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)
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 (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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
Post Crisis on Infinite Earths Superman (1986 to 2011)
Superman: The Man of Steel Vol. 1
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
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
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
Collects: Action Comics #663-665, Adventures of Superman #476-478, and Superman #54, 55, 61,and 73
Collects: Action Comics #674-675, Superman: The Man Of Steel #9-10, Superman #65-66, And Adventures Of Superman #488-489
Death of Superman Reading Order
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
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
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
From Zero Hour (1994) To The New Millennium
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
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
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.
Collects: Action Comics #729, 732, Adventures of Superman #542, 545, Superman #119, #122-123, Superman: The Man of Steel #64, 67
Collects:JLA #10-17
New Millennium, Pre New 52 Superman (2000 to 2011)
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
Collects: Superman/Batman #14-26
Superman/Batman: Absolute Power
Collects: Superman/Batman #27-36 and Superman/Batman Annual #1
Collects: Superman/Batman #37-49
Collects: Action Comics #812-813, Adventures Of Superman #625-626 And Superman #202-203
From Identity Crisis to Infinite Crisis
Superman: Unconventional Warfare
Collects: Superman #625-626 Back-issues and #627-632
Collects: Superman #633-638
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
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
Collects: Adventures of Superman #640-641, 644-647
Collects: Action Comics #829 and Superman #217, #221-225
Collects: Action Comics #827-828, Action Comics #830-835
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.
From Infinite Crisis to New 52 (2006 to 2011)
Collects: Superman #650-653, Action Comics #837-840
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
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
Collects: Superman #659, #666, Action Comics #848-#849
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
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
Collects: Supergirl #35, Superman #682, Action Comics #872, Supergirl #36, Superman #683, Action Comics #873
Collects: Superman/Supergirl: Maelstrom #1-5
Collects: Superman: World of New Krypton #1-5, Action Comics Annual #10
Collects: Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen Special #2, Superman #691, Supergirl #44, Action Comics #880, Superman: World Of New Krypton #6
Collects: Superman/Batman #60-63, #65-67
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
Collects: Superman: War of the Supermen #0 to #4, Superman #700
Collects: Steel #1, Outsiders #37, Justice League Of America #55, Superman/ Batman Annual #5, Superboy #6
Collects: Action Comics #900 to #904
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
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
Collects: Actions Comics #19 to #24
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
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
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
Collects: Action Comics #36 to #40
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
Collects: Superman #47-52
Collects: Action Comics #41 to #47
Action Comics Vol. 9: Last Rites
Collects: Action Comics #48-52
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
Collects: Superman #14 to #17, Superman Annual #1
Collects: Super Sons #1 to #6
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
Collects: Superman #20 to #26
Collects: Supergirl #7 to #11, stories from Batgirl Annual #1
Collects: Superwoman #8 to #12
Collects: Super Sons #6 to #11
Collects: Supergirl #12 to #16, Supergirl Annual #1
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
Collects: Superman #33-36 And #39-41
Super Sons of Tomorrow
Superman #37
Super Sons #11
Teen Titans #15
Superman #38
Super Sons #12
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
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
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
Collects: Superman #20-28
Infinite Frontier (2021-)
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)
Batman / Superman / Wonder Woman: Trinity
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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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.
Action comics leviathan rising should end 1021 though the TPB ends at 1020 😃
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…
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.
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…
This is an old thread, but DC Universe streaming service is the answer to your dream.
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.
Hardcopy is not same as digital.
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.
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.
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!