10 Biggest Milestones That Defined Superman History

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Superman is arguably the most influential fictional character of the past century. He didn’t just become a popular hero; he essentially created the entire superhero genre as we know it. While superheroes might have emerged eventually without him, their core elements would likely be very different. Having existed for 87 years, Superman has reached key moments in his history that shaped him into the legendary figure he is today. These milestones explain why he remains such an iconic character.

Superman’s long history is filled with incredible stories that have consistently reshaped who he is and what his past means. For nearly a century, countless writers and artists have contributed to the legend of the Man of Steel. Here are ten key moments that were most influential in making Superman the icon he’s become today.

10) DC Rebirth

DC Rebirth was a significant turning point for DC Comics, effectively ending the five-year run of the New 52, which many fans weren’t enjoying. A key part of this change was bringing back the classic Superman – the version readers had loved from 1986 to 2011. This delighted fans, and it also introduced Jon Kent, the son of Lois and Clark, who quickly became a popular character. DC Rebirth set Jon on a path to becoming a star, and has given readers many excellent stories over the years.

9) The Return of Earth-Two Superman

DC Comics’ continuity has been inconsistent for many years. This largely started with the introduction of Earth-Two. Instead of acknowledging that DC’s early comics took place on the same world as its later stories (particularly those featuring Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman), DC created a separate Earth to house those original heroes. This meant the original Superman was moved to this new Earth. He largely disappeared for a while, but reappeared in 1969’s Justice League of America #73. This older version of Superman continued to appear in comics until Crisis on Infinite Earths, where he played a crucial role in defeating a major villain and saving the universe. He even returned in Infinite Crisis to help save reality again. Without this version of Superman, characters like Power Girl wouldn’t exist, and some of DC’s biggest storylines would have unfolded very differently.

8) The “Death of Superman” Saga

The ‘Death of Superman’ is considered the most significant Superman storyline of the 1990s, featuring an epic battle against the creature Doomsday. While Superman had faced death before in non-canonical tales, this death felt permanent and DC Comics treated it as a major event. The storyline continued with several follow-up arcs – ‘World Without a Superman,’ ‘Funeral for a Friend,’ ‘Reign of the Supermen,’ and ‘Return of Superman.’ This saga was brilliantly planned, introduced key new characters who would impact Superman’s future, and offered a captivating exploration of life after the Man of Steel’s death. It remains one of the greatest Superman stories ever told and a pivotal moment in the character’s legacy.

7) First Appearance of Superboy

As a lifelong Superman fan, I’ve always felt Superboy was essential to what makes the character work. Those early stories of young Clark Kent were perfect for capturing the imaginations of readers back in the Golden Age, and they really helped establish who Superman was and the world he lived in. It all started in 1945 with More Fun Comics #101, and that single issue laid the groundwork for so much of what followed. It gave us the origins of Lex Luthor and their rivalry, and it introduced young Clark to the Legion of Super-Heroes – a huge part of his story. There was a time when DC removed Superboy from Superman’s history, and honestly, it felt like something was missing. Bringing Superboy back enriched Superman’s backstory and opened up so many possibilities, making him an even more compelling character.

6) Infinite Crisis

DC Comics’ Infinite Crisis is considered one of their best storylines from the 2000s, successfully bringing back beloved concepts that had been lost after Crisis on Infinite Earths. The story prominently featured multiple versions of Superman from different universes, including the classic Earth-Two Superman and the complex Superboy-Prime. It essentially restored elements of Superman’s history from his earlier ‘Silver Age’ and ‘Bronze Age’ appearances, even bringing back the character of Superboy and his connection to the Legion of Superheroes. This return to core concepts has contributed to the quality of Superman comics in recent years, allowing writers to draw on the character’s rich and varied past.

5) First Appearance of Supergirl

Supergirl is a key figure in the Superman story. Like Superman, Kara Zor-El was sent from Krypton to Earth as a baby. She’s been a significant part of DC Comics history, gaining a dedicated following with her own stories in publications like Adventure Comics and several Supergirl series. While not as well-known as Superman, she’s become popular in her own right, adding a unique perspective to the Superman universe. She’s become an icon and is essential to understanding the story of the Last Son of Krypton.

4) The First Appearance of Jon Kent

The ‘New 52’ event Convergence is famously disliked, but its tie-in stories were surprisingly good. One of these tie-ins brought back the classic versions of Superman and Lois Lane for a pivotal story. Convergence: Superman followed their lives, and the second issue introduced their son, Jon Kent. He was their first official child, and when these versions of Superman and Lois returned in Superman: Lois and Clark and DC Rebirth, they brought Jon along with them. He’s since become a key character in the current Superman stories and a favorite among fans. Despite a few missteps by DC, fans have continued to love Jon for the past ten years.

3) The First Appearance of Lex Luthor

Lex Luthor is Superman’s most iconic enemy and a hugely popular character in the world of comics. He’s a surprisingly adaptable villain, constantly evolving along with the comic book industry itself. In his very first appearance in Action Comics #23, he wasn’t even Lex Luthor – he was named Alexei, had a full head of hair, and wasn’t the brilliant, ruthless scientist or wealthy businessman he’s known as today. He didn’t become Superman’s arch-enemy right away. However, introducing this character proved to be a brilliant move, as Lex Luthor has since become one of the most recognizable and famous villains ever created.

2) The Marriage of Superman and Lois Lane

Lois Lane debuted in Action Comics #1 as Superman’s love interest and a strong contrast to his powers. She quickly became the second most important character in the Superman universe, and the question of whether they would or wouldn’t get together drove storylines for many years. They are considered the quintessential comic book couple, and finally married in the 1996 special, Superman: The Wedding Album. Their marriage has since become a central part of Superman’s stories. It’s hard to imagine them apart – a mistake made in the New 52 comics was keeping them separated – and Lois has evolved into a co-lead character. She’s even starred in her own solo adventures and remains one of the most popular characters ever created. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more perfect pair than Lois and Clark.

1) Crisis on Infinite Earths

As a lifelong comic book fan, I can tell you that Crisis on Infinite Earths was a total game-changer for DC. It really shook things up, especially for Superman. It wasn’t just a big story; it fundamentally altered his entire history. They made some huge choices – Supergirl tragically died, and they removed Superboy from the timeline altogether. Even the adventures of the Earth-Two Superman were declared no longer part of the official story. It all paved the way for John Byrne’s Man of Steel reboot, which, honestly, brought Superman to a whole new audience. While Crisis impacted every DC character, for me, the changes to Superman were the most significant and lasting.

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2026-01-04 17:13