10 Best Superman Starting Points For First-Time DC Fans

This character has been around for almost a century and is still one of the most beloved and important superheroes ever created. His popularity has grown beyond comic books, appearing in many different forms of media. Because of this long history, it can be overwhelming to know where to start exploring the story of the Last Son of Krypton.

There are many excellent places to start learning about Superman, both in comics and other media, especially for new fans. Some of these stories are well-known classics, while others don’t get the attention they deserve. Whether you’re already a Superman fan or just curious, these stories will quickly get you familiar with the iconic hero.

Superman: The Movie Still Makes Viewers Believe a Man Can Fly

Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie, released in 1978, remains one of the most memorable versions of the superhero. The film skillfully captured classic elements from the original comics, especially the contrast between Clark Kent’s mild-mannered persona and Superman’s heroic identity. It also cleverly modernized the character for a 1970s audience, creating a winning combination of science fiction and romance.

If you’re new to Superman, Superman: The Movie is the best place to begin. It introduces core elements of the character, like his work at the Daily Planet, his childhood in Smallville, his origins on Krypton, and his conflict with Lex Luthor. While Superman has evolved over time, and some details are different now, this film remains a classic and arguably the most definitive portrayal of the hero on the big screen.

My Adventures with Superman Is Essentially a Superman Anime

My Adventures with Superman offers a fresh take on the classic hero, designed to appeal to anime lovers. It shows a younger, less confident Superman and revisits his relationships with colleagues at the Daily Planet and his enemies. The series is full of hopeful energy and clearly draws inspiration from shonen anime.

“My Adventures with Superman” offers a charming and wholesome take on both Superman and Clark Kent. Unlike some other versions, this Superman feels genuinely connected to his friends, despite being an alien. The show has just finished its second season and will soon feature an episode with Green Lantern. Overall, it’s a fresh and contemporary reimagining of the DC Universe that’s really found its own identity.

Absolute Superman Is a Drastically Different Take on Golden Age Superman

Early versions of Superman were known for fighting for those who were mistreated, but this focus lessened after the Great Depression ended. The new Absolute Superman comic revisits those themes while presenting a very different version of the hero. As part of the popular Absolute Universe series, this story shows Kal-El leaving Krypton as a young adult, rather than as an infant.

This new version of Superman has slightly different powers thanks to a special Kryptonian suit, and familiar faces like Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen are reimagined. The ‘Absolute Universe’ has quickly become a big hit for DC Comics, exceeding expectations. Since it’s still early days for this universe – only in its second year and with no announced end date – Absolute Superman is an excellent entry point for new readers.

The First Four Seasons of Smallville are Still Classics

When Smallville first aired on The WB and CW, superhero shows were very different than they are today. A key to its popularity was a simple guideline it followed. The show took the classic Superboy comics from the 1950s and 60s and updated them, focusing on Clark Kent’s teenage years in Smallville. This created a blend of science fiction and drama, where Clark’s relationships with family and friends were just as important as the super-powered villains he faced each week.

The early seasons of Smallville represent the show at its finest – a simpler time before some of its more debated choices, like the death of John Schneider’s character, Pa Kent. It was also before the show introduced a large number of Superman villains and characters from the broader DC Universe, all before Clark Kent actually became Superman. Although the show’s later seasons took some questionable turns, those first few seasons remain a fondly remembered and enjoyable watch for anyone wanting a more down-to-earth portrayal of Superman.

All-Star Superman Is One of the Best Superman Stories Ever

Created by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, All-Star Superman is widely considered one of the best comic books of the last thirty years. The story draws heavily from the classic Superman tales of the Silver Age and was designed as a definitive adventure for the character, incorporating many elements of his history. It also depicts a climactic, final confrontation for Superman.

All-Star Superman truly captures the essence of Superman, and it manages to feel fresh even with nods to older stories. It’s consistently available, originally published as a key title in DC’s Compact Comics line, and has gone on to influence other versions of the character, including an animated film. Many consider it Grant Morrison’s finest work featuring the hero.

Superman: Birthright Was Subtly Silver Age

Mark Waid, a celebrated comic book writer, is a big fan of classic Superman stories from the Silver Age. He showed this in his miniseries, Superman: Birthright, which briefly served as the official, updated origin story for the character. Similar to the TV show Smallville, Superman: Birthright reimagined the beginnings of Superman and Lex Luthor as childhood friends growing up in a small town.

I really loved Mark Waid’s Birthright – it felt so much more like a big, modern movie than some of his later work, like Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, where he’s clearly going for that classic, older style. His take on Superman’s origin story in Birthright just felt fresh and epic, kind of like The Ultimates did when it first came out. And the best part? You can get it as a Compact Comic, which is a smaller, manga-sized edition, so it’s a perfect way for anyone new to the story to jump in!

Superman: Earth One Definitely Influenced the DCEU

Before the divisive New 52 revamp, DC attempted to update Superman with the critically acclaimed Superman: Earth One trilogy. This series launched DC’s Earth One line, which aimed to reimagine classic characters—similar to Marvel’s Ultimate Universe. The first volume of Superman: Earth One introduced an original villain responsible for the destruction of Krypton, offering a fresh take on the character’s origins and avoiding familiar storylines.

The comic series Superman: Earth One offered a fresh, modern take on the hero, portraying him as somewhat distant yet still fundamentally heroic—and it heavily influenced Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Superman in the DC Extended Universe. These stories featured impressive, large-scale action sequences, even more so than the Birthright series. What really stood out was the creative reimagining of the supporting characters and villains, making this version appealing even to those unfamiliar with classic Superman stories.

The Death and Return of Superman Reinvigorated the Superman Family

Even though it involves Superman’s death, the story arc The Death of Superman is a surprisingly good introduction to the current version of the Superman legend. It not only showed what happened when Superman temporarily died, but also delved into his role within the DC Universe and the city of Metropolis. Plus, it made his eventual comeback even more impactful.

After Superman’s death in The Death of Superman, several characters emerged trying to fill his role. These characters have become important, both as allies and enemies of Superman, and the best way to learn about them is by reading the original story where they first appeared.

Superman for All Seasons Is the Original All-Star Superman

Both All-Star Superman and Superman for All Seasons explore Superman’s origins, but in different ways. All-Star Superman pays tribute to the classic, older stories of Superman, while Superman for All Seasons reimagines his beginnings after those stories were updated. This later story, building on work by John Byrne and Marv Wolfman, presented a more relatable and human Superman, and it’s also a particularly strong look at his formative years growing up in Smallville and how that place shaped him into the hero he became.

While often overshadowed by other Superman origin stories, Superman for All Seasons is incredibly important for making the character feel more relatable. Many fans will recognize its influence on the early seasons of Smallville, which borrowed a lot of its heartwarming tone. Considering it established the version of Superman that shaped the character for decades, it’s an excellent starting point for understanding the Man of Steel.

James Gunn’s Superman Was the Best Superhero Movie In Years

The film wasn’t just the most successful superhero movie of 2025; it finally gave the hero a well-received film after decades of trying. It successfully reinvented his public image, portraying him as both a down-to-earth person and a larger-than-life hero. Crucially, it set the new DC Universe films up for success in theaters.

The movie Superman 2025 wasn’t just about Superman; it included other popular DC characters, making the DC Universe feel rich and well-developed. Characters like Mr. Terrific had memorable scenes that left viewers eager to see more. Ultimately, the film serves as a great introduction not only to Superman, but to the wider world of DC Comics.

2025-10-31 05:45