20 Fan-Favorite, Must-Read Superman Comics: Ranked

Comic Expert Mars Sturtz shares the best Superman comic books for diehard fans and newbies alike

Co-authored by Mars Sturtz and Samantha Fulton, BA

Last Updated: June 11, 2026 Fact Checked

Are you looking for the best Superman graphic novels and comic runs? Look no further! Whether you’re an avid reader of the Superman comics or you’re new to the fandom and looking for a good starting point, you’re in the right place. For this article, we partnered with a comic expert, as well as consulted fan forums and critical reviews, to put together this list of the top 20 Superman comics. Loosely ranked based on fan reception, this guide is sure to steer you toward your next favorite Superman comic!

The Most Popular Superman Comics

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An image showing the covers of 20 different fan-favorite Superman comics .

Comic Expert Mars Sturtz says the most popular Superman comics of all time are Superman For All Seasons, Superman Birthright, and All-Star Superman. Here’s a more detailed breakdown (plus, what makes these series so great):

All-Star Superman has great world-building & shows Superman’s best traits.
Superman for All Seasons has relatable themes & is accessible for new fans.
Superman Smashes the Klan explores racism with action and stunning artwork.
Superman: Birthright has fun character dynamics & explores Superman’s backstory.

1

All-Star Superman

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By Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely All-Star Superman is a 12-issue series that fans can’t get enough of. Just about every Top Superman Comics list features this iconic run as #1, and we’re no exception! “All-Star Superman takes a different kind of look into Superman; it’s a more heartbreaking look into the character,” Sturtz says. “I personally think it’s one of the most important Superman comics of all time, at least for the 21st century.”^{[1]
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Mars Sturtz
Comic Expert

Expert Interview} This series follows Superman as he embarks on 12 epic quests to prepare the world for his impending death.
- Why fans love it: Fans love All-Star for its artwork, worldbuilding, and incredible depiction of Superman’s best traits.^{[2]
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- Reviews are in! This Comic Circus review describes All-Star Superman as a “comic that perfectly balances the fanciful, limitless boundaries of the comic book medium with the deepest, most personal elements of the human experience.”
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Mars Sturtz, also known as That Comic Girl, is a comic expert. She currently shares comic-related content online and works in a comic shop.

2

Superman for All Seasons

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By Jeff Loeb & Tim Sale Superman for All Seasons is a four-issue limited series. Sturtz says it’s a really great starting comic if you’re new to the Superman universe.^{[3]
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Mars Sturtz
Comic Expert

Expert Interview} Before All-Star hit the shelves, this run was considered the quintessential Superman comic. Superman for All Seasons explores Clark Kent’s journey as he transitions from a young man into Superman and comes to terms with his powers.^{[4]
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- Why fans love it: Fans love Superman for All Seasons for its relatable themes and its accessibility for new Superman readers.
- Reviews are in! In this Reddit thread, user u/froggerslogger says, “One of my absolute favorite DC series. For me, it just gets Superman and the people around him in a fundamental way. 100% recommend.”

3

Superman: Birthright

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By Mark Waid & Leinil Francis Yu Superman: Birthright is a 12-issue limited series. According to Sturtz, Birthright is another heavy hitter when it comes to character building.^{[5]
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Mars Sturtz
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Expert Interview} This comic run follows Clark Kent as he learns to balance his life as a reporter with his responsibilities as Superman. Birthright is a well-executed, popular reimagining of Superman’s origin story, perfect for new readers or longtime fans.^{[6]
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- Why fans love it: Fans love Birthright for its character dynamics and compelling exploration of different aspects of Superman.
- Reviews are in! In his review, Nathan at Keenlinks writes, “Gorgeously written, cathartic, and never losing its human element, Birthright makes an incredibly strong argument for why Superman has been around as long as he has.”

