SO – you want to read Superman comics, but you’re intimidated by the near-century of history this character has. Or, you’ve read a few comics with him, but you want to go back to the basics to understand his character and the mythology surrounding him. There are so many continuities, origin stories, and standalones – where do you start? Well…
[Image ID: a cropped edit of the Superman ‘78 #3 variant cover by Lee Weeks, showing Lois Lane sitting on the letters of the Daily Planet globe, and Clark flying above her in his Superman costume, reaching out to take her hand. Hand-written next to them is: "THE SUPERMAN STARTER READING LIST", and hand-written in the bottom right corner is: "by MYTHIC / superfam.tumblr.com". End ID.]
This list isn’t intended to be a full, comprehensive guide to Superman’s decades of history, but a curated taster of Clark Kent in the comics medium. It aims to show you a variety of interpretations from different authors of different contexts, but with the broad goal of helping newcomers understand the heart of the character. Not every comic is able to sum up all aspects of Superman, and some could be argued to miss certain points, but each one has been selected for this list for the goal of conveying the history and breadth of his interpretations.
It’s intended to be accessible to both long-dedicated comics fans and people who are new to the DC universe, or even the medium as a whole. As such, new fans are welcome to enjoy each story as a standalone interpretation.
Please understand that this list is built from my own experience with the character, and I don’t claim it to be better or worse than any other – it’s just one way to approach his history. Essentially, I’m attempting to create the sort of list I wish I had access to when first reading Superman comics. I highly encourage the reader to form their own interpretations of each work.
With all that out of the way, please enjoy!
[Image ID: An edit of Gary Frank's artwork from Superman: Secret Origin. A slightly battered Clark in his Superman outfit embraces Jimmy with his right arm and Lois with his left. All three are smiling. The background, which depicts a disaster scene and a defeated Lex Luthor chained to a building, is covered in a translucent blue overlay. Hand-written next to Clark is: "ORIGINS". End ID.]
SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #1-6 (2009-2010)
Geoff Johns & Gary Frank
Just a couple years before the 2011 reboot of the DC Universe, a new definitive origin story was created for a Superman post-Infinite Crisis (a major event which had changed the status quo of the multiverse).
Secret Origin is only six issues long, and a great, efficient introduction to Clark Kent and Superman. It focuses on telling Clark’s origins from his own perspective, as a hero but also simply as a person. It also does a good job of setting up important supporting characters including Lois, Jimmy, Perry, and Lex.
SUPERMAN: BIRTHRIGHT #1-12 (2003-2004)
Mark Waid, Leinil Francis Yu & Gerry Alanguilan
Though replaced by Secret Origin only a few years later, Birthright was written as the definitive origin story to overwrite Byrne’s 1986 reboot of the character. It was intended to bring Superman into the new century, and be more consistent with his modern interpretations. It is also influenced by the popularity of the TV series Smallville.
Birthright is longer and covers aspects of the Superman mythos in further depth, including dynamics between Clark, Lex, and the city of Metropolis, kryptonite, and Krypton in general. Due to its extended length, it also covers more on Clark’s relationship with his powers and heritage.
I highly recommend reading both modern preboot origins to experience different interpretations with different influences and intentions, even only a few years apart.
[Image ID: An edit of Tim Sale's artwork from Superman: For All Seasons. On the right, Clark lies on his bed, looking to the left with a wistful expression and with a hand on his dog curled up next to him. The background, which is his cluttered bedroom in Smallville, is overlaid with translucent grey. Hand-written to the left of Clark is: "INTROSPECTION". End ID.]
SUPERMAN SMASHES THE KLAN #1-3 (2019)
Gene Luen Yang & Gurihiru
This standalone story is set in 1946, and primarily draws upon the Golden and Silver Ages as inspiration. It’s an adaptation of an episode of The Adventures of Superman radio series, “The Clan of the Fiery Cross”, which famously dealt a major hit to the KKK’s operations in America by influencing public perceptions.
The story follows Clark as well as siblings Roberta and Tommy, two Chinese-American kids who have recently moved to the Metropolis suburbs, as they uncover and fight a local chapter of the KKK. The story explores themes of immigrant identity and self-acceptance in Clark and the kids’ narratives – it presents important concepts from Superman’s history, straight from the heart of his character, in a really effective way.
SUPERMAN: FOR ALL SEASONS #1-4 (1998)
Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale
This miniseries has four issues, each corresponding to a season and narrated by an important person in Clark’s life (in order: Jonathan ‘Pa’ Kent, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, Lana Lang). Tim Sale’s beautifully detailed and expressive art captures the complex emotions drawn out by having your life touched by Clark Kent, which works really well with the personal, confessional style of the narration. It’s a very intimate work.
It’s a great insight into both the triumphs and very personal struggles of Clark through the inner voices of some of the most important people in his life, and captures what makes his character work really well.
