10 Best Modern Superman Runs, Ranked

Superman truly launched the age of superheroes. Debuting in 1938, he instantly became the model for all who followed. Having existed for nearly a century, he’s often been the most prominent and beloved character in comic books. The modern version of Superman we know today began after the ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ event 41 years ago – almost half of his entire history. During those decades, some of the most talented comic book writers and artists have contributed to the legend of the Last Son of Krypton.

Superman has seen some truly amazing stories in recent years, with many different writers and artists leaving their mark on the character. These creative periods have helped make Superman even more compelling, and some rank among the very best superhero stories ever told. Here are ten of the best modern interpretations of the iconic hero, keeping him relevant as the greatest superhero of all time.

10) John Byrne

John Byrne rose to fame through his work on comics like Uncanny X-Men, Fantastic Four, and She-Hulk. After the Crisis event, he was put in charge of Superman and given the freedom to rewrite the character’s origins. He worked on Action Comics (#584-600) and Superman (Vol. 2) (#1-22), making significant changes. Byrne eliminated other Kryptonian survivors like Supergirl, removed the Superboy and Legion of Super-Heroes connection, and slightly reduced Superman’s power levels, portraying him as a quintessential, successful professional of the 1980s. While some modern fans have criticized aspects of his run, it’s widely acknowledged that Byrne told compelling Superman stories, drawing on his extensive experience as a comic book artist.

9) Pete Tomasi/Patrick Gleason

I really think DC Rebirth saved DC Comics after the New 52 didn’t quite hit the mark. And for me, the Superman run by Pete Tomasi and Patrick Gleason was a shining example of that success – it quickly became one of my favorite comic series of that time. What I loved most was seeing the classic Superman and Lois Lane back, now raising their son Jon, and facing huge challenges together as a family. That run, which spanned issues #1-45 of Superman (Vol. 4), is honestly one of the best Superman stories I’ve read in years. It wasn’t perfect, of course, but it delivered exactly what it needed to: fantastic, heartwarming new adventures with the entire Kent family.

8) Dan Slott

The Superman comics are currently experiencing a creative high point, and have been for several years. 2025 was a particularly strong year for the character, boosted by the success of his new movie. DC Comics has been heavily invested in promoting Superman, and recently brought on acclaimed Spider-Man writer Dan Slott to work on Superman Unlimited. This ongoing series has launched a new era for the hero, with a massive Kryptonite meteor impacting Earth and turning the mineral into a valuable commodity while threatening all Kryptonians. Over the first 13 issues, Slott has expertly blended classic Superman storytelling with a modern sensibility. He’s doing a fantastic job, and the current storyline featuring the return of Jon Kent promises to be excellent.

7) Phillip Kennedy Johnson

After the previous Superman storyline disappointed many fans, Phillip Kennedy Johnson took over the character and quickly established a highly acclaimed run, most notably with the epic “Warworld Saga.” He wrote Action Comics issues 1029-1060 and Superman (Vol. 5) issues 29-32, consistently portraying the heroism that defines the Man of Steel. Though celebrated for “Warworld Saga,” his entire run was consistently strong and helped revitalize Superman’s popularity within the comic book industry.

6) Mark Waid

Mark Waid is a highly respected writer at DC Comics and widely considered the foremost expert on Superman. That’s why his recent work on the character has been so impressive. Starting with issue #1070 of Action Comics, Waid launched a 12-issue story called “Phantoms” which sent Superman to the Phantom Zone for a classic adventure. He continued writing the series after DC’s new publishing plan was implemented, focusing on Superman’s earlier years as Superboy. For the past two years, Waid has excelled at bringing a fresh, modern perspective to these Superboy stories. Overall, the Superman comics are currently excellent, and Waid is a major contributor to their success.

5) Joshua Williamson

Joshua Williamson first gained recognition for his work on The Flash and has since become a major writer for DC Comics. He began writing Superman in 2023, and continues the series today with a highly praised run. His story arcs, including the acclaimed “House of Brainiac” in the first 25 issues, have been particularly strong, and he’s successfully revitalized characters like Superboy-Prime. He also contributed to the DC K.O. series. For the past 38 issues, his Superman has consistently been one of the best superhero comics available, captivating readers with its quality.

4) Louise Simonson

Louise Simonson is a remarkably talented comic book creator who doesn’t get enough recognition. She played a key role in making the X-Men, X-Factor, and New Mutants so popular in the 1980s, and later moved to DC Comics. There, she revitalized Superman: Man of Steel, primarily working with artist Jon Bogdanove. Together, they produced one of the decade’s best comic series, with Simonson writing the majority of the first 86 issues. Their collaboration introduced the character Steel and delivered some truly memorable Superman stories, ranking among the best of the 1990s.

3) Dan Jurgens

Dan Jurgens is best known as the defining Superman creator of the 1990s. He began working on the title with issue #29 (Vol. 2) and then became both writer and artist starting with issue #57, continuing through #150. He was a key member of the team that created the famous “Death of Superman” storyline, and his version of the book was considered the main title in the Superman series. Jurgens’ artwork was as impressive as his writing, perfectly portraying Superman’s strength and grandeur. He remains one of the most important figures in Superman’s history, frequently returning to the character to tell new stories, including a notable run on Action Comics #957-1000 as part of DC Rebirth, and his initial work on the title back in 1988 (#650-657).

2) Geoff Johns

Geoff Johns worked on many comics in the 2000s, and a highlight of his career was taking over Action Comics in 2006 after the Infinite Crisis event. He began with a four-issue story called “Up, Up and Away,” co-written with Kurt Busiek in Superman #650-653 and Action Comics #837-840, and continued writing Action Comics until issue #873. Johns brought classic Superman ideas back to the forefront, and his first four storylines – “Last Son,” “Escape from Bizarro World,” “Superman and the Legion of Superheroes,” and “Brainiac” – are considered exceptionally well-done. While his final story arc, “New Krypton,” wasn’t his strongest, his overall run on the title was fantastic.

1) Grant Morrison

Grant Morrison first tackled Superman in 2006 with All-Star Superman, but didn’t get the chance to write an ongoing solo Superman series until after the major changes of the New 52. They then wrote the first 18 issues and issue #0 of Action Comics, collaborating with artist Rags Morales and other talented artists like Andy Kubert, Talent Foreman, Gene Ha, and Ben Oliver. Morrison’s run focused on returning Superman to his classic, approachable roots, crafting a single, 19-issue story that’s considered a highlight of their career and one of the best Superman stories ever told.

2026-06-02 19:51