Highlights
- Superman: Space Age is a Golden Age-style story showcasing Superman’s struggle with the inevitable end of the universe in Crisis on Infinite Earths.
- In Return to Kingdom Come, Superman and Batman confront a more brutal version of the Justice League in Earth-22, challenging their beliefs.
- Secret Origin of the World’s Finest Team explores Superman and Batman’s first team-up, highlighting their different approaches to crime-solving.
Among superheroes today, it’s no surprise that Superman remains a beacon of hope to those he meets across the DC Comics Multiverse. Superman being hope’s defender remains a reality in the 2023 slate of DC Comics bearing the Man of Steel, with numerous stories across different titles showcasing the hero’s desire to save people around him: be it as Superman or Clark Kent.
However, with the many Superman comics stories going on in 2023, certain stories of Clark and even the Super-Family stand out among the rest. For fans and newcomers to the Superman mythos, just which of Superman’s adventures in the previous year – be it those in deep space, starring his own son, or even outings with the Caped Crusader – are worth reading?
10 Adventures Of Superman: Jon Kent
Jon Fights The Superman-Killer In His Own Way
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As Seen In |
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #1-6 |
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Creative Team |
Tom Taylor, Clayton Henry |
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Premise |
It’s up to Jon Kent to stop a Superman-Killer from killing all the Kal-Els across the multiverse |
Jonathan Kent has become a difficult character to write in the past few years, especially when his sudden aging and characterization as an extreme pacifist has led to Superman stories that don’t hit the mark quite as often as his father’s tales. However, Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent changes this, especially when it shows that Jon’s ways are just as effective as his father’s – and influenced by a family that showed him how there are many ways to achieve peace.
This is exemplified in this miniseries, where Superman’s child is recruited by Val-Zod of Earth-2 as the only one who can stop Ultraman and stop his rampage of killing other Supermen. Fans woefully consider Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent as yet another contested title, especially when its candle is held against the glaring spotlight of current Superman stories. However, Tom Taylor’s writing still makes an attempt to showcasing Jon’s potential as a more peaceful Man of Tomorrow, and this multiversal journey shows there’s hopefully more to Jon in the future than what his current stories offer.
9 Superman: Lost
A Challenge To Clark And Lois’ Relationship
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As Seen In |
Superman: Lost #1-10 |
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Creative Team |
Christopher Priest, Carlo Pagulayan |
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Premise |
A Justice League mission will have Clark Kent stranded for 20 years… but with no time passing on his Earth |
Events of Superman: Lost begin with quite an intriguing premise – Superman comes home from a Justice League mission in a trance, as though in utter disbelief. An angry Lois calls Bruce Wayne to explain exactly what happened, and somehow Clark returning to them in a couple of hours was in truth 20 whole years of Superman lost in outer space. As Superman comes to terms with this new reality, this new challenge also tests Clark Kent’s relationship with Lois Lane.
While Carlo Pagulayan nails the art in his more classic 2000s-esque vibrance, it’s Christopher Priest’s writing – specifically the last leg – where fans got divided. Outside this setback, however, Superman: Lost is one of the more gripping Superman stories to come out of the year – specifically in how it challenges the Clark-Lois dynamic. Superman: Lost is as soft sci-fi as the concept comes, especially when time dilation becomes an emotional barrier between two lovers.
8 Elementary (Batman/Superman: World’s Finest)
A Murdery Mystery Involving Metallo… And The Failed Robin-Supergirl Ship
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As Seen In |
Batman/Superman World’s Finest #12-17 |
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Creative Team |
Mark Waid, Dan Mora |
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Premise |
Metallo becomes a person of interest in the death of Simon Stagg |
The Sherlock Holmes joke in the storyline’s name isn’t a mere pun, as Elementary to the DC Comics fan does indeed connect two things: Metamorpho the Element Man and a detective story. In this wild ride, the sudden death of Simon Stagg once again forces Superman and Batman to work together. And while the larger-than-life scope of Stagg’s activities makes his case Superman territory, the fact that Metamorpho was a bodyguard Stagg once betrayed places the superhuman right on Batman’s crosshairs. Elementary is no Court of Owls, but Superman’s presence in this whodunit story adds a vibrance that not many Batman stories contain.
