Superman Reading Order

This reading order is designed to give an outline of major storylines featuring Superman (Clark Kent/Kal-El) throughout DC Comics. It may not encompass every one of his appearances, but is an outline of the major ones and the stories that affect them.

The continuity details relating to each specific storyline are explained in the “Review” of each storyline. Every “Review” link will provide a detailed continuity breakdown of that story and will explain any reference the story makes to other aspects of the DC Universe. All of this can be found under the “Continuity” section of each link.

Jump to: New 52 – Rebirth

New 52

At the beginning of the New 52, the DC Universe was reset. In this new continuity, almost every character’s history was mostly wiped clean and they were reintroduced to the DC Universe. However, two distinct versions of Superman, one with a wiped history and one without, were introduced over the course of this era.

This reading order combines the adventures of both into a single, comprehensive timeline. This is critical to understanding Superman as a whole for reasons that become clear in the Rebirth era (for a reading order specifically looking at the New 52 Version of Superman, see our “Superman (New 52 Version) Reading Order“).

In this era, Superman is reintroduced through the Action Comics series, which explains the revised version of his origin. From here, his adventures primarily play out through both Action Comics and Superman. He also has a starring role in the Batman/Superman, the Justice League and the Superman/Wonder Woman series and makes plenty of smaller appearances in other comics. Then, the Superman: Lois and Clark series begins to define the differences between the two versions of Superman. Finally, Superman’s role in this era comes to an end in the Superman: The Final Days of Superman (Reading Order) crossover event.

B: TDK = Batman: The Dark Knight
ToS: TPS = Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger
SM/WW = Superman/Wonder Woman
Action Comics issues are from the Vol. 2 series.
Justice League issues are from the Vol. 2 series.
Supergirl issues are from the Vol. 6 series.
Superman issues are from the Vol. 3 series.
OMAC issues are from the Vol. 4 series.
Batman: The Dark Knight issues are from the Vol. 2 series.
Swamp Thing issues are from the Vol. 5 series.
Batman/Superman issues are from the Vol. 1 series.
All-Star Western issues are from the Vol. 3 series.
Lobo issues are from the Vol. 3 series.
Deathstroke issues are from the Vol. 3 series.
Secret Six issues are from the Vol. 4 series.
Batman issues are from the Vol. 2 series.
Martian Manhunter issues are from the Vol. 4 series.
Detective Comics issues are from the Vol. 2 series.
Starfire issues are from the Vol. 2 series.

Notes

1. Superman is a member of the Justice League (Reading Order) in this era. In most of the League's appearances he serves in a supporting role or plays a contributing part in a larger group effort, which does not contribute much to his story. From these appearances, this reading order links ComicBookWire's "Justice League Reading Order" to prevent this reading order from becoming overly complicated. Larger or more significant appearances are listed separately and explained where indicated.
2. These issues are mostly about Supergirl (Reading Order). However, they help establish the initial relationship between Supergirl and Superman.
3. Superman's appearance here is relatively inconsequential to his progression. However, it emphasizes action in a way some fans may enjoy seeing.
4. These issues are mostly about Batman but Superman's appearances in them add to the overall development of the relationship between these two.
5. Superman appears in all issues of the Superman: H'el on Earth (Reading Order) crossover except for Supergirl #16.
6. This issue provides a quick look at Superman's thoughts on his actions during the Trinity War (Reading Order) event.
7. This issue is exclusively focused on Superman and Wonder Woman's relationship. In addition, only the "Truth or Dare" story from the issue is relevant to this reading order.
8. Superman's appearance here is relatively inconsequential to his progression. However, it emphasizes his role as a respected member of the superhero community in a way some fans may enjoy seeing.
9. Superman has an extensive partnership with Wonder Woman throughout this era, mostly stemming from a moment in Justice League #12. However, many of their appearances together simply emphasize their unique relationship and, thus, have little impact on their progression through this era. For these appearances, this reading order links ComicBookWire's "Superman/Wonder Woman Reading Order" to prevent this reading order from becoming overly complicated. Larger or more significant appearances are listed separately and explained where indicated.
10. Superman has an extensive partnership with Batman throughout this era, mostly throughout the Batman/Superman series. For these appearances, this reading order links ComicBookWire's "Batman/Superman Reading Order" to prevent this reading order from becoming overly complicated. Larger or more significant appearances are listed separately and explained where indicated.
11. Only the "Superman" story from Secret Origins #1 is relevant to this reading order.
12. This issue is mostly about other characters but show Superman's reaction to Supergirl's "Red Daughter of Krypton" (Reading Order) story arc.
13. Superman appears in all issues of the Superman: Doomed (Reading Order) crossover except for Supergirl #34-35.
14. Convergence #0 is mostly a prelude to the Convergence (Reading Order) event but also shows the aftermath of Superman: Doomed (Reading Order).
15. This issue partly looks at some of the fallout form the Superman: Doomed (Reading Order) event but also builds on Superman and Supergirl's (Reading Order) relationship.
16. This issue is set in the alternate universe of the Forever Evil (Reading Order) event and, thus, is not immediately relevant to Superman's present adventures.
17. These issues only feature Superman in a supporting role but continue his involvement with the new Batman.
18. This issue is a team-up between Superman and Nightwing (Reading Order) that mostly just serves to highlight the relationship between the two.
19. This issue is essentially a retrospective on Superman and Wonder Woman's (Reading Order) recent time together. It helps contextualize their relationship going into the Savage Dawn (Reading Order) event but is not essential to understanding what is going on.

