5 Great Superman Moments That Defined The ‘90s

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For many years, Superman was the most popular superhero in comics. But as the comic book industry evolved, other heroes began to surpass him in popularity. He experienced a resurgence in the mid-1980s thanks to John Byrne’s reimagining of the character after the Crisis event, which updated Superman and appealed to a wider audience. However, sales declined again as the decade ended, and DC Comics needed to find a solution. The 1990s proved to be a particularly challenging period for Superman, with DC introducing constant, dramatic changes in an attempt to recapture fan interest.

The 1990s weren’t always a high point for Superman, and there are several reasons why. However, the decade still had some truly memorable moments for the character. Here are five instances that defined Superman’s journey through the ’90s and significantly impacted his development.

5) Electric Blue Superman

For years, Superman’s powers were well-known and consistent. But everything shifted with issue #123 of Superman (Vol. 2). The 1990s brought big changes for the character, beginning with a storyline where he seemingly died. DC Comics appeared to believe the only way to generate excitement was to do something truly surprising. One major change was reimagining Superman’s powers as energy-based, a decision that’s debatable in terms of quality, but it did inspire some creative storytelling. While this new direction didn’t last, it had potential, and many fans agree that the new costume was a definite highlight.

4) The Return of Superman

The “Death of Superman” storyline was a huge event in comics, but fans always expected he’d come back. The creators crafted a compelling story exploring the impact of his death on the DC Universe, and it was a memorable time. The follow-up, “Reign of the Supermen,” introduced several characters who tried to fill his shoes, but hints began to appear that the real Superman would return. He eventually reappeared after Cyborg Superman attacked Coast City, sporting a new black suit designed to restore his powers. A thrilling battle ensued in Engine City, with Superman teaming up with Superboy, Steel, and the Eradicator to fight Mongul and Cyborg Superman. The Eradicator ultimately absorbed a blast of Kryptonite energy meant for Superman, converting it into a power source that revived Kal-El, leading to Cyborg Superman’s defeat. It was a fantastic moment, finally delivered in Superman (Vol. 2) #82 after months of anticipation.

3) “Reign of the Supermen”

“Reign of the Supermen” was the next-to-last part of the “Death of Superman” story, following “Funeral for a Friend” and “World Without a Superman.” It featured four new heroes – Superboy, Steel, the Eradicator, and Cyborg Superman – who stepped up in Superman’s absence. This chapter set the stage for the final part of the story, “Return of Superman.” These new characters were incredibly well-received and became important additions to the Superman universe. Issues like Action Comics #687, Superman: Man of Steel #22, Superman (Vol. 2) #78, and Adventures of Superman #501 were highlights of the entire saga.

2) The Wedding of Clark Kent and Lois Lane

While Superman is known for his great supporting characters, Lois Lane stands out as the best. For decades, the tension and uncertainty in their relationship captivated readers and made her a comic book icon. The TV show Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman decided to finally bring them together, and DC Comics fully supported the idea. Superman: The Wedding Album was the culmination of this, a special issue featuring contributions from nearly every legendary Superman artist still working – many of whom were even drawn into the wedding scene itself! It’s widely considered one of the greatest comic book weddings ever, and it fundamentally changed Lois and Clark’s dynamic, ultimately leading to the creation of Jon Kent, a hugely popular Superman character who debuted in the last fifteen years.

1) “Death of Superman”

As a lifelong Superman fan, I have to say “Death of Superman” is just iconic – easily the high point of the ’90s for the character. That fight between Superman and Doomsday? Legendary. It all culminated in Superman #75, which, let’s be real, was a genuinely emotional gut punch. Seeing the Man of Steel fall was something most of us never thought we’d witness, and it sparked some of the most memorable storylines of the decade. It wasn’t just a big event for comics, it was a powerful and surprisingly moving end to the life of a true hero.

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2026-01-18 17:15