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You are here: Home / Reading DC Comics / Where to Start With Superman Comics

Where to Start With Superman Comics

Superman, you know? The most iconic superhero of all time, and somehow one of the more difficult DC heroes to follow. Superman’s history dates way back to his Action Comics #1 debut in 1938, so if you want to read his history, you have over 75 years of comics to choose from!

I’ve compiled a full Superman reading order, that will also be navigable for new readers. Note in the index below, that you could start from the Action Comics #1 beginnings, or more jump right to Superman’s more modern stories in DC Comics New 52.

Updates By: Nathan Payson

Where To Start With Superman Comics?

Index:

I) Classic Superman (1938 to 1985)

II) From Man of Steel to Death of Superman (1986 to 1992)

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III) Death of Superman (Early 90’s)

IV) Superman in the 1990’s

V) Superman in the New Millennium (2000 to 2006)

VI) From Infinite Crisis to New 52 (2007 to 2011)

VII) New 52 Superman Reading Order

VIII) Future Superman

IX) Essential Standalone Superman Recommendations
Classic Superman

Classic Superman (1938 to 1985)

Golden Age Superman – The Very First

Most modern readers will want to jump ahead to Superman’s modernized 1986 origins in John Byrne’s Man of Steel




.

For Superman’s true creation by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, you can check out the below collections.

Superman: A Celebration of 75 Years

If you want the fast-track approach to Golden Age Superman, the above “best of” will get you a wide variety of great Superman stories from 1938 to 2012. There are about six stories that quite distinctly occur after Crisis on Infinite Earths (the next section in this guide), but for the most part the focus is appropriate to Golden Age Superman. A good starting point if you’re new to Superman comics.

Superman Chronicles Vol. 1

If you’re committed to tackling Superman from his very first appearance in Action Comics #1 (1938), the Superman Chronicles are excellent collected trades.

The first volume collects Action Comics #1-13, New York World’s Fair Comics #1 and Superman #1. There are ten volumes in the series, and they will take you up through Action Comics #56 which was published in 1943.

Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 1

Collects: Action Comics #1-31, Superman #1-7, and New York World’s Fair Comics #1-2

You can also read the Superman’s Golden Age Omnibuses

Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 2

Collects: Action Comics #32-47, Superman #8-15, World’s Best Comics #1, and World’s Finest Comics #2-4

Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 3

Collects: Action Comics #48-65, Superman #16-24, and World’s Finest Comics #6-10

Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 4

Collects: Action Comics #66-85, Superman #25-33, and World’s Finest Comics #11-18

Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 5

Collects: Action Comics #86-106, Superman #33-43, and World’s Finest #19-25

Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 6

Collects: Action Comics #107-125 , Superman #44-54 , and World’s Finest #26-36

Past This, Most Superman stories of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s aren’t digitized yet and as such are not really collected yet.

Superman in the Forties

An alternative approach to Golden Age Superman beginnings is the “by decade” collection, which functions similarly to the “A Celebration of 75 Years” best-of above. Again, this is a reasonable, affordable fast track to give you a feel for Superman’s development throughout the decade.

Superman in the Fifties

Collects: Action Comics #151, 242, 252, 254-255 — Adventure Comics #210 — Showcase #9 — Superman #65, 79-80, 96-97, 127

Showcase Presents: Superman Family Vol 1

Showcase Presents: Superman Family Vol. 2

Want to see why Superman fans rave about the Silver Age days of Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen solo comics? Look no further than these Superman Family mega collections.

Collects: Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #1 to #22, Showcase #9 (solo Lois Lane)

Collects:  superman’s pal jimmy olsen #23-34, showcase #10 and superman’s girl friend lois lane #1-7

Showcase Presents: Supergirl Vol. 1

Massive and reasonably priced compilation featuring Supergirl! These issues run from around 1958 to the end of 1961, otherwise known as the time Marvel Comics was debuting Fantastic Four. Note a small amount of overlap with the Superman in the Fifties collection.

Collects: action comics #252-281, superman’s pal jimmy olsen #40, 44, 46, 51 and 52, adventure comics #278, superboy #80, superman’s girl friend lois lane 314, and superman #123, 139, 140 and 144

Showcase Presents: Legion of Super-Heroes Vol. 1

Another collection slightly outside the realm of just Superman that goes a long way to understanding Superman’s (and Superboy’s) connection to the futuristic Legion of Super-Heroes.

