Artist Interview: Sam Green’s New Superman Art Print

This article interviews artist Sam Green about his new DC art print, Superman: A Symbol of Hope.

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With the latest big-screen appearance of Superman, the Man of Tomorrow brought back hope and inspiration to DC audiences everywhere. Now, artist Sam Green is capturing that same sense of wonder in his newest super hero art print.

Check out the Superman: A Symbol of Hope Art Print and then keep reading for a behind-the-scenes look at Sam Green’s creative process.

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Sam Green’s Superman: A Symbol of Hope

Thank you as always for joining us, Sam! Last interview, we talked all things Peacemaker, and now we’re back with another DC super hero: Superman. Can you tell us about your experience seeing Superman (2025) in theaters? What were some of your favorite moments or characters?

Thanks for chatting with me again! It’s always fun doing these!

There was so much to love in this one but I especially enjoyed everything with Clark and Lois — I think Corenswet and Brosnahan have great chemistry in the roles and their relationship felt like the emotional core to the film. She was his anchor but also challenged him where he needed to be challenged and I just thought they balanced those characters so well.

Although it’s a very brief moment, the moment where Superman catches the collapsing building was another highlight. Saving that last person trying to escape on the bridge and then fading away into the smoke, while watching on to make sure they get away safely. With the score swelling, it was just the perfect encapsulation of Superman to me. Seeing that on the big screen was pretty special.

What interested you most in creating an illustration for this film? Is there anything about the final result that you’re especially proud of?

I’ve been a lifelong fan of Superman and especially DC, and this was a rendition of the character that I felt really spoke to what I have always hoped to see from a big screen interpretation.

This version of Superman seems to genuinely love being Superman and the planet he protects. I feel pretty good about getting that feeling across in my artwork.

Like Dogpool in your Deadpool and Wolverine illustration, the Superman: A Symbol of Hope Fine Art Print features a canine companion. Did drawing Krypto — in a flying pose, no less — present any unique or fun challenges?

I hadn’t even considered that! I suppose one difference with Krypto is that he’s flying, so there’s definitely a consideration being made about getting the legs looking right and not like they’re just dangling too much!

Also Krypto has a LOT more fur! So that definitely takes a little more time. There was a bit of balance involved — especially on the ears — making sure the fur looked thick but not overwhelming.

You previously noted that this composition is inspired by Superman #1, a cover created by Joe Shuster. Can you tell us more about this tribute and influence?

Superman was first introduced in Action Comics #1 in 1938, before getting his own titular comic a year later in 1939, with Superman #1. So while this first solo issue wasn’t technically his first appearance, it marked a definitive new beginning for the character. I saw a thematic parallel here with the movie — which itself marks a new beginning for Superman in many ways. Also, given the movie’s inclination to wear the comic roots on its sleeve, it felt fitting to go back to the source material for the jumping off point.

This cover has been referenced and reimagined many times over the years, so it was an exciting challenge to give it my own take. It’s a testament to the enduring legacy of this character and medium, that images such as these are still standing strong and being a source of inspiration nearly a century later.

This print includes two very different art styles: your own modern art as the “cover” and a retro comic “corner box.” How did you approach balancing these designs into one cohesive illustration? What about your approach to the art changed for the more classic comic book style?

Speaking of Shuster, this corner box itself is also a reference to Superman #1, reimagining the iconic image of Superman breaking chains as seen on the rear cover. This piece of imagery was also used as the basis for DC Studios’ opening sequence — further tying this 1939 issue and the movie together.

My background is really more in this sort of comic book style art than the work I’ve gone on to make and be more known for, so it was a treat going back to this sort of skillset. Stripping away detail and being more suggestive with the linework. More stylized without trying to be overly precise with a likeness and have it be more about conveying the character.

I really appreciate that Sideshow and WB were open to the idea of mixing these styles.

James Gunn’s Superman features a stellar punk rock soundtrack, and we’ve spoken before about your own musical tastes. Was there any particular music you listened to while working on this print?

With this one I actually listened to the movie’s fantastic score a lot to get into the headspace while working. So much so that it ended up on my Spotify Wrapped! 😅

I think the track “Last Son” perfectly encapsulates the character and the vibe that I was looking to capture with this artwork. Gentle, hopeful, and quietly powerful.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us about the behind-the-scenes process or your overall experience with this project?

I knew from the beginning I wanted to avoid a typical floating heads style poster that you might expect from this type of movie. Given that I had a very specific vision in mind for what to execute and what I wanted to pay homage to, it also meant there was no direct reference for Superman himself in the poster and that everything had to be made from scratch. Given that he’s the main focus, that can be a challenge.

I used a range of techniques to create the artwork, and there was a ton of work behind the scenes for the sort of “pre production” stage before I could even start drawing.

For the pose I used a 3D posing software to capture the angle and approximate lighting, and then sketched the base of the character from that. I accumulated dozens of images of the costume and the details so that I could recreate it as accurately as possible. With this, I could then refine my drawing and start coming closer to the vision I wanted to execute.

Similarly with the city, I only had reference for a portion of it so I had to fill in a lot of the gaps myself by matching the perspective. All in an effort to create an expanse fitting for a city named Metropolis that stretches off into the far horizon.

Every single element of the poster was hand-drawn and painted, so there was a huge amount of work that went into it. I even made the textures that appear on his suit by hand, using costume photography as reference to get it right.

I feel pretty proud of the end result and how everything came together.

Finally, if you could have any of Superman’s powers, which would you want and why? What would be the first thing you did with superpowers?

It’s pretty cliché but I’d likely go for the power of flight, at super speed.

I love to travel and this would just open up the world — the freedom to go anywhere at any time would be incredible. Also, maybe I’m just impatient, but I hate waiting around at the airport. So being able to skip that entirely would be a perk in itself!

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How will you be displaying this latest Superman art print in your collection?

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