Essential Required Superman titles

[Elithraldor]

Just like the one over at the batman forum could someone make a topic like that pleasE? I want to get into superman :D please?

Thanks.

[The Shadow]

Superman Annual #11... Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow by Alan Moore

Death of Superman... though it was a short term thing, it is required reading

Kingdom Come... need I say more?

[Goblin_Lord]

i find its always best to just start with the latest monthly issues of the Superman titles. They are:

Adventure of Superman
Superman
Action Comics
Superman/Batman

And if you just cant get enough of 'ol Supes, I recommend JLA as well. If you want a pretty good origin story read Superman: Birthright by Mark Waid. It's in hardcover format now.

[mckracken]

Best Superman story ive read so far (still trying to track down the Moore 2 parter)

Action Comics 775

Quintessential issue that gets to the core of Superman's being.

[tk421atpost]

What the author of this thread was looking for was a listing of Essential Superman TPBs.

[mckracken]

his loss then :) second printing is out too, so availabliity shouldnt be a problem.

[tk421atpost]

It's not his "loss", you simply misunderstood what he was looking for. As for Action 775, I personally didn't like that issue and I wouldn't recommend it.

Some quick recommendations...

The Man Of Steel - John Byrne - a great retelling of Supermans origin and early days as a hero.

Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow? - Alan Moore & Co. - A great What If? style tale that brings an end to the Silver Age Superman.

Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told (several volumes) - Various - A couple of collections of notable Superman tales from over the years.

Superman in the 60's, 70's, etc - Various - Similar to the above listing but catogorized by the decade in which they were published.

Death of Superman/ World Without a Superman/ Return of Superman - Various - Three trades collecting the saga from the early ninties in which Superman died fighting Doomsday, the fallout from his absence, and eventually his return.

There are many more good collections available, but I'll leave it to others to offer their suggestions.

[mckracken]

a bit touchy are we?

[Elithraldor]

Was Superman: Birthright good?

[666MasterOfPuppets]

Was Superman: Birthright good?

Of course it was good. Essencial reading to know the new origin of The Man Of Steel.

[Mister Mets]

By essential Superman stories, I'm thinking of the best of the best Superman tales ever.

Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? (Six dollar TPB, and Alan Moore's second best work- Watchmen's #1)
Man For All Seasons (The best thing Jeph Loeb- Tim Sale ever did, and a great Year 1 story.)
Superman Annual 11 "For the Man Who Has everything" (excellent Alan Moore tale, collected in the excellent "The Collected DC Universe Stories of Alan Moore" TPB)
Kingdom Come
Action Comics #775 (the recent Second Printing makes this readily available.)

Thge Man of Steel, and Death & Return of Superman were good tales, but I'd never say they're amongst the greatest comic books ever.

I don't read the current books (although I did pick up the first six issues of Jim Lee's Superman) so I don't know how many of them are essential.

[The Shadow]

Byrne's Superman is awesome!

The Man of Steel mini and then the 1st 20 or so issues of the monthly are great (are they in trade yet?)

[Gingold]

I'd start with "The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told" TPB (which includes Moore's classic Annual, a representave John Byrne story, and lots of early classics like the original "Superman Red and Superman Blue" stories) and go from there.

The "decades" book are great fun, if you enjoy the older stuff you find in that book, I'd look for them. "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" is probably the best modern Superman story, so get that. The Byrne/Ordway/Wolfman stuff is in the process of being reprinted now, and worth reading. Some of the most offbeat Superman stories can be found the the Jimmy Olsen by Jack Kirby TPBs and "Tales from the Bizarro World". The books reprinting the 90s Death and Return of Superman all pretty compelling, too. "Man for All Seasons" is very good, as is Kingdom Come. "Red Son" is probably the best of the Elseworlds stories that's been reprinted.

[Elithraldor]

No one wanted to sticky this topic? To help new readers like myself?