Collects: Action Comics 267, 276, 287, 289 —  Adventure Comics 247, 267, 282, 290, 293, 300-321 —  Superboy 86, 89, 98, 117 —  Superman Annual 4 —  Superman 147 —  Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen 72, 76

Superman in the Sixties

Collects: Action Comics 289 —  Adventure Comics 294 —  Superboy 85, 106 —  Superman 141, 146, 156, 161, 164-165, 169-170 —  Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane 20, 42 —  Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen 53, 79 —  World’s Finest Comics 175

Superman in the Seventies

Collects: Action Comics 484 —  DC Comics Presents 14 —  Superman 233, 247-249, 270-271, 276, 286-287 —  Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane 106 —  Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen 133

Man of Steel comic book Superman

Post Crisis on Infinite Earths Superman (1986 to 2011)

Crisis on Infinite Earths

DC Legends

Superman: The Man of Steel Vol. 1

Following the restructuring of the DC Multiverse during Crisis on Infinite Earths, Superman was reimagined and redefined for the next generation of DC Comics fans. That all begins in John Byrne’s Man of Steel #1 to #6.

Superman: The Man of Steel Vol. 2

Following the Man of Steel limited series, Superman’s adventures move to a renumbered Superman, and a continuation of Action Comics and Adventures of Superman. The second volume collects:

Superman #1-3, Action Comics #585-587 and Adventures of superman #424-426

Superman: The Man of Steel Vol. 3

Superman #4-6 , Action Comics #587-589 , and Adventures of Superman #427-429

Superman: The Man of Steel Vol. 4

Superman #7-8, Action Comics #590-591, Legion of Super-Heroes #37-38, and Adventures of Superman #430-431

Superman: The Man of Steel Vol. 5

Superman #9-10 , Action Comics #592-593 , and Adventures of Superman #432-435

Superman: The Man of Steel Vol. 6

Superman #12 , Action Comics #594-595, Action Comics Annual #1, Superman Annual #1, Booster Gold #23, and Adventures of Superman Annual #1,

Superman: The Man of Steel Vol. 7

Superman #13-15, Action Comics #596-597, and Adventures of Superman #436-438

Superman: The Man of Steel Vol. 8

Superman #16-18 , Action Comics #598-600, and Adventures of Superman #439-440

Superman: The Man of Steel Vol. 9

Collects: Superman #19-22, Superman Annual #2 And Adventures Of Superman #441-444

Superman: Exile

Really great Post-Crisis Supes story with work from Roger Stern, Dan Jurgens, George Perez and Jerry Ordway (among others).

Collects: Superman (second series) #28-30 and #32-33, Adventures of Superman #451-456, Action Comics Annual #2, and Action Comics #643

Superman: Eradication!

Collects: Action Comics #651-652, Adventures of Superman #460, 464-465 and Superman #41-42

Superman: Krisis of the Krimson Kryptonite

Collects:  Superman #49, Adventures Of Superman #472, Starman #28, Action Comics #659, Superman #50, Adventures Of Superman #473 & Action Comics #660

Superman: Time and Time Again

Collects: Action Comics #663-665, Adventures of Superman #476-478, and Superman #54, 55, 61,and 73

Superman: Panic in the Sky

Collects:  Action Comics #674-675, Superman: The Man Of Steel #9-10, Superman #65-66, And Adventures Of Superman #488-489

Superman punches Doomsday

Death of Superman Reading Order

The Death of Superman

Collects:  Superman: The Man of Steel #18-19, Justice League America #69, Superman #74-75, Adventures of Superman #497, and Action Comics #684

Reading Order:

Superman: The Man of Steel #18

Justice League of America #69

Superman #74

Adventures of Superman #497

Action Comics #684

Superman: The Man of Steel #19

Superman #75

World Without a Superman

Collects:  Adventures of Superman 498-500, Action Comics 685-686, Superman: The Legacy of Superman 1, 4, Superman: The Man of Steel 20-21, Superman 76-77

Reading order: (expanded beyond collection)

