Updated
Superman comics reading order: where to start
Where to start reading Superman comics: three reading paths for new readers, film fans and Silver Age lovers, plus classics, current series and UK tips.
The short answer
New readers should start with All-Star Superman (Morrison and Quitely), then Superman: Birthright and Superman for All Seasons. Fans of Superman (2025) can follow James Gunn's own reading list, and Silver Age lovers should start with Superman: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1. In the UK, look for collected editions at Waterstones and Forbidden Planet, or read digitally on DC Universe Infinite.
Superman has nearly 90 years of comics, so the hardest part is knowing where to begin. Pick the path that sounds most like you. Every book below is a collected edition you can buy as a paperback or read digitally.
Path 1: new to Superman (no homework needed)
| # | Book | Creators | Year | Why read it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | All-Star Superman | Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely | 2005–08 | A dying Superman’s last labours. Self-contained, and often called the best Superman book |
| 2 | Superman: Birthright | Mark Waid, Leinil Francis Yu | 2003–04 | A modern, idealistic retelling of his origin |
| 3 | Superman for All Seasons | Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale | 1998 | Young Clark through four seasons, told by the people around him |
| 4 | Superman Smashes the Klan | Gene Luen Yang, Gurihiru | 2019–20 | Great for younger readers; based on the 1946 radio serial, and a Harvey Award winner |
| 5 | Superman: Up in the Sky | Tom King, Andy Kubert | 2019 | Superman crosses the galaxy to save one girl |
| 6 | Superman: Secret Identity | Kurt Busiek, Stuart Immonen | 2004 | A real-world Clark Kent gets powers; quiet and grown-up |
| 7 | Superman: The Man of Steel Vol. 1 | John Byrne | 1986 | The reboot that defined the modern Clark |
| 8 | The Death of Superman | Dan Jurgens and others | 1992–93 | The famous fight with Doomsday: see is Superman invulnerable? |
| 9 | Superman: Space Age | Mark Russell, Mike Allred | 2022–23 | A complete story set in the 1960s; good for a book club |
| 10 | Superman (2023–) Vol. 1 | Joshua Williamson, Jamal Campbell | 2023 | Jump on to the current monthly, with Lex at Superman’s side (Likely) |
| 11 | Absolute Superman Vol. 1 | Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval | 2024– | A reimagined, darker Kal-El; no history needed (Likely) |
Once you know the basics, try Superman: Red Son (2003) and Kingdom Come (1996): see Superman versions and Elseworlds.
Path 2: you loved Superman (2025)
James Gunn has named the comics behind his film, and DC published his list. The first six below are his picks; the rest introduce the film’s other characters.
| # | Book | Creators | Year | The film connection | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | All-Star Superman | Morrison, Quitely | 2005–08 | Gunn’s favourite: the tone, Luthor, the robots, the colours | Confirmed |
| 2 | Superman for All Seasons | Loeb, Sale | 1998 | The Kents and Smallville warmth | Confirmed |
| 3 | Superman: Birthright | Waid, Yu | 2003–04 | Named by Gunn | Confirmed |
| 4 | Superman: The Man of Steel | John Byrne | 1986 | Gunn says he loves the Byrne run | Confirmed |
| 5 | Action Comics (New 52) Vol. 1 | Grant Morrison, Rags Morales | 2011–12 | The rough, people’s-champion “Superman in jeans” | Confirmed (run) |
| 6 | Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? | Alan Moore, Curt Swan | 1986 | Named by Gunn; Krypto appears | Likely |
| 7 | Kingdom Come | Mark Waid, Alex Ross | 1996 | Ideals against a harsher world | Likely |
| 8 | Lex Luthor: Man of Steel | Brian Azzarello, Lee Bermejo | 2005 | Luthor as the hero of his own story | Likely |
| 9 | Justice League International Vol. 1 | Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, Kevin Maguire | 1987 | Guy Gardner and Maxwell Lord | Likely |
| 10 | The Terrifics Vol. 1 | Jeff Lemire and others | 2018 | Mister Terrific and Metamorpho as a team | Likely |
| 11 | Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow | Tom King, Bilquis Evely | 2021–22 | The basis of Supergirl (2026), with Kara and Krypto | Confirmed |
| 12 | Superman: Brainiac | Geoff Johns, Gary Frank | 2008 | Read it before Man of Tomorrow, where Brainiac is the villain | Likely |
For the film itself, see our Superman (2025) guide.
