There is perhaps no comic book character who is as iconic as Superman. He is a character who helped introduce superheroes to the public, has been at the center of many movies and shows, and is one of the most recognizable pop culture figures of all time. That's not to mention the countless comic books he's starred in.
Given how long the character has been around, there are so many great stories that have defined and redefined Superman over the years. Ranker's collection of the best Superman comic book storylines shows his greatest adventures, hardest struggles, and the things that made him an icon.
Death Of Superman
It seems when a comic book character has been around long enough, the only thing left to do with them is to kill the beloved hero off. That seemed to be the approach with "Death of Superman" which grew into a huge pop culture phenomenon.
The story follows Superman's battle to the death with the alien being Doomsday which results in Superman giving his life to save the day. Comic book fans will know that few heroes really stay dead, but this particular story left the public in mourning.
Superman: Red Son
Despite the fact that he was actually an alien, Superman became a hero who was also a symbol for America. In fact, he famously stood for "truth, justice and the American way." But "Superman: Red Son" explored an alternate version of the hero who landed in the Soviet Union rather than Kansas.
It is a fascinating new look at the hero's origins and suggests that Kal-El was not an inherently heroic being but was made that way by the environment he grew up in. Along with the character study and an evil version of Superman, the storyline is a thrilling look at an alternate reality within the DC universe.
Superman For All Seasons
Superman has become such a huge figure in the world that it can be hard for a comic book storyline to not just take a look at him as this powerful symbol. However, that is just what "Superman for All Seasons" did and made for an engrossing look at the hero.
The story follows the journey of Clark Kent aka Superman as a hero, from his days as a boy in Smallville to his heroic adventures in Metropolis. The journey is divided into four accounts taking place in each season and being told by important figures from his life, including family, friends, and foes.
Superman: Last Son
There has always been an interesting balance between Superman's identity as a Kryptonian and his new life on Earth. That balance is put to the test in the storyline "Last Son." The story finds a pod, similar to the one that brought Kal-El to Earth, crash landing and carrying a young Kryptonian child.
The story shows a new side of Superman as he becomes very protective of this child even as others fear him. The storyline also references the Superman movies by Richard Donner, including Zod as the villain.
Superman: Brainiac
There have been many eras of Superman, some of which feature tones and concepts that felt outdated over time. However, "Superman: Brainiac" seemed dedicated to helping bring back some elements of the Silver Age of the hero while keeping a modern feel.
The result is an emotional and thrilling story in which Superman faces one of his best villains, Brainiac. The storyline brings back the classic take on the villain as well as some wilder ideas that combine for a surprisingly touching tale.
What's So Funny About Truth, Justice, And The American Way?
A criticism that Superman has received over the years is that, given he is the perfect hero, he is not always the most interesting character. He is sometimes seen as too good and noble to allow for real conflict. But "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way?" directly addresses that feeling.
The story finds a new breed of superheroes known as The Elite coming to Metropolis and being met with gratitude by the public for their more violent means of fighting crime. This leads to Superman reflecting on himself as a hero.
Man Of Steel 1-6
Given how famous he is, it's no surprise that the origin story of Superman is common knowledge to the general public. However, it is a story that has been told and retold countless times in the comics. With so many complicated versions of the same story, "Man of Steel 1-6" looked to simplify things.
The story explores Kal-El being sent to Earth, being raised by the Kents, discovering his true origins, and finally embracing his role as a protector of humanity.
Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow?
As with any big superhero, no matter the storylines that are followed, there will always be new Superman stories to come. But "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow" felt like a farewell to the character even more than "Death of Superman" did.
The storyline came in the aftermath of the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" story which did away with the multiverse and simplified the DC universe. This also meant Superman's Silver Age depiction would end in favor of a modern take and this story served as a goodbye to that version.
Kingdom Come
At a certain point in comic book history, there was a turn towards a grittier and darker take on superheroes. While Superman's colleagues like Batman fit very well into this world, the Man of Steel himself suddenly felt outdated.
"Kingdom Come" was a standalone story that directly addressed this idea as it explores a world in which Superman has retired from his crime-fighting life when a new generation of violent vigilantes emerges. The story explores just what it is about Superman that makes him the icon he is.
All-Star Superman
Some of the most interesting Superman stories have taken place outside of the continuity of the regular comics to allow stories that take risks with the character. Like "Superman for All Seasons", "All-Star Superman" attempts to grapple with Superman's legacy while also serving as another ending for the character.
The story begins with Superman learning that he is gradually dying from radiation and then follows how he, the people in his life, and the world at large deal with the idea of a world without Superman. It is most acclaimed for being the story that best explores the humanity of Superman.