Adventures of Superman #498

Justice League of America #70

Action Comics #685

Superman: Man of Steel #20

Adventures of Superman #499

Action Comics #686

Superman #76

Legacy of Superman #1

Supergirl & Team Luthor #1

Superman: Man of Steel #21

Superman #77

The Return of Superman

Collects: Action Comics 687-691, Superman: The Man of Steel 22-26, Superman 78-82, Adventures of Superman 500-505, Green Lantern 46

Reading Order:

Action Comics #687

Adventures of Superman #500

Superman: Man of Steel #22

Superman #78

Adventures of Superman #501

Action Comics #688

Superman: Man of Steel #23

Superman #79

Superman Annual #5

Adventures of Superman #502

Action Comics #689

Superman #80

Superman: Man of Steel #24

Adventures of Superman #503

Action Comics #690

Superman: Man of Steel #25

Superman #81

Adventures of Superman #504

Action Comics #691

Green Lantern #46

Superman: Man of Steel #26

Superman #82

Adventures of Superman #505

Superman #83

Blue Superman

From Zero Hour (1994) To The New Millennium

Zero Hour: Crisis in Time

Superman: The Death of Clark Kent

Collects:  Adventures of Superman #523-525, Action Comics #709-711, Superman #99-102, and Superman: The Man of Steel #43-46

Superman: The Trial of Superman

Collects:  Superman: The Man of Steel #50-52, Superman #106-108, Adventures of Superman #529-531, Action Comics #716-717, and Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #3

Superman: Wedding & Beyond

Collects:  Superman #118, Superman: The Wedding Album #1, Adventures of Superman #541, Action Comics #728, and Superman: The Man of Steel #63

Superman vs. The Revenge Squad

Collects: Adventures of Superman 539, Superman: Man of Tomorrow 7, Man of Steel 65, Action Comics 730, 736

JLA by Grant Morrison Vol. 1

Including Morrison and Porter’s JLA 1) Because it’s great, and I highly recommend and 2) because this order helps explain Superman’s underrated electric blue phase.

Superman: Transformed

Collects: Action Comics #729, 732, Adventures of Superman #542, 545, Superman #119, #122-123, Superman: The Man of Steel #64, 67

JLA by Grant Morrison Vol. 2

Collects:JLA #10-17

Superman flies with zebras

New Millennium, Pre New 52 Superman (2000 to 2011)

 

Superman: Birthright

Birthright (by Mark Waid and Leinil Francis Yu) replaced/supplemented Superman’s origins as told in the 1986 Man of Steel. At least for a time…

Personally, I prefer to just enjoy the look back at Superman’s early days as just another story, and a well told one at that. Waid and Yu get to the heart of Clark Kent the journalist in surprising ways that affect his role as our Earth’s Superman.

Superman/Shazam: First Thunder

Flashback tale from the always interesting Judd Winick.

Superman: No Limits

Collects: Superman #151, Superman: The Man of Steel #95, Action Comics #760, Superman #152, Adventures of Superman #574, Superman: The Man of Steel #96, Action Comics #761, Superman #153, and Superman #97

Superman: Endgame

Collects: Superman Y2K #1, Superman #154, Adventures of Superman #576, and Superman: The Man of Steel #98, and Action Comics #763

Superman: ‘Til Death Do Us Part

Collects: Superman #155, Adventures of Superman #577, Superman: The Man of Steel #99, Superman #156, Adventures of Superman #578, Superman: The Man of Steel #100, and Action Comics #765

Superman: Critical Condition

Collects: Adventures of Superman #579, Superman: The Man of Steel #101, Superman: Metropolis Secret Files and Origins #1, Action Comics #766, Superman #158, Adventures of Superman #580, Superman: The Man of Steel #102, and Action Comics #767

Superman: Emperor Joker

Collects: Superman #160, The Adventures of Superman #582, Superman: The Man of Steel #104, Action Comics #769, Emperor Joker #1, Superman #161, The Adventure of Superman #583, Superman: The Man of Steel #105, and Action Comics #770

Emperor Joker is one of the absolute weirder DC books in the 2000’s, and as such is almost required reading. There are plenty of flaws, but if nothing else, you’re not going to see many Superman stories like this one.

