Superman history
On this day.
81 dates from 1914 to today, each with its source. Comics use on-sale dates, and US films use US release dates unless we say otherwise.
January
· People
George Reeves, TV's Superman in the 1950s, is born in Woolstock, Iowa.
· Film
The first Superman film serial, starring Kirk Alyn, opens (15 chapters, Columbia).
· TV
All ten seasons of Smallville arrive on Netflix UK.
· Newspaper strip
The Superman daily newspaper strip begins, introducing his Kryptonian parents.
· Newspaper strip
Reportedly: The name 'Kal-L' first appears, in the second daily strip.
· People
Jerry Siegel, co-creator of Superman, dies in Los Angeles.
February
· Games
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League launches, with a brainwashed Superman as a boss.
· Radio
The Adventures of Superman radio show debuts, with Bud Collyer as Superman.
· Animation
Superman: The Animated Series airs its final episode.
· Radio
Perry White makes his debut, on the radio show.
· TV
Superman & Lois premieres, starring Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch.
March
· Radio
The Adventures of Superman radio show ends after 2,088 episodes.
· Radio
Superman meets Batman and Robin on the radio show.
· Comics
Superman's electric-blue costume debuts in Superman #123 (on-sale date).
· TV
Krypton, the prequel series about Superman's grandfather Seg-El, premieres on Syfy.
· Film
Filming on Superman: The Movie begins at Pinewood Studios, England, with the Krypton scenes.
April
· Real world
A copy of Action Comics #1 sells for a then-record $6 million.
· Film
Reportedly: Superman II opens in UK cinemas (London premiere the night before).
· Radio
Jimmy Olsen is named for the first time, on the radio show.
· Games
Injustice: Gods Among Us is released in North America.
· Comics
Action Comics #1, Superman's first appearance, goes on sale.
· Comics
Action Comics #1000 goes on sale, 80 years to the day after #1.
· Film
Filming begins on Man of Tomorrow at Trilith Studios, Georgia.
· People
Tom Welling, Smallville's Clark Kent, is born.
· TV
Adventures of Superman airs its last episode, after 104.
· Real world
DC Universe Infinite launches in the UK.
May
· People
Henry Cavill, the Man of Steel, is born in St Helier, Jersey.
· TV
Smallville's final episode airs after ten seasons.
· People
Margot Kidder, Lois Lane in Superman: The Movie, dies aged 69.
· Games
Injustice 2 is released in the UK.
· Games
MultiVersus, which included a playable Superman, shuts down.
June
· Radio
Kryptonite appears for the first time, on the radio show.
· TV
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman airs its final episode.
· Film
Man of Steel, starring Henry Cavill, opens in the US.
· Animation
Reportedly: My Adventures with Superman season 3 premieres.
· People
George Reeves, TV's Superman, dies aged 45.
· Film
Supergirl, starring Milly Alcock, opens in UK and US cinemas.
· Film
Superman Returns, starring Brandon Routh, opens in the US.
July
· Animation
My Adventures with Superman premieres on Adult Swim.
· Film
Superman (2025) has its world premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre, Los Angeles.
· People
David Corenswet, the DCU's Superman, is born in Philadelphia.
· Film · Coming up
Man of Tomorrow opens in US cinemas.
· People
Joe Shuster, the artist who co-created Superman, is born in Toronto.
· Film
James Gunn's Superman, starring David Corenswet, opens in UK and US cinemas.
· Animation
The last of the 17 Fleischer/Famous Studios Superman cartoons is released.
· People
Joe Shuster, Superman's co-creator, dies in Los Angeles.
· People
Dean Cain, Superman in Lois & Clark, is born.
August
· Comics
Reportedly: Britain's Triumph #772 shows Superman flying on its cover, one of the earliest flying images.
· TV
Krypton airs its final episode.
· Film
Filming wraps on Man of Tomorrow after about 93 days.
· Comics
Superman and Wonder Woman share their famous kiss in Justice League #12 (on-sale date).
September
· Film
The title Man of Tomorrow and its July 2027 date are announced.
· Animation
Filmation's The New Adventures of Superman ends its CBS run.
· Animation
Superman: The Animated Series premieres on Kids' WB.
· Animation
Filmation's The New Adventures of Superman premieres, with Bud Collyer's voice.
· People
Tyler Hoechlin, Superman in Supergirl and Superman & Lois, is born.
· TV
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman premieres.
· TV
Adventures of Superman, starring George Reeves, premieres on TV.
· People
Christopher Reeve is born in New York City.
· Animation
The first Fleischer Superman cartoon is released. It was later nominated for an Oscar.
October
· Comics
Reportedly: Superman: The Wedding Album goes on sale that week: Clark and Lois marry.
· People
Kirk Alyn, the first live-action Superman, is born.
· People
Brandon Routh, star of Superman Returns, is born in Des Moines, Iowa.
· People
Christopher Reeve dies aged 52.
· TV
Tyler Hoechlin first appears as Superman, in Supergirl season 2.
· TV
Smallville premieres, with Tom Welling as the young Clark Kent.
· Real world
DC changes Superman's motto to 'Truth, justice and a better tomorrow'.
· People
Jerry Siegel, the writer who co-created Superman, is born in Cleveland.
· People
Margot Kidder, Lois Lane in four Superman films, is born in Yellowknife, Canada.
· Animation
Reportedly: My Adventures with Superman arrives in the UK on Channel 4 streaming.
· Comics
Reportedly: Superman: Earth One volume 1 is published.
· Film
James Gunn says there will be no Man of Tomorrow trailer in December 2026.
November
· Newspaper strip
The Superman Sunday newspaper strip begins.
· Film
Superman and the Mole Men, George Reeves's first outing as Superman, is released.
· Comics
Superman #75, 'The Death of Superman', goes on sale.
December
· TV
Superman & Lois airs its series finale.
· TV
Superman & Lois premieres in the UK on BBC One.
· Film
Royal premiere of Superman: The Movie at the Empire, Leicester Square, attended by the Queen.
· Film
Superman: The Movie opens in UK cinemas, a day before the US.
· Film
Superman: The Movie, starring Christopher Reeve, opens in the US.
· Film
Lars Eidinger is cast as Brainiac in Man of Tomorrow.
Know a date we've missed, or spotted a mistake? Tell us, with a source if you can. We only add dates we can pin to the day.