Top 5 Superman Stories

[@bradenhogan2]

My top Superman list: 1. Jerry Siegel/Joe Shuster’s run (if I were pressed to nail down a specific story, I suppose it’d be the one where Superman and Lois watch the Fleischer Superman cartoon together, or perhaps just the first 2-3 issues of Action Comics he was in, or perhaps some of the earliest appearances of “Luthor”, or the World’s Fair one… back then, they were so episodic that it’s not really so much the story but the tone and scenarios that are entertaining) 2. Superman: Secret Origins 3. Superman: American Alien 4. Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? 5. All-Star Superman

[@dmore454]

Personally, I'm a bigger fan of the triangle era Superman books, so most of my top 5 comes from there. Honorable mentions first: -Birthright - my second favorite of his origin stories; I love this creative team and I think it's a shame Waid still hasn't had a full run on his favorite character's book, especially after reading this -Panic in the Sky - a fun "Superman teams up with half the DCU to stop an invasion" story that paves the way for Death and Return. -For the Man Who Has Everything - I don't normally care all that much for Alan Moore (I like most of his stuff well enough, I just don't go nuts for his projects the way most fans do) but this is a neat DC Comics Presents-esque team-up with plenty of depth, and Gibbons draws the hell out of it. -Superman/Batman: Public Enemies - McGuinness and pre-Ultimatum Loeb? Check. Lots of cool hero and villain cameos/team-ups? Check. More of a Superman story featuring Batman than a 50/50 team-up? Check. Plenty of fun action scenes? Check. Lex Luthor in the Perez armor again? Hell yes, check. All reasons why this just barely missed the cut by the slimmest of margins. -What's So Funny About...? - It's two underrated talents in Kelly and Mahnke doing their best to deconstruct deconstructionism, and it's fascinating to watch play out, even for fans of deconstructionism (plus there are several well executed action scenes along the way). -Superman: Kryptonite - a solid tale by Cooke with Sale again showing why he's one of the best artists in comics. I also like how Cooke homages some pretty deep cut Superman lore in fairly interesting ways. -Time and Time Again - a great little time travel romp, this is a story with plenty of adventure and action across various eras of the DCU. Emperor Joker: I love the art team, and it's great premise - Joker with the power of Mxyzsptlk, ruling,the world with Bizarro as his reality's Superman. It's a fun high-concept story with plenty of neat character bits and action/adventure scenes. So the full list goes: 5. Superman Blue - that's right, I'm counting the whole arc, from Transformed to Milleniun Giants, and hell, throw in the JLA issues too. I just love that it was such a huge gamble and DC had the balls to run with it - *for a year*. Plus, there's more going on here than people give it credit for (Chris Simms did an excellent retrospective a little while back if you want the cliff notes, and he speaks more highly of this run than you'd think). This story has its fair share of flaws, but the ambition on display and the potential it clearly had combined with the fact that, again, theres actually more than a handful of decent superman stories in this era with some stand-out scenes (not all of which were in JLA - Lex Luthor especially has some great moments), visually interesting new powers (when the writers actually tried to show off the new powers), a new costume that was so good DC brought it back for other characters *3 times*, and plenty of Silver Age revival fun make for a story arc that's right up my alley. 4. Man of Steel mini - just about the perfect origin for Superman for my money. I love the artwork, I love the emphasis on Clark embracing his new home and parents instead of the previous continuity always having him pining for a dead planet and parents he never knew while barely mentioning the Ma and Pa who raised and loved him, I love the new take on Luthor (altho I prefer the Timmverse interpretation that more smoothly blends the Byrne "Gordon Gecko as supervillain" concept for Luthor with the classic scientific genius version), and I love the version of Krypton here as sort of a failed society that Clark has a a chance to redeem on Earth by learning from Earthlings things he could never learn on Krypton - concepts like compassion, empathy, love, and altruism. 3. Our World at War - yes, I know this seems like a waste of a pick (especially at the 3 spot), but it has things going for it for my personal tastes. For one, its superman fighting a big sci-fi alien invasion - always a good way to get my attention. Second, it's drawn by a bunch of artists I really enjoy - McGuinness (my second favorite artist of all time), Wieringo, Mahnke and the underrated Kano - which is another good way to get my attention. 3rd, its a slam-bang fight invloving a bunch of characters - the superman family (who I love seeing in action alongside Supes), the JLA, the JSA, Youbg Justice, and even C-list periphery characters like Maxima get a turn against villains like Brainiac, Darkseid, Imperiex (a cool villain with an interesting premise; the writers don't cash in on all of his potential, but they execute enough that I can see why he was used as the main villain of the second season of Legion of Superheroes) - even Doomsday and Manchester Black show up! - the whole thing has an early 90s X-Men crossover vibe with all the characters involved but on an even bigger scale (and as someone who loves those X-Men stories, it's another great way to catch my interest). Lastly, this was a story I had many of the peripheral tie-ins for (like the the JSA and JLA one shots) for a long time before actually getting the main installments, so this has some wierd nostalgia on my end as a sort of big-deal crossover I only got glimpses of for years, and it was pretty exciting when I finally got the trades. Plus, it was super neat that they put a lot of thought into the designs for the Earth tech/arsenal used to fight the invasion, with a heavy 50s sci-fi/Big guy and rusty vibe to it. Is it all that great a story? Eh, not really - Panic in the Sky is probably a significantly better "Superman teams up with the DC heroes to stop an invasion" tale - but this one checks more boxes for me, so it gets the nod. 2. Superman For All Seasons - it's Tim Sale and Jeph Loeb at their best, for my money at least. Some people may like their Batman collabs better, others may prefer the Marvel color series (both of which I also love), but this is their best story for my tastes. It's Superman through the eyes of those closest to him, and it's a perfect pairing sith the Man of Steel mini as a sort-of sequel. It's a beautifully illustrated and written character piece that zeroes in on the heart of the character. Not much action takes place in the story, but it doesn't need it either. 1. Death and Return of Superman - I was 2 years old when this storyline started, and the first 2 comics i ever got were the first appearances of Steel and Superboy, which led to some of the first toys I remember picking out at the store being figures from the mid-90s Man of Steel line. A lot of my love for this story is admittedly nostalgia based - it's what got me into Superman - but I think it has a lot more going on than people give it credit for (the 4-3-2-1 panel countdown in the issue of Death, FFaF showing how a world copes with losing a hero they've taken for granted, and Reign showing it takes more than the powers, the costume or the ethics to be Superman, it takes all 3 and more). Plus, the 90s tropes make it fun (as Chris Simms once said, "the 90s were the greatest era of comics, don't ever let anyone tell you different" - show me a comics fan that can't have fun with a 90s story doing 90s stuff and I'll show you a joyless, miserable human being that even their closest friends would say is a chore to spend more than 20 minutes around - if they have any at all). At some point, though, something is getting bumped from the list when I finally get around to finishing All-Star Superman when I get the trade.