Superman: President Lex

Collects: Luthor SFO 1, Action 773, Adventures of Superman 581, 586, Superman 162-165, Lex 2000, and Man of Steel 108-110

Superman: Our Worlds at War – Book 1

Superman: Our Worlds at War – Book 2

Our Worlds at War is a challenging, and infrequently rewarding DC event from early in the 2000s. If you do want to dive in, I include a detailed issue by issue reading order in my DC Comics order.

Superman: Return to Krypton

Collects: Superman #166-167, Adventures of Superman #589, Superman: The Man of Steel #111, Action Comics #776, Superman #184, Adventures of Superman #606, Superman: The Man of Steel #128, and Action Comics #793

Superman: Ending Battle

Collects: Superman #186, Adventures of Superman #608, Superman: The Man of Steel #130, Action Comics #795, Superman #187, Adventures of Superman #609, Superman: The Man of Steel #131, and Action Comics #796

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

Collects: Superman/Batman #1-13

Superman/Batman: Supergirl

Collects: Superman/Batman #14-26

Superman/Batman: Absolute Power

Collects: Superman/Batman #27-36 and Superman/Batman Annual #1

Superman/Batman: Vengeance

Collects: Superman/Batman #37-49

Superman: Godfall

Collects: Action Comics #812-813, Adventures Of Superman #625-626 And Superman #202-203

Superman millions missing in Metropolis

From Identity Crisis to Infinite Crisis

Superman: Unconventional Warfare

Collects: Superman #625-626 Back-issues and #627-632

Superman: That Healing Touch

Collects: Superman #633-638

Superman: For Tomorrow

Intriguing story from Brian Azzarello and Jim Lee – takes place one year after millions have vanished from Metropolis without a trace.

Collects: Superman #204 to #215

Superman: Sacrifice

Note that Sacrifice is a Countdown to Infinite Crisis prelude, and ties in fairly closely with Countdown to Infinite Crisis: The Omac Project .

Collects: Superman #218-220, Adventures of Superman #642-643, Action Comics #829, Wonder Woman #219-220

Superman: Ruin Revealed

Collects: Adventures of Superman #640-641, 644-647

Superman: The Journey

Collects: Action Comics #829 and Superman #217, #221-225

Superman: Strange Attractors

Collects: Action Comics #827-828, Action Comics #830-835

Superman: Infinite Crisis

As you’d expect, closely tied to DC’s 2005-2006 event, Infinite Crisis. Check out Comics Book Heralds Infinite Crisis Reading Order for the whole event.

Braniac the Superman villain

From Infinite Crisis to New 52 (2006 to 2011)

Superman: Up, Up, and Away!

Collects: Superman #650-653, Action Comics #837-840

Superman: Back in Action

Collects: Action #841-843, DC Presents #4, 17, 24

Superman: Camelot Falls Vol. 1

Superman: Camelot Falls Vol. 2

Collects: Superman #654 to #658, #662-664, #667, Superman Annual #13

Superman: Last Son

This collection brings together Geoff John’s most popular runs during his time on Action Comics. The first, “Last Son of Krypton,” embraces the General Zod Kryptonian menace first established way back in Superman 2 (and then again in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel). The second story is Superman: Braniac, which was my introduction to the ultra-intelligence, and I found it highly enjoyable!

Collects: Action Comics #844 to #846, #851, #866 to #870, Action Comics Annual #11

Superman: Redemption

Collects: Superman #659, #666, Action Comics #848-#849

 

Superman: 3-2-1 Action

Collects: Superman #665, Action Comics #852-854

Superman: The Third Kryptonian

Collects: Action Comics #847, Superman #668-670, Superman Annual #13

Superman: Escape From Bizarro World

Collects: Action Comics #855-857, Superman #140, DC Comics Presents #71, and Man of Steel #5

Superman and the Legion of Super Heroes

Collects: Action Comics #858-863

Superman/Batman: Search for Kryptonite

Collects: Superman/Batman #76-87 and Superman/Batman Annual #5

Superman: New Krypton Vol. 1

Collects:Superman: New Krypton Special #1, Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen Special #1, Superman #681, Action Comics #871, Adventure Comics Special Featuring the Guardian #1

Superman: New Krypton Vol. 2

Collects: Supergirl #35, Superman #682, Action Comics #872, Supergirl #36, Superman #683, Action Comics #873

