Superman first appeared in DC Comics in 1938, creating nearly 90 years of stories that can be daunting for newcomers. Most stories before 1986 aren’t considered essential, as the ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ event reimagined the heroes for a modern audience. Even then, that leaves 40 years of comics, often with several different Superman titles coming out each month! With so much material, new readers might want some guidance on which books to start with to get acquainted with Superman before diving into current storylines.
Want to learn about Superman? Here are five stories perfect for new readers to quickly understand the basics of this iconic DC Comics hero.
5) Superman for All Seasons
Published in 1998 by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, Superman for All Seasons is a four-part comic book series. Each issue represents a different season—spring, summer, fall, and winter—and the artwork has a classic, Norman Rockwell-inspired style. The stories cleverly echo those found in John Byrne’s Man of Steel, which followed the Crisis on Infinite Earths event. Many fans consider this series to be a definitive portrayal of the Superman character and his core values.
Jeph Loeb aimed to capture the impressive scale of Superman, and he made sure the art reflected that. The story was told through four different perspectives: Jonathan Kent shared Clark’s childhood, Lois Lane covered Superman’s heroic deeds, Lex Luthor explained their ongoing conflict, and Lana Lang reminisced about their lost romance. This multi-faceted approach was designed to give new readers a complete understanding of the DC Comics icon.
4) All-Star Superman
Published by DC Comics between 2005 and 2008, All-Star Superman is a 12-issue story written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Frank Quitely. It’s a great starting point for readers interested in a unique take on Superman’s final days. This story isn’t part of the main Superman timeline and focuses on his impending death caused by too much sun exposure, leading him to undertake the Twelve Labors of Superman.
In the 1990s, a famous Superman storyline featured the villain Doomsday killing the hero. The issue detailing Superman’s funeral is considered a classic. Grant Morrison expanded on this impactful event with a remarkable story showing even Superman’s enemy, Lex Luthor, was affected by his death.
3) “What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way?”
Action Comics #775, published in 2001 by Joe Kelly, Doug Mahnke, and Lee Bermejo, told the story “What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way?” This story was later turned into the DCAU movie Superman vs. The Elite, which highlighted the differences between Superman and more contemporary, aggressive superheroes.
The Elite are a new, incredibly strong superhero team who aren’t afraid to use extreme force – even killing criminals – to stop them for good. Superman disagrees with their methods, but the public loves them and their popularity is growing. The way Superman ultimately showed The Elite the error of their ways was masterful, and the story remains a perfect example of what makes him such a great hero, especially for those new to his adventures.
2) “For The Man Who Has Everything”
Although “What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way?” is a classic standalone Superman story, many fans consider “For the Man Who Has Everything,” published in Superman Annual #11, to be even better. This story begins with Batman, Robin, and Wonder Woman arriving at Superman’s Fortress of Solitude to celebrate his birthday, only to discover him in a strange, unresponsive state.
The story centers around heroes attempting to rescue Superman, but what truly captivates new readers is the vivid dreamworld he experiences while unconscious. In this series, Mongul imprisons Superman within his own mind, creating an illusion where Krypton never perished and Superman enjoys a peaceful life with a wife and child. It explores a poignant ‘what if’ scenario, ultimately forcing Superman to sacrifice this idyllic existence and return to reality.
1) The Man Of Steel
For new readers looking to jump into Superman’s history, John Byrne’s Man of Steel is a fantastic place to start. This series completely reimagined Superman after the Crisis on Infinite Earths event, and it established many of the core elements fans recognize today. Notably, it brought Jonathan and Martha Kent back to life and redefined Lex Luthor, changing him from a quirky scientist into the ruthless business mogul he’s known as now.
As a huge Superman fan, I think Man of Steel really nailed the character’s modern origin story. We’ve seen Superman get a fresh start a few times – after Death of Superman and with the New 52 comics, for example – but if you’re brand new to Superman and want to jump in at the beginning of things, Man of Steel is the perfect place to start. It just tells his story in a way that really resonates with today’s audiences.
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2025-11-09 00:11