[@JazzyZenBrotha]

This is a great list. My Top 5 Superman stories: Superman: Peace On Earth What's So Funny About Truth, Justice and The American Way Superman Earth One: Volumes 1 - 3 All Star Superman For The Man Who Has Everything

[@ChadBenjamin]

This is my exact same list, except I would swap Earth One with Birthright

[@nikkohewitt8848]

What about for all seasons?

[@AlejandroGonzalez-gh1to]

JazzyZenBrotha Earth One is awesome I really wanna pick up All Star Superman and Superman American Alien

[@AlejandroGonzalez-gh1to]

nikko hewitt what about Secret Identity

[@LATVERIAN1]

John Byrne's "Man Of Steel" issue 3. This featured the first meeting/ team-up of both Superman & Batman. Also, the elseworlds story; "Kal". Brilliant Superman "what if tale.

[@Archangel-qb8km]

Going to amazon now, thanks and good job on the video

[@MrStubbs1995]

Cool list. I'm interested in reading these stories especially Red Son, Up, Up, and Away, and The Black Ring. I've also read some of Superman: Secret Origin digitally on Amazon and I'm enjoying it. My favorite Superman stories are: Earth One Volumes 1 and 2, and "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way".

[@VonWenk]

Two major issues I have with The Search for Kryptonite: 1) It's basically the same premise as a 1970 World's Finest story called "The Kryptonite Express" and 2) It's at that point Amanda Waller went from being an interesting, complex character to being a stock X-Men villain. My top 5: 1) Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes 2) The original Sand Creature/Superman with Brain Damage story arc (Superman 233-242) 3) Joker's World/Emperor Joker 4} The Parasite/Laser Defense Initiative story from Superman 319-323 5) Clark Kent Forever, Superman Never (Superman 296-299)

[@densonngumo7028]

Awesome video! Happy to find another big superman fan. My top 5 stories are: All-Star Superman, Last Son, Superman Secret Identity, Lex Luthor- Man of Steel and Superman Earth One (Mostly Vol 2 and 3). I've struggled to write those down because there so many Superman stories I love. I actually wonder why people say Superman doesn't have any interesting stories and that he's boring.