4

Superman Smashes the Klan

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By Gene Luen Yang & Gurihiru Superman Smashes the Klan is a three-part limited series set in the 1940s. This is a highly acclaimed Superman story and a fan favorite from recent years. It follows Superman as he fights the Ku Klux Klan to help protect the Lee family from racist attacks. With rave reviews, Superman Smashes the Klan is a must read from award-winning author Gene Luen Yang.^{[7]
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- Why fans love it: Fans love Superman Smashes the Klan for its artwork, characterizations, and how it addresses racism.
- Reviews are in! In this Reddit thread, user u/SplitTheParty says, “My favourite story of recent years, and an instant winner in art, presentation, and characters. I love what it does with Clark's characterization, and the insight into the author's own history with experiencing racism between issues was really moving.”

5

“For the Man Who Has Everything”

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By Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons “For the Man Who Has Everything” is a comic story originally published in Superman Annual #11 in 1986. This story is widely considered a classic and is regularly listed as a “must-read” Superman story. It follows Batman, Robin, and Wonder Woman as they try to save Superman from an alien plant sent by the villain, Mongul, as it feeds on Superman’s bio-aura.^{[8]
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- Why fans love it: Fans love this story for its meaningful character depictions and its approach to themes of nostalgia and loss.
- Reviews are in! In a Goodreads review, user Max’s Comic Reviews and Lists describes “For the Man Who Has Everything” as a “good story with a perfect dark tone and fantastic art.”
- Sturtz says that the best Superman stories are the ones that showcase his humanity. “Because even though Superman is from another world and he's an alien, he is more human than the rest of us,” Sturtz explains. “Superman is going to love and care for people and try to do the best for them, no matter what.”^{[9]
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6

Superman Up in the Sky

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By Tom King & Andy Kubert Superman Up in the Sky is a comic series collected into one volume. It’s about Superman’s quest to rescue a young girl who has been kidnapped by aliens—but he must grapple with moral dilemmas and cosmic challenges along the way. Up in the Sky is a gripping, action-packed, and humorous read.^{[10]
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- Why fans love it: Fans love Up in the Sky for its handling of moral dilemmas and its depiction of Superman’s unwavering code of ethics.
- Reviews are in! In their review, Reddit user u/MeMeTiger_ says, “I have goosebumps and water in my eyes. This book is Quintessential Superman. I don't have anything more to say, and I don't think I can give a better compliment than just saying this book is THE Superman comic book.”

7

Kingdom Come

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By Mark Waid & Alex Ross Kingdom Come is a four-issue limited series that generations of fans have loved since its release in 1996. This comic run follows Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman in an alternate future, when they return from retirement to save the world. The twist? It’s narrated by the everyday, non-powered Pastor Norman McCay.^{[11]
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- Why fans love it: Fans love Kingdom Come for its cultural commentary, unique and realistic art style, and meaningful themes.
- Reviews are in! Reddit user u/MysteryDan888 calls Kingdom Come “a great example of heroes being wrong and making mistakes, successfully learning why they were wrong, and telling it all in a way that's still somehow believably in-character.”

8

“Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?”

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By Alan Moore & Curt Swan “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” is a two-part story from 1986. This story dives into Superman’s final adventure and his last stand against Lex Luthor, Brainiac, and other iconic villains from the Superman Silver Age. “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” is a bittersweet and uplifting tribute to Superman’s character.
- Why fans love it: Fans love this story for its nostalgic value and iconic artwork by Curt Swan.
- Reviews are in! In this Reddit thread, user u/jackfaire recommends “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” for new readers and says, “It brings in so many elements of [the Silver Age] of Superman. It gives you a good taste of the characters and type of characters you can expect if you go back and read that era.”

9

“What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice, & the American Way?”

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By Joe Kelly, Doug Mahnke, & Lee Bermejo “What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice, & the American Way?” is a story from Action Comics #775. This story is popular among fans and comes highly recommended. It follows Superman and his clash with The Elite, a team of superhumans with violent methods of mass destruction. It’s even been adapted into a DC Animated film, Superman vs. The Elite!^{[12]
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- Why fans love it: Fans love “What’s So Funny” for its defense of Superman’s values and for Superman’s inspiring monologue about his ideals.
- Reviews are in! On his blog, The Confusing Middle, reviewer Peckapalooza praises the moral idealism in “What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice, & the American Way?” and says, “What makes this story endure is that it’s not just about superheroes – it’s about the values we choose to champion in our own lives.”