Superman/Supergirl: Maelstrom

Collects: Superman/Supergirl: Maelstrom #1-5

Superman: New Krypton Vol. 3

Collects: Superman: World of New Krypton #1-5, Action Comics Annual #10

Superman: Codename Patriot

Collects: Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen Special #2, Superman #691, Supergirl #44, Action Comics #880, Superman: World Of New Krypton #6

Superman/Batman: Night & Day

Collects: Superman/Batman #60-63, #65-67

Superman: New Krypton Vol. 4

Collects: World of New Krypton #7-12

Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton Vol. 1

Collects: Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton #1-2, Adventures of Superman #8-9, Superman #698, Supergirl #51

Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton Vol. 2

Collects: Superman: The Last Stand of New Krypton #3, Adventures of Superman #10-11, Supergirl #52, Superman #699

Superman: War of the Supermen

Collects: Superman: War of the Supermen #0 to #4, Superman #700

Superman: Return of Doomsday

Collects: Steel #1, Outsiders #37, Justice League Of America #55, Superman/ Batman Annual #5, Superboy #6

Superman: Reign of Doomsday

Collects: Action Comics #900 to #904

Superman in DCs New 52

New 52 Superman

For full context of placement in the New 52 DC Universe, I recommend Comic Book Herald’s complete New 52 reading order.

Action Comics — Superman and the Men of Steel

Collects: Action Comics #1 to #8

Action Comics Vol. 2: Bulletproof

Collects: in order: Action Comics Annual #1, Action Comics #9 to #12, Action Comics #0 (could be read prior to Action Comics #1, but works here intended as flashback)

Action Comics Vol. 3: At The End of Days

This volume concludes Grant Morrison’s New 52 Superman, and in my opinion ties together all the seemingly incongruous pieces from volume 2.

Collects: Action Comics #13 to #18

Superman Vol. 1: What Price Tomorrow

Collects: Superman #1-6

Superman Vol. 2: Secrets & Lies

Collects: Superman #7-12 and Superman Annual #1

Superman Vol. 3: Fury At World’s End

Collects: Superman #13-19 and Superman #0

There is also a Superman: H’el on Earth collected edition that brings together the full crossover including Superboy and Supergirl. See below for the H’el on Earth reading order.

H’el on Earth Reading Order

Superman #13

Superboy #14

Supergirl #14

Superman #14

Superboy #15

Supergirl #15

Superman #15

Superboy #16

Supergirl #16

Superboy Annual #1

Superman #16

Superboy #17

Supergirl #17

Superman #17

Superman Unchained

Nine issue limited series from Scott Snyder (New 52 Batman) and Jim Lee (Hush ).

Collects: Superman Unchained #1 to #9

Batman/Superman Vol. 1: Cross World

Collects: Batman/Superman #1 to #7

Action Comics Vol. 4: Hybrid

Collects: Actions Comics #19 to #24

Superman Vol. 4: Psi-War

Collects: Superman #18 to #24

There’s some Action Comics / Superman crossover during Psi-War that should be read as:

Action Comics #22

Superman Annual #2

Action Comics #23

Superman #23

Action Comics #24

Superman #24

Superman Vol. 5: Under Fire

Collects: Superman #25 to #31

Action Comics Vol. 5: What Lies Beneath

Collects: Action Comics #25 to #29, Secret Origins #1

Superman/Wonder Woman Vol. 1: Power Couple

Collects: Superman/Wonder Woman #1 to #6

Superman: Doomed

Collects: Superman: Doomed #1-2, Action Comics #30-35, Action Comics Annual #3, Superman #30-31, Superman/Wonder Woman #7-12, Superman/Wonder Woman Annual #1, Supergirl #34-35 And Batman/Superman #11

Superman Doomed Reading Order

Superman #30

Action Comics #30

Superman: Doomed #1

Action Comics #31

Superman/Wonder Woman #8

Batman/Superman #11

Superman #31

Action Comics #32

Superman/Wonder Woman #9

Action Comics #33

Superman/Wonder Woman #10

Superman/Wonder Woman Annual #1

Action Comics Annual #3

Action Comics #34

Superman/Wonder Woman #11

Supergirl #34

Superman: Doomed #2

Action Comics #35

Superman/Wonder Woman #12

Superman Vol. 6: The Men of Tomorrow

Collects: Superman #32 to #39

Action Comics Vol. 7

Collects: Action Comics #36 to #40

Superman: Before Truth

This Superman story marks the start of Gene Luen Yang (of the incredible Boxers & Saints ) writing Superman, with John Romita Jr. and Klaus Janson still on art.

