Ever since Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster first introduced him in 1938’s Action Comics #1, Superman has been the most significant and influential superhero ever created. A champion of the oppressed sent to Earth from the dying planet Krypton, the hero effectively defined the superhero formula from day one. Best known as the wholesome Boy Scout who battles villains like Lex Luthor and Brainiac, Superman has earned his place as the face of comics.
For nearly a century, Superman’s story has unfolded across thousands of comic book issues, creating one of the richest histories in print. Often written as the embodiment of hope, truth, and justice, he’s become a global symbol of quintessential Americana. While there’s no shortage of great Superman stories, a few masterpieces show exactly why he’s truly the Man of Tomorrow.
Action Comics #1 Started It All
Action Comics #1 Cover by Michael Cho.
Image via DC Comics
In 1938, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster changed comic book history with the first Superman story in Action Comics #1. The short tale covers baby Kal-El’s arrival on Earth after the destruction of Krypton, his upbringing by the Kents, and his move to Metropolis. There, he takes on the mantle of Superman, saves an innocent woman from the death penalty, and protects Lois Lane from criminal goons.
No single comic holds more significance in Superman’s history than Action Comics #1. It’s the book that birthed the superhero genre, introducing readers to who Superman is from the very first page and showing his devotion to truth and justice. It also gave comics one of their best-written women in Lois Lane, presenting her as tough and independent, while setting up her iconic romance with the Man of Tomorrow.
The Last Days of Lex Luthor Contrasts Superman With His Greatest Enemy
The Last Days of Lex Luthor revolves around Superman reluctantly teaming up with Lex Luthor after the villain learns of his impending death. Together, they set out on a journey to try to save the billionaire criminal’s life, which soon leads to the revelation of another foe’s involvement. Despite the mistrust between them, they face enemies side by side, giving Luthor a chance to see the world from his enemy’s perspective.
This comic is defined by one simple truth: all life is precious to Superman, even that of his mortal enemy. While some readers might take issue with the effort the hero puts into saving one of the worst villains in comics, it’s a powerful reminder of how much better a person he is than his rivals. Illustrating the importance of second chances, the miniseries stands out as one of DC’s best Black Label books to date.
Last Son of Krypton Shows Superman vs. Zod
A collaboration between Richard Donner, Geoff Johns, and artist Adam Kubert, Last Son of Krypton follows the discovery of another Kryptonian child in a rocket, whom Clark and Lois name Christopher. However, when Zod, Ursa, and Non arrive in Metropolis, things become more complicated, especially as Christopher’s heritage is revealed.
Last Son of Krypton stands out as one of the greatest Superman vs. Zod stories ever written, thanks in large part to Donner’s contribution to the story. A powerful clash of ideologies and willpower, it highlights the importance of parenthood, particularly the heroic influence of Clark Kent as a father, setting the stage for him and Lois to become parents.
The Man of Steel Reinvented Superman
In the aftermath of Crisis on Infinite Earths, one of the best DC events of all time, the publisher turned to John Byrne to reinvent Superman for a new age. This began with his 1986 Man of Steel miniseries, where Byrne retells the origin and early career of Clark Kent, following his upbringing in Smallville, his move to Metropolis, and the beginning of his feud with Lex Luthor.
At a time when DC was fertile ground for character reinventions, Byrne’s treatment of Superman effectively rewrote his “Year One,” offering a perfect companion piece to Miller’s Batman: Year One. Capturing the optimism of the Man of Steel while also making him more grounded and relatable, this story defined Clark Kent for decades to come.
The Death of Superman Shocked the World
The 1990s were known for many things in comics, but epic deaths in the form of multi-title events rank among the most successful. No story nailed this as well as “The Death of Superman.” The story follows the arrival of a Kryptonian monster named Doomsday to Earth, who makes a beeline for Metropolis to fight Clark Kent. Despite some help from his Justice League teammates, the hero famously gives his life to save his city from the creature, only to be revived for the end of the saga.