[Maestro]

Don't know about essential, but I'll list some stuff I thought was great:

Superman for All Seasons
Superman: Birthright
Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
Kingdom Come
Action Comics #775 (I know it's been reprinted in a trade somewhere)
Superman: Secret Identity
Supreme: The Story of The Year
Supreme: The Return

[SuperManny]

No one wanted to sticky this topic? To help new readers like myself?

Not necessary, since it's ultimately a matter of opinion and constantly changing. I've been working on making a sticky of collected Superman reads, to which everyone can tab their opinion on each book or so.

Thanks for the suggestion!

[CLavery]

Byrne's Superman is awesome!

The Man of Steel mini and then the 1st 20 or so issues of the monthly are great (are they in trade yet?)

I'll have to recommend John Byrnes Supermans as well. He done the Man of Steel mini series that retold Supermans origin after crisis on infinite earths. He wrote and drew Action Comics 584-600 and Superman Vol.2 1-22. He also done 3, 4 part mini series based on the world around superman. I haven't read them so I don't know much more about them.

[WolverineEatsBabies]

A warning: You can read Death of Superman, but, I'd stay away from Return of.
Unless you really want to know how it ends.
Otherwise, it sucks.

[Lurker]

Just like the one over at the batman forum could someone make a topic like that pleasE? I want to get into superman :D please?

Thanks.

"Superman: Birthright" by Mark Waid & Lenil Francis Yu

For an alternative take: "Superman: Red Son" by Mark Millar & and a couple of different artists

Also, check out the monthly comics in April when a new storyline debuts in all of them.

[dancj]

A warning: You can read Death of Superman, but, I'd stay away from Return of.
Unless you really want to know how it ends.
Otherwise, it sucks.

WOw - I've never heard that opinion before.

For my money, The Death of Superman and A World Without a Superman were pretty dull, but The Return of Superman a great yarn that makes the whole thing worthwhile. In fact I'd say that The Return of Superman was about the only really good story from the whole Jurgens/Stern era of the comics.

[Archer]

Hey, I haven't read a single Superman comic, but I'd like to pick up a few "essential" trades some time - so, which trades are the best or most defining for the character? Say four or five must-haves I should try and pick up?

[Lurker]

Essential Collected Works (in no particular order)

Kingdom Come

Superman: Red Son

Superman for All Seasons

Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow

Superman: Birthright

[Mister Mets]

I'd say the best Superman stories for beginners are (for about 25 dollars total)...

Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Steel?
Great last Superman story, with Superman fighting his major enemies. And it's 6 bucks.

Superman: Man For All Seasons
Excellent "Year One" story about Clark Kent in Smallville, and Metropolis.

Action Comics #775- Excellent Superman one-shot with one of his greatest battles ever. Demonstrates why Superman is needed in the world. A second printing was recently made, so this should be readily available. The cover price is less than 4 bucks.

I personally didn't like "Birthright" and wouldn't recommend "Kingdom Come" to someone unfamiliar with the DCU (beautiful art, but too many characters.)

[TJ Shoun]

Superman Birthright

Superman the Man of Steel

Superman for All Seasons

The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told (If you don't have an aversion to a few Golden Age and Silver Age stories)

The first three are essential in understand the modern age Supes. The Man of Steel and Birthright are both retellings of his origin... updates, if you will, of the core mythos. So don't be surprised if there's more than a few contradictions between them. :)

[TJ Shoun]

I personally didn't like "Birthright" and wouldn't recommend "Kingdom Come" to someone unfamiliar with the DCU (beautiful art, but too many characters.)

Yeah, I sorta agree.

KC is an awesome story. It even features a very cool theme that centers around what makes Supes who he is, but to a newcomer all the different characters may be a little off-putting. Besides, Superman almost gets lost in the shuffle of everything that's going on in KC.

[barbgrayson]

John Byrne's Man of Steel is a good place to start as well as the death/funeral/reign saga.

[dancj]

Much as I love the character, I really don't think there are many good Superman trades.

Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow is absolutely fantastic.
A Superman for All Seasons is pretty good - mainly for the art
Red Son, The Dark Side and Son of Superman are all great, but they're Elseworlds so it isn't the 'real' Superman.

