2025 has been a fantastic year for Superman, boosted by James Gunn’s new *Superman* movie. This has brought many new readers to the comics, and they’re discovering that Superman’s stories have been consistently excellent for the past five years. The comics are among the best available, making it a wonderful time to be a fan. Throughout its history, Superman has delivered some of the greatest superhero stories ever told, and these stories have continually shaped the superhero genre.
Superman comics have their ups and downs, but at their best, they’re truly exceptional. Over time, DC’s writers and editors have consistently improved the stories, building on the core of what makes Superman special. Here are ten key changes that have made reading Superman comics so enjoyable.
10) All-Star Superman
Grant Morrison is considered one of the most talented comic book writers ever. They grew up loving Superman, and it took many years before they had the opportunity to write stories about him on their own. In 2005, Morrison and artist Frank Quitely created *All-Star Superman*, a 12-issue series that offered a fresh take on Superman’s death. This series is a remarkable achievement, skillfully blending classic Superman elements into a compelling modern story. *All-Star Superman* successfully reminded audiences why Superman remains such a beloved and iconic superhero.
9) “Death of Superman”
“Death of Superman” is a landmark story for DC Comics and played a key role in renewing interest in the Superman series. After a reboot in 1986, the comics began to feel stale by 1991 due to changes in the character. This story depicted Superman’s ultimate fight and his dedication to heroism. While the story itself is fairly straightforward, its impact came from reminding readers what made Superman special and why he was important. His death sparked a longing among fans for the hero and his values, solidifying “Death of Superman” as a significant moment in Superman’s history.
8) The Geoff Johns Run on Action Comics
Geoff Johns became DC’s leading writer in the 2000s, delivering memorable stories for characters like The Flash and Green Lantern, and later taking over *Action Comics* after the events of *Infinite Crisis* and *52*. He intentionally revisited classic Superman concepts from the Silver and Bronze Ages, reintroducing elements like the Legion of Superheroes and updating villains such as General Zod and Brainiac with more traditional portrayals. He even brought back the Bizarro World after a long absence. Johns’s work on *Action Comics* brilliantly blended classic Superman lore with modern storytelling. Stories like “Last Son,” “Brainiac,” and “Superman and the Legion of Superheroes” are considered some of the best Superman stories written in recent years.
7) Lowering Superman’s Power Level
In the past, Superman was incredibly powerful – able to move planets effortlessly and even destroy solar systems with a sneeze. He seemed unbeatable and could travel faster than light. However, this extreme power level made it challenging to create interesting stories. After the ‘Crisis’ event in DC Comics, Superman’s powers were reduced, and he hasn’t been as overwhelmingly powerful since. While still exceptionally strong, this decrease in power has actually improved his stories, making them more engaging.
6) John Byrne’s Man of Steel Reboot
John Byrne’s reimagining of Superman, known as *Man of Steel*, significantly reshaped the character’s history, even though some choices made the Superman universe feel smaller. Byrne focused on making Superman more relatable as a human being than as an alien. He established Superman as the sole survivor of Krypton, removing other Kryptonian survivors, and also reduced the extent of his powers. This version of Superman attracted a new generation of fans and became a highly regarded interpretation of the character. While some may not agree with the changes Byrne made, they were crucial in revitalizing Superman’s popularity.
5) Lex Luthor Becoming Superman’s Greatest Foe
Early in Superman’s history, villains like the Ultra-Humanite and Alexei Luthor challenged the hero. Eventually, Alexei’s name was shortened to Lex, and Lex Luthor rose to become Superman’s most iconic enemy. Lex proved to be the perfect foil for the Man of Steel, representing a contrasting worldview and becoming an essential part of the Superman story. Today, it’s difficult to think of Superman without considering Lex Luthor.
4) The Return of the Kryptonians
Before the “Crisis” event, DC Comics featured many Kryptonians – characters like Supergirl and those imprisoned in the Phantom Zone – and that doesn’t even include Superman’s time travel to Krypton. After the “Crisis,” DC significantly reduced the number of Kryptonians, with characters like the Eradicator and Superboy being the closest remaining. However, the “Superman/Batman” storyline, “The Supergirl from Krypton,” changed that by reintroducing Kara Zor-El. She was the first of many Kryptonians to reappear, including survivors from the Phantom Zone and the citizens of Kandor. Bringing Kryptonians back into Superman’s stories has proven successful, highlighting how much the universe benefited from their return.
3) Jon Kent
Superman has often acted as a mentor throughout DC Comics, but his character truly blossomed when he became a father. The introduction of his son, Jon Kent, has been a fantastic addition to the Superman stories. It offers a fresh perspective on the hero, showing that even Superman isn’t perfect, especially when it comes to parenting. It’s simply enjoyable to see their relationship unfold and watch Superman guide Jon as he learns to be a hero. Since Jon’s arrival, the Superman comics have consistently been among the most engaging and well-received.
2) Superman’s Marriage to Lois Lane
The romance between Superman and Lois Lane is a cornerstone of the Superman comics. For many years, the dynamic of Superman, Lois, and Clark Kent created compelling stories, but the love triangle eventually felt stale. In the mid-1990s, boosted by the popularity of *Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman*, they finally married, and many fans consider it the best marriage depicted in comic books. More recently, the comics have shown them as true partners, both in life and as superheroes, highlighting a strong and believable relationship. This marriage has fundamentally changed the Superman comics and proven to be a rewarding development.
1) The Return of the Post-Crisis Superman in DC Rebirth
Following the disappointing run of the New 52, DC Rebirth aimed to rekindle fans’ enthusiasm for DC Comics. DC drew inspiration from the era following the *Crisis* event, reintroducing beloved elements into the New 52 continuity. Most notably, this included the return of the pre-New 52 Superman, along with Lois Lane and their son, Jon. The New 52 version of Superman hadn’t connected with readers as well, so bringing back the more popular, classic Superman was a welcome change. Since then, fans have enjoyed some fantastic Superman stories, and this shift has positioned Superman to once again become a leading hero in the DC Universe.
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2025-09-26 19:14