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James Gunn may have directed three films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but that doesn't mean that he's going to take the same approach with DC Studios' burgeoning DC Universe. While the MCU's interconnectivity reflects the serialized nature of the comic books it draws its material from, the DCU takes inspiration from another form of comics entirely: graphic novels. That is, self-contained stories.

While speaking to Fandango, Supergirl director Craig Gillespie revealed the ethos behind James Gunn's approach to the DCU, and how it welcomes a sense of tonal and creative diversity between its entries across film, TV, animation, and more.

"I said to James, 'How much do I need to have this be part of the DC Universe?' And his answer was, 'We’re treating this like each is its own graphic novel.' A graphic novel has its own writers and their own illustrators, and they’re very distinct in the comic universe. So, he said, 'Really lean into that,'" Gillespie said. 

This "graphic novel" approach makes a lot of sense, considering the sheer range of genres and styles that exist in DC Comics. In one corner you've got war comics like Sgt. Rock's Our Army at War, The Losers, Blackhawk, and Our Fighting Forces, then you've got horror comics like The Witching Hour, House of Secrets, Hellblazer, Swamp Thing, and Justice League Dark, then there's Western comics like Jonah Hex, and across the universe, you've got teen-focused books like Teen Titans and Robin, then any and all Justice League-related series, and much, much more. Of course, characters from all over the place like Kamandi, Sgt. Rock, and the New Gods have come together to help out our more normal heroes during company-wide events. But it seems like DC Studios' DCU isn't keen on creating an infinite number of crises any time soon. 

Given that the next DCU project is Clayface, which will be out in time for Halloween on October 23, Gunn and DC Studios are committed to giving each filmmaker the space to be distinct with their project. I don't know about you, but I've been feeling weary from the MCU's Multiverse Saga, so I welcome this "graphic novel" approach wholeheartedly. 

Supergirl is in theaters now. 

Enjoy our guides to how to watch the recent DCEU, the Arrowverse, and James Gunn's upcoming DCU. Oh, and don't forget our guide to what's coming up for DC projects on the big and small screens.