After that, The Return of Superman is good fun, but you have to struggle through the sub par Death of Superman and World Without a Superman trades first.

[karalives]

Come on guys... let's face it.. Byrne's run on Superman was great but telling people to get those as trades is going to have them fuming when they find out after they read the Byrne stuff that that Superman is nothing like the modern one we have now.. I know these guys is asking for "essential" superman stuff so that he can have a few stories to read, well if he is like anyone else, that is just going to make him want to read more so then he will pick up the current titles most likely and get all confused... so I would say to pick up Birthright, and Superman/Batman Public Enemies as well as the Supergirl from Krypton trade coming out later this month... that way... if he wants to continue getting supes books he won't be as confused as he would not reading up on the current version....

and by the way, Birthright isn't that bad when you look past the fact that it is Byrne's Superman.... too many people get hooked on that and dismiss the book... it was actually a good book... I am glad they updated Supes... and I like the Smallville tv show influencing the comic because I believe Smallville is a way better origin history than previous versions.....

Just my opinion

So my suggestion is:

1. Birthright
2. Superman/Batman: Public Enemies
3. Identity Crisis
4. Superman/Batman: The Supergirl From Krypton

[666MasterOfPuppets]

My recommendations are:

1. Superman: Birthright.
2. The Death and Return Of Superman (3 TPBs).
3. Superman: The Man Of Steel.
4. Superman For All Seasons.

[Ken]

Hi guys,

This is my first post to these forums. I'm a big Marvel fan and last year I really got into Batman and picked up a load of recommended Graphic Novels form the sticky thread on the Batman forums. I alos picked up the Kingdom Come book based on a recommendation from my local comic book shop owner.

I was wondering if you guys could recommend any essential reading for Superman. I'm a big fan of Smallville(which I know isn't exactly true to the origins), The animated Series and the original films.

Also can you recommend any good, cheap & reliable online retailers ? I've only ordered off Milehigh in the past.

Thanks & Regards,

Ken

[Gaz]

Hmm, Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow? is great, but be warned it's not part of continuity anymore. (It's debatable if it even was for the brief period before Crisis)

[Forsaken_One]

Read "Superman: Secret Identity." It's not actually a Superman story per se, it's about a kid in our own world named Clark Kent (yeah, not smart parents) who gains the powers of Superman and what he has to do in the real world. I figure if you're a fan of Smallville, which is in many ways a modern reinterpretation of the Superboy/Superman idea, you'll really like this graphic novel.

Plus the art is absolutely stunning and the story is spot-on.

I can't say much for in-continuity graphic novels. If I read any Superman it's generally Elseworlds.

[Mainline]

I was wondering if you guys could recommend any essential reading for Superman. I'm a big fan of Smallville(which I know isn't exactly true to the origins), The animated Series and the original films.

Welcome! If you're a fan of Smallville, I guess I'd recommend Birthright, which is considered a modern update to Superman's origins (it's canon, but not "exclusive" canon per se... it's gotta share with Superman's other origins as well).

Superman For All Seasons is another nice take on Clark going from Smallville to his debut in Metropolis. For big volumes at cheap prices with modernish art, The Death of Superman as well as The Return of Superman might be okay (personally, I find both a little hard to enjoy).

If you can take old art, then you might want to look into getting the old Men of Steel volumes that defined Superman's origins up until Birthright.

[Rob H]

Another that you might want to consider reading is "Superman: Red Son". What if Kal-El had landed in Russia as opposed to Kansas? Read this Millar trade and find out. ;)

[EDmanwalking]

The Death of Superman is a pretty significant time in Superman's life...or lack thereof. So the three parts of that arc are worth picking up in trade.

Also, Superman for all Seasons by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale is simply excellent. They did Batman: Long Halloween so I highly recommend this. It's set in each of the four seaons, with Clark setting out to Metropolis, meeting Lex Luthor, Lois Lane for the first time.

