5 Great Superman Moments That Defined The ‘00s

by

The 1990s were a rollercoaster for Superman. While he experienced significant success, the decade is best remembered for the controversial “Death of Superman” storyline. DC Comics seemed to believe that large-scale events were the key to keeping Superman relevant, and they relied on them heavily – perhaps too heavily. The following decade, the 2000s, brought big changes to DC, and Superman played a crucial role in the publisher’s revival. It was a fantastic era for fans of both DC Comics and the Last Son of Krypton, with many truly memorable moments in his comic books.

Although the 2000s didn’t have any truly iconic, culture-defining Superman events, the decade still delivered many excellent moments. These moments significantly shaped the character of Superman for years to come and contributed to his current popularity. Here are five of the best Superman moments from the 2000s that helped define his journey during that time.

5) Kurt Busiek on Superman

The Infinite Crisis event was a significant period for DC Comics, bringing in new creative teams and launching new series. Following the event, the Superman comic returned to its original numbering, and it gained a fantastic writer: Kurt Busiek, known for his work on The Avengers. Busiek excels at updating classic concepts, a skill he’d already demonstrated with Superman in Superman: Secret Identity. He penned the acclaimed “Camelot Falls” storyline and several engaging single-issue adventures featuring some of Superman’s more unusual foes. It was a truly memorable era, and another reason why reading Superman comics in the 2000s was so enjoyable.

4) The Return of the Legion of Superheroes

The Legion of Superheroes played a significant role in Superman’s early history. Originally, Superboy frequently traveled to the 31st century to team up with them. However, the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” event erased those stories. Later, “Infinite Crisis” reintroduced the Legion, which led to the storyline “Superman and the Legion of Superheroes.” This revival also brought back Superboy and enriched Superman’s overall story, marking a crucial point in the character’s development.

3) All-Star Superman

As a huge Superman fan, I genuinely believe All-Star Superman is something special – a truly legendary story. It’s the kind of comic that doesn’t come along very often, and Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely really knocked it out of the park. It beautifully blended everything that makes Superman great across all his years, telling this incredible story about him facing his mortality and wanting to make a lasting, positive impact. You can just feel Morrison’s passion for the character in every panel, and Quitely’s artwork is just stunning – so detailed and expertly crafted. For me, it’s the definitive Superman story, and I think it’s a big reason why the character is still thriving in 2025.

2) Geoff Johns on Action Comics

Geoff Johns quickly became a major force at DC Comics in the early 2000s, writing popular runs on titles like The Flash, Justice Society, and Green Lantern. Following the Infinite Crisis event, he took on Action Comics and was instrumental in reviving classic elements of Superman from before the Crisis. His run included a definitive General Zod story in “Last Son,” the return of the Legion and Bizarro World, and a particularly frightening take on Brainiac. Johns demonstrated a deep understanding of Superman, delivering some of the most memorable stories about the Man of Steel ever written. While his later work wasn’t always consistent, his run was incredibly impactful and changed the character for the better.

1) Infinite Crisis

Published on the 20th anniversary of Crisis on Infinite Earths, Infinite Crisis was a pivotal moment for DC Comics, with Superman at its heart. The story brought back the original Superman, along with his Earth-Two counterpart, and gave them satisfying conclusions. At the same time, the main Superman rediscovered the core heroism that had been fading in the superhero world. Focusing heavily on the Superman family, this story revitalized many beloved elements of the character. In fact, if you enjoy today’s Superman comics, his recent films, and the blend of classic and modern storytelling, this book laid the groundwork for it all.

https://comicbook.com/comics/list/the-10-best-superman-stories-in-dc-comics-history/embed/#

Read More

2026-02-01 03:11