Path 3: Silver Age lover
| # | Book | What’s inside | Why read it | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Superman: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1 | Action Comics #241–265 and Superman #122–137 (816 pages; 2024) | The Fortress, Brainiac and Kandor, and Supergirl’s arrival: see the Fortress of Solitude | Confirmed |
| 2 | Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane collections | Lois’s own series, 1958–74 | Read more about Lois Lane | Confirmed (series) |
| 3 | “The Death of Superman” (an Imaginary Story) | Superman #149 (1961) | The classic Silver Age “what if” | Likely |
| 4 | “The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue” | Superman #162 (1963) | A famous Imaginary Story | Likely |
| 5 | Superman: Kryptonite Nevermore | Denny O’Neil, Curt Swan (1971) | The bridge to the Bronze Age, when kryptonite turned to iron | Likely |
| 6 | Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? | Alan Moore, Curt Swan (1986) | The loving farewell to the Silver Age world | Confirmed |
| 7 | All-Star Superman | Morrison, Quitely (2005–08) | A modern love letter to Silver Age ideas | Confirmed |
| 8 | Superman: Space Age | Russell, Allred (2022–23) | Silver Age-styled art | Confirmed |
Want more? Superman: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 2 continues with Action Comics #266–288 and Superman #138–153, with Titano, red kryptonite and Mr. Mxyzptlk; retailers list different release dates, so check before you order. Supergirl: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1 collects her stories from Action Comics #252–307 (1959–63), and Legion of Super-Heroes: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1 (2017) collects the Legion’s early Adventure Comics run, including #300–328.
Buying and reading in the UK
- Bookshops: Waterstones and Forbidden Planet list several of these books, including All-Star Superman, Superman for All Seasons and Superman Smashes the Klan. Stock changes, so check before you travel. We haven’t confirmed every title’s UK availability.
- The budget pick: All-Star Superman comes in a pocket-sized DC Compact Comics Edition (2024) as well as the standard paperback. Compare the current prices before you buy.
- Digital: DC Universe Infinite has been available in the UK since 28 April 2022, with monthly and yearly plans. It holds most of DC’s back catalogue, with new issues added some months after release; check its site for today’s UK price and whether a specific title is included.
The classics
- Action Comics #1 (1938): where it all began
- For the Man Who Has Everything: Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons (Superman Annual #11, 1985)
- Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?: Alan Moore and Curt Swan (1986), the send-off to the pre-Crisis Superman
- The Man of Steel: John Byrne (1986), the post-Crisis reboot
- The Death of Superman (1992–1993): Superman against Doomsday
- Kingdom Come: Mark Waid and Alex Ross (1996)
- What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way?: Action Comics #775 (2001), the classic case for his no-kill rule
Reading now
- Superman (2023–): Joshua Williamson. The main monthly series.
- Absolute Superman (2024–): Jason Aaron. A reimagined Kal-El in DC’s Absolute line, reaching issue #25 in November 2026.
- Superman Unlimited (2025–): Dan Slott
- Action Comics: the series that started it all, still running
Check our Superman release calendar for each month’s new releases, and brush up on Superman’s history and his greatest villains.
Questions
Which Superman comic should I read first?
All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely is the most recommended start, and James Gunn named it as an influence. In the UK, the DC Compact Comics edition collects all 12 issues. Superman for All Seasons and Birthright are also great origin stories.
Which comics inspired Superman (2025)?
James Gunn named All-Star Superman, Superman for All Seasons, Superman: Birthright, John Byrne's run and Grant Morrison's New 52 Action Comics, plus the early Siegel and Shuster stories. Frank Quitely's All-Star art hung in the production room, according to DC.
Can I read Superman comics digitally in the UK?
Yes. DC Universe Infinite, DC's digital comics service, has been available in the UK since 28 April 2022, with monthly and yearly plans. It holds most of DC's back catalogue, with new issues added some months after release. Check the current UK price on its website.
Sources and further reading
- DC.com: James Gunn and the comics that inspired Superman (10 July 2025)
- Slashfilm: comics to read before James Gunn's Superman
- JoBlo: the comics that inspired James Gunn
- Waterstones: All-Star Superman, DC Compact Comics Edition
- Waterstones: Superman for All Seasons
- Forbidden Planet: Superman Smashes the Klan
- Penguin Random House: Superman: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1
- Warner Bros. UK: DC Universe Infinite is live in the UK
- DC: Superman comics
- AIPT: Full November 2026 DC Comics solicitations
- Penguin Random House: Superman: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 2
- Penguin NZ: Supergirl: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1 (new edition)
- DC.com: Legion of Super-Heroes: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1