[Summiner]

I just got into comics and have been reading some of the newer graphic novel stuff and wanted to start on the classics. Another reason for my sudden intrest in Superman would be Smallville.

I have read Action Comics #1-10, and was wondering what would be some more "Required Reading" for Superman? Also I was wondering where I could find a list of all the Superman comics and how many issues there are?

Thanks in Advance!

[Garrett Thomas]

I'm certainly no expert, but I really enjoyed It's a Bird... (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?userid=lp2EeyIC12&isbn=1401203116).

It's described as:Steve has just been given the opportunity every comic-book writer dreams of: the chance to write Superman. Only it's an assignment he couldn't want less. To Steve, everything about Superman is ridiculous. To write about the Man of Steel, Steve must believe he could exist... but he can't.

Steve's story is the focus of IT'S A BIRD..., a semi-autobiographical original VERTIGO hardcover graphic novel written by former SUPERMAN writer Steven T. Seagle with exquisitely painted art by Teddy Kristiansen (SUPERMAN: METROPOLIS, HOUSE OF SECRETS). IT'S A BIRD... isn't about how Metropolis's defender would function in the real world, but how he does function in the real world. Our world, where he's just a fictional character.

How does anyone relate to a Man of Steel — much less Steve, with his own fear of death and the specter of a family history of a terrible illness hanging over him? Steve tears through every cultural and symbolic component of Superman's importance, leading to a series of stories told in a variety of styles that form one provocative question: How does the most important heroic icon of the 21st century affect our lives?

A Superman story that doesn't feature Superman at all, IT'S A BIRD... is perhaps the most realistic Superman story DC Comics has ever published — a story about the character's profound power as a fictional ideal.(Click here for the DC Comics It's a Bird... (http://www.dccomics.com/features/itsabird/) minisite.)

Check it out if you haven't already.

EDIT: Oh, and not to forget, next month's All Star Superman (http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=4400). Everyone's really looking forward to it (me included), so I think it may be safe to class it as required reading.

[Expletive Deleted]

There are a couple of "Best of" collections out there for Superman comics. I'd start with one of those. They usually have a nice selection of material.

DC has just released a collection of '60s stories in black and white, at five hundred pages for ten bucks. Can't beat it. SHOWCASE PRESENTS SUPERMAN, I think it's called.

For your reference needs, the best sites are probably Superman Through The Ages (http://theages.superman.ws/welcome.php) and The Superman Homepage (http://www.supermanhomepage.com/news.php).

[megladon8]

While many hated it, I really enjoyed the recent "For Tomorrow" arc, which can be purchased in TPB form now.

Also, while it is a very love it/hate it area of the Superman mythology, the trilgoy of "Death of Superman", "World Without a Superman", and "Return of Superman" are required reading for any Superman fan. Whether you like it or not, they ARE huge milestones in the history of the character.

[LibrarianThorne]

While many hated it, I really enjoyed the recent "For Tomorrow" arc, which can be purchased in TPB form now.

Also, while it is a very love it/hate it area of the Superman mythology, the trilgoy of "Death of Superman", "World Without a Superman", and "Return of Superman" are required reading for any Superman fan. Whether you like it or not, they ARE huge milestones in the history of the character.

Don't forget Superman: Birthright by Mark Waid, the current origin story of Superman, Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? by Alan Moore. I also second the Death of Superman/World Without a Superman/Return of Superman trilogy.

[bosshog7169]

Thanks for the tip on Its a Bird... Never heard of it, but I will definately pick it up now. And For Tommorrow is definately something every superman fan should read 3 or 4 times.

[Sean Whitmore]

It's important to note that all of the Superman stories published before the mid-80's no longer "count" in current continuity. There's still a lot of great reading in those old tales, but don't try to reconcile the Superman comics from the 60's with the ones being published today.

The earliest adventures of the "current" Superman can be found in the Man of Steel series of trade paperbacks. There are 3 or 4 volumes out now and they re-introduce a lot of concepts for modern times (Lex Luthor the businessman, Superman and Batman disliking each other, Lois and Clark as friendly rivals, etc).