Rebirth

The transition from the New 52 to the Rebirth era does not introduce any immediate continuity changes for Superman. The biggest change is that the focus in this era is on the pre-New 52 Superman rather than the New 52 version (Reading Order). This Superman's journey picks up immediately where it left off at the conclusion of the The Final Days of Superman (Reading Order) event.

Superman's role in this era primarily plays out in the Action Comics and the Superman series. These comics detail Superman's individual exploits and often highlight his connection to his family, specifically his wife Lois and son Jon (Reading Order). These comics also cross over in the Superman: Reborn (Reading Order) event, which has a dramatic impact on Superman's continuity and addresses the mystery surrounding the two versions of Superman. Besides this, Superman is also a member of the Justice League (Reading Order), is part of the Trinity (Reading Order), supports the Super Sons (Reading Order), and makes guest appearances in numerous other comics.

HJatGLC = Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps
JL:NJ = Justice League: No Justice
Action Comics issues are from the Vol. 1 series
Superman issues are from the Vol. 4 series
Nightwing issues are from the Vol. 4 series
Titans issues are from the Vol. 3 series
Aquaman issues are from the Vol. 8 series
Trinity issues are from the Vol. 3 series
Super Sons issues are from the Vol. 1 series
Supergirl issues are from the Vol. 7 series
Wonder Woman issues are from the Vol. 5 series
Green Arrow issues are from the Vol. 6 series
Batman issues are from the Vol. 3 series

Notes

1. Superman is a member of the Justice League (Reading Order) in this era. In most of the League's appearances he serves in a supporting role or plays a contributing part in a larger group effort, which does not contribute much to his story. From these appearances, this reading order links ComicBookWire's "Justice League Reading Order" to prevent this reading order from becoming overly complicated. Larger or more significant appearances are listed separately and explained where indicated.
2. Though this issue primarily focuses on Nightwing, it also has Superman exploring the mysteries surrounding the transition from the pre-New 52 to the New 52 (Reading Order) universe.
3. Though this issue primarily focuses on Wally West (Reading Order) and the rest of the Titans (Reading Order), it also has Superman exploring the mysteries surrounding the transition from the pre-New 52 to the New 52 (Reading Order) universe.
4. Superman has a minor role stretching through a story arc in Aquaman's (Reading Order) life. This story arc doesn't affect Superman much but does position him in an interesting role.
5. These issues are mostly about Deathstroke (Reading Order). Superman's appearance here simply depicts a rather quick fight between them.
6. Only "The Last Minute" and "For the Dog Who Has Everything" stories from this issue are relevant to this reading order.
7. The entire Super Sons series is mostly about Superboy (Reading Order), Robin (Reading Order), and the adventures of the Super Sons (Reading Order) team-up. However, it also features several quick appearances from Superman, Batman, and Lois Lane that show off their connection to the Super Sons.
8. All of these issues explore the aftermath of the Superman: Reborn (Reading Order) event on various characters related to Superman. These issues also provide some vague setup for the "Revenge" story arc in Action Comics #979-984.
9. These issues are primarily about Wonder Woman. However, both contain a moment centered around Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman that is relevant to all three characters and their friendship with one another.
10. This issue contains a moderately sized flashback to Superman and Lana Lang's (Reading Order) childhood. It is not immediately important to Superman's story in this era but may be interesting for some fans to see.
11. These issues primarily center around Green Arrow (Reading Order). However, Green Arrow #28 is a direct team-up between Green Arrow and Superman while Green Arrow #31 features Superman alongside the rest of the Justice League (Reading Order).
12. Superman is one member of DC's Trinity (Reading Order), with the other two members being Batman and Wonder Woman. Most of his appearances with the Trinity involve him playing a contributing part in a larger group effort, which does not contribute much to his story. From these appearances, this reading order links ComicBookWire's "Trinity Reading Order" to prevent this reading order from becoming overly complicated. Larger or more significant appearances are listed separately and explained where indicated.
13. This issue features a brief appearance from Superman that simply connects him to Cave Carson (Reading Order) in a way that works as an homage to the past.
14. These issues are a pretty straightforward team-up between Superman and Green Lantern (Reading Order). Though these issues mostly focus on Green Lantern, they also expand on  the events of Superman #29-30.
15. These issues place a great deal of focus on the friendship between Batman and Superman. Though they are not integral to Superman's storyline, they will be interesting for any fan of the friendship between these two.
16. Superman appears in the Super Sons of Tomorrow (Reading Order) crossover. However, his role is pretty minimal.
17. These issues feature guest appearances from Superman and the rest of the Justice League (Reading Order). While these characters do not have a very large role in these issues, their appearance generally builds on the relationship Superman has already established with the New Super-Man (Reading Order).
18. Only the "Buried on Sunday" story from this issue is relevant to this reading order.
19. Superman has a moderate role throughout this event. However, it has less on an impact on him as an individual as it does on most other characters.

All DC Comics Reading Orders