This article is part of the DC Database Recommended Reading project, a series of articles written by our editors. They are meant as a guide to help both new and old readers, either getting into comics for the first time or looking to read more on their favorites. These should not be taken as a definitive guide; obviously you can start wherever and with whatever you want, but they're some general suggestions that we think you might find enjoyable.
Superman is a classic and enduring character in the DC Universe, one of the first and greatest super-heroes of all time. Having been published in hundreds if not thousands of comics since his first appearance in Action Comics #1 (1938), sorting through reading material can be intimidating. There are many Superman comics and even more stories featuring him. This page is meant to act as a helpful guide for both new readers getting into his mythos for the first time, and veteran readers looking for something new.
New readers
- The Man of Steel is John Byrne's Post-Crisis update of the Superman origin story, the mini-series that established his mythos for many years of development and storytelling.
- All Star Superman is Grant Morrison's beautifully written tribute to the Superman of Silver Age stories, a twelve-issue maxi-series set outside of regular continuity that strips the character to his essential elements. It's a refreshingly modern take on the character told with imagination and creativity, brought to life by the illustrations of Frank Quitely.
- Superman: Birthright is Mark Waid's retelling of the origin story, a maxi-series that seeks to modernize the character while returning forgotten elements of the character.
- Superman: Earth One is a graphic novel by J. Michael Straczynski as part of the DC: Earth One series, a new modern version of the Superman story taking place in a separate continuity.
- Superman for all Seasons is a stirring four-part series by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale that takes a look at Superman's earliest years as seen through the eyes of those closest to him on both sides.
- Superman: Kryptonite is an early story from Superman's career written by Darwyn Cooke and illustrated by Tim Sale, featuring his first encounter with the deadly Kryptonite set in a vibrant Metropolis drama.
- Superman: Secret Origin is Geoff Johns' version of the origin story, restoring the essence of the character by preserving and bringing together elements from his entire history.
- Superman and the Men of Steel is the New 52's version of the origin story written by Grant Morrison, it works in restoring Golden Age and Silver Age elements of Superman's history. the story depicts a young, 22 year-old Clark Kent starting his career as a Superman working above the law.
Further reading
- DC Retroactive: Superman
- Superman/Batman: Public Enemies
- Superman: Brainiac
- Death of Superman
- Superman: Emperor Joker
- Superman: For Tomorrow
- Superman: Godfall
- Superman: Grounded
- Lex Luthor: Man of Steel
- Superman: New Krypton
- Superman: Our Worlds at War
- Superman: Red Son
- Reign of the Supermen
- Superman: Sandman Saga
- Superman: Up, Up and Away!
- Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
Single issues
- Superman #149 -- "The Death of Superman!"
- Action Comics #300 -- "Superman Under the Red Sun!"
- Superman #176 -- "Superman's Day of Truth!"
- Superman #307 -- "Krypton -- No More!"
- Superman #308 -- "This Planet is Mine!"
- Superman #309 -- "Blind Hero's Bluff!"
- Action Comics #500 -- "The Life Story Of Superman"
- Superman #338 -- "Let my People Grow!"
- DC Comics Presents #27 -- "The Key That Unlocked Chaos!"
- DC Comics Presents #28 -- "Warworld!"
- DC Comics Presents #29 -- "Where No Superman Has Gone Before"
- Superman Annual #11 -- "For the Man who has Everything"
- DC Comics Presents #85 -- "The Jungle Line"
- Hitman #34 -- "Of Thee I Sing"
- Action Comics #775 -- "What's so funny about Truth, Justice and the American Way?"