The Death of Superman, including the concluding Return arc, shows the world just how heroic the Man of Steel is, making the ultimate sacrifice to defeat an unstoppable enemy. Through the arrival of heroes like Steel, it also highlights the impact his courage has on those around him, leaving a void in the wake of his death. Few stories have come as close to showing just how much the Man of Tomorrow means as this classic.
Superman: Up in the Sky Is an Incredible Anthology
Superman: Up in the Sky is a collection of Man of Steel tales written by Tom King, each one crafted to capture the appeal of his stories. From a cosmic quest to rescue a missing girl to a team-up with Sgt. Rock in the midst of World War II, the series is an adventurous tour of the hero’s powers and supporting characters. In effect, it’s one big “day in the life of Superman” miniseries.
While many of Tom King’s DC stories are known for dark twists and character deconstructions, seeing him build up Superman as an aspirational figure earned him even more respect from fans. An easy-to-digest miniseries made for both old-school fans and new readers, Up in the Sky is one of the best and most enjoyable collections of short Superman stories available.
The Warworld Saga Is One of Superman’s Most Incredible Adventures
Shortly after taking over Superman, writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson began setting up the story that would define his time at DC: The Warworld Saga. Beginning with the arrival of Kryptonian refugees on Earth, it follows Kal-El as he recruits the Authority to join him on a quest to liberate the oppressed people of Warworld from Mongul’s rule. However, after suffering a power drain from a prior battle, he’s left virtually defenseless under the planet’s red sun and is enslaved by Mongul II to fight as a gladiator.
One of the greatest achievements of The Warworld Saga is that it shows that, even without his powers, Clark Kent is a man who never stops fighting for the oppressed. With a fantastic supporting cast in the Authority and a dark fantasy epic that would make Robert E. Howard proud, the story stands as one of the most thrilling Man of Steel tales of the 21st century.
Superman Smashes the Klan Is Based on a 1940s Radio Play
Superman Smashes the Klan takes readers back to the 1940s and tells the story of the Lees, a Chinese-American family new to Metropolis. While settling into their new lives, they become targets of the Ku Klux Klan, who burn crosses on their lawn and harass them. Seeing the injustice, Superman steps in to make things right, hoping to help rid his city of racism and violence.
This comic is as relevant as ever and shows that no matter how small the deed, the world needs Clark Kent’s goodness. Pitting him against one of America’s oldest domestic foes, Superman Smashes the Klan embodies the idea of Superman as a true champion of the oppressed, all while honoring his Golden Age roots. With art that channels a touch of manga and animation, it’s a miniseries sure to help modern readers connect with what made the hero an icon to begin with.
Kingdom Come Tests Superman’s Ideals
Kingdom Come pulls readers into a dystopian future of the DC Universe, where the old-school heroes have retired and a new generation of metahumans recklessly wages war. When these younger antiheroes cause mass devastation, Superman reconstitutes the Justice League to rein them in, giving them the choice between serving as heroes or facing prison. However, with Lex Luthor controlling Shazam and the defiance of several metahumans, things descend into all-out war between heroes and villains.
Serving as both a cautionary tale and a tribute, Kingdom Come explores the significance of past generations of superheroes by showing a world without Clark Kent’s influence and how far it’s fallen. Written as a rebuke of the dark, edgy tone of ’90s comics, it’s a love letter to the values of classic heroes, showing that the world needs upstanding and wholesome figures, not gritty antiheroes.
All-Star Superman Is the Ultimate Man of Steel Story
During the early 2000s, DC Comics turned to its most bankable and respected creators to turn in the definitive take on its major heroes. What ultimately failed for Frank Miller and Jim Lee’s Batman was a ringing success for Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s Superman series. Here, readers follow Superman as he undertakes a series of feats as he lives out his final days of life after being over-exposed to the Sun’s energy.
All-Star Superman has, since its release, remained the definitive look at what makes Superman great, building him up as the personification of hope and justice. From Quitely’s artwork to Morrison’s almost unmatched understanding of why the Man of Steel is DC’s foremost hero, the series is the perfect entry point to and representation of Clark Kent’s character.
NAME
Kal-El, Clark Kent
Alias
Superman
FIRST APP
Action Comics #1, 1938
Created By
Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster