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Summer of Superman: The 10 best Superman comics ever published

From All-Star Superman to Red Son: The top 10 Superman comics you must read.

DC and Warner Bros. are calling July of 2025 the 'Summer of Superman,' and we get why - James Gunn's long-awaited movie of the same name (which is set ot kick off the cinematic DCU) has at last soared into theaters. But in another sense, every summer since 1939 has been the 'Summer of Superman,' followed by the 'Autumn of Superman,' as well as 'Winter' and 'Spring' of Superman as well. That's because in those 86 years, that character has been the face of some of the best storytelling in the comic book medium. 

Which is why we've taken this opportunity to string together Popverse's list of the best Superman comics ever published. We're only including our Top 10 for now, so understand there were a decent chunk of stories (maybe your favorite, sorry) that didn't make the cut. But hey, we plan on coming back and updating this every once in a while, so check back to see whether one of those stories makes it in later.

After all - just like Superman's incredible comics library, we don't forsee this list stopping anytime soon.

Best Superman comics: 'New 52' Action Comics

 

The New 52 had its ups and downs, but one of its Uppest was certainly Grant Morrison's run on Action Comics. Along with artist Rags Morales, Morrison characteristically expanded Superman's world while at the same time pulling back on Superman as a character. This Man of Steel is younger, scrappier, more willing to risk the ire of Earth's authorities than previous incarnations. And now, in a time where 'doing what's right' and 'following government orders' are growing further apart, this kind of Superman is extra relevant.

Best Superman comics: World's Finest (2022)

 

A book that, as of this writing, is still being printed in the gilded halls of DC Comics, the Mark Waid/Dan Mora World's Finest is proof positive that Silver Age shenanigans still work in superhero comics, and don't require bitter cynicism or dopey parody to be believable for the reader. Maybe I'm wrong here, but I think of lot of great comic book storytelling has been sacrificed in an attempt to make our heroes 'gritty' or 'grounded,' and I adore the fact that Waid and Mora chucked that goal out the window.

Best Superman comics: Superman Smashes the Klan

 

Not only is this one of the more recent entries into the all-time great Superman stories, it's also the only one based on a true story. Well, sort of. 

In 1946, the Superman radio program aired a saga called Clan of the Fiery Cross, which pit the Man of Steel against the KKK. But the story didn't just cast the Klan as by-the-numbers villains, it exposed the KKK for who they really were - racist grifters and cowards. During a time where the KKK held much more political sway, this was a serious blow to the organization's ego, and reliving their defeat in the pages of this comic feels pretty amazing.

Best Superman comics: Superman: Red Son

 

Mixing real-world history and superheroing doesn't always make for a great comic, but in Red Son's case, it ends up being brilliant. Writer Mark Millar and artist Dave Johnson's genius doesn't lie in removing Superman's American-ness, but in keeping his moral code in tact under the confines of brutal Stalinist Russia. But that doesn't mean Superman doesn't make mistakes as well - while never exactly a villain, this Superman is a painted example of why the Last Son of Krypton does the most good outside of political office. 

Best Superman comics: Crisis on Infinite Earths

 

A George Pérez-drawn comic is always a candidate for some of DC greatest hits, but especially in such a monumental story for comics history. I'll admit that Superman isn't at al the star of this particular crossover, but his part in this seminal story that set up so much of modern comic booking (and the inclusion of Kal-L, the Superman of Earth Two) means that this story deserves to be on just as many Superman shelves as it does.

Best Superman comics: Superman for All Seasons

 

After telling one of the most "Batman" stories ever told with Batman: The Long Halloween, DC Comics gambled that writer Jeph Loeb and artist Tim Sale could strike gold once again with a Superman story. And gosh, were they right. Deeply hopeful where Long Halloween is nihilistic, deeply personal where Long Halloween relies on its fleshed-out cast, and generally bright where Long Halloween is dark, it's hard for me not to see this as both the perfect match to one of the greatest Batman stories ever told and, at the same time, its exact opposite.

Best Superman comics: Forever People #1

 

"Jack Kirby drawing Superman" should be enough reason to put this on any list of the greatest Superman stories ever told, but there's far more to this story than just the King of Comics tackling the First Superhero. The plot of Forever People #1 follows Superman as he searches for a mysterious "Supertown," which is a place he believes he would fit in more than he has on Earth. In classic Kirby fashion, this is a story about loneliness, a unique tale of Superman facing a personal crisis instea dof a global or universal one.

Best Superman comics: For the Man Who Has Everything

 

And speaking of comic book royalty; number three on our little list is a story written by none other than Alan Moore. Appearing in 1985's Superman Annual #11, For the Man Who Has Everything is a story featuring the wicked Mongul, who defeats Superman using a plant that makes him hallucinate his heart's desires. If that plot (and that title) sound familiar to you, it should; the plot was adapted into the Justice League Unlimited episode by the same name. Interestingly, rumor has it that Moore himself was a fan of the episode, one of the few times the adaptation-wary writer held such a sentiment.

Best Superman comics: Kingdom Come

 

Forgive me, but the Injustice Superman idea doesn't quite pass my personal smell test (Superman goes evil because Lois dies? Superman's whole planet died!). However, I do appreciate the idea of a world-weary Superman - not at all evil, but disillusioned with his attempts at doing good. That's how this seminal DC Comics Elseworlds story begins, and seeing Superman find good in the world again is so absolutely rewarding. Plus, let's be honest, that Kingdom Come Supersuit is one of the best superhero redesigns in comic book history.

Best Superman comics: All-Star Superman

It's the book that James Gunn said inspired his Superman movie, the book that Grant Morrison wrote after claiming to meet Superman himself, and the book that (hot take!) serves as the best-ever introduction to a new superhero comics reader. All-Star Superman took seventy years of one of the world's greatest pop icons and distilled everything that made him great - his unbeatable positivity, the magical world in which he lived, his incredible powers - and turned it into one comprehensive 12-issue tale.

All-Star Superman isn't just the best Superman comic - it is one of the best stories ever told in the medium.


Get ready for what's next with our guide to upcoming comics, how to buy comics at a comic shop, and our guide to Free Comic Book Day 2025.  

Grant DeArmitt

Grant DeArmitt: Grant DeArmitt (he/him) likes horror, comics, and the unholy union of the two. As Popverse's Staff Writer, he criss-crosses the pop culture landscape bringing you the news and opinions about the big things (and the next big things). In the past, and despite their better judgment, he has written for Nightmare on Film Street and Newsarama. He lives in Brooklyn with his partner, Kingsley, and corgi, Legs.

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