5 Great Superman Moments That Defined The ‘10s

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Superman’s popularity experienced significant ups and downs between the 1980s and the 2000s. Though he was the original superhero, his sales and importance within the DC Universe fluctuated, but he remained central to many storylines. By the start of the 2010s, things were looking up – much of Superman’s classic history had been successfully revived, and some unpopular changes had been reversed. Fans were optimistic about the future and anticipated a return to great Superman stories. Unfortunately, the ‘New 52’ relaunch changed that trajectory.

While the criticism of the New 52 isn’t always fair, it wasn’t a particularly strong period for Superman. There were some enjoyable stories, but also a lot of weak ones. Thankfully, Superman’s portrayal improved towards the end of the 2010s, setting the stage for his current success. Here are five key moments that helped define Superman during that decade and ultimately redeemed a challenging period for the character.

5) “Superman Reborn”

DC Rebirth was a welcome era for DC Comics readers, addressing many issues from the previous ‘New 52’ continuity. Superman benefited the most, as the classic version of the character – along with Lois Lane and their son, Jon Kent – were brought back. However, even with these changes, the characters still remembered events from the ‘New 52’ timeline, not the older stories. The storyline ‘Superman Reborn,’ created by Pete Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, Dan Jurgens, and Doug Mahnke, resolved this. The story centered around Jon being kidnapped, prompting Superman and Lois to search for him. Ultimately, the two different timelines were combined, solidifying the pre-Flashpoint Superman as the one who had always been there, and it was a fantastic story.

4) Action Comics #1000

Superman debuted in 1938 with Action Comics #1, and in 2018, his 80th anniversary was marked by Action Comics #1000. This special issue featured a collection of short stories about Superman, spanning different periods of his history, and was created by many of DC’s most talented artists and writers. While it included the first story in the controversial Bendis storyline, it remains a fantastic read. Both the comic itself and the accompanying hardcover book detailing Superman’s history are excellent, showcasing why the Last Son of Krypton has remained a beloved icon for nearly a century.

3) Grant Morrison’s Action Comics

Grant Morrison’s acclaimed work on All-Star Superman created high expectations when they took over Action Comics with the New 52 relaunch, and they didn’t disappoint. Morrison had long hoped to write an ongoing Superman series, and this was a fantastic opportunity. They successfully revived the classic, approachable “man of the people” version of Superman, and their 19-issue run told a consistently strong and compelling story. It was a perfect launch for the hero in the New 52 and is widely considered the best Superman story from that era.

2) DC Rebirth

Following Grant Morrison’s time writing Superman, the New 52 era wasn’t successful for the character, and the Superman of that continuity died just before the start of DC Rebirth. This event essentially revived the classic DC Multiverse, bringing back the original Superman as the primary version of the hero. So, if you enjoy Superman’s current comics, Rebirth is largely responsible. The reboot also gave Lois Lane a more prominent role in Superman’s adventures, and introduced Jon Kent, his son.

1) The Birth of Jon Kent

Jon Kent has been a key factor in the success of Superman over the past ten years. He was first introduced in the comic series Convergence: Superman #2, which debuted in the 2010s. While the Convergence event itself wasn’t well-received, its tie-in series were strong, and Convergence: Superman delivered a popular concept: Clark and Lois Lane as parents. Recognizing the potential, DC brought back the creative team of Dan Jurgens and Lee Weeks to continue the family’s story. Jon’s birth led to acclaimed series like Superman: Lois and Clark, Superman (Vol. 4), and SuperSons. He significantly improved the Superman comics towards the end of the 2010s and has been a valuable addition to the DC universe ever since.

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2026-02-23 21:15