I started 2024 off ambitiously. I had a lot planned for the Daily Planet that I really wanted to accomplish. We had our first Board of Creators Meeting, and I felt so emotionally boosted afterward.
We held that historic meeting at “The News Room” restaurant in Downtown Minneapolis. I thought the environment would be fitting for the topic discussed. I invited close friends and allies who all had special talents that would benefit this brainstorming session. In it, we would cultivate a cohesive plan for 2024 to make the Daily Planet a reality, and we did just that.
I walked out of that dinner meeting with such gumption. I felt this air of inspiration that I hadn’t experienced in a long time. However, things change.
2024 was a busy year for everyone. We held one more quarterly meeting following the initial Board of Creators kick-off, and then some friendships fell apart and, with it, the team I had built. I remain friends with all involved, but sadly, some didn’t get along with others, and distance grew. I hadn’t realized how that all impacted me emotionally until this moment.
Anyway, it was also an eventful year health-wise. Besides visiting a therapist every week to unpack my emotional trauma, I also experienced two major surgeries, two minor ones, and a number of other health concerns. It was exhausting, and I was forced to take an entire month off to recover. Unfortunately, during the 2024 Presidential Election, I couldn’t report on anything (which I love to do), but I digress.
As 2024 went on, I sadly didn’t accomplish everything I had hoped for. However, one major task was completed before the year’s end, thanks to Daniel Sanchez. I am so excited about this new look and can’t express my gratitude enough.
The rebrand was a major success in my eyes. It connected my personal story with the Daily Planet to the historical side of Superman lore. It really excelled in bridging our individual identity with the source material.
I also spent many sleepless nights on this visual revival, and seeing it come to a head was very rewarding. The rebrand has also moved over to our Online Edition, giving it a fresh new look that really stands out.
2024 may not have been as huge of a year for growth with the Daily Planet, but it was for me, and it was for those important to me. Close friends got married, I got healthier, I moved to a safer environment, and I got happier. Though 2024 was not as productive as I would’ve hoped, I feel that 2025 will be because of this.
So, with all that being said, let’s get into what I have (tentatively) planned for 2025!
Superman
2025 will be a big year for Superman fans. A new Man of Steel will be flying to the silver screen for the first time in almost a decade. It’ll be 12 years since Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel,” the last solo Superman film, when James Gunn’s “Superman” will be released in July 2025, and fans are reeling. There has been discourse, discussion and so much more when it comes to this movie, and the Daily Planet will be ready to report on events as they unfold.
I would love for the Daily Planet to host a group outing to see the movie. I’m currently planning an event for people who live in or near the Twin Cities and don’t have someone to watch Superman with. Growing up where I did, I didn’t have many fellow comic fans to share in the excitement. I know how important it is to connect with others over your enthusiasm—or even disappointment—about something. That’s why I thought of this event: to help people connect with each other and the Daily Planet all at once!
Content
2024 was a fairly successful year in content diversification with the inclusion of Abbie’s Adventures, Brian of Earth-16’s podcast revival, Rooftop Conversations, movie reviews and more. A major goal of mine was to grow further into the other corners of the Daily Planet, and I feel we did that.
I want to continue this growth while also perfecting the way we tell stories. With the addition of Rooftop Conversations, the Daily Planet’s own interview-based podcast, we can do just that. Instead of simply reading or watching a question-and-answer session, our audience can also listen to it.
I also want to increase the Daily Planet’s visual aspect. I’d love for more photos, videos, etc. According to Queen Clarisse Renaldi from “The Princess Diaries,” a picture is worth a thousand words (that’s where I first heard the saying anyway).
Establishment
This one causes so much anxiety for me. Establishing the Daily Planet as a functioning business will not be easy for me. I’m a farmer boy still trying to claw his way back from school debt, car loans, and health bills. How am I going to afford a copyright lawyer, an LLC, and more?
In 2025, I will focus on transforming the Daily Planet into a self-sustaining business. While the Daily Planet is already an established news organization due to the dedication of its passionate team, I believe it’s crucial that they receive fair compensation for their work. I genuinely care for all of them and dislike the fact that they (and I) are not being compensated for our efforts. I hope to fix this in the new year.
Archive
Last but not least, I hope to curate a Daily Planet Archive. I want to have a place where everything Daily Planet is readily accessible to all fans. It’s been a slow-burn project for us, and I’d say we’re about 25% complete, but I want it to be totally finished.
We’ve made excellent strides within the past few years, archiving the first few editions of the Smallville Torch and Daily Planet House Ads, as well as all of Superman cinema to date, but I also hope to make the Chatham Daily Planet a home.
I remain cautiously ambitious as we head into this new year. It promises to be one eventful bout around the sun yet again, and I can’t wait to report everything that happens on this planet for the Planet.
I wish to thank all of our supporters, contributors, and cheerleaders for all their kindness throughout this past year, and the past decade since 2024 was our tenth year in circulation. I appreciate you all so very much. We’ll see you in 2025!