[@thesifagenda]

Really good video, Matt. I would love to see some of these stories get the animated movie treatment, especially Red Son..

[@FortressofSolitude1138]

+Sif-san theres a motion comic of Red Son

[@thesifagenda]

+Fortress of Solitude I have to check that out now, thanks.

[@welikecomicbooks9758]

Wow! Keep them coming!

[@bluetarantulaproductions6179]

- Superman: Red Son - Superman: Secret Origin - Superman: What's so funny about truth, justice and the American way? - Superman: What happened to the man of tomorrow? Superman: Death of/Return of Superman

[@carlosandre.carlos1218]

SUPERMAN WINS WINS WINS

[@CartoonManWhoo]

My Top 5 Superman stories: Man of Steel #1-6 (1986 reboot mini-series) Superman: Peace On Earth Whatever Happened To The Man of Tomorrow Superman: For All Seasons Superman: Kryptonite Nevermore

[@iasonchistoper288]

I know you have read All Star Superman..its probably my favorite.

[@FortressofSolitude1138]

Yeah All-Star Superman is fantastic

[@iasonchistoper288]

@@FortressofSolitude1138 I am going to check out a few of the comics that were on your list thou..I appreciate the time you took for the video.

[@richardsreviews8820]

Great video. thanks for the recommendations. I was looking for great Superman stories that aren't origin stories or else worlds.

[@BJAKERONER]

Nice list, was really looking forward to it. I was actually curious about the New Krypton arc but didn't know if it was any good. Personally for me my favorite superhero is Supergirl. I really like her origin Pre 52 and everything she went through but I also really like the character development she had in the New 52, especially with the Red Daughter of Krypton arc.

[@dennisrichard3462]

Man I'm just gLad you mentioned world of new krypton love that run so much! Wondering why all star superman wasn't mentioned but figured everyone uses that one lol great list

[@LATVERIAN1]

P.S. The "Secret Origin" most definitely should be made into a feature film. If not, an animated film.

[@blakeadamson1576]

I disagree. Secret Origin is a good comic, but it's only just good in my opinion. Mainly because it suffers from the "demo-reel" effect that hampered the later seasons of Smallville: just running through familiar characters and story beats with minute changes that will represent the status quo of the world of Superman. It's all just very expected in this story. Evil businessman Lex, Christopher Reeve-based Clark, etc. It also seems to be scaled a little small for Superman. Like, things look a little too much like a sound stage. That's probably just me, though. That's not to say SO is bad. It actually has a pretty solid portrayal of Metallo, for one thing. For another, the "You are my son" line by Jonathan Kent is one for the ages (it was even used in a similar scene in Man of Steel). I'm just saying it's a little bit thin in comparison to Gary Frank and Geoff Johns' other Superman work, Superman and the Legion of Superheroes. All in all, Secret Origin is nothing to be upset about, but not really something to be made into a movie (not without looking at other versions of the Man of Steel to supplement it).

[@joserielo1854]

Thank you Matt,now I can read some good Superman stories that aren't after New 52 Geoff Johns run

[@WellnessWarriors9]

I really like the following stories: All Star Superman Superman Smashes the Klan Superman Earth One Doomsday Clock

[@tankjones9964]

How about ‘for all seasons’ or ‘American alien’ ?

[@WellnessWarriors9]

@@tankjones9964 I have actually never heard of those stories. I'll check them out. Thanks, friend 😊

[@bradbezanker105]

Great video! I admire your passion here. I'm curious your thoughts on earlier Superman stories...have you had the chance to read any? A possible future video, perhaps? Keep up the great work!

[@TevyaSmolka]

Great top 5 list man

[@XX-sp3tt]

You have to feel sorry for Metallo, he kinda needs Kryptonite to live!

[@DravenG96]

Up Up and Away is what Superman Returns should have been imo

[@arcadiaberger9204]

I am *_astonished_* that there is a person anywhere whose top five Superman stories list doesn't include "For the Man Who Has Everything".

[@FortressofSolitude1138]

since when is it a requirement to have an Alan Moore story on your list? oh wait, it isn't.