FOR THE MAN WHO HAS EVERYTHING (SUPERMAN (1939) ANNUAL #11) (1985)
Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
This is a single-issue annual from right before the DC universe was rebooted, and (unsurprisingly for Moore) explores some philosophical and ideological questions regarding the Man of Steel. On his ‘birthday’, Superman falls prey to an alien organism called The Black Mercy, which feeds on its victims while keeping them complacent with vivid hallucinations of their greatest desires. Clark hallucinates a still-living Krypton, which he is a part of – but perhaps not everything is perfect.
SUPERMAN: BRAINIAC (ACTION COMICS #866-870) (2008)
Geoff Johns & Gary Frank
Before retelling Superman’s beginnings in Secret Origin, Johns and Frank collaborated on this story arc which massively changes the status quo, partially by reintroducing a variety of pre-Crisis concepts including the original Brainiac and the bottled city Kandor. If you liked Secret Origin, you’ll probably like this one.
As this is our first story arc rather than self-contained story, it has more references to the ongoing continuity but is still easy enough to understand without that context. This story also prominently features Kara Zor-El as Supergirl and expands on some cosmic lore and Krypton in general.
SUPERMAN: UP IN THE SKY #1-6 (2019-2020)
Tom King & Andy Kubert
This is an accessible, self-contained exploration of the extent of Superman’s moral fibre, following Clark as he attempts to save a single girl who was abducted from Earth and taken into space. It’s quite abstract at points with the questions it asks about themes of compassion and commitment, which I think is conveyed particularly well in the panelling and artwork.
[Image ID: An edit of Frank Quitely's artwork from All Star Superman. Clark in his Superman outfit is flying with his arms outstretched. The top half of his face is cut off. The background is an abstract depiction of the heart of the sun, and has been overlaid with a translucent orange. Handwritten beneath Clark is: "INTERPRETING AND RE-INTERPRETING". End ID.]
THE K-METAL FROM KRYPTON (drafted 1940, restored 2004-2011)
Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster Studio
The K-Metal from Krypton is an unpublished and unfinished comic from 1940, written by Superman creator Jerry Siegel, and drafted by the studio of the other Superman creator, Joe Shuster. After being lost for decades, the story has slowly been recovered and restored by Superman fans.
Though this one is much more unconventional than the other items on the list, I think it’s extremely important to Superman’s history and generally understanding him as a character. It comes from a time when creative control of their character was being taken from Siegel and Shuster, and though it is unknown why this story was unpublished, that’s a major point of context to keep in mind.
This draft sets up the predecessor to kryptonite in the Superman comics – “K-Metal” – and also contains a scene where Clark reveals his identity to Lois, and they agree to be partners in helping others. This is a major departure from the status quo of Clark keeping his secret from Lois as she tries to uncover it, which would continue for the rest of the Golden and Silver Ages.
The restoration effort can be read online: http://theages.superman.nu/k-metal/splash.php
THE MAN OF STEEL #1-6 (1986)
John Byrne & Dick Giordano
This limited series is the immediate post-Crisis origin story and reinvention of Superman. It wasn’t put in the Origins section because I think from a modern perspective it shouldn’t be an introduction to Clark, but rather something you read to understand the history of his character.
It originated major changes in the Superman mythology, some of which have become instilled in it (such as Lex Luthor and Lois Lane’s modern characterisations), and others which have been forgotten or discarded.
One major thing is the great effort this origin made to make Clark American over being Kryptonian… Byrne has expressed great distaste of portrayals of Superman which emphasise his immigrant identity, and that should be kept in mind while critically reading this work.
ALL-STAR SUPERMAN #1-12 (2005-2008)
Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely
Arguably the most critically acclaimed Superman comic, this has been saved for late in the list as I believe it’s enhanced with more context of and experience with Clark. This is a series which explores the nature of storytelling and legacy, which was created with the aim of creating a timeless Superman story.
When Superman learns he will soon die, what does he reflect on? What does he change? This is heavily inspired by, and is a love letter to, Silver Age Superman.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE MAN OF TOMORROW? (SUPERMAN #423 & ACTION COMICS #583) (1986)
Alan Moore, Curt Swan & George Pérez
Written in the wake of Crisis on Infinite Earths, this is another story about Superman ‘dying’, and is essentially a great mediation on and send-off to the Silver Age incarnation of the character. It refers to itself as an “imaginary” story, and can be seen as one concrete ending for this version of Clark Kent and the rest of the Superman characters, in a medium with few.
It can be found in a collection with For the Man Who Has Everything.
SUPERMAN: RED AND BLUE #1-6 (2021)
Various
To finish off our starter reading list, let’s move from Superman’s end to his future. This is an anthology of short stories from various authors and artists, exploring a spread of visions of the Man of Tomorrow.
I think it’s an appropriate end for this starter exploration of Clark Kent’s many interpretations! As with all anthologies, it has its ups and downs in quality, but as a whole I truly believe it captures the heart of this character.
Thank you for reading all this way. I really hope this reading list helps you delve into the character of Superman and inspires you to read further beyond what I’ve suggested here.
Most of all, I hope it helps at least some people grow to love Clark Kent as much as I have.
A PDF version of this reading list is available here.
