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We’re two trailers — fine, DC, one trailer and one teaser — and an extended preview into the promotion of James Gunn’s Superman at this point, and every single one features David Corenswet’s Man of Steel beaten, bruised, and bleeding. This is something that’s drawn negative attention from a small-but-vocal group of online critics, but I’m not adding to their voice; instead, I’m grateful, because it suggests that we’re going to see my favorite kind of Superman on the big screen for the first time in decades.

No, I’m not arguing that we need to see Superman being badly beaten on a regular basis. But what I am enjoying is that, in every glimpse we’ve seen of James Gunn and David Corenswet’s Superman so far, we’ve seen someone who not only isn’t vulnerable, but asks for, and accepts, help when he needs it. He asks Krypto to take him home in that first teaser; the Superman robots help him in the extended preview, and he’s helped out of his crater by a regular guy in the new trailer. This Superman isn’t just not the unsettling, uncomfortable alien from the Zack Snyder movies — he’s someone whose kindness extends to himself. It's not about how beaten up he gets, it's about the strength he shows afterwards.

Remember, James Gunn has said that the movie “celebrates kindness and love.” It’s a message that Superman as a comic book character has stood for for decades, although sometimes that’s been lost amongst the special effects and derring-do of his cinematic adventures. (Arguably, we’ve not seen a Superman who’s actively kind and friendly on the big screen since Christopher Reeve’s 1970s and ‘80s heyday.)

If this is who Superman is going to be in the new DCU — a kinder, gentler hero who gets frustrated at the larger political realities and exasperatedly says things like, “I wasn’t representing anybody except for me, and, and, and… doing good,” and one who’s ready to accept a helping hand when necessary — then I for one am very excited to see what comes next.

I won’t have long to wait: Superman arrives in theaters July 11. Watch the new trailer here.

James Gunn's Superman movie is out now - and we have a lot to say about it. You can also read about Superman's S-Shield through the ages, how Superman and Clark Kent keep their secret identity secret, our recs for best Superman comics, and how to watch all his TV series and movies in order.