The Best Modern Superman Comics, Ranked

As someone who grew up with a daily dose of Superman comics, I can confidently say that these stories are nothing short of extraordinary. Each one captures the essence of the Man of Steel in a unique and profound way, showcasing his strength, compassion, and unwavering commitment to justice.

In the realm of fictional characters born during the 20th century, Superman stands uncontested as a pivotal figure. Though other characters like Batman, Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Iron Man may garner more popular acclaim, their existence owes itself to Superman. He was the trailblazer who kickstarted the superhero comic genre, inspiring an entirely new tapestry of mythologies. Over the course of 80 years, this iconic figure has remained unyielding in his influence, and the anticipation for his return to the big screen in 2025’s “Superman: Legacy” has sent ripples throughout the superhero universe.

For novice Superman fans, diving into the older comic book tales might be challenging due to the significant changes in his mythology over the years. The Superman they encounter in those classic stories could be quite different from the one they’re familiar with today. Instead, new readers would find it more accessible and informative to start with modern Superman stories, which began with the post-“Crisis on Infinite Earths” comics from the mid-80s up until now. These contemporary tales offer a wealth of captivating stories that effectively portray who Superman is and what he stands for.

Action Comics (Vol. 2) #1-18, #0

The New 52 stands as DC Comics’ most notorious reboot, initially capturing a lot of attention but eventually losing steam over time. One of the early standout moments during the New 52 era was Grant Morrison’s work on Action Comics. Collaborating with regular artist Rags Morales and various fill-in artists such as Andy Kubert, Travel Foreman, Ben Oliver, Gene Ha, Brad Walker, and Carlos Urbano, Morrison scripted issues #1 through 18, plus a zero issue. These stories detailed the early days of Superman in the New 52 universe and set the stage for his present-day adventures. By merging the Depression-era ‘Man of the People’ persona with contemporary interpretations of Superman, Morrison crafted an exceptional new iteration of this iconic character.

During Grant Morrison’s tenure on Action Comics, he crafted an interwoven narrative that extended throughout his entire run, where Superman faced off against a cryptic adversary over several years. Morrison masterfully blended grandiose storytelling with intimate, character-focused tales, demonstrating the full range of what Superman comics are capable of. Instead of following traditional paths, Morrison introduced innovative concepts and delved into the history of Superman and DC Comics for inspiration, focusing on an unexplored aspect of Superman lore – the Fifth Dimensional imps. Action Comics #9, which featured the introduction of Calvin Ellis’s Superman and Superdoomsday, is arguably one of the most insightful and biting commentaries on Superman’s history ever written. Morrison’s writing is exceptional, but the artwork deserves equal recognition. Morales and the rotating artists breathed life into the scripts, embodying the might and grandeur of Superman. These 19 issues represent the pinnacle of New 52 Superman’s existence and remain worth reading, even though this particular version of the character has been deemed non-canonical.

Superman: Secret Identity

Writer Kurt Busiek is renowned for his exceptional talent, skillfully breathing new life into classic concepts to craft captivating tales across Marvel, DC, and his self-owned series like “Astro City.” Busiek demonstrated his aptitude as a Superman writer in the period following “Infinite Crisis,” offering readers some outstanding Superman narratives. Among Busiek’s works, “Superman: Secret Identity” (2004) with artist Stuart Immonen stands out as his finest Superman story.

In this unique tale called “Superman: Secret Identity,” I found myself inspired by the concept of a Superman-like character hailing from a realm where he was the sole superpowered entity. This story delved into the profound impact such a figure would have on the world, and conversely, the effect that bearing such a burden would have on an individual. The collaboration between Busiek and Immonen in this narrative is simply remarkable, as they masterfully depict the epic moments that encapsulate Superman’s essence, as well as the intimate, relatable moments that forge a bond between readers and the storyline itself. This extraordinary work stands apart from other Superman stories, leaving an indelible impression of power, humanity, love, and family that lingers long after the final page is turned.

Superman and the Legion of Superheroes

In the Silver and Bronze Age, Superman’s time as Superboy and his association with the Legion of Superheroes were crucial to his character development. However, following the events of Crisis, Superman’s past as Superboy was wiped out, causing chaos in the Legion’s history, resulting in numerous major reboots of the team and their decline in significance within the DC Universe. After the sequel to Crisis, titled Infinite Crisis, DC chose to reinstate many elements of pre-Crisis continuity, with Geoff Johns’ Action Comics serving as the hub for Superman’s storyline.

