Superman
Creation & Design
Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938, representing the archetype of the superhero and embodying ideals of hope and justice.Early Years
Superman debuted in Action Comics #1, quickly becoming a cultural icon and leading to the establishment of the superhero genre.Character Development
Over the decades, Superman has evolved from a simple superhero into a complex character grappling with moral dilemmas, identity, and the responsibilities of power.Cultural Reception
Superman has been received as a symbol of hope and justice, influencing countless other characters and stories in the comic book medium.Character Details
Real Name:
Clark Kent
Aliases:
Man of Steel, Kal-El, Last Son of Krypton
Species:
Kryptonian
Gender:
male
Affiliations:
Justice League, Teen Titans, The Daily Planet
Abilities:
Super strength, Flight, Heat vision, X-ray vision, Super speed
Equipment:
Fortress of Solitude, Superman suit
Weight:
225lbs
Height:
6' 3"
Eye Color:
blue
Hair Color:
black
Clicking on the eBay link and making a purchase may result in this site earning a commission from the eBay Partner Network.
Action Comics #340
DC
•
1966
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Parasite
Interior double-page pin-up of Superman
Like Batman 181, this copy has a centerfold newsprint pin-up that is often missing, so when buying a raw copy remember to double-check for it or ask the seller if it is intact
1st appearance of Parasite
Interior double-page pin-up of Superman
Like Batman 181, this copy has a centerfold newsprint pin-up that is often missing, so when buying a raw copy remember to double-check for it or ask the seller if it is intact
Superman #199
DC
•
1967
•
Vol. 1
First Superman versus the Flash race, resulted in a tie
Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #93
DC
•
1969
•
Vol. 1
First kiss between Superman and Wonder Woman, in a nightmare that Lois is having
First kiss between Superman and Wonder Woman, in a nightmare that Lois is having
Justice League of America #73
DC
•
1969
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of the Golden Age Superman in the Silver Age
Superman #233
DC
•
1971
•
Vol. 1
Iconic cover art by Neal Adams
Superman #300
DC
•
1976
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Superman retold
Super Friends #1
DC
•
1976
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Wendy, Marvin and Wonder Dog
Adapted from the 1973 animated TV series
1st appearance of Wendy, Marvin and Wonder Dog
Adapted from the 1973 animated TV series
Justice League of America #137
DC
•
1976
•
Vol. 1
Cover art implies Superman and Captain Marvel battle but they do not
Cover art implies Superman and Captain Marvel battle but they do not
All-New Collectors' Edition #54
DC
•
1977
•
Vol. 1
Classic battle of Superman vs Wonder Woman
All-New Collectors' Edition #56
DC
•
1978
•
Vol. 1
One-shot issue featuring a boxing match between Superman & Muhammad Ali
Classