Really Did Put the Spotlight on Superman’s Briefs
This infamous cover forDark Knight Universe Presents: Atomis done in Frank Miller’s instantly recognizable art style, which often exaggerates character size and features while using bold lines to create a raw intensity that emphasizes emotion and brutality over realism. However, this particular cover puts unexpected emphasis onan anatomical detail that is not usually the focus of Miller’s work: Superman’s male genitalia.
While Superman is fully clothed in his iconic suit, his red briefs are drawn in a way that tightly hug his lower region, revealing a very noticeable outline of what he is packing beneath the fabric.This hyper-focus on his groin sparked backlash among fans, with many being especially vocal in their dislike of Miller’s artistic interpretation of the Man of Steel.
The cover was considered inappropriate, or at the very least unnecessary,by a large number of readers. Several articles appeared at the time of its release to discuss what many referred to as the elephant in the room, or more specifically, the one in Superman’s briefs. That said, some fans didn’t take the depiction too seriously, finding humor or even enjoyment in it.
While Miller faced strong criticism from some, many fans, even those who were not fond of the image, responded with jokes. Their complaints often had less to do with the fact that Miller chose to highlight Clark’s clothed anatomy, and more to do with the underwhelming size of the package itself,with some joking that Superman had been shortchanged.
What Was Frank Miller’s Response to Critics of His Infamous Superman Cover?
After the cover was released,Miller sat down with Vulture to discuss the artworkand his upcoming projects. Toward the end of the interview, Vulture brought up the topic of theDark Knight Universe Presents: Atomcover, which had raised some eyebrows due to its depiction of male genitalia.
Miller responded by saying,“Part of my job is drawing figures. Look at Michelangelo. Look at anything. If I pretended something wasn’t there, I wouldn’t really be doing a very good job. I’d hate to think that all my heroes had been castrated.”His response was a strong and thoughtful defense, making it clear that he has no regrets about this unforgettableSupermancover.
Dark Knight Universe Presents: Atom #1is available now from DC Comics!