10

Superman: Secret Identity

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By Kurt Busiek & Stuart Immonen Superman: Secret Identity is a four-issue miniseries. This comic run is praised by fans and critics alike. Secret Identity tells the story of a boy with no powers named Clark Kent, who’s bullied for sharing a name with the comic book hero… we love a metadrama! But what will happen when this seemingly regular version of Clark Kent discovers he does have powers? You’ll have to read to find out.^{[13]
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- Why fans love it: Fans love Secret Identity for Clark Kent’s relatability, the realistic challenges Clark faces, and the stunning artwork.
- Reviews are in! In this Reddit thread, user u/brysenji says they adore Secret Identity. They write, “It crafts such a compelling ‘Superman in the real world’ story that doesn't sacrifice any of the humanity, goodness and aspirational nature of the character. It's also deeply emotionally affecting where it reflects on time, mortality and legacy.”

11

Superman: Peace On Earth

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By Paul Dini & Alex Ross Superman: Peace on Earth is an oversized graphic novel. This multi-award-winning comic boasts of an excellent creative team and is considered a masterpiece by many fans. In Peace on Earth, Clark Kent reflects on world hunger, and the Man of Steel sets out to deliver as much food as possible. But what will happen when one country’s government refuses his help?^{[14]
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- Why fans love it: Fans enjoy Alex Ross’s detailed painting style, the acknowledgement of real world issues, and the meaningful theme of altruism.
- Reviews are in! In a Goodreads review, user Mića gives Peace on Earth five stars and says, “One word: Masterpiece!!! This is a short graphic novel which depicts today's cruel reality in a glorious way. The art is so realistic, as well as the story itself… Totally recommend it for all humans, not only comic book fans.”

12

“The Death of Superman”

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By Dan Jurgens, Roger Stern, Louise Simonson, Jerry Ordway, & Karl Kesel “The Death of Superman” is a collaborative crossover story event. A true fan favorite, this story has been reprinted in lots of different formats and editions. This storyline centers around Superman’s battle with legendary monster Doomsday and his ultimate death. The story arc appeared in all of the mainstream Superman comics of the 1990s.^{[15]
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- Why fans love it: Fans love “The Death of Superman” for its legacy as a cultural event in the fandom and its exploration of Superman as not invincible.
- Reviews are in! In their Goodreads review, user Bean’s Books says, “This comic book series is jam-packed with epic battles, cheesy one-liners, and pure comic book gold. This is one for the ages! If you have not read this one yet then you need to remedy that!”

13

Superman: Red Son

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By Mark Millar Superman: Red Son is a three-issue comic miniseries. In addition to being adored by fans, this comic received critical acclaim and was nominated for the 2004 Eisner Award for best limited series.^{[16]
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Research source} Red Son follows the premise, “What if Superman had been raised in the Soviet Union?”
- Why fans love it: Fans love Red Son for its exploration of an alternate origin story and the nuanced morals Superman’s character has.
- Reviews are in! In this Reddit thread, user u/LaVerdadYaNiSe praises Red Son as some of Mark Millar’s best work and writes, “Dark and explorative without being edgy and despite the pessimistic ending, it still remains idealistic.”

14

“Up, Up, and Away!”

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By Geoff Johns, Kurt Busiek, & Pete Woods “Up, Up, and Away!” is an eight-issue story arc in Action Comics #837-840 and Superman #650-653.^{[17]
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Research source} A year after Clark Kent loses his powers, he uses his journalism skills to defend Metropolis. However, Superman begins regaining his powers just in time to battle a vengeful Lex Luthor. This accessible story arc is perfect for new or returning readers of the Superman comics.
- Why fans love it: Fans love “Up, Up, and Away!” for its classic take on Superman and Lex Luthor, as well as the focus on Clark Kent as a regular person.
- Reviews are in! In this thread, Reddit user u/MarcReyes says “Up, Up, and Away!” is a great introduction to the Superman comics for new readers and praises its “focus on human elements,” as well as its great action.

