SUPERMAN: WHO IS THE MAN OF TOMORROW?
Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive... Superman is the #1 superhero of Metropolis and the world! Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1 on April 18,1938 and was created by Jerry Seigel and Joe Shuster. Moments before the doomed planet of Krypton exploded, Kal-el was put on a rocket ship headed for Earth by his parents Jor-el and Lara. Crash landing in Smallville, Kansas, he was adopted by Jon and Martha Kent and given the name Clark Kent. His human upbringing and the values instilled in him by the Kents would lead him to developing a strong sense of justice and the desire to help others. Upon leaving Smallville, Clark would live a double life as a journalist at Metropolis' Daily Planet and as the Man of Steel, Superman. As both a journalist and hero, Clark is committed to upholding truth, justice and defending those who cannot do so themselves.
Over his 85 year history, Superman has experienced nearly everything possible for a comic hero. Death of his loved ones, destruction of worlds, retcons, a few evil moments, death, rebirth, love, fatherhood, loneliness and hope. Superman has evolved a great deal from debut; he can fly now, is a father and husband, has other Kryptonians at his side, is much kinder and has an ever expanding list of enemies. Despite all this, he has remained what he has always been: a symbol of hope and an example of how good will triumph over evil.
The characters that surround Superman and Clark Kent are just as important to his comics as he is. The long standing cast of characters includes his Daily Planet coworkers such as his partner and wife Lois Lane and close friend Jimmy Olsen. There are also the many other Super___ that work with him including Jon Samuel Kent (his son) aka Superman,Kara Zor-El (his cousin) aka Supergirl, Connor Kent (his clone with Lex Luthor) aka Superboy, Steel aka both John Henry Irons & his niece Natasha Iron.. Each of these characters have their own great comics that I will leave recommendations for. Outside of these heroes, Superman has also teamed up with at this point almost every DC comic hero from the Justice League, several Lantern Corps, The Authority, Doom Patrol, The Legion of Superheroes and many many others.
Of course, what hero would Superman be without enemies to fight. The list for Superman is long with him being Earth's number one hero and one of the most powerful. His most famous and longstanding arch-enemy is the billionaire super-villain Lex Luthor. Luthor has had an equally length and complicated history, as he has been ally and enemy to Superman multiple times since his first appearance in Action Comics #23. General Zod is the second most known enemy due to the Christopher Reeves movies. Zod is a Kryptonian military general that was sentenced to the Phantom Zone by Jor-El and swore to torment his heirs. Darkseid and Braniac are the others of note, both being larger than life alien beings determined to destroy/enslave all worlds. Both villains see Superman as a threat to their regimes and their plans for universal takeover. Doomsday must also be included as this Kryptonian hating abomination is responsible for the famed Death of Superman.
My Comic Reccomendations
Superman comic recs for if you want to get a sense of him and the others without the commitment. When clicking links make sure to have an ad blocker :)Superman For All Seasons - My favorite Superman limited, a coming of age that focuses on what Superman represents
All-Star Superman - Widely regarded as the best Superman comic. A beautiful limited of Superman's race to do as much as possible before his death
Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? - The send off of Silver Age Superman as the DC Universe was being rebooted in Crisis on Infinite Earths
Kingdom Come- One of the most well known and praised comic limiteds of all time. A commentary on classic heroes and the growing anti-hero wave of 1990s comics.
Supergirl Recs
Supergirl The Silver Age,Supergirl:Being Super, Supergirl:Woman of Tomorrow
Jon Kent Recs
Convergence:Superman, Superman: Lois and Clark,Supersons, The Adventures of Supersons,Superman #20-32, Superman:Son of Kal-El
Other Recs
Steel- Spinoff of Reign of Superman centering on Steel aka John Henry Irons
Superman: Space Age- Superman beginning in the 60s. After years of hiding he reveals himself as the first superhero for the space age to save the world.
Superman: Red Son- Superman but if his rocket landed in Soviet Russia not Kansas
Superman Reading Order
When clicking links make sure to have an ad blocker :)For a more indepth list see here
Superman: Birthright
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Superman: Man of Steel Vol 1-9
Death of Superman
The Reign of Supermen
The Return of Superman
Death of Clark Kent x
Superman: The Trial of Clark Kent x
Superman: Wedding and Beyond x
JLA by Grant Morrison Vol 1 *TPB1*
Superman: Transformed
JLA by Grant Morrison Vol 2 *TPB2*
Superman: No Limits x
Superman: Endgame x
Superman: Til Death Do Us Part x
Emperor Joker
President Lex
Superman: Ending Battle
Superman/Batman
Superman: The Healing Touch x
Superman: For Tomorrow
Infinite Crisis Omnibus
Superman: Up Up and Away
Superman: Back in Action *AC #841-843*
Superman: Camelot Falls
Superman: Last Son
Superman: Redemption *AC #848-849*
Superman: and the Legion of Superheroes
New Krypton
The Last Stand Of New Krypton
Return Of Doomsday
Reign of Doomsday *AC #900-904*
Flashpoint
New 52 Era
Action Comics #1-8
Superman: Doomed
Action Comics #36-47
Superman: Savage Dawn
Superman: The Final Days
Rebirth
Superman:Rebirth
Superman #1-6
Action Comics #957-962
Trinity #1-6
Superman #7-13
Action Comics #963-972
Superman #14-17
Superman Annual #1
Superman: Reborn
Action Comics #977-984
Superman #20-26
Action Comics #985-992
Superman #27-32
Action Comics #993-999
Superman #33-45
Action Comics #1029-Present
Superman (2023) #1-Present
Superman and Me
Superman is a character that is just so perfect in his purpose, symbolism and personality that he is one of The characters of all time to me. He exists in two worlds and because of this he is able to become the best for what he does. He's an alien who is more human that many people and is able to see the best in humanity because of it. As both Clark Kent and Superman, he works to carry out justice and to help those who cannot help themselves. The beauty of his alien origins and human upbringing make it impossible for me to like anything that turns him evil or has him go against his long established morals. Many people say "Oh if Superman was real he'd be evil", completely ignoring the point of Why he isn't. Superman is good because he was brought up surrounded by love, because he was taught to see the best in others and to help those in need. He's not just an all powerful alien, he's human as well. Superman represent what the best of humanity could be, he isn't the god or divine being that so many try and make him. He is the best of us.
Superman is one of my favorite comic characters because of how constant his message and symbolism is. The world will always need Superman.