Ever since it was announced that Brandon Routh would play Superman in the franchise's much-vaunted return, the news was greeted by comic book fans with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

Excitement because it was good to cast a newcomer, and apprehension because he was so raw that virtually no one had seen him yet. The international press has been frothing at the mouth with rapid speculation as to Brandon's abilities to fill the cape left behind by his legendary predecessor, the late Christopher Reeve.

Now, we have the first picture of Brandon James Routh as the Man of Steel!

As is evident in the photograph, director Bryan Singer has delighted purists with a startlingly classic-looking superhero costume, stretching merely over Brandon's muscles rather than any artificially carved pectorals as has been seen in other comic hero films, especially the Batman costume in its last two incarnations.

Superman Returns is slated to release on June 30, 2006.