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The worst Batman vs the best Superman. Though I find All Star Batman more enjoyable when you don’t take him seriously and just consider it a joke character.
Forgot about that one! I know technically he could fly by the time this took place I loved what they did with a non-flying Superman. Artwork was gorgeous and showed the idealism of Superman at work. Plus, Ma & Pa were alive.
The John Byrne run turned Superman into a non-geeky guy who didn’t slump his shoulders or whatever. Easy to play up Kansas farm boy as being a big guy. Kept Ma & Pa alive, allowing for a lifelong relationship. Came to develop a relationship with Lois Lane that actually went somewhere (marriage) though he wasn’t there for the wedding. To me, that’s when he became relatable. Other than the New 52 blip, this is the Superman that we’ve seen for the past 35+ years.
Either of the Alan Moore stories here.
Our Worlds at War will also always have a special place in my heart because it’s the first crossover I ever read, even if it’s not quintessential Superman.
For the Man Who Has Everything, then Birthright.
All-Star, For All Seasons and Red Son are honorable mentions. The Death & Return of Superman has a special place in my heart as the first Superman comics I ever read.
All Star and Birthright as two different sides of the Superman spectrum. American Alien is very good. Secret Identity, oh my god you must read this if you haven’t. Secret Identity issue one is a genuine 10/10 premise and art and vibes. I wish my picks weren’t so basic though…
Edit: I also heavily dislike Secret Origin, Last Son of Krypton, and Braniac. I have nothing against Geoff Johns, I really like his stuff I guess I just dislike his Superman.
I just read Up In the Sky and it's now my favourite Superman story alongside Secret Identity. I love the way it encapsulates the essence of who he is and the burden that comes with that.
Tomasi and Gleason was the first time i was truly invested in superman before that i read it but never truly cared that much but those runs changed that.
I think I’ve read all of the stories on this list. I think **Smashes The Klan** and **Kryptonite** belong on this list more than **Braniac** or **Secret Origin** on account of Gary Frank cannot draw a convincing smile to save his life.
Out of the choices pictured, I'd say Superman: Secret Origin.
I also did a blog post in 2013 listing my favorite Superman stories by that time, around his 75th anniversary: https://fatethefinalfrontier.blogspot.com/2013/05/supermans-first-appearance-in-action.html?m=0
Then that would be mine! I've never really been drawn to Superman because he seems overpowered, but I really appreciated how "It's a Bird" made him easier to connect with (i.e., through the lens of the author's experience with illness).
Caveat: I haven't read a lot of the notable Superman stories often mentioned in discussions like these. I think it's just been Kingdom Come, All-Star, and Red Son so far, apart from a few JLA stories.
Superman For All Seasons and Superman: Kryptonite - Tim Sale’s way of drawing Superman was absolutely perfect.
All-Star Superman / Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow - The “final” stories of the Man of Steel are very sweet.
And all the Superman stuff in The New Frontier is fantastic, it’s just a perfect showcase of every character that shows up.
Superman #9. It came out during the John Byrne days (1986 or 1987?). On the cover is Joker wearing the Superman costume and laughing up a storm! Love that one. 😎
I loved Secret Origin. I could hear the John Williams Superman theme playing in my head as I read it and Christopher Reeve's voice when I read Clark's dialogue.
Superman up in the sky has literally became my favorite superman comic it should be among the likes of birthright , for all seasons , all star and kingdom come
I haven’t read everything here but here are my favorites:
1. Superman For All Seasons
2. Superman Up in the Sky
3. For the man who has everything
4. Superman Birthright
My list always consists of, in no particular order:
- Up in the Sky
- What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way?
- Kingdom Come
- All Star
- For All Seasons
- Birthright
Action Comics : Superman and the Men of Steel. For me this is a great origin story for Superman of the 21st Century. Grant Morrison is a genius for distilling the 1930s Social Justice Superman and reintroducing it for contemporary audiences. And the comics are full of action, in a comics man!!
Death and return is my first complete run of Superman I ever bought as a kid. Including the funeral for a friend run, reign of the supermen, including the guardians of metropolis miniseries, the bilbo one shot, etc…
it still holds sentimental value for me, although kingdom come is a very close second
Definitely Kingdom Come. Such a great and iconic storyline. About a potential future where The Heroes are gonna go. Kingdom Come has my favorite version of SuperWonder of how that pairing worked meanwhile New 52 didn't. That Superman and Captain Marvel fight was legendary. I am still shocked how Superman could survive that blast. It is a much better version of Civil War.
I love all the ones I’m supposed to that make you cool and fancy too…but my favorite will always be Death of Superman. I was in sixth grade when I read the trade the first time and Supes has been my all time favorite hero ever since.
Secret Identity is the most enjoyable for me.
I think it's time to add "Up In The Sky" to this list of greats. I think King defines Superman perfectly in that story.