15

Superman: Warworld Saga

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By Phillip Kennedy Johnson & Sami Basri Warworld Saga is a crossover story arc that has received critical acclaim. In this epic run, Superman travels to Warworld to overthrow the tyrant, Mongul. But in his weakened state, he is captured and must battle in Mongul’s gladiator pits.^{[18]
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Research source} This fan favorite has been praised as the best Action Comics event of all time.
- Why fans love it: Fans love The Warworld Saga for the worldbuilding, artwork, action, and characters.
- Reviews are in! In this Reddit thread, user u/TheUnbloodedSword calls Warworld Saga one of the best Superman stories of all time. They commend the writers for their boldness in challenging Superman on a physical, mental, and moral level.

16

The Man of Steel

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By John Byrne The Man of Steel is a limited comic series from 1986. This reimagining of Superman gives a fresh take on the classic superhero and acts as a blueprint for the comic runs and adaptations that would follow it. This series reimagines Superman’s origin story and was a bestseller upon release.^{[19]
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- Why fans love it: Fans love The Man of Steel for its accessibility to modern audiences and its focus on Clark Kent and his upbringing.
- Reviews are in! In Reddit forum r/superman, user u/UltimateRagingSpider writes, “Superman's origin is portrayed really well here, and I absolutely love the artstyle. Overall, I'll give this a 10/10.”

17

“Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes”

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By Geoff Johns & Gary Frank “Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes” is a comic book story arc from 2007. This comic run has received its fair share of praise from critics and fans alike. It follows Superman after he is summoned to the future, where he has no powers and his legacy has been tainted by an anti-alien regime.https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Superman_and_the_Legion_of_Super-Heroes
- Why fans love it: Fans love the themes of belonging and acceptance, the artwork, and the cosmic world-building.
- Reviews are in! On his blog, Matt Reads Comics, reviewer Matt praises this comic run as “ahead of its time,” and makes special note of the empowering message that anything is possible.

18

Superman: Last Son of Krypton

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By Geoff Johns & Richard Donner Superman: Last Son of Krypton is a five-issue comic book arc from the monthly Action Comics. This iconic comic run has since been combined into a single issue for fans’ continued enjoyment. When a rocket lands in Metropolis with a boy from Krypton, Superman must do everything in his power to protect him. Superman faces classic villains including Lex Luthor and Brainiac in this epic series.^{[20]
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- Why fans love it: Fans love Last Son of Krypton for its iconic Silver Age vibe, its action, and its world-building.
- Reviews are in! In his Comic Book Resources review, Timothy Donohoo praises Last Son of Krypton as an underrated classic and says it should be at the top of everyone’s Superman reading list.

19

Superman: Secret Origin

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By Geoff Johns & Gary Frank Secret Origin is a six-issue limited comic series and is highly recommended by fans. It features new elements from the origin tale with an emphasis on Clark Kent’s decision to be a hero. This series is told from Clark Kent’s perspective, beginning with his earliest memory.^{[21]
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- Why fans love it: Fans love Secret Origin for Superman’s resemblance to Christopher Reeve, the spot-on character dynamics, and the heartwarming ending.
- Reviews are in! In this Reddit thread, user u/MarcReyes writes, “Johns and Frank are an A+ team, and they work really well with Superman. The story feels like a mixture of both classic and modern sensibilities, striking a perfect balance between the two.”

20

Superman: Brainiac

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By Geoff Johns & Gary Frank Brainiac is a five-issue story arc from Action Comics. It has been well-received by readers and formed the basis of the 2013 film Superman: Unbound. This comic run follows Superman as he battles Brainiac, a villain who travels the galaxy to steal all the knowledge from the cities he finds.
- Why fans love it: Fans love the emotional stakes, the cinematic feel, and the depiction of Brainiac.
- Reviews are in! In a Goodreads review, user Chad writes, “Johns and Frank are able to pack humor, emotion and nonstop action into a very quick read. Sometimes I was laughing, other times I had tears in my eyes.”