Who?
C'mon. Everybody knows that mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent is secretly Superman, the Man of Steel, rocketed to Earth from the doomed planet Krypton and raised by Kansas farm couple Jonathan and Martha Kent, and that he can leap tall buildings in a single bound, is more powerful than a locomotive and faster than a speeding bullet!
Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster for Action Comics #1 in 1938, Superman was the first ever superhero, birthing an entire genre and character archetype in his mould, and setting the standard for decades to follow. Standing for the principles of Truth, Justice and the American Way, he remains the most well known superhero in the world, and has spawned countless media adaptations and talking points.
Okay, so where do I start?
For those of you fearlessly seeking the classics; you're lucky devils. Early Superman stories come in truckloads of collected editions, including: DC's ever-reliable Archives, the Silver Age Showcase Presents books, and several Superman Chronicles volumes, and many more besides.
Given the popularity and status of the character, anyone who wants a modern interpretation of the origin everybody knows will also find themselves spoiled for choice.
There's John Byrne's groundbreaking Man of Steel (not sure if it's still in print) which was the first time in comics history a superhero's origin was retold. Mark Waid also tried his hand at the Last Son of Krypton's genesis with Birthright, but the latest attempt incorporates elements from both these tales: Superman: Secret Origin by Geoff Johns is a must for any fans of the Richard Donner movie, or just fans of Big Blue in general.
All-Star Superman by the All-Scot team of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely was a grand experiment. A completely self-contained Superman story with a clear beginning, middle, and (for real) end, separate from the mainstream version of the character. You may read without fear of getting lost in DC's larger continuity, and you will thoroughly enjoy this ingenious look at the world's greatest hero.
Just want to jump aboard the speeding locomotive now? I recommend starting with Geoff Johns' and Gary Frank's Brainiac. Not only does it update one of Superman's deadliest foes, but it clearly establishes the new and old elements of the Super-mythos, and tells a truly emotional story too.
What's next?
If you liked Brainiac then hold onto your cape, because it leads into a helluva long storyline: The New Krypton Saga. Encompassing four New Krypton books, Codename: Patriot, two Last Stand of New Krypton books, and the grand finale War of the Supermen, it is a landmark read and worth every page.
After this monumental run, J. Michael Straczynski took over the series, and his first collection, Grounded, is out in August. But if you wanna see JMS write Superman before then, check out Superman: Earth One. Like All-Star it is set in its own continuity, so no prior reading is required. It is slightly more melodramatic than most takes on the legacy, but still interesting in its own way.
Supes can be found teaming up with his better half, the Dark Knight, in the Superman/Batman series, which is always a winner. The first collection is Public Enemies by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness, and it expertly examines the differences between the two giant men. (Not literal giants.)
If your tastes run a little darker and you find yourself wanting more of Superman's never-ceasing nemesis, Lex Luthor, then you might like Paul Cornell's The Black Ring, focusing on the evil genius. Also, there's the sensational character piece Luthor by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo.
Hope this has helped. Do let me know of any suggestions. This article is a Daily Planet exclusive.
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