[@arcadiaberger9204]

@@FortressofSolitude1138 I didn't say it was a requirement to have an Alan Moore story on your list. I said I found it astonishing that anyone would compile a top five Superman stories list and not include "For the Man Who Has Everything". Those are two very different things.

[@brandonhines25]

I would love to see you do a list of worst superman stories also is the new krypton storyline good?

[@VenomouSaber]

Great work Matt, and every ark you mentioned of course is way better than man of steel.

[@alexandredesouza3692]

Red Son: Truth, Justice and *the ways of the Motherland.*

[@Aaaa-br3ty]

Wich suparman comics you want to see in live action movie ??

[@Avarn388]

First off, hats off for this video. While he isn't my number one favorite superhero(Dr. Strange holds that title), I love Superman. He is such a symbol of hope and justice. It is this reason why I am super mixed on Man of Steel. I get they were trying to do Earth One(which I love), but it did it poorly. My two favorite Superman stories are All- Star Superman and Superman Vs. The Elite. I love the former due to how it really humanizes the character. And some of the story arcs are really thought-provoking. Superman Vs The Elite is amazing. To be fair, I only recently checked out the comic inspired. I do think the film is better. It showcases why Superman being who he is is actually a good thing. And that is what a lot of people tend to down him on. This story very much reinforces why Superman should be the guy many look up to.

[@Emp3rorD4v1d]

you must've hated bvs

[@Avarn388]

StarWars Spartan Yeah. And here's the thing; I was actually optimistic. This being I am a huge Zack Synder fan(not like the rest of the Internet). But the film really showcases the worst of Synder. The transitions were strange, the narrative was half-baked and lacked any form of cohesion. That latter notion supported with scenes being cut. It's something I always felt Synder needed to work on. Even in his good films, like Dawn of the Dead, and Watchman suffered a bit from not good pacing. But unlike those films, it is clear that Synder does not get Superman and really wanted to tell a Batman story. Which I'm sorry for a Batman Vs. Superman movie, you'd expect to get equal focus on both. As a comic fan, I loved the worldbuilding, but it felt jarring. It also would have been nice if they'd explained it for the general audience. But that's just me. If anyone likes this film, I don't blame them. There are redeemable elements. It's just the above issues and the ending that really sink the film for me personally.

[@Emp3rorD4v1d]

Neil Ganti completely agree. The only time superman feels like superman is when he sacrificed himself against doomsday but it also sucked because it was such a bad decision on snyders part. I didn't mind man of steel but didn't really like it either but now i dont want snyder anywhere superman or justice league related.

[@tvishamody9200]

this is a good story.

[@maldicientin]

World of New Krypton was incredibly convoluted and boring. Secret Identity is overrated, but even these two stories, along with the good ones tend to be amazingly well drawn. No one beats Supes in the art department.

[@VonWenk]

One reason I didn't get into World of New Krypton was Renato Guedes' art. I did enjoy the Flamebird/Nightwing series that followed however.

[@BJAKERONER]

One other question, do you have a reading order for the New Krypton arc?

[@FortressofSolitude1138]

+Jacob New Krypton World without Superman Codename: Patriot World against Superman Last Stand of New Krypton War of Supermen these are the story arcs it runs through

[@BJAKERONER]

+Fortress of Solitude thanks, that's like the last thing I need to collect for my pre 52 Superman collection. I am noticing that they aren't that easy to find in trade

[@larryfloyd4993]

if anyone wants to read a good 2 part story from the silver age ... search for : action comics 311 and 312 ... king superman... superman , is expose to red kryptonite.. is split in two cark and superman.. superman declare himself king of the world.. and clark kent is turn into metalo

[@joserielo1854]

Matt,to get your mad side rolling,do THE WORST SUPERMAN STORIES YOU HAVE READ AND HATED IT AS MUCH IF NOT MORE THAN MOS

[@FortressofSolitude1138]

+Jose Rielo i dont know if i would get mad, but superman "fans" would

[@comicritical1696]

does Superman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told contain the full What's so funny about Truth, Justice and The American Way? story

[@FortressofSolitude1138]

+Cultured Comic's I believe so

[@sugarray6250]

Good list man but a lot​ of spoilers.

[@dcmarvelcomicfans9458]

Secret identity should have been the movie for Man of Steel it should be Loosely based on it

[@Soriichi]

Holy fuck that Russian Batman that needs to be a skin forma the injustice 2 gane!

[@FortressofSolitude1138]

hes a skin for the first injustice

[@Soriichi]

Fortress of Solitude totally forgot lmao xD