10 Best Superman Stories Ever Told

Superman, one of the original DC Comics superheroes, debuted in the first issue of “Action Comics” back in 1938. With over eight decades of stories under his belt, Superman is arguably the most storied comic book character. While not all these tales are masterpieces, many have stood the test of time and continue to captivate readers. There’s no shortage of recommended reads when it comes to Superman, and for good reason. However, certain stories tend to fly under the radar, even among devoted Superman fans. These lesser-known stories may not enjoy the same level of universal praise as their more famous counterparts, but they are equally impressive and demonstrate why Superman remains the epitome of a hero on a global scale.

Although the top three Superman stories are undeniably must-reads for any DC Comics enthusiast, there are other tales that merit inclusion in their reading list as well.

10) Superman: Peace on Earth

Superman’s Unwinnable Battle: A Peaceful Earth

In this graphic novel penned by Paul Dini and illustrated by Alex Ross, Superman embarks on a battle that seems insurmountable for even him. After the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, Superman stumbled upon a heart-wrenching sight – a young girl close to starvation. He was informed that homeless shelters were overwhelmed due to the increasing number of hungry people. Determined to make a difference, Superman decided to feed everyone for just one day.

However, his plan faced an obstacle when one dictator refused to let him sow seeds across the country, as keeping his citizens in hunger gave him control over them. Unfortunately, Superman was powerless to intervene in the nation’s politics. By the end of this struggle, Superman came to accept that he couldn’t help everyone and believed he had failed. Yet, what truly showcases Superman’s greatness is his unyielding effort and determination to make a difference, no matter how impossible it may seem.

9) Superman Smashes the Klan

In a 1946 radio drama, Superman battled the Ku Klux Klan, and more recently, a tribute to this tale has emerged titled “Superman Smashes the Klan“. Written by Gene Luen Yang with artwork by Gurihiru, the narrative unfolds around a young Superman who confronts the Klan as they bully minorities and their allies. This group of bigots includes Lois Lane and Perry White, an African-American police inspector named Henderson, and a Chinese-American family who migrated from Chinatown to Metropolis. The city’s residents openly display racism towards these groups, and what sets this story apart is that the Klan leader seeks financial gain while attracting fervent followers who espouse “one color, one religion, one race.” The story resonates due to its exploration of Superman as an immigrant struggling with the fear people have of him, which inadvertently hinders his potential greatness.

8) Superman: Camelot Falls

Superman: The Fall of Camelot” is a 10-issue narrative penned by Kurt Busiek and Carlos Pacheco. In this tale, Superman grapples with the realization that his efforts to shield people today could exacerbate problems in the future. A man from the past named Arion of Atlantis warns him about an impending great evil. If Superman continues to battle it, a more destructive wave of evil will emerge 100 years later, plunging the world into a prolonged era of darkness. Superman is faced with the dilemma of whether to let “Camelot fall” temporarily for a lesser darkness, to prevent a future catastrophe. The challenge lies in accepting that his actions might cause harm to people now. Unlike usual, Superman retains his powers, and instead, he must make a tough choice about his role in shaping the world’s fate.

7) Superman: Time and Time Again!

In 1994, a story titled “Superman: Time and Time Again!” unfolded across eight issues. The narrative revolves around a time-traveling bounty hunter from the future named Linear Man who visits the present to retrieve Booster Gold and send him back to his designated timeline. Superman attempts to intervene but ends up getting sent through time himself instead. Throughout his journey, he encounters numerous characters such as the Justice Society, Legion of Super-Heroes, Etrigan the Demon, Chronos, as well as fighting Nazis in World War II and a T-Rex in ancient times. The appeal lies in watching Superman engage in different battles across various time periods, all while being mindful not to alter the timeline by making any changes to the past. This story serves as an exciting science fiction extension to the Superman saga.

6) Superman: Last Son

Superman: Last Son” – A 2006-2007 Storyline by Geoff Johns, Richard Donner, and Adam Kubert

The highlight of this story is its collaboration between Geoff Johns and the director of “Superman: The Movie.” This remarkable comic book series was released as a five-issue run in Action Comics. The narrative introduces a new character, Christopher Kent (later adopted by Lois Lane and Superman), a Kryptonian child. Post-“Infinite Crisis,” the storyline also reintroduces General Zod, Non, and Ursa into the DC Universe.

