5 Superman Stories To Read Before The New DCU 'Superman' Movie

May 24

With James Gunn’s Superman flick, which will continue the new and growing DC Cinematic Universe, following Creature Commandos, a lot of people are looking forward to the new live-action film based on the beloved comic character.

However, some are trying to get into the character, but don’t know where to start. Luckily for me, I’ve read a lot of Superman comics in the past. In this article, I’ll recommend five Superman stories that are worth reading, and I hope these stories will make you love the Big Blue Boy Scout.

5. All-Star Superman (Grant Morrison And Frank Quitely)

What is there to say about Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s classic 12-issue Superman story?

All-Star Superman is a story about Superman dying after being exposed to deadly radiation while rescuing astronauts in space. While he deals with his impending death, Superman goes on some interesting and fantastic adventures, like interviewing Lex Luthor in prison or dealing with the inhabitants of Bizarro World.

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What’s also great about this series is Grant Morrison's fleshing out of the characters, whether it’s Lex Luthor boasting about having real muscle strength after working out a lot to mock Superman or Superman letting Lois Lane have superpowers for a day and spending time together.

All-Star Superman is worth reading, especially since James Gunn has said it’s a big inspiration for his Superman movie.

4. Superman: Kryptonite (Darwyn Cooke And Tim Sale)

Superman: Kryptonite is about a younger Superman who deals with Kryptonite for the first time and becomes a new journalist for the Daily Planet.

Sure, it’s another story about a younger Superman dealing with certain things for the first time. However, this is an entertaining Superman story thanks to Darwyn Cooke’s excellent writing and Tim Sale’s fantastic art.

Darwyn does an excellent job writing not just the action scenes, but even the “quiet scenes” like Superman resting and talking to Ma Kent about the struggles of being a superhero, especially after saving a piece of land from a volcanic eruption that made him think he was going to die.

Superman: Kryptonite is also an overlooked story, and I’m happy that DC Comics gave it a nice “Deluxe Edition” not too long ago.

3. Superman: The Secret Years

Another Superman story I find overlooked and doesn’t get enough love is Superman: The Secret Years by Bob Rozakis and Curt Swan.

What makes this mini-series stand out, aside from being one of the last few comics set before the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, is that it has its share of Silver Age moments, like Superman finding a colony of people who went missing after entering the Bermuda Triangle, and dark moments, like Clark Kent not being able to save a friend of his while dealing with an emergency.

Luckily, Bob Rozakis’ writing balances the moments well, and Curt Swan’s art is excellent.

Side note: DC has not reprinted the mini in a graphic novel. You will have to read it in single issues or digitally on Comixology.

2. Superman Smashes The Klan

Who knew a three-issue mini based on the classic “Superman Smashes the Klan” radio play would be amazing?

Aside from Superman facing off against the KKK and a superpowered KKK member, the story also explores Superman’s alien heritage and struggles with being an alien during a time when racism is at its highest. The story also does a great job of exploring how immigrants, especially Asian immigrants, dealt with racism and tried to fit in after immigrating to America.

The art by Gurihiru is perfect and fits the story's tone well.

1. Superman: For All Seasons

Remember when I said that All-Star Superman would be one of the inspirations for James Gunn’s Superman flick? Another inspiration for the upcoming film is Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s Superman: For All Seasons.

Superman: For All Seasons is yet another “Young Superman” story. However, this story focuses on an essential part of Superman’s past: His time in Smallville.

Superman: For All Seasons focuses much of its first issue on Clark Kent getting ready to graduate from High School and move to Metropolis. Clark experiences not just having to say goodbye to his family, but even his friends and girlfriend from Smallville. It is a very relatable story for those who have to leave their loved ones to gain career opportunities that will help them in life, even if it means moving to another part of the world.

The rest of the story has some cool action sequences, but Jeph Loeb also throws in quiet scenes to balance the tone.

With excellent writing and fantastic art, Superman: For All Seasons is worth reading.

I hope you all enjoyed reading this article.

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