The most important Superman comic stories

Key conclusions

• Superman stories focus on his human struggles and choices when faced with moral dilemmas.
• The comics depict Superman's vulnerability, mentorship, and legacy in addition to his superhuman abilities.
• Various authors explore the depth of character, relationships, and influence of Superman as a symbol of hope.

Superman is one of the most beloved superheroes and comic book characters, an alien who grew up on Earth and became a symbol of hope for everyone. He is considered by many to be one of the most written superheroes and as a fan favorite, he serves as an inspiration to readers.

These are some of the most important Superman comics that show who Superman is: his origins, motives, philosophy, and impact on the overall story.

10 Superman: In the sky

It takes the strongest will to make a difficult choice

• The author: Tom King, Andy Kubert
• Number of issues: 6
• Release date: September 2019

Superman: In the sky explores one of Superman's challenges as a hero and how far he is willing to go to save a man in need. The story focuses on a child who was abducted by aliens from the city of Metropolis. Superman is torn between trying to save the child and the fact that his absence will leave Metropolis unprotected.

This forces him to engage in a philosophical battle within himself, and readers see him not only as a hero, but as a man torn between choosing to save one child and leaving thousands, including the love of his life, unprotected.

9 Superman: Birthright

Man. God. Hero.

• The author: Mark Waid
• Number of issues: 12
• Release date: September 2003

Superman: Birthright the focus is on a young Clark Kent who struggles with his identity, his willingness to help as a person, and his alienation in the environment in which he finds himself. This story doesn't focus on him as Superman, the hero everyone looks to for strength and protection, but focuses on him as Clark Kent.

He wrestles with the motivations and thoughts of a young man who wants to play his part in influencing people's lives, not as a larger-than-life person, but as an ordinary person. This series does a great job of showing the human aspects of Clark Kent and portrays his struggles in trying to fit in as an outsider.

8 Superman: The Warworld Saga

A hero no matter where he is

• The author: Philip Kennedy, Grant Morrison
• Number of issues: 22
• Release date: March 2021

The saga of the world of war again explores Superman's characteristics as a hero, but this time not on Earth, but on a distant planet after he learns of an enslaved race that had a mysterious connection to Krypton. Even in his journey to free a race of enslaved people from their Masters, things don't go so smoothly, and he breaks down again to the basics of what makes him human and a hero, not only as a person, but also in terms of his influence, political and philosophical. The story does a good job of stripping the character of all the familiar facades and creating him as a symbol of hope.

7 Superman: Kryptonite

Learning that you are not invincible can be painful

• The author: Darwin Cook
• Number of issues: 6
• Release date: January 2007

To the extent that readers have seen Superman in a mentally and philosophically vulnerable position, the Superman: Kryptonitethey also feel that he is physically vulnerable. This story explores Superman's mortality and his first exposure to his biological weakness, Kryptonite, a radioactive piece from his planet that can kill him.

Accustomed to being an unbreakable force, the Man of Steel must contend with the fact that he is just as vulnerable and mortal as any other man as he does everything he can to save the day and remain the light and hope of the world despite​​​​ this vulnerability.

6 Superman: Secret Identity

Everyone can become a hero

• The author: Kurt Busiek
• Number of issues: 4
• Release date: January 2004

Unlike typical Superman stories, this wonderful work by Kurt Busick doesn't focus on the Superman that readers know, but rather on a boy in the “real world” where superheroes are just comic book characters. However, he shares the same name as the fictional character, Clark Kent, making him the center of ridicule, mockery, and constant comparison to a superpowered hero in fiction.

In this story, Clark Kent is an ordinary young man who wants to become a writer, but one day he finds out that he really has the abilities of his fictional namesake. Readers follow him to understand the effects of power given to a normal person, to learn where that power comes from and the decisions he makes as a result of it. It is a story that does what others cannot do on a personal level. He takes a common man and gives him superhuman powers without any superhuman virtues and shows us that we all have a sense of the good and the wonderful.

5 Superman: For All Seasons

See Superman through the eyes of others

• The author: Jeff Loeb
• Number of issues: 4
• Release date: September 1998

A unique approach to storytelling in For all seasons explores Clark's growth and the emotional impact of his dual identity, emphasizing themes of nurture over nature and the duties of heroism. The art style complements the introspective tone, enhancing the timeless quality of Superman's journey; the story spans from his teenage years to his early years as Superman, spanning four seasons introduced and narrated by key figures in Clark Kent's character development.

Jonathan Kent Spring, Lois Lane Summer, Lex Luthor Autumn and Lana Winter. It has an intimate narrative and is considered a modern classic for exploring the heart and soul of Superman, making it a unique and essential look at the iconic character.

4 All-Star Superman

The prime example of what a hero should be

• The author: Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely
• Number of issues: 12
• Release date: November 2005

All-Star Supermandirected by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, follows Superman after he is fatally exposed to solar radiation due to one of Lex Luthor's plots. Faced with impending death, Superman embarks on a series of heroic “jobs”, showcasing his abilities and deepening relationships with characters such as Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, among many others.

The story explores themes of legacy, love and heroism, depicting Superman's unwavering commitment to humanity as a symbol of hope. Each issue presents separate adventures that collectively highlight the essence of his character, making him a seminal work in Superman's heroic narratives.

3 Superman: American Alien

Being and feeling lonely is not new for him

• The author: Max Landis
• Number of issues: 7
• Release date: January 2016

This remarkable piece of literature follows the formative years of Clark Kent, focusing on his rise from a farm boy in Kansas to an iconic superhero. Each issue of Art American alien features a variety of artists, including Jock and Francis Manapool, and features unique stories that combine humor, drama, and action. The story depicts Clark's struggle with his powers and identity, highlighting his relationships with key figures such as Jonathan and Martha Kent, Lois Lane, and Lex Luthor.

The series offers a fresh take on Superman's story, emphasizing his humanity alongside his extraordinary abilities. He is celebrated for the depth of character, emotional undertones, and distinct storytelling style he brings to one of DC's most iconic characters.

2 Superman: For tomorrow

Even in the face of insurmountable difficulties, he never backs down

• The author: Brian Azzarello
• Number of issues: 4
• Release date: June 2004

History of Superman: For tomorrow begins a year after a mysterious event caused the disappearance of a million people, including Lois Lane, leaving Superman struggling with the guilt of not being able to save them. The story interweaves Superman's quest to uncover the truth about the disappearances with his conversations with Father Leone, a priest who doubts his faith.

As Superman faces various challenges, including a megalomaniac bent on conquering interplanetary space, the arc explores the themes of responsibility, loss, and moral dilemmas the hero faces. The series is known for its introspective tone and vibrant art, making it an important entry in Superman history.

1 Superman: The Last Son of Krypton

Being a hero can be hard, but being a teacher is even harder

• The author: Richard Donner, Geoff Jones
• Number of issues: 2
• Release date: January 2013

Superman: The Last Son of Krypton which centers on the arrival of a Kryptonian boy named Chris Kent, who is discovered by Superman and Lois Lane. He has powers similar to Superman, but struggles with his identity and his Kryptonian heritage. As Superman fulfills his role as a mentor, they face threats from General Zod and his followers, who seek to reclaim their place on Earth.

The story explores themes of family, responsibility, and the complexities of legacy, culminating in an emotional confrontation that tests Superman's values ​​and commitment to protecting Earth.