Not to mention, Elementary begins with one of the most hilarious stories: the reason Supergirl and Robin aren’t exactly on good terms. It’s been a running gag that Dick Grayson tried going out with Kara Zor-El, and that it didn’t exactly go well, but the events that led to this weren’t explored. Elementary begins with that story, and it was just as interesting seeing Superman and Batman talk to their respective younger versions on the “mysteries” of superhero dating.
7 Return To Kingdom Come (Batman/Superman: World’s Finest)
Superman And Batman Get Stranded In Kingdom Come
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As Seen In |
Batman/Superman World’s Finest #20-24 |
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Creative Team |
Mark Waid, Dan Mora |
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Premise |
Superman and Batman reunite with David in another universem, where its Justice League disappoints Clark |
Possibly one of the most ambitious stories to come out of DC Comics in 2023 was Return to Kingdom Come, where Superman and Batman journey to Earth-22 where they encounter David – the same David they saved from Earth-0 – become Thunderboy, among the heroes who avidly worshipped Gog. While readers would already recognize this Earth as the setting of Kingdom Come, Superman, and Batman are still coming to terms the horrific events that transpired in this reality. And although Batman has offered his share of detective work in deducing what may have happened to them, Superman has become the more emotional of the both of them.
Expressing disappointment in the conduct and the aftermath of superheroes who are technically “exactly” like them, Prime Superman would form early conflicts with the Kingdom Come Superman and Batman, both of which are in charge of a more brutal version of the Justice League. While technically a “half-and-half” story between the Man of Steel and the Caped Crusader, Superman taking the moral reins here allows him to steal the show in Return to Kingdom Come.
6 New Worlds (Action Comics)
Norah Stone’s Blue Earth Has Escalated The Movement Against The Super-Family
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As Seen In |
Action Comics #1057-1059, Action Comics Annual 2023 |
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Creative Team |
Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Rafa Sandoval |
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Premise |
Norah Stone, the head of Blue Earth, reveals herself to the Super-Family and the true intent of her hostilities towards Superman and his kin |
Continuing straight from where Rise of Metallo left off, Norah Stone of Blue Earth has agreed to interview with Clark Kent in New Worlds, and the youngster has proven to be more charismatic and idealistic than everyone else thought. What’s worse, however, is how the movement had managed to steal Superman’s powers, prompting Clark to temporarily fight crime while using a Superman Armor from John Henry Irons and begrudgingly using Lex Luthor’s Supercorp lasers. Things escalated further when Norah started antagonizing the adopted Supergirl Otho-Ra, and a big reveal of Norah’s origins thrust readers back into where Warworld left off.
The story’s big conclusion in Action Comics Annual sets the stage for bigger things for the Super-Family, and their love for each other can transcend even multiversal grudges. While its ending felt rushed, the arc did well in expanding on Kryptonian lore, and fleshing out the Super-Family dynamics without sacrificing tension and story development.
5 Chained! (Superman)
Lex Wants To Turn A New Leaf, But His Enemies Want To Kill Him First
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As Seen In |
Superman, Vol.1 #6-9 |
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Creative Team |
Joshua Williamson, Jamal Campbell |
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Premise |
Lex Luthor’s efforts in turning a new leaf has attracted more enemies from his past who want to take advantage of his incarceration, with Superman at the center of it all |
When a new threat named The Chained had begun wreaking havoc in Metropolis, it would take more than the Super-Family’s strength to defeat him. As this new threat pushes Superman to lower his guard and work with Luthor, the Chained’s mysterious origins seems to stem from Luthor’s villainous past. Although the arc’s final issue is set for a later release in 2024, Chained! as enough for fans to go for in terms of Lex Luthor’s developing appreciation for Superman.
Much of Superman’s troubles in Chained! is a continuation of the premise in the series, where he has doubts (within reason) of Lex finally turning a new leaf. However, Lex seems to truly have appreciated Superman helping him turn a new leaf – albeit it’s equally as frustrating to see both his villainous past and attempts to do good both earning him enemies that Superman has to deal with. This arc attempts to further flesh out Lex’s character in a more modern context, showing how his own attempts to do good potentially making the foundation for interesting character-driven Superman stories.
4 Secret Origin Of The World’s Finest Team (Batman/Superman: World’s Finest)
Revisiting The First Team-Up Of Superman And Batman
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As Seen In |
Batman/Superman World’s Finest #18-19 |
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Creative Team |
Mark Waid, Dan Mora |
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Premise |
A case regarding the Riddler will have Batman and Superman meet for the first time |
Superman not liking Batman during their first encounter borders trope material in comic book fiction. Still, the two-issue Secret Origin of the World’s Finest Team spins the concept in an endearing story that elevates the values of both heroes without painting any of them as villains. Beginning with the Riddler forming riddles specifically to Superman’s interest, the Man of Steel goes to Gotham to try and cooperate with the Caped Crusader on the root of Edward Nygma’s new games.