Collects: Superman #40 to #46

Superman: Return to Glory

Collects: Superman #47-52

Action Comics Vol. 8: Truth

Collects: Action Comics #41 to #47

Action Comics Vol. 9: Last Rites

Collects: Action Comics #48-52

Superman Rebirth #1 by DC Comics

DC Rebirth Superman Reading Order

For comprehensive context of placement in the DC Universe, I recommend Comic Book Herald’s DC Rebirth reading order.

Superman Vol. 1: Son Of Superman

Collects: Superman: Rebirth #1, Superman #1 to #6

Action Comics Vol. 1: Path Of Doom

Collects: Action Comics #957 to #962

New Super-Man Vol. 1: Made In China

Collects: New Superman #1 to #6

I’ve moved up the New Super-Man first volume given the apparent belief in China that Superman’s “Final Days” are still very much in effect.

Trinity Vol. 1: Better Together

Collects: Trinity #1 to #6

Superwoman Vol. 1: Who is Superwoman?

Collects: Superwoman #1 to #6

Superman Vol. 2: Trials of the Super Son

Collects: Superman #7 to #13

Action Comics Vol. 2 (Rebirth)

Collects: Action Comics #963 to #968

Superman: Action Comics Vol. 3

Collects: Actions Comics #967 to #972

Superman Vol. 3: Multiplicity

Collects: Superman #14 to #17, Superman Annual #1

Super Sons Vol. 1 (Rebirth)

Collects: Super Sons #1 to #6

Superman Reborn

Order:

  • Action Comics #973 to #974
  • Superman #18
  • Action Comics #975
  • Superwoman #8
  • Superman #19
  • Action Comics #976
  • Superman #20 (Reborn Aftermath)
  • Trinity #8 (Reborn Aftermath)
  • Action Comics #977 (Reborn Aftermath)
  • Supergirl #8 (Reborn Aftermath)
  • Superwoman #9 (Reborn Aftermath)
  • Superman #21 (Reborn Aftermath)
  • Action Comics #978 (Reborn Aftermath)
  • New Super-Man #9 to #10 (Reborn & Aftermath)
  • Superwoman #10 (Reborn & Aftermath)

Superman: Action Comics Vol. 4

Collects: Action Comics #977 to #984

Crossover reading order should go as follows (thanks to Matt and Sean in the comments below!):

Suicide Squad #17: Earthlings on Fire: Part 2: Page 1-17
Action Comics #979: Revenge: Part 1
Suicide Squad #17: Earthlings on Fire: Part 2: Page 18-end
Suicide Squad #18: Earthlings on Fire: Part 3: Page 1-12
Action Comics #980: Revenge: Part 2
Suicide Squad #18: Earthlings on Fire: Part 3: Page 13-end
Suicide Squad #19: Earthlings on Fire: Part 4
Action Comics #981-984: Revenge: Part 3-6

Superman Vol. 4: Black Dawn

Collects: Superman #20 to #26

Supergirl Vol. 2

Collects: Supergirl #7 to #11, stories from Batgirl Annual #1

Superwoman Vol. 2

Collects: Superwoman #8 to #12

Super Sons Vol. 2

Collects: Super Sons #6 to #11

Supergirl Vol. 3

Collects: Supergirl #12 to #16, Supergirl Annual #1

Superwoman Vol. 3

Collects: Superwoman #13 to #18

Action Comics: Superman-The Oz Effect

Collects: Action Comics #985 to #992

Superman Vol. 5: Hopes and Fears

Collects: Superman #27 to #32

Superman: Action Comics Vol. 5: Booster Shot

Collects: Action Comics #993 to #999

New Super-Man Vol. 3: Equilibrium

Collects: New Super-Man #13-19

Superman Vol. 6: Imperius Lex

Collects: Superman #33-36 And #39-41

Super Sons of Tomorrow

Superman #37

Super Sons #11

Teen Titans #15

Superman #38

Super Sons #12

Superman Vol. 7

Collects: Superman #42-45

Super Sons Vol. 3: Parent Trap

Collects: Super Sons #13-16 And Annual #1

Doomsday Clock

Comic Book Herald’s complete Doomsday Clock reading order!