[Image ID: A black-and-white illustration of young teenager Clark Kent as Superboy. He is in a grassland at night and floating slightly above the ground. He looks at the viewer with an intense indifferent expression. End ID.]
every person who has spent more than 20 mins with me and doesnt mind superman (2025) spoilers in the past month has heard about my issues with superman (2025). if you are one of those people..... im not sorry.............
An edited panel of Lois Lane. She is positioned to the left and facing the right, holding up a recorder, and is wearing a dark blue, fur-lined parka, pants in the same colour, tan mid-calf heeled boots, and salmon pink gloves. A shadow of her silhouette in dark brown has been edited to emphasise her, and the background is plain light blue.
An edited panel of Lois Lane. She is striding from the left of the panel to the right, and is wearing a baggy, pastel pink sweater, a knee-length burgundy pencil skirt with a slit up the middle, and grey mid-calf boots. She is holding a piece of paper and has an excited expression. A shadow of her silhouette in dark burgundy has been edited to emphasise her, and the background is plain light pink.
An edited panel of Lois Lane. She is positioned slightly to the right and is shown facing the viewer, her hands on her hips, looking frustrated. She is wearing a cool grey brimmed hat, a baggy mint green suit with a long blazer and a skirt which reaches below her knees, a frilly white jabot around her neck, grey gloves and tights, and high heels the same shade as her suit. A shadow of her silhouette in dark grey-blue has been edited to emphasise her, and the background is plain light green.
An edited panel of Lois Lane. She is placed in the bottom right corner of the image, sitting in a chair, facing the viewer, gesturing with her right hand, looking at where she is gesturing. She is wearing a white scarf around her neck, a baby blue, textured sweater, a long white skirt which goes beyond her knees, and mid-calf white boots. Her hair is clasped behind her head. A shadow of her silhouette in dark blue has been edited to emphasise her, and the background is plain cool grey.
Hello. This ask activated my every neuron. I am working on a big list right now, with illustrations and everything, but to tide you over I will recommend a couple right now! (And keep an eye out for that lmao)
If you're interested in comics history and don't mind reading something vintage:
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane (1958) #121-127, aka Dorothy Woolfolk's time as editor. This book was really not a good time for Lois' character as a whole, but in the short period where Woolfolk was editor, Lois quit her job at the Daily Planet and became a freelancer. She also broke up with Superman who is used here as sort of a chauvinist figure for her to oppose (very unfortunate Clark writing, but I am here for Lois, not him in this case). You can definitely see the second-wave feminism influence, and she actually gets to do some stuff and investigate things on her own. I also recommend reading #120 first, as though it's not from Woolfolk's run as editor, it provides some very important context.
Again, warning for the 70s of it, including chauvinist Superman and some very frustrating jokes about one of Lois' roommates whose entire personality is that she can't abide by her diet.
If you crave something more recent, maybe try Lois Lane Vol 2 (2019) #1-12 (published as Lois Lane: Enemy of the People). It's a lot less dated and Lois has plenty to do in it. Overall, I have some complicated feelings about it, but I did like it and think it's a solid story. I will have more thoughts on this in my full list.
And if you are down for a middle grade story, maybe try the Girl Taking Over graphic novel. It's definitely more of a light tone/for younger readers but it's really fun and captures the feeling of her character in a way I appreciate.
Unfortunately, at this point in time, I haven't really encountered a 100% definitive Lois Lane story. (If anyone out there has one, please let me know.) To be clear, I've been looking for stories where she is the main character. While there are some amazing Loises in Clark-focused stories, I also want her to have her own stories.
I think she's best understood in the ways her character has developed over the years, which is the goal of my reading list!! Okay! Enjoy these in the meantime!! :)
[Image ID: A full-body digital illustration of Lois Lane in an all-red outfit featuring a button-up, shorts, bag, and knee-high boots. She has one hand on her hip. She is staring defiantly at something off-panel. End ID.]
Anyway, here's a panel redraw from that time in the 1970s when Lois quit her job at the Planet, became a freelancer, and went on a bunch of adventures without Superman (Dorothy Woolfolk's run as editor).
Lois reading list soon to come >:)
[Image ID: The same subject matter as the last image, but as a 1970s comic panel. Lois stands in front of an open door and says, "Hello, gentlemen!" End ID.]
[Image ID: A full-body digital illustration of Lois Lane in an all-red outfit featuring a button-up, shorts, bag, and knee-high boots. She has one hand on her hip. She is staring defiantly at something off-panel. End ID.]
Anyway, here's a panel redraw from that time in the 1970s when Lois quit her job at the Planet, became a freelancer, and went on a bunch of adventures without Superman (Dorothy Woolfolk's run as editor).
Lois reading list soon to come >:)
[Image ID: The same subject matter as the last image, but as a 1970s comic panel. Lois stands in front of an open door and says, "Hello, gentlemen!" End ID.]
yeah so i wake up and i think about lois lane and i go to work and read lois lane comics on the bus and i think about lois lane and i think about lois lane and i do my work i guess while thinking about lois lane and then i go home while listening to my lois lane playlist and i think about lois lane and i draw lois lane and i get into bed and think about lois lane until i sleep