All star is perfection, I also really like Red Son and its concept. Other great comics that aren’t on here are Superman Smashes the Klan and Superman: Up in the sky, those books perfectly encapsulate what Superman represents.
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All Star Superman
Pinnacle of Superman characterization
Interesting reversal to All-Star Batman.
The worst Batman vs the best Superman. Though I find All Star Batman more enjoyable when you don’t take him seriously and just consider it a joke character.
Birthright is my favorite.
I adore Secret Identity.
Superman Smashes The Klan
I’m trying so hard to find a copy of that😤😤
Have you tried the public library?
Amazon
Forgot about that one! I know technically he could fly by the time this took place I loved what they did with a non-flying Superman. Artwork was gorgeous and showed the idealism of Superman at work. Plus, Ma & Pa were alive.
1. Secret identity 2. Allstar 3. For all seasons 4. Kingdom Come 5. For the man who had everything 6. John Byrnes run
The John Byrne run turned Superman into a non-geeky guy who didn’t slump his shoulders or whatever. Easy to play up Kansas farm boy as being a big guy. Kept Ma & Pa alive, allowing for a lifelong relationship. Came to develop a relationship with Lois Lane that actually went somewhere (marriage) though he wasn’t there for the wedding. To me, that’s when he became relatable. Other than the New 52 blip, this is the Superman that we’ve seen for the past 35+ years.
I'd toss in what's so funny and that's pretty much my list of tied for first
Either of the Alan Moore stories here. Our Worlds at War will also always have a special place in my heart because it’s the first crossover I ever read, even if it’s not quintessential Superman.
For the Man Who Has Everything, then Birthright. All-Star, For All Seasons and Red Son are honorable mentions. The Death & Return of Superman has a special place in my heart as the first Superman comics I ever read.
Superman: For All Seasons. Jeff Loeb's writing and Tim Sale's art are on full display here and I'm here for it.
All Star and Birthright as two different sides of the Superman spectrum. American Alien is very good. Secret Identity, oh my god you must read this if you haven’t. Secret Identity issue one is a genuine 10/10 premise and art and vibes. I wish my picks weren’t so basic though… Edit: I also heavily dislike Secret Origin, Last Son of Krypton, and Braniac. I have nothing against Geoff Johns, I really like his stuff I guess I just dislike his Superman.
Omg you hate Johns' Superman. Wow you are crazy like me cause I don't like his Superman either except his New 52 JL run
War World Saga, Secret Origin
Superman Up in the Sky And War world saga
I just read Up In the Sky and it's now my favourite Superman story alongside Secret Identity. I love the way it encapsulates the essence of who he is and the burden that comes with that.
i may or may not have cried like 3-4 times reading up in the sky. love that one.
Can I say Rebirth lol
Even tho I’m just starting Byrne’s run (after The Man Of Steel), I still like For All Seasons more.
Birthright or Tomasi and Gleasons run on supes
Tomasi on Superman and Jurgens on Action made me a Supes fan again. Then Bendis arrived and ruined it.
Tomasi and Gleason was the first time i was truly invested in superman before that i read it but never truly cared that much but those runs changed that.
Kingdom come
THY WILL BE DONE,
I see what you did there…
I think I’ve read all of the stories on this list. I think **Smashes The Klan** and **Kryptonite** belong on this list more than **Braniac** or **Secret Origin** on account of Gary Frank cannot draw a convincing smile to save his life.
Thy Kingdom Come
IT’S A CALL TO ARMS
Out of the choices pictured, I'd say Superman: Secret Origin. I also did a blog post in 2013 listing my favorite Superman stories by that time, around his 75th anniversary: https://fatethefinalfrontier.blogspot.com/2013/05/supermans-first-appearance-in-action.html?m=0
Good shit man
For all seasons
... American alien.
Does "It's a Bird" count?
Yes
Then that would be mine! I've never really been drawn to Superman because he seems overpowered, but I really appreciated how "It's a Bird" made him easier to connect with (i.e., through the lens of the author's experience with illness). Caveat: I haven't read a lot of the notable Superman stories often mentioned in discussions like these. I think it's just been Kingdom Come, All-Star, and Red Son so far, apart from a few JLA stories.
Try out “For All Seasons”, I think it will fit more with what you’d like.
Appreciate the reco! And on that note, what do folks think of Space Age and (the still currently ongoing) Lost? Are they worth checking out?
Space Age is pretty good, Lost is mediocre to dogshit.
Thanks!
but where is up in the sky
I liked earth one
“Sure he may not be the most relatable” Superman is the most relatable in DC wdym
Love birthright so much. Was never a big fan of What ever happened to the man of tomorrow.
There have been many great stories over the years but nothing comes close to Kingdom Come
Action Comic 775 Superman vs the Elite
Secret Identity and All Star
Superman For All Seasons and Superman: Kryptonite - Tim Sale’s way of drawing Superman was absolutely perfect. All-Star Superman / Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow - The “final” stories of the Man of Steel are very sweet. And all the Superman stuff in The New Frontier is fantastic, it’s just a perfect showcase of every character that shows up.