For those who seek an exceptional Superman tale that explores family themes prior to Superman and Lois Lane establishing their own family, this is the book for you!

5) Superman: Exile

The “Superman: Exile” narrative unfolds over 13 issues across three different comic series – “Superman (Vol. 2)”, “Adventures of Superman”, and “Action Comics”. This unique story arc benefits from a variety of creative minds, including Dan Jurgens, George Perez, Roger Stern, Mike Mignola, and others, showcasing outstanding talent. In this captivating tale, Superman faces a situation where he believes he may endanger Earth’s people. As a result, he voluntarily leaves the planet in search of a new home where he can no longer cause harm. During his cosmic journey, Superman eventually grasps his role in our world. This storyline is another fantastic foray into science fiction for Superman fans and merits additional praise for introducing the character of Eradicator to the Superman universe.

4) Superman: For Tomorrow

The 11-issue series titled “Superman: For Tomorrow” was penned by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Jim Lee, published between 2004 and 2005. Unlike traditional Superman stories in comics, this one delves into darker themes as the Man of Steel grapples with serious problems. Although the Snyderverse films introduced even more somber content, this storyline represents the maximum level of darkness suitable for Superman comics. The narrative commences with Superman confessing his failure to save Lois Lane and thousands of others in Metropolis from vanishing, to a Catholic priest. He feels responsible for their fate and grapples intensely with guilt. Throughout the series, Superman must confront the question of how much he’s willing to sacrifice to protect those dear to him, even if it means compromising his principles.

3) “What’s So Funny ‘Bout Truth, Justice and the American Way?”

As a passionate moviegoer and comic book enthusiast, I’ve had the pleasure of diving into numerous Superman tales throughout the years. Among these, the top three stand out as the finest Superman stories ever published. First on my list is “What’s So Funny ‘Bout Truth, Justice and the American Way?”, a captivating one-shot from Action Comics #775 (2001) penned by Joe Kelly, Doug Mahnke, and Lee Bermejo.

In this storyline, a fresh superhero squad known as The Elite makes their entrance on the scene, resorting to extreme violence in their quest to subdue villains. Unsurprisingly, public opinion begins to sway away from the traditional, gentle hero that is Superman, towards these new, aggressive vigilantes.

The Elite were an intriguing take on The Authority, and Superman found himself compelled to put a stop to their destructive path while also reclaiming the public’s favor. This narrative was published before the Snyderverse popularized the idea of heroes leaning towards excessive violence and darkness, making it a brilliant counterpoint to these emerging trends.

In this issue, Superman takes on an unexpectedly violent role to drive home his message to the young heroes. However, the story ultimately underscores that Superman’s defining qualities are not his power or his violence, but rather his unwavering dignity and honor – traits that set him apart as a truly great hero.

2) “Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow?”

Introduced in 1986, “Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow?” serves as the conclusion of Superman’s epic tale. This engrossing narrative spans across issues #423 of Superman and #583 of Action Comics, representing the last Superman story before the reboot post-Crisis on Infinite Earths. Alan Moore and Curt Swan crafted this tale, set in Metropolis a decade after Superman vanished. Lois Lane discloses the events leading to Superman’s retirement, such as attacks from his adversaries, losses of dear ones, and the exposure of his secret identity as Clark Kent. The cause of Superman’s disappearance is heart-wrenching, but these issues deliver a fitting conclusion for the Silver Age Superman, with an unexpected twist in the end.

1) “For The Man Who Has Everything…”

In another poignant, single-issue story, penned by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons for the Superman Annual Vol. 1 #11, we find Superman living an idyllic life on Krypton with his wife and son. Initially appearing as an Elseworlds tale, “For The Man Who Has Everything” takes a darker turn when it becomes apparent that Mongul has placed Superman under a hypnotic spell. Batman, Robin, and Wonder Woman race to save him from this trance-like state, but the realization that Superman is living his ideal life in his dream world presents a heartbreaking dilemma: should he be returned to reality, where loss awaits? The parallels between this comic and the themes presented in The Matrix are striking, raising questions about the value of a perfect illusion compared to harsh reality. Despite Superman’s yearning for the real world, the heartache of losing his dream family makes this one of the most emotionally resonant Superman stories ever created.

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2025-07-11 17:12