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
- Escape from Bizarro World
- A Mind-Switch in Time
- Brainiac
- Coming of Atlas
- Death of Superman
- Emperor Joker
- The Final Days of Superman
- For Tomorrow
- Godfall
- Grounded
- Kingdom Come
- Krypton No More
- Lex Luthor: Man of Steel
- Last Son
- Maelstom
- New Krypton
- Our Worlds at War
- Public Enemies
- Red Son
- Reign of Doomsday
- Reign of the Supermen
- Revenge
- The Sandman Saga
- The Supergirl from Krypton
- Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes
- The Third Kryptonian
- Up, Up and Away
- Warworld
- Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
- Who Took the Super out of Superman!
Single issues
- Action Comics #1 -- "Superman, Champion of the Oppressed"
- Superman #1 -- "Clark Kent Gets a Job"
- Action Comics #242 -- "The Super-Duel in Space"
- Action Comics #252 -- "The Menace of Metallo/The Supergirl from Krypton"
- Superman #141 -- "Return to Krypton"
- Superman #149 -- "The Death of Superman!"
- Action Comics #300 -- "Superman Under the Red Sun!"
- Superman #176 -- "Superman's Day of Truth!"
- Superman #247 -- "There Must Be a Superman?"
- Action Comics #484 -- "Superman Takes a Wife!"
- Action Comics #500 -- "The Life Story Of Superman"
- Action Comics #507 --"The Miraculous Return of Jonathan Kent!"
- Action Comics #508 -- "The Secret World Of Jonathan Kent!"
- Superman #338 -- "Let my People Grow!"
- Superman Family #200 -- "Celebration"
- DC Comics Presents Annual #1 -- "Crisis on Three Earths!"
- Action Comics #534-Action Comics #542 -- "Two For The Death Of One!"
- DC Comics Presents #50 -- "When You Wish Upon A Planetoid!"
- Superman #400 -- "The Living Legends of Superman"
- 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?"
- Action Comics #1000 -- "From the City That Has Everything"