The most important stories of Superman comics

Key things

• Superman stories focus on his human struggles and decisions when faced with moral dilemmas.
• The comics depict Superman's vulnerability, mentorship, and legacy beyond his superhuman abilities.
• Various authors explore the depth of the character, the relationships, and the impact of Superman as a symbol of hope.

Superman is one of the most popular superheroes and comic book characters, an alien who grows up on Earth to become a symbol of hope for everyone. He is considered by many to be one of the best written superheroes and as a fan favorite he serves as an inspiration to readers.

These are some of the most important Superman comic books that depict who Superman is: his origins, motivations, philosophy, and impact on the overall story.

10 Superman: In heaven

A difficult choice requires the strongest will

• Author: Tom King, Andy Kubert
• Issue number: 6
• Release date: September 2019

Superman: Up to Heaven explores one of Superman's challenges as a hero and how far he is willing to go to save someone in need. The story centers on a child who was abducted from the city of Metropolis by aliens. Superman is torn between trying to save the child and the fact that his absence will leave Metropolis unattended.

This forces him to enter into a philosophical struggle within himself, and readers see him not only as a hero, but also as a human, torn between choosing to save one child and leaving thousands, including the love of his life, unprotected.

9 Superman: Birthright

Man. God. Hero.

• Author: Mark Waid
• Issue number: 12
• Release date: September 2003

Superman: Birthright focuses on the young Clark Kent, who struggles with the problem of identity, willingness to help as a person and alienation in the environment in which he finds himself. Instead of focusing on him as Superman, the hero everyone looks up to for strength and protection, this story focuses on him as Clark Kent.

He grapples with the motivations and thoughts of a young man who wants to play his part in influencing people's lives, not as a larger-than-life figure, but as a simple man. This run does an amazing job of showing the human aspects of Clark Kent and portraying his struggles trying to fit in as an outsider.

8 Superman: The Warworld Saga

A hero, No matter where he finds himself

• Author: Philip Kennedy, Grant Morrison
• Issue number: 22
• Release date: March 2021

The saga of the world of war again explores Superman's qualities as a hero, but this time not on Earth, but on a distant planet after learning of an enslaved race that had a mysterious connection to Krypton. His journey to free a race of enslaved people from their Masters doesn't go so easily either, and he is once again stripped down to the foundations of what makes him a man and a hero, not only as a man, but also in terms of his influence — politically and philosophically. The story does a good job of stripping the character of all familiar facades and establishing her as a symbol of hope.

7 Superman: Kryptonite

Finding out you're not invincible can hurt

• Author: Darwyn Cooke
• Issue number: 6
• Release date: January 2007

As readers have seen Superman in vulnerable positions mentally and philosophically, in Superman: Kryptonitethey also experience that he is physically vulnerable. This story explores Superman's mortality and his first contact with his biological weakness, Kryptonite, a radioactive piece of his planet that can kill him.

Used to being an indestructible force, the Man of Steel must contend with being just as vulnerable and mortal as any other human as he tries his best to save the day and remain the light and hope of the world. the world despite this vulnerability.

6 Superman: Secret Identity

Anyone can be a hero

• Author: Kurt Busiek
• Issue number: 4
• Release date: January 2004

Unlike typical Superman stories, this beautiful work by Kurt Busiek doesn't focus on the Superman readers know, but rather on boys in the “real world” where superheroes are simply comic book characters. Yet he shares the same name as the fictional character Clark Kent, making him the center of ridicule, derision, and constant comparison to the hero's superpower in fiction.

In this story, Clark Kent is a simple young man who wants to become a writer, but one day he discovers that he has the abilities of his fictional namesake. Readers follow him to understand the effect of power given to a normal person, to find out where that power comes from and the decisions they make as a result. This is a story that does something others cannot do on a personal level. It takes a common man and gives him superhuman power, without any superhuman virtues, and shows us that we all have a sense of what is good and wonderful.

5 Superman: For All Seasons

See Superman through the eyes of others

• Author: Jeph Loeb
• Issue number: 4
• Release date: September 1998

A unique approach to storytelling in For all seasons explores Clark's growth and the emotional impact of his dual identity, emphasizing themes of nurture over nature and the responsibility of heroism. The art style complements the introspective tone and enhances the timeless quality of Superman's journey; the story spans from his teenage years to his early years as Superman and is framed in four seasons that introduce and narrate key characters in the growth of Clark Kent's character.

Spring by Johnathan Kent, Summer by Lois Lane, Fall by Lex Luthor and Winter by Lana. It has an intimate narrative and has been considered a modern classic for exploring Superman's heart and soul, making it a unique and essential look at the iconic character.

4 All-Star Superman

The best example of what a hero should be

• Author: Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely
• Issue number: 12
• Release date: November 2005

All-Star Supermanled by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, follows Superman after he is fatally struck by solar radiation due to one of Lex Luthor's plots. Faced with his impending death, Superman embarks on a series of heroic “jobs” showcasing his abilities and deepening relationships with characters such as Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, among others.

The story explores themes of legacy, love and heroism, depicting Superman's unwavering commitment to humanity as a symbol of hope. Each issue presents separate adventures that together emphasize the essence of his character, making it a seminal work in Superman's heroic stories.

3 Superman: American Alien

Being and feeling alone is nothing new for him

• Author: Max Landis
• Issue number: 7
• Release date: January 2016

This beautiful work of literature explores the formative years of Clark Kent and focuses on his growth from Kansas farmer to iconic superhero. Every release American alien featuring a variety of artists including Jock and Francis Manapulo, it presents unique stories that mix humor, drama and action. The story depicts Clark's struggles with his power and identity and highlights his relationships with key characters such as Jonathan and Martha Kent, Lois Lane and Lex Luthor.

The series offers a new take on Superman's story, emphasizing his humanity alongside his extraordinary abilities. He is celebrated for the depth of character, emotional nuance, and distinct storytelling style he brings to one of DC's most iconic heroes.

2 Superman: For tomorrow

Despite insurmountable odds, he never backs down

• Author: Brian Azzarello
• Issue number: 4
• Release date: June 2004

The story of Superman: For tomorrow begins a year after a mysterious event causes the disappearance of a million people, including Lois Lane, and Superman struggles with the guilt of not being able to save them. The narrative intertwines Superman's quest to uncover the truth behind the disappearance with his conversations with Father Leon, a priest who questions his faith.

As Superman faces various challenges, including a megalomaniac seeking interplanetary conquest, the arc explores themes of responsibility, loss, and the moral dilemmas the hero faces. The series is known for its introspective tone and impressive artwork, making it a significant entry in the Superman lore.

1 Superman: Last Son of Krypton

Being a hero can be hard, but being a mentor is harder

• Author: Richard Donner, Geoff Johns
• Issue number: 2
• Release date: January 2013

Superman: The Last Son of Krypton is centered on the arrival of a Kryptonian boy named Chris Kent who is discovered by Superman and Lois Lane. He has similar powers to Superman, but struggles with his Kryptonian identity and heritage. As Superman navigates his role as a mentor, he faces threats from General Zod and his followers as they seek to reclaim their place on Earth.

The story explores themes of family, responsibility, and the complexities of legacy, ultimately culminating in an emotional confrontation that tests Superman's values ​​and determination to protect Earth.