COMICS • COLLECTOR GUIDES
Superman is Clark Kent, the Kryptonian hero created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and first published in 1938. Raised as Kal-El on Earth, he combines extraordinary powers with a strong moral ideal; his films range from the foundational Christopher Reeve series to later standalone and shared-universe interpretations.
Start with the essential comics, follow the character through the movie library, then continue into related stories and live shop inventory.
Kal-El is sent to Earth as an infant by his parents before the destruction of Krypton. Found and raised in Smallville by Jonathan and Martha Kent as Clark Kent, he grows up with extraordinary abilities powered by Earth's environment and the values taught by his adoptive family. As an adult he moves to Metropolis, works as a reporter and uses his powers openly as Superman.
Important comic-book milestones for the character and why each issue or story matters.
Major key · 1938Action Comics #1Major key — first appearance of Superman and the beginning of the superhero genre.Read collector guide →
Major key · 1939Superman #1Major key — first comic devoted to a single superhero.Read collector guide →
Major key · 1948Superman #53Major key — influential Golden Age retelling of Superman's origin.Read collector guide →
Major key · 1958Action Comics #242Major key — first appearance of Brainiac and the bottled city of Kandor.Read collector guide →
Major key · 1986The Man of Steel #1Major key — post-Crisis reworking of Superman's origin.Read collector guide →Additional source-material touchpoints from the movie guides below. Essential character keys already shown above are not repeated here.
Superman protects a subterranean people from frightened townsfolk after deep drilling disturbs them. The film uses the comics chiefly as a foundation for its screen version of the…
Kal-El comes to Earth, becomes Superman and faces Lex Luthor’s deadly land scheme. The film uses the comics chiefly as a foundation for its screen version of the…
Superman sacrifices his powers for Lois as three Kryptonian criminals conquer Earth. Its comic connection is a synthesis: familiar characters and ideas are combined into a new cinematic…
Superman is corrupted by synthetic kryptonite while a computer genius is exploited by a tycoon. The film uses the comics chiefly as a foundation for its screen version…
Superman tries to rid Earth of nuclear weapons and battles Lex Luthor’s Nuclear Man. The film uses the comics chiefly as a foundation for its screen version of…
Superman returns after years away and stops Lex Luthor’s continent-building scheme. In comic terms, its closest relationship is reeve-film sequel with comics influence.
Clark Kent reveals himself to defend Earth from General Zod’s Kryptonian invasion. The film uses the comics chiefly as a foundation for its screen version of the character…
Batman targets Superman as Lex Luthor engineers their conflict and unleashes Doomsday. Its closest comic relationship is multiple landmark arcs synthesized, with the feature reshaping that material for…
Batman and Wonder Woman assemble heroes to stop Steppenwolf after Superman’s death. Its comic connection is a synthesis: familiar characters and ideas are combined into a new cinematic…
Batman and Wonder Woman unite Earth’s heroes against Steppenwolf and Darkseid’s invasion. Its comic connection is a synthesis: familiar characters and ideas are combined into a new cinematic…
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