SEAN

[megladon8]

It's important to note that all of the Superman stories published before the mid-80's no longer "count" in current continuity. There's still a lot of great reading in those old tales, but don't try to reconcile the Superman comics from the 60's with the ones being published today.

The earliest adventures of the "current" Superman can be found in the Man of Steel series of trade paperbacks. There are 3 or 4 volumes out now and they re-introduce a lot of concepts for modern times (Lex Luthor the businessman, Superman and Batman disliking each other, Lois and Clark as friendly rivals, etc).


SEAN

Interesting. I didn't know that about the continuity.


I'm happy to see some fans of the For Tomorrow arc. I loved that story, and was met with general sh*t-kicking when I said so on other boards.

[Lurker]

Interesting. I didn't know that about the continuity.

Yea, but Bryne's Man of Steel is out of coninuity too now with the advent of Birthright. But that's okay, because Birthright is a much better yarn.

My Absolute Superman list:
Superman Birthright-The beginning, written by Mark Waid
Kingdom Come-The End, also writen by Mark Waid
Superman Red Son-Alternate Reality, written by Mark Millar
Whatever happened to the Man of Tomorrow-another end, written by the master Alan Moore.

Possible addition:
All-Star Superman, written by Grant Morrison

[Chad G.]

I won't necessarily call them required, but for sheer enjoyment, I would recommend Red Son, which is a fascinating take on how very different take on how Superman could be, and also Kingdom Come(mainly a Supes tail), one of the best stories ever written and drawn.

[megladon8]

Yea, but Bryne's Man of Steel is out of coninuity too now with the advent of Birthright. But that's okay, because Birthright is a much better yarn.

My Absolute Superman list:
Superman Birthright-The beginning, written by Mark Waid
Kingdom Come-The End, also writen by Mark Waid
Superman Red Son-Alternate Reality, written by Mark Millar
Whatever happened to the Man of Tomorrow-another end, written by the master Alan Moore.

Possible addition:
All-Star Superman, written by Grant Morrison


Very cool, thank you. I have added them all to my Watch List on eBay.

[Matt K]

Can someone tell me if LEx Luthor: Man of Steel is a good title for a newbie (I know Superman from the cartoon and that's about it). Especially for $7?

[megladon8]

Can someone tell me if LEx Luthor: Man of Steel is a good title for a newbie (I know Superman from the cartoon and that's about it). Especially for $7?


For a price like that, I'd buy it no matter what. Even if you just read it at a later point.

[Summiner]

It's important to note that all of the Superman stories published before the mid-80's no longer "count" in current continuity. There's still a lot of great reading in those old tales, but don't try to reconcile the Superman comics from the 60's with the ones being published today.

The earliest adventures of the "current" Superman can be found in the Man of Steel series of trade paperbacks. There are 3 or 4 volumes out now and they re-introduce a lot of concepts for modern times (Lex Luthor the businessman, Superman and Batman disliking each other, Lois and Clark as friendly rivals, etc).


SEAN

About what issue does the story become "revelent"?

[Sean Whitmore]

About what issue does the story become "revelent"?


Superman (vol 2) #1
Adventures of Superman #424
Action Comics #584

Pretty much every issue published after these (all released in 1987) is in-canon.


SEAN

[Dante]

I personally would recommend Action Comics right now. The current writer Gail Simone is just a dream for Superman fans...IMO. She writes Supes like he should be written. Byrne isn't usually my cup of tea, but he has been doing an okay job with the more recent issues. But overall great stories and just a great portrayal of supes.

Dante

[Lurker]

Very cool, thank you. I have added them all to my Watch List on eBay.

You're welcome. I'd like to call more attention to Birthright which is a modern introduction to the character much in the same vein as Batman Begins. And no, I'm not Mark Waid in disguise.

[Norrin Radd]

Read 1970s Superman.

I loved that stuff when I was a kid.

[SuperSince92]

Superman For All Seasons by Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale. You will not be dissapointed!