Action Comics #1000: Deluxe Edition

Collects: Action Comics #1000, Action Comics #1

The Bendis Era (2018-2020)

Brian Bendis came in under a large exclusive contract for DC and he took that opportunity to try to create a tightly connected Superman Saga. The saga focused on making big moves and broke headlines every other month (for better or for worse). However, regardless of what you think of his run, it’s hard to argue it’s an ambitious way to tell a Superman run. Each series has important elements that will dramatically affect the future.

All the Super Sons books take place before Man of Steel

Adventures of the Super Sons Vol. 1: Action Detective

Collects: Adventures of the Supersons #1-6

Adventures of the Super Sons Vol. 2: Intergalactic Showdown

Collects: Adventures of the Supersons #7-12

The Challenge of the Super Sons (Digital First)

The Challenge of the Super Sons #1-10

The Man of Steel

Collects: Man Of Steel #1-6 And Stories From DC Nation #0

Superman: Action Comics Vol. 1: Invisible Mafia

Collects: Action Comics #1,001-1,006

Superman Vol. 1: The Unity Saga: The Phantom Earth

Collects: Superman #1-6

The Brian Michael Bendis era of Superman begins with his first ongoing arc of Supes following the Man of Steel weekly series.

Supergirl Vol.1: Killers of Krypton

Collects: Supergirl #21-26

Unlike most of Superman Runs, Supergirl early in the Bendis Era deals with crucial info and crosses over in ways that make it hard to not include in the order.

Supergirl Vol. 2: Sins of the Circle

Collects: Supergirl #27-33

Superman: Vol. 2 The Unity Saga: House of El

Collects: Superman #7-15

Note: Sins of the Circle and the Unity Saga have a crossover in the middle, where each shows the exact same scene with the same words in the middle. As such I strongly recommend reading the books in this order

The Unity Saga

Superman #7-10

Supergirl #27-29

Superman #11

Supergirl #30

Superman #12

Supergirl #31

Superman #13

Supergirl #32

Superman #14

Supergirl #33

Superman #15

Note: During this crossover, the series also begin tying into Year of the Villain, don’t worry about the crossover part too much though as it doesn’t play a super important role in these issues. But if you want to see where the books fall in the context of the event, make sure to check out Comic Book Herald Reading for Year of the Villain

Superman: Action Comics Vol. 2: Leviathan Rising

Collects: Action Comics #1007-1011 and Leviathan Special #1

Event Leviathan

Collects: Event Leviathan #1-7

Check out the Comic Book Heralds Event Leviathan Reading Order for the full order with all of the Tie-ins (And comics that tie into both Year of the Villain and Event Leviathan…..)

Superman: Action Comics Vol. 3: Leviathan Hunt

Collects: Superman: Action Comics #1012-1020

Superman Action Comics #1015 and #1016 follow-up on Bendis’s Naomi: Season One

Young Justice Vol. 1: Gemworld

Collects: Young Justice #1-6

This comic is important for the return of Connor Kent.

Superman: Vol. 3 The Truth Revealed

Collects: Superman #16-19 and Superman: Heroes #1, and Superman: Villains #1.
Note: The Mongal Part of Superman: Villains #1 actually takes place after Superman Vol. 4.

Legion of Superheroes Vol. 1: Millennium

Collects: Legion of Superheroes Millenium #1-2 and Legion of Superheroes #1-6

Legion of Superheroes Vol. 2: The Trial of the Legion

Collects: Legion of Superheroes #7-12

Superman: Action Comics Vol. 4: Metropolis Burning

Collects: Action Comics #1021-1028

Superman: Vol. 4 Mythological

Collects: Superman #20-28

Infinite Frontier (2021-)

Superman: Future State

Collects: Superman of Metropolis #1-2, Superman Worlds of War #1-2, Supergirl #1-2, Superman vs. Imperious Lex #1-3, and Superman: House of El #1

Superman: Future State is a look at a possible future for the Superman Line and teases plot threads for the future including Jon stepping up and becoming the new Superman. The collection also includes a lot of stories for other characters like Midnighter, Guardian, Black Racer, and Mister Miracle. It also serves as the first look at Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s Superman with his book Superman: Worlds of War. Check out the full Comic Book Herald Future State Reading Order to see where the rest of Future State fits with these books.