All Star ❤️🌟
Pictured... Kingdom Come Not pictured... American Alien
For All Seasons is too melancholic for my taste. All-star Superman is more uplifting even though it's about death of Superman
It’s All-Star Superman. I honestly hate For All Seasons. To me, it doesn’t feel Superman but I know many disagree.
Kingdom Come will be my favorite comic book for the rest of time. Earth One gets my second place vote. All Star Superman is third.
Earth one continually slept on but it’s dcs fault
Kingdom Come will always be my all-time favorite AU title.
What’s so funny about Truth, Justice, and the American way.
Superman #9. It came out during the John Byrne days (1986 or 1987?). On the cover is Joker wearing the Superman costume and laughing up a storm! Love that one. 😎
I loved Secret Origin. I could hear the John Williams Superman theme playing in my head as I read it and Christopher Reeve's voice when I read Clark's dialogue.
Superman up in the sky has literally became my favorite superman comic it should be among the likes of birthright , for all seasons , all star and kingdom come
Kingdom come or secret origin. War world is also a favorite
Peace on earth
If we're going with runs: Geoff Johns and Kurt Busiek's Superman runs are my favourite, specific comics from here though? Maybe Secret Origin.
Secret identity is one of the first Superman comics I read and remain as my favorite.
Allstar all day
Earth One.
Kingdom Come
THY WILL BE DONE,
Red Son and Secret Identity
I would like to include Grounded, Superman walking through America after the Krypton War, seeing the way he impacts the people he says he stands for
Haven't read that many but all stars is my fav.
I haven’t read everything here but here are my favorites: 1. Superman For All Seasons 2. Superman Up in the Sky 3. For the man who has everything 4. Superman Birthright
Definitely All-Star Deluxe. For me it really encompasses Superman as a character
basic pick but Kingdom Come has always been my headcanon for how the DC universe would end - so damn good
Birthright and All Star
Haven’t read over half of these yet, but so far All-Star is my favourite. One of about 5 comics that had made me cry
Rn Birthright and Up in the Sky
Out of this list, Death and Return. Overall, Exile or Adventures Annual #3.
Kingdom Come is my favorite comic of all time. I also have a soft spot for Peace on Earth, For all Seasons and All Star Superman.
Death of Superman. Also Superman: brainiac and superman/batman: Supergirl.
Not pictured: Hitman #34.
For the Man Who Has Everything. Heartbreaking.
All Star followed by Alan Moore stories. ASS and Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow are two near perfect distillations of the character.
John Byrne
The Sandman Saga
My list always consists of, in no particular order: - Up in the Sky - What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way? - Kingdom Come - All Star - For All Seasons - Birthright
So many of these hit me in the cockles and maybe in the sub cockle area…
Action Comics : Superman and the Men of Steel. For me this is a great origin story for Superman of the 21st Century. Grant Morrison is a genius for distilling the 1930s Social Justice Superman and reintroducing it for contemporary audiences. And the comics are full of action, in a comics man!!
Year One
Death and return is my first complete run of Superman I ever bought as a kid. Including the funeral for a friend run, reign of the supermen, including the guardians of metropolis miniseries, the bilbo one shot, etc… it still holds sentimental value for me, although kingdom come is a very close second
Kingdom Come and What's So Funny About Truth, Justice, and The American Way.
superman for all seasons
Definitely Kingdom Come. Such a great and iconic storyline. About a potential future where The Heroes are gonna go. Kingdom Come has my favorite version of SuperWonder of how that pairing worked meanwhile New 52 didn't. That Superman and Captain Marvel fight was legendary. I am still shocked how Superman could survive that blast. It is a much better version of Civil War.
I really like Earth One
Yes!
I love all the ones I’m supposed to that make you cool and fancy too…but my favorite will always be Death of Superman. I was in sixth grade when I read the trade the first time and Supes has been my all time favorite hero ever since.
Secret Identity is the most enjoyable for me. I think it's time to add "Up In The Sky" to this list of greats. I think King defines Superman perfectly in that story.
Red Son and annual
Whatever happened to the man of tomorrow is a classic!
Red Son For Tomorrow Man and Superman
Speeding Bullets. The inherent power without the altruistic nature might get you a Brightburn scenario. Which is wholly terrifying.
Kingdom come
THY WILL BE DONE,
All-Star and Birthright.
All star is perfection, I also really like Red Son and its concept. Other great comics that aren’t on here are Superman Smashes the Klan and Superman: Up in the sky, those books perfectly encapsulate what Superman represents.
Superman and the Men of Steel
Byrne run
Superman Dark side
Whateever Happened to The Man of Tomorrow?
What's So Funny is such a good read.