[Chris Thomas]

I'm a newb myself, but I will second 'birthright' since it may or may not be the official origin. and 'superman for all seasons' was terrific--may not be continuity? I also enjoyed the first three superman/batman collections. these are all 'modern' things. but--dc just put out a non-colored collection for 10 bucks of many old (silver/golden??) age supermans--including superman 128 (which is why I bought it) that is supposedely the 'last appearance' before coie of golden age superman

[manram24]

I literally just finished reading "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" by legendary Alan Moore.

Greatest. Superman. Story. EVER!!

[Big G]

what are some good stories with Superman?

[Bicycle-Repairman]

DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore is a trade paperback coming out in January. In addition to the contents of the previously published Across the Universe: The DC Universe Stories of Alan Moore, which included the excellent Superman stories "For the Man Who Has Everything" and "The Jungle Line", it will also reprint "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" and "The Killing Joke". It will cost only $19.99 US.

The Superman Chronicles Vol. 1 is also coming out in the new year. Like The Batman Chronicles, it will be a trade paperback collecting the earliest Superman stories in chronological order for $14.99 US. If your tastes lean toward the frequently silly but always imaginative Silver Age stories, Showcase Presents Superman reprints over 500 pages of them in black and white for the low introductory price of $9.99 US.

[Ultraman Max]

what are some good stories with Superman?


I'm going to answer in terms of personal favorite issues rather than trades as I belive this was a seperate question folded into this thread. Off the top of my head:


- Superman Annual 9 (1983) - Villain! Villain! Whose got the Villain? by Elliot S. Maggin, Alex Toth, and Terry Austin
- Superman (first series) 337 - Too Many Crooks
- Superman (first series) 338 - Let My People Grow!
- Action Comics 412 - The City Beneath Metropolis
- Action Comics 544-546 - The New Brainiac

And I'd like to say "Think Young and Die" from Action 465 but I've never read the 2nd part of that.

[lallarona]

A couple that haven't been mentioned yet:
Superman # 400. Elliot S! Maggin wrote this, and a bevvy of artists worked on it, such as Frank Miller, an intro by Ray Bradbury, and a great Steranko story.
Forever People # 1. A more human and lonely Superman. Christ, Kirby was good.
The Phantom Zone # 1-4. Steve Gerber and Gene Colon explain the pre crisis Phantom Zone... and it's the creepiest Superman story I've ever read. #1 alone is just insane. This needs to be collected.
All of the Kirby Jimmy Olsen's are nifty as all heck.
None of these are essential... but they're damned good stories.

[Big G]

I am fairly new to Superman, and am interested in picking up more of his stories. My Superman stories so far are Superman for All Seasons, Superman: Birthright, and Kingdom Come. Where should I go from here? Having glimpsed his beginning and end, I want to read more of his actual career. Any TPBs recommended are greatly appreciated.

[LibrarianThorne]

I am fairly new to Superman, and am interested in picking up more of his stories. My Superman stories so far are Superman for All Seasons, Superman: Birthright, and Kingdom Come. Where should I go from here? Having glimpsed his beginning and end, I want to read more of his actual career. Any TPBs recommended are greatly appreciated.

Superman: The Death of Superman
Superman: World Without a Superman
Superman: The Return of Superman
Superman: President Luthor (could be titled President Lex)
Superman/Batman vol 1.: Public Enemies

That should get you caught up on most everything you'll need to know. I also recommend Superman: Man of Steel vol. 1 by John Byrne. If for nothing else than the origin of Bizarro which is one of the most touching Superman stories ever.

[ExoKnight]

Superman: Godfall
Superman: Wrath of Gog and In the Name of Gog
Superman: For Tomorrow Vol. 1 and 2.

[Sharcque]

Superman: Godfall
Superman: Wrath of Gog and In the Name of Gog
Superman: For Tomorrow Vol. 1 and 2.
You sure you wanna do that to him? :p

[666MasterOfPuppets]

Superman: Godfall
Superman: Wrath of Gog and In the Name of Gog
Superman: For Tomorrow Vol. 1 and 2.

