The origin
A scientist on the dying planet Krypton places his infant son in a rocket and fires it at Earth moments before the world tears itself apart. The child lands in Kansas, is raised by farmers named Jonathan and Martha Kent, and grows up under a yellow sun that turns his alien biology into something close to a god. He takes a job at a newspaper, falls for a colleague named Lois Lane, and quietly decides to spend his life helping people who cannot help themselves.
What makes Superman different
He is the first. Every cape, secret identity, alter ego and origin story in the medium descends from thirteen pages that two young men from Cleveland sold for a hundred and thirty dollars. But the thing people miss is that Superman is not interesting because he is powerful, he is interesting because he chooses restraint. He could rule the planet by lunchtime and instead he files copy and pulls cats out of trees. Every hero since is defined by what they can do. Superman is defined by what he will not.
Where to start reading
The full reading order
Superman: Birthrightrecommended
Mark Waid and Leinil Yu retell the origin with real warmth. A clean, complete Superman story that assumes you know nothing. Good first purchase.
Superman: Secret Originrecommended
Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, and Frank draws Clark as Christopher Reeve, which works far better than it has any right to. Warmer and more nostalgic than Birthright.
The Man of Steeldeep cut
John Byrne rebuilt Superman from scratch after Crisis on Infinite Earths, stripping back the powers and making Lex Luthor a billionaire rather than a mad scientist. Historically enormous, though it reads dated now.
All-Star Supermanessential
Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. Superman is dying and sets about putting the world in order before he goes. Widely considered the greatest Superman story ever told and one of the finest superhero comics full stop. If you read one thing here, read this. Start here, honestly.
Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?essential
Alan Moore writes the final Silver Age Superman story as an elegy. Two issues, and it will genuinely move you.
For the Man Who Has Everythingessential
Moore and Dave Gibbons. Superman is trapped in a dream of the life he never had on a Krypton that never died. One of the great single issues in comics.
Kingdom Comeessential
Mark Waid and Alex Ross. A retired Superman returns to a world of brutal heroes who have forgotten why he mattered. Painted throughout, and the best argument for the character ever put on paper.
Superman: Red Sonrecommended
What if the rocket had landed in the Soviet Union? Millar takes the premise seriously and the result is smarter than the pitch suggests.
Superman: Up in the Skydeep cut
Tom King and Andy Kubert. Superman crosses the galaxy to find one missing child, because that is who he is. Quiet, and it will get you.
Absolute Supermanrecommended
The Absolute line reimagines him with no Kents and no Smallville, an immigrant with nothing. Excellent, and a current jumping-on point with zero baggage.
Chasing any of these Superman issues?
Whether you are hunting a key, thinking about selling a collection, or just want to talk comics, I am always happy to hear from you.