David S. Goyer just co-wrote one of the most successful comic adaptations to date: Man of Steel.
The good news is its ending — and more specifically, the killing of Zod — was well-considered and purposeful. The bad news (for many) is that Goyer doesn’t believe in the conventions that kept Superman from killing villains for decades.
In an interview posted on Crave’s /Film site, Goyer defends his writing and talks about why movies have the right to re-write these comic traditions. Here’s a taste:
“This is one area, and I’ve written comic books as well and this is where I disagree with some of my fellow comic book writers – ‘Superman doesn’t kill’. It’s a rule that exists outside of the narrative and I just don’t believe in rules like that. I believe when you’re writing film or television, you can’t rely on a crutch or rule that exists outside of the narrative of the film.” – David S. Goyer