I second that.

My picks are, besides the aforementioned (including LibrarianThorne's picks), Rucka's run and Verheiden's run.

[666MasterOfPuppets]

You sure you wanna do that to him? :p

I take that you didn't like For Tomorrow, did you?

[Jkid099]

... I'd skip the Austen stuff too. Ugh.

[LibrarianThorne]

... I'd skip the Austen stuff too. Ugh.

Austen's trades were godawful and nothing important happened in them, thankfully. At least nothing relevent.

[tony2074]

ruckas is good. unintended consequences and that healing touch. god i still can't think of their names. it annoys me being 200 miles from my shelf.

[CURSD BLADE]

Superman is the single most iconic, well-known superhero in the world. Yet, it seems that writers over the past 68 plus years have relied on his persona to simply tell comic stories involving Superman, not "Superman stories".

So, is there an essential list of Superman reads? Is there an (arguable) definitive list of TPBs and tales that fans should read? You see the list over at the Batman forum, yet where is Superman's must reads?

[SuperManny]

So, is there an essential list of Superman reads? Is there an (arguable) definitive list of TPBs and tales that fans should read? You see the list over at the Batman forum, yet where is Superman's must reads?

Do a search for the word "essential" in this forum and it will turn up.

Better yet, I'll merge you :)

[CURSD BLADE]

Woops...sorry 'bout that. Thanks for the list.

[Verydopey]

What superman tpbs should i get.

[dancj]

Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow
Red Son
Son of Superman
The Return of Superman (unfortunately you'll have to wade through The Death of Superman and World Without a Superman to get it in context)
The Dark Side
Secret Identity

I know that's mostly out of continuity, but they in continuity Superman stuff tends not to be that great

[Rob H]

Secret Identity goes without saying. Read this and you won't be sorry.

Others worth a mention...

For all Seasons
Birthright
Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow

[Gingold]

Showcase Presents: Superman and Superman Family.

Jack Kirby's Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen

Superman in the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Birthright.

Red Son.

For All Seasons

DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore.

[Kilgore Trout]

I know that's mostly out of continuity, but they in continuity Superman stuff tends not to be that great

Understatment of the decade... :)

Check out Alan Moores: SUPREME: The Story of the Year for a great Superman story and the blueprint for what might have been...

[filthysize]

Well, origins are great. Superman For All Seasons is a great introduction because it encapsulates what Superman is in only 4 chapters.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1563895285.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Then, to really understand why Superman is such an icon and how he's such an inspiration, you can refer to these two books:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1563894645.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
Peace on Earth

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1563893150.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow

[dancj]

I really hated Peace on Earth with a passion

[Wolvedevil]

Hi,

I would like to know what is the must have stories for Superman.
I saw often thread about the best TPB for Batman and his chronology, but for Superman I don't have any reference. So, could you give me what stories is important to know the chronology of Superman? Also, what is the best stories about Superman even if the story do not affect the chronology?

Thanks

[The Foreigner]

These are three of my favorites:

Superman: Birthright

Superman: For All Seasons

Kingdom Come

All three of those are standalone stories with no prior knowledge needed, too. I'm not really familiar with any of the regular continuity trades.

I'd also suggest:

Superman: Secret Identity (A "real world" story about a boy named Clark Kent who somehow gains Superman's powers)

Superman: Red Son (A nice little Elseworld's tale that examines what would happen if Supes landed in Communist Russia instead of Smallville, with a fantastistic ending)

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (Yes, it's a Batman story, but Superman is featured heavily and is very well written)

Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again (Highly controversial, but it's a fun romp through the DC universe that, suprisingly, focuses mainly on Superman and the rest of the Justice League instead of Bats)

[Rylon]

Personal favorites:
What Ever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?

The Man of Steel

Kingdom Come (This is more of a DCU Story, but Superman is a major character.)

Showcase Presents: Superman This is a B&W TBP of Silver Age Superman Stories. It starts with the first apperiance of The Fortress of Solitude, Supergirl, Brainac, and Kandor. Great stuff for $10.