During this timeframe, Johns and artist Gary Frank collaborated on numerous remarkable Superman tales, but none surpassed “Superman and the Legion of Superheroes: Infinite Crisis”. This narrative reintroduced Superman’s past as Superboy into the continuous storyline, reinforcing that Superman had been a member of the Legion under the alias Teen of Steel. The Man of Steel is summoned to the future by the mature Legion, who require their old comrade’s assistance against Earth-Man and his Justice League of Earth. This tale is an exhilarating epic, reviving the classic Legion, demonstrating their appeal, and emphasizing their significant role in the Superman legend. The narrative perfectly embodied Johns’s signature style of combining timeless concepts with contemporary presentation, while Frank’s artwork flawlessly matched the storyline.

Superman: Last Son

Geoff Johns’ run on Action Comics kicked off with a powerful start, reuniting him with an esteemed colleague who shares a rich past with Superman. Prior to his comic writing days, Johns had collaborated with Richard Donner, the director of Superman: The Movie. This dynamic duo was later joined by veteran artist Adam Kubert on Action Comics. In their first of two narratives, Donner was provided an opportunity to revisit the tale of Superman II, placing Superman in a confrontation with General Zod and the nefarious prisoners from the Phantom Zone.

The story titled “Last Son” starts off with Superman encountering a boy who speaks Kryptonian and shares similar powers, leading to an intense narrative. Rapidly, we’re introduced to a new version of Bizarro, controlled by Lex Luthor, followed by the return of characters like Zod, Ursa, and Non. The tale then transforms into a thrilling action movie, transporting readers through the Phantom Zone and back, as Superman fights to free the world from Zod’s grasp. This captivating story allows Richard Donner to present a Superman versus Zod battle on an unprecedented scale. The art by Adam Kubert, son of DC legend Joe Kubert, is the cornerstone of the work, showcasing some of his best artwork throughout his long career. The battles between Superman and Zod have never been as impressive as they are in “Last Son,” and all other renditions of their conflict aspire to be this spectacular.

Superman: Warworld Saga

In the year 2021, the Superman comic series experienced the much-hyped, yet underwhelming tenure of Brian Michael Bendis. When author Philip Kennedy Johnson took over the reins, fans didn’t hold high hopes. Yet, they were in store for an epic Superman tale that rivals some of the best stories not just from the 21st century, but all time: Superman: Warworld Saga. The narrative evolved from events within the Superman comics, as Superman began to lose his powers and had to step back from superhero duties. But he chose to embark on one final mission, forming a new team in Superman and the Authority – a prequel worth reading though not essential – and tackling his old adversary Mongul and his spacecraft Warworld.

Working together with artists Daniel Sampere, Miguel Mendonca, Fico Ossio, Riccardo Federici, Will Conard, and Brent Peebles, Johnson has undeniably delivered an epic tale to readers – the Warworld Saga. The story revolves around Superman’s struggle against Mongul Who Is, a fresh take on the villain, that pushes Superman to his limits and transforms him into a freedom-fighting gladiator, leading the inhabitants of Warworld against Mongul’s violent ideology. This narrative paints Superman as more than just an action hero; it portrays him as a symbol of hope, inspiring a revolution. The Warworld Saga is an exceptional representation of Superman, blending the various roles he embodies – hero, leader, and icon – while keeping readers on tenterhooks.

The Man of Steel

1986 was an incredibly momentous year for DC Comics, as they underwent a massive overhaul following the groundbreaking maxi-series “Crisis on Infinite Earths”. I found myself deeply captivated by this transformation, particularly the significant changes made to one of my favorite characters – Superman. DC opted to revamp the character’s history, preserving the core elements while introducing numerous modifications. To bring about this change, they enlisted the talented John Byrne, fresh from his successful tenure at Marvel on comics like “Uncanny X-Men” and “Fantastic Four”, to spearhead the transition. This transformation commenced with the six-issue miniseries “The Man of Steel”.