Infinite Frontier #1

Superman: The Golden Age

Part 1: Superman #29

Part 2: Action Comics #1029

Back-issue of Superman #29: Tales of Metropolis: Jimmy Olsen

Back-issue of Action Comics #1029: Midnighter

Action Comics: War World Rising

Action Comics #1030-1031

Midnighter Back-Issue: Action Comics #1030-1031

Superman: The One Who Fell

Superman #30-31

Back-issue of Tales of Metropolis Superman #30-31

Superman Essentials (Standalone / Early Days)

The Kents

Superman: For All Seasons

Superman: Secret Origins

Superman: Kryptonite

JLA: Year One

Batman / Superman / Wonder Woman: Trinity

All-Star Superman

Lex Luthor: Man of Steel

Kingdom Come

Superman: Red Son

Superman: Earth One

Superman: Secret Identity

Superman’s Future

Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?

Alan Moore (Watchmen , Saga of the Swamp Thing ) and perennial Superman artist Curt Swan created the “last” Superman story, featuring the Man of Steel against Lex Luthor and Braniac in a final struggle.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ismail says

    May 19, 2022 at 1:30 pm

    Not sure why it’s not on the list, but I highly suggest reading Convergence and Lois & Clark before jumping into Rebirth. Not only is it one of the best Supes stories, it’s necessary in explaining why Superman was so different during New 52 and why there are two Supermen in Rebirth.

    Reply
  2. Isaac says

    October 16, 2021 at 4:47 am

    Action comics leviathan rising should end 1021 though the TPB ends at 1020 😃

    Reply
    • Nathan Payson (Guidewriter) says

      March 21, 2022 at 11:55 pm

      DC Trades are really strange sometimes. but also I think you mean Leviathan Hunt? I’d just say with anything, go with your gut. Unless there’s something glaring, that era of continuity (year of the villain) is essentially impossible to truly organize…

      Reply
  3. JC Lebourdais says

    June 7, 2021 at 4:24 pm

    there are several volumes of DC showcase presents Superman for the Silver age stuff. I wish they had continued it up to Crisis and after, in the triangle era.

    Reply
  4. Fred Castro says

    August 14, 2019 at 6:11 am

    IF I COULD JUST GET ONE COPY OF EVERYTHING ON THIS LIST – I WOULD BE IN COMIC BOOK HEAVEN RIGHT HERE IN MY OWN LIVING ROOM…

    Reply
    • Mance says

      April 18, 2020 at 11:35 pm

      This is an old thread, but DC Universe streaming service is the answer to your dream.

      Reply
      • Zarry says

        June 26, 2020 at 12:25 pm

        To be honest, reading the thing on a physical, glossy book and awe-ing at the artwork, with the added suspense of not knowing what you might get to read when you turn the page slowly will always trump scrolling through images on a tablet to me. Hands down.

        Reply
      • Vaibhav Kumar says

        August 6, 2020 at 11:19 am

        Hardcopy is not same as digital.

        Reply
  5. Nhex says

    September 3, 2017 at 2:56 am

    Pre-Rebirth, this needs to include Superman Volume 2: Return to Glory (end of Yang’s run before he moves onto New Super-Man) which also sloppily intersects with the Superman: Savage Dawn and (of course) Superman: The Final Days of Superman crossover trades.

    Reply
  6. Henry says

    August 12, 2017 at 7:25 pm

    Hey, I’m looking for a collection that has Action Comics #864 and 865 since they’re not in any of the collections listed here or anyone else. I was wondering if you might know of a book that has them.

    Reply
  7. Thomas says

    March 8, 2017 at 9:25 am

    Hi! I have a question, why “superman road to rebirth” isn´t between Superman American Alien and Superman Vol1 from Rebirth. I think that these histories are very important to understand the reason of 2 supermans and the death of one of them. Thanks for the excellent work guys!

    Reply

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