The Death of Superman

Speeding Bullets What is the Wayns had found Kal-el?

Also:
Time and Time again This takes place just after the Post-Crisis Superman tells Lois about his secret identity.

The Man of Steel 2-4. These take place in the early days of Byrn/Wolfman run.

World Without a Superman Takes place right after Doomsday

[Joe Acro]

As already mentioned, the Death of Superman is a must-read/must-have. I personally feel that it is the best Superman story ever written. It would have been even better if Superman could have stayed dead, simply because of the guts it would have taken to keep such a major character dead, but that is life.

[Gingold]

A lot of the stuff previously mentioned is great, but h onestly, I think the best way to go is to try the "decades" collections- Superman in the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. It'll give you a good sampling of how the character has evolved over the past 60+years. For a good one-shot volume try to find the old "Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told" tpb (not the current crap one that has a Joe Kelly story in it). The Showcase presents books are great too.

[PatrickG]

DC One Million is a JLA story availible in TPB but it was written as a celebration of Superman's 60th anniversary.

It also ties into the great ALL-STAR SUPERMAN in several ways.

[Rylon]

I think the best way to go is to try the "decades" collections- Superman in the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s.That reinds me of a book I checked out of the libary back in Middle School lo thouse many years ago. It was called, IIRC, Superman from the 30's to the 70's. It was a hardbound sampleing of stories from thous decades, and it was great. I think they came-up with an update to the 80's latter.

[Gingold]

That reinds me of a book I checked out of the libary back in Middle School lo thouse many years ago. It was called, IIRC, Superman from the 30's to the 70's. It was a hardbound sampleing of stories from thous decades, and it was great. I think they came-up with an update to the 80's latter.

I love that book. I found a used copy real cheap a few years back. I wish it were still in print.

[Wolvedevil]

Hi,

Thanks a lot for information.

I am planning to take some of your suggestions.
I think I will take also other TPB and I would like that you rank it:

Superman adventure vol. 1: UP, UP AND AWAY!
Superman adventure vol. 2: The Never-Ending Battle
(I love the work of Millar)
Lex Luthor: Man of Steel
Superman: Our worlds at war vol. 1 and 2

Thanks in advance

[Bored at 3:00AM]

Hi,

Thanks a lot for information.

I am planning to take some of your suggestions.
I think I will take also other TPB and I would like that you rank it:

Superman adventure vol. 1: UP, UP AND AWAY!
Superman adventure vol. 2: The Never-Ending Battle
(I love the work of Millar)
Lex Luthor: Man of Steel
Superman: Our worlds at war vol. 1 and 2

Thanks in advance

You might want to skip Our Worlds at War. Loeb & McGuiness' Superman stuff is fantastic and the Imperiex War story probably would have worked if they'd kept it to just their book. This massive, bloated crossover, however, is an absolute mess.

Millar's Superman Adventures is an excellent collection of done-in-one Superman yarns that work for readers of any age or knowledge of past comics.

[Gernot]

...I'd also suggest:

...Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (Yes, it's a Batman story, but Superman is featured heavily and is very well written)

Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again (Highly controversial, but it's a fun romp through the DC universe that, suprisingly, focuses mainly on Superman and the rest of the Justice League instead of Bats)

The only thing wrong with THESE books is the creators seem to have no respect for any super-hero whose secret identity is not Bruce Wayne.

If your favorite hero is Batman uber alles, they're fantastic books. Otherwise, they're pretty much toilet paper.

EXPENSIVE toilet paper.

[Fenix]

The only thing wrong with THESE books is the creators seem to have no respect for any super-hero whose secret identity is not Bruce Wayne.

If your favorite hero is Batman uber alles, they're fantastic books. Otherwise, they're pretty much toilet paper.

EXPENSIVE toilet paper.

Agreed. Skip that ones if you´re searching for good Superman stories

[Agentum]

Superman: Red son
Not anything with continuity to do but i liked it.

I like the JSA secret files book with the evil Superman too:D