In a new, more frosty version of Krypton, the figure known as The Man of Steel broke away from his past as Superboy and transformed into the quintessential all-American boy. This series debuted Lex Luthor as an ’80s corporate raider antagonist, offered the first joint adventure of Batman and Superman, and modernized the concept for a fresh era. Although some parts of John Byrne’s Superman run have become less favored over time, The Man of Steel remains one of the top Superman stories. Though much of its content is no longer part of the established storyline, it continues to be an intriguing read, providing an engaging origin story for Superman.

The Death of Superman

Prior to “The Death of Superman” in 1992-1993, numerous tales featuring Superman’s demise had been penned, but most of these occurred in non-canonical “imaginary stories” from the Silver and Bronze Ages. However, “The Death of Superman” would break this pattern. The planning process for this comic is particularly intriguing. Every year, the team behind Superman, including writers and editors, would meet to discuss the upcoming storylines for the Man of Steel. Jokingly suggesting Superman’s death each time, writer Jerry Ordway finally proposed it at the 1991 meeting. Writer Louise Simonson then expressed how deaths could emphasize the significance of the fallen characters. Group editor Mike Carlin found this idea appealing because Superman sales had been declining, and he wanted readers to be reminded of why Superman was so crucial. And thus, “The Death of Superman” came into being.

I had the privilege of being part of an extraordinary comic book series back in the day, known as “The Death of Superman.” This epic tale unfolded across various Superman titles – “Superman,” “Adventures of Superman,” “Action Comics,” and “Superman: Man of Steel,” along with “Justice League America.

Kingdom Come

In my opinion, “Kingdom Come,” penned by Mark Waid and illustrated by Alex Ross, is often hailed as one of the most impactful DC stories from the ’90s. This narrative unfolds in a future where the traditional heroes have been supplanted by a more brutal generation of successors. It serves as a reflection of the ’90s trends seeping into the comic book world, and it underscores the enduring relevance of our timeless heroes even in this new era. Yet, amidst this exploration, it masterfully crafted a story that revolves around Superman’s profound influence on comics.

The most significant occurrence shaping the narrative of the story is Superman’s retirement from being Metropolis’ hero following Lois Lane’s death and the citizens’ endorsement of Magog, who killed the Joker for this crime. Superman’s comeback as a hero post the unintended devastation of Kansas by Magog’s Justice Battalion serves as the catalyst in “Kingdom Come,” leading to his struggle to instill the true essence of heroism in the new generation. Yet, there are hidden forces at play that even Superman remains oblivious to, and his ideals are challenged in ways he had never foreseen before. “Kingdom Come” is a contemporary masterpiece from DC Comics, with its emphasis on Superman underscoring why this character continues to be the heart of the comic book industry.

Superman: Up in the Sky

As a film enthusiast with a passion for comics, I can’t help but appreciate the profound impact Tom King has had on DC’s universe. His remarkable runs on iconic titles like Batman and Wonder Woman, as well as his captivating miniseries featuring lesser-known characters such as Supergirl, Mister Miracle, the Omega Men, Human Target, and numerous others, have left an indelible mark in the comic book world.

The captivating aspect of this tale lies in King’s exceptional portrayal of Superman. The narrative delves into the reasons behind Superman being the selfless hero who sacrifices all to save one young girl. It chronicles his journey as he confronts an array of seemingly insurmountable challenges, among which are addressing his own apprehensions for Earth and those dear to him, in a valiant attempt to rescue her. This is truly a heartwarming Superman narrative, enhanced by Andy Kubert’s artistry. With each new chapter, the story surpasses its preceding part, offering visual delights that satisfy every reader’s expectations from a Superman tale.

All-Star Superman

The comic book “All-Star Superman,” penned by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Frank Quitely, was initially planned to launch the All-Star series for DC Comics. This series aimed to rival Marvel’s Ultimate Universe of titles, but this didn’t quite work out due to the less successful All-Star Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder. Despite the failure of the All-Star line, All-Star Superman was a success. This 12-issue storyline saw Superman confronting his mortality, facing death at Lex Luthor’s doorstep, and undertaking the legendary Twelve Labors of Superman.

In my opinion, All-Star Superman stands out as one of the most accessible Superman comics for new readers, blending concepts from every era of Superman into a delightful blend that encapsulates the essence of Superman at its finest. Grant Morrison has undeniably earned his place among the most influential writers in DC Comics history, and All-Star Superman serves as a testament to his greatness.

2024-12-21 18:41