While technically still a detective story featuring Batman, the depth of the Secret Origin has less to do with Bruce Wayne’s sleuthing and more on how “traditional” superheroics work well with Batman’s noir-esque flair. Batman being the “brains” while Superman being the brawn didn’t overshadow the other’s morals and ideals. And while the payoff on Superman’s side isn’t as satisfying as others would hope, the Secret Origin is by far one of the more solid takes on how the World’s Finest eventually started working together.
3 Rise Of Metallo (Action Comics)
Metallo Returns With A Vengeance
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As Seen In |
Action Comics #1051 to #1056 |
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Creative Team |
Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Rafa Sandoval |
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Premise |
Metallo begins hostilities with the Super-Family for reasons unknown to them, and sinister forces prove to be on the move |
The switch-back to an anthology series is a much-needed breath of fresh air for Action Comics, especially as the emphasis on the Super-Family has paved the way for some of 2023’s most refreshing Superman stories. This isn’t to say the ongoing Rise Of Metallo story is a slouch, as Superman and the Super-Family contending with Metallo has become one of the more exciting foundations of their adventures since the events of Warworld.
On top of solving the origins of Metallo’s grudge against the Man of Steel, Superman, and his family need to get on top of the revolutionary Blue Earth that has begun escalating their crusade. All this tension, interspersed with delightful moments between members of the House of El has transformed Rise of Metallo into showcasing how complex but wholesome their bonds have becoming. Seeing Lois and Clark mourn Jon’s lost years while the latter becomes a “big brother” to their adopted siblings is also a sight to appreciate.
2 Supercorp (Superman)
Lex Gives Superman His Own Company
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As Seen In |
Superman, Vol.1 #1-5, Superman 2023 Annual |
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Creative Team |
Joshua Williamson, Jamal Campbell |
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Premise |
After Lex Luthor’s incarceration, Superman’s nemesis hands him the reins to his own kingdom – and his own Supercorp |
When Lex Luthor was finally incarcerated, Clark Kent could finally sigh in relief – or so he thought. The Superman Symbol suddenly replaced what remains of an inactive LexCorp Tower, with Mercy Graves telling Superman the last gift Lex gave him was his own company. Dubbed Supercorp, the company was Lex’s attempt at using technology to help Superman save Metropolis, especially when there’s always the possibility of threats being outside the Man of Steel’s caliber. While Superman is naturally hesitant to accept the aid of his archnemesis, a new threat would slowly force Superman to at least consider the suggestion.
The sheer idea of Lex Luthor wanting to work with Superman screams a wicked scheme, but seeing the prospect of Supercorp being similar to Spider-Man’s Parker Industries is exciting. The bright storytelling of Superman extends to even Superman’s new enemies and mysterious new acquaintances, with witty one-liners and art from a creative team that is spot-on with stunning visuals.
1 Superman: Space Age
Superman Deals With The Inevitable Death Of The Universe
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As Seen In |
Superman: Spage Age #1-3 |
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Creative Team |
Mark Russell, Michael Allred |
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Premise |
A Golden Age-style retelling of Superman’s story, up until the moment everything is destroyed in Crisis of Infinite Earths |
In what is practically an Elseworlds retelling of the history of Superman and the Justice League, Superman: Space Age is a love letter to Golden Age art and storytelling. Set as a decades-spanning affair, the Space Age begins in its climax, where the Crisis on Infinite Earths will inevitably end life in the universe as it knows it. This is quite the dreary beginning of a story involving the world’s symbol of hope, but Superman: Space Age will have Superman even tackle the harshest of realities – that the world will inevitably end, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end that truly matters.
If there’s anything Superman: Space Age does, it’s to show how difficult of a role it is for Superman to present hope even in the direst of situations. Mark Russell stands out in writing such an intense take on the character, proving that Superman can make something like death something to hope for, especially when it’s the culmination of everything one has ever done. While its emotional weight can make Space Age difficult to reread immediately, it’s a worthy read for any Superman fan and newcomers who want to see Superman writing at its finest.
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