Guide to Superman

Everyone knows Superman, right?  Big guy, blue suit, red cape.  Fights for truth and justice, etc.  He’s an icon, the world’s first superhero, the inspiration for them all.  Every superhero is a reflection of, or sometimes a rejection of, the themes and principles he embodies.  And while details may differ from version to version, the broadstrokes always remain the same.

What follows are the 10 best graphic novels for getting into Superman.  Novels 1-6 on the list give you the best representation of Superman’s current history and are your best bet for understanding what is going on in his world right now.  7-10 are stories that don’t take place in our Superman’s timeline, but exist outside of it as “imaginary tales,” or “parallel universes.”  They are, however, widely accepted as some of the greatest Superman stories ever told in the comic book medium, and give a great representation of who Superman truly is.

1. Superman Birthright

Written by Mark Waid, this is the best modern interpretation of Clark Kent’s transformation into Superman.  Showcasing not only a new version of Krypton, brilliantly re-imagined by artist Leinil Yu, but also Clark and Superman’s first meetings with Lois Lane and Lex Luthor.  While this story is not strictly in-continuity at the moment, its 21st Century setting makes this a great place for the new fan to start reading.  Plus, the depictions of Lex and Lois are very similar to what you will find in the current monthly comic.  Until Secret Origin comes out, this is the most appropriate origin story available.

2. Superman/Batman: Supergirl

Jeph Loeb and the late Michael Turner team up to tell the modern origin of Superman’s cousin and fellow superhero, Kara Zor-El, also known as Supergirl.  Supergirl has become a major player not only in the world of Superman, but also in the wider DCU, and this is where it all begins.

3. Superman: Last Son

By Geoff Johns and Adam Kubert.  (Re-)Introducing Superman’s most feared enemy, fellow Kryptonian General Zod.  This story exhibits the lengths Zod and his fellow Phantom Zone prisoners are willing to go in order to achieve their goals.  Also introducing Christopher Kent and the modern version of Mon-El.  Both major players in Superman’s world, and the current stars of Action Comics and Superman, respectively.

4. Superman and the Legion of Superheroes

The first pairing of Geoff Johns and Gary Frank.  This volume reestablishes Superman’s connection of the Legion of Superheroes, both in terms of comics continuity and as a literal reunion of old friends.  Glimpses of Clark’s early history in Smallville only enhance this read, which shows the importance of the Legion to Clark, and vice versa.

5. Superman: Brainiac

Geoff Johns and Gary Frank return to give us the “one true” Brainiac.  This volume is a must-have for it’s exploration of the past (looser aspects of both Krypton and Supergirl’s histories are cemented at last) and it’s connection to the future, leading as it does directly into New Krypton.

6. Superman: New Krypton volume 1 (and eventually 2)

This is where it all happens.  The major changes that are still rocking Superman’s world to this day begin here.  When 100,000 Kryptonians arrive on Earth, Superman does his best to keep both his people and the forces of Earth from killing each other in open war.  The final decision of the Kryptonian refugees kicks off the current comics storyline.

7. Superman For All Seasons

Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale show us Superman’s first year on the job, as told through the eyes of his closest friends and enemies as they all try to figure out what makes the Man of Steel tick.  A heartwarming tale that shows us it isn’t always easy being Superman.  A major inspiration for the tv series Smallville.

8. All-Star Superman volumes 1 and 2

By Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely.  This is widely regarded as the best Superman story told this decade.  It re-imagines every aspect of the character and his world, telling a tale that is at once epic in scope yet ultimately human in scale.  A beauty.

9. Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow

Comic legend Alan Moore’s grand finale to the life of the Silver Age Superman, but it’s up to you to decide whether this is truly “Happily Ever After.”  Also contained is “For the Man who has Everything,” a look at what Krypton might have turned into had it not exploded.   Two Superman Fan favorites.

10. Kingdom Come

By Mark Waid and the incomparable Alex Ross.  Kingdom Comes tells the tale of a older Superman who has lost everything and everyone he holds dear, and yet who comes out of retirement to remind the world that real heroes never give up.  This story defined DC comics for a generation.

-There it is, my Top 10 Greatest Superman Graphic Novels.  The most important thing to remember is that there are tons of great Superman stories out there.  So don’t just read these, read ones from every era, featuring every character.  This list will give you a great framework, especially if you want to read the current comics, but its up to you to continue.  And be sure to keep an open mind.  The only thing limiting your enjoyment of  Superman is your own imagination.

Thanks for reading, and be sure to tell me which of your favorite stories I left off the list.  That way everyone will know how good they are.