Superman takes a backseat when it comes to helping Metropolis in a shocking turn of events that take place in DC‘s first release of the year. The Man of Steel is getting ready to have a major 2025. James Gunn’s Superman movie features the big screen debut of David Corenswet as Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and many more heroes and villains who could go on to appear in other projects in the DCU’s Chapter One. All eyes are on Superman, which will reportedly not have a trailer in the Super Bowl.

Different from Metropolis in the old DCEU, Gunn plans to make Superman’s city way more stylized. As is the director’s vision for the whole DC Universe, Superman will be more in line with the comics than the DCEU was. This could lead to Metropolis feeling like a character in its own right, much like Gotham City from The Batman and The Penguin. Helping build anticipation for the DCU’s upcoming movie, the first DC release of 2025 features Metropolis in a prominent role, but Superman is not the one who can change the city for the better.

Poison Ivy’s 2025 Mission To Improve Metropolis Coincides With Superman’s Vacation In DC’s First Release Of 2025

The Man Of Steel Decided To Go Away

DC’s first release of 2025 is the return of a fan-favorite animated series. Max’s Harley Quinn season 5 takes the mayhem that accompanies the title character and Poison Ivy from Gotham City to Metropolis. The new season of the DC series sees the duo now live in Superman’s pristine city, and that includes a meeting with the DC hero. Season 5’s first episode ended with Harley Quinn convincing Superman to take a sabbatical in order to find himself after feeling down, which leaves her and Poison Ivy as Metropolis’ heroes.

Superman just flew into the sky with no explanation for how long he would be absent. As such, Harley and Ivy have their work cut out for them, and season 5 of the TV-MA series is already exploring the ways that their move to Metropolis could shake things up in the city. When it comes to Lake Bell’s Poison Ivy, her arrival happens at the perfect time. Lena Luthor — Lex’s sister and Bruce Wayne’s girlfriend — appoints Poison Ivy to serve as the head of the Metropolis Green Initiative.

Why Poison Ivy Being Better For Metropolis Than Superman In Harley Quinn Season 5 Makes Sense

The Two Characters Have Different Roles

Harley Quinn season 5, episode 3, continues to explore how Poison Ivy can help Metropolis while Superman cannot. The main issue that led to the Man of Steel feeling depressed and going on a sabbatical is how there is no more crime in Metropolis. Brainiac — who the characters do not yet know about — infiltrated Metropolis with high-tech drones that keep the peace so that Metropolis can reach a level of perfection that pleases the alien. Superman was effectively made unnecessary by Brainiac, but Poison Ivy can help Metropolis in a different way.

Lena Luthor takes a liking to Poison Ivy after she uses her powers to add some needed green to one of Metropolis’ buildings. While Metropolis is a technological marvel with no crime, the city looks pretty lifeless. That is to be expected since Brainiac is controlling it from the shadows, but Lena Luthor hopes that Poison Ivy can change that. With her powers, proper funds, and a team ready to act on her plans, Ivy can come up with different ways to add dashes of green to the city and make Metropolis flourish. Thus, she is more necessary than Superman.

Harley Quinn Season 5 May Make Poison Ivy & Harley Quinn Brainiac’s New Nemeses

The Superman Villain No Longer Worries About The Hero

Much like how Brainiac was actively working to make Superman unneeded, the villain is unlikely to remain quiet and let Poison Ivy reshape Metropolis while Harley Quinn brings along the chaos that follows her everywhere to the city. With the Man of Steel somewhere in space, Brainiac should turn his focus to eliminating the duo. Given how she ended up joining the Bat-Family in the past, Harley Quinn knows a thing or two about being a hero. As such, Harley and Ivy will not sit idly when the villain shows himself.

2025 DC Movies & TV Shows

Project
Release Date

Harley Quinn season 5
January 16, 2025

Superman
July 11, 2025

Peacemaker season 2
August 2025

Harley Quinn season 5’s decision to remove Superman from Metropolis is quite interesting. This way, the Gotham-based characters will deal with situations and villains that they do not know. This keeps things fresh for the show and increases the danger aspect. After all, while Poison Ivy is quite powerful, she does not hold a candle to the Man of Steel. Superman’s absence means Brainiac’s full focus will be on the duo, which can show just how much good Harley and Ivy can do for the city when it all comes crashing down in Harley Quinn season 5.