Superman had one of his most dynamic periods in the comics in the 1990s, thanks to The Death Of Superman and the stories that followed. Though the shadow of the story continues to loom large over the comics as well as other media, there were many other fantastic issues in Superman-related comics from the period.
Some of the Man Of Steel's most memorable stories occur in this period, as the character is interpreted by a wide variety of creators for a new era. Though the '90s are generally thought of in connection with the speculator bubble, it was also a time of creative experimentation and growth for Superman as he died, came back to life, and become relevant again in pop culture.
Superman #81
This 1993 issue is significant for the period but also Superman history for being the issue in which Superman returns from the dead. Though it was no surprise to comic book fans at the time, the story, written by longtime Superman writer and artist Dan Jurgens, contains a lot of emotion and pathos. It also introduces a black Kryptonian battlesuit that would become a staple of Superman lore going forward not just in the comics but also in other media, in particular the DCEU movies like Zack Snyder's Justice League.
JLA #6
JLA #6 is an unusual issue of the '90s era of the Justice League. It may not be surprising given it's written by Grant Morrison, but their always inventive storytelling is what sets this one apart. An angel named Zauriel falls to Earth and Superman, at this time a being of pure blue energy, ends up having to protect him from other angels and demons. As if that weren't enough the storyline also involves the moon being sent hurtling toward Earth. It's a great example of Morrison's idiosyncratic storytelling and a sign of things to come.
DC One Million #1
There are many versions of Superman throughout comics in general, like Omni-Man, and there are just as many in DC Comics. One of the most powerful and interesting, Superman Prime, appears in DC One Million #1. This 1998 issue, again by Grant Morrison, was part of a crossover that brought the present-day superheroes into contact with their counterparts from far in the future. Justice League Alpha from the 853rd Century is full of gonzo ideas, like an entire legion of Superboy clones, making this story essential for Morrison and Superman fans.
Superman For All Seasons #1
As much as the comics of the '90s tried to position Superman for the future, others tried to remember the past. Superman For All Seasons #1, is a fantastic story that looks back on Superman's life with an interesting narrative conceit: each issue has a different narrator and corresponds with a different season. Written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Tim Sale, responsible for some of the best Batman story arcs of all time, like The Long Halloween, provide a classic rendition of the Man Of Steel that still feels modern and essential.
Superman: Peace on Earth
Superman: Peace on Earth is an extraordinary one-shot issue from 1998, really a graphic novel, by an all-time creative team in writer Paul Dini and artist Alex Ross. Most of Superman's adventures involve him using his strength to fight against supervillains, but in this story, he tries to combat the evil of poverty.
It's a brilliant showcase for Superman's humanity, and the inhuman injustice he encounters in trying to do something as simple and heroic as feed people who are starving. Dini and Ross avoid the typical showdown with the villain at the end of the story. Instead, Superman grapples with the reality that there are some problems, like world hunger, that his super strength and heat vision can't fix.
Superman #80
A number of issues during The Reign Of Superman storyline that followed The Death Of Superman event are key. Superman #80 might be one of the most consequential issues in DC Comics history. In this issue, the home of Green Lantern, Coast City, is destroyed by the Eradicator. This leads to major ramifications for Hal Jordan, including him destroying the Green Lantern Corps and becoming the supervillain Parallax. This led to a new Green Lantern, Kyle Rayner, all of which could serve as inspiration for the upcoming Green Lantern reboot.
The Man Of Steel #22
The Man Of Steel #22 is a significant issue from the '90s for the proper introduction of Steel. John Henry Irons had first appeared in the Adventures of Superman #500, but this issue gives fans the full debut of the character in his now-iconic Steel armor. He would become a major part of The Reign Of Supermen storyline in the early '90s and an important character in the Superman mythos in the years to come. He would be the star of a movie featuring Shaquille O'Neal and would also make numerous appearances in animated series and video games.
Kingdom Come #1
Kingdom Come is one of the best examples of Elseworlds stories in DC Comics, and the first issue is a major showcase for Superman. Long retired after the death of Lois Lane, Superman is called back to service by the increasingly violent and careless actions of a new generation of superheroes.
Written by Mark Waid and painted by Alex Ross, the story is a direct commentary on the '90s, a period in which comics became more violent in general. The story of a seemingly antiquated Superman taking on the excesses of the modern age still has staying power to this day. The story both lionized its Golden Age heroes and critiqued them, questioning the role they played in causing, rather than solving, their world's problems.
Superman #75
Few single issues of comics are as consequential as Superman #75, the culmination of the classic but controversial The Death Of Superman storyline. The issue still has value outside of its cultural context for the ambitious way the art is rendered. The issue consists entirely of splash pages, drawn by Dan Jurgens, which depicts the epic battle between Superman and Doomsday. Though the story may not hold up, the issue remains key in the greater history of the character and certainly important in his story from the '90s.
Superman #82
Just as important but perhaps less well-known is Superman #82. This issue, written and drawn again by Dan Jurgens, features the final battle between the resurrected Superman and his evil nemesis, the Eradicator. The story involves all of the Superman surrogates, including Superboy and Steel, as they team up to stop the murderous rampage of the Eradicator. Though the overall story may not rank as high as other classic Superman stories, it's a great affirmation of the character's importance not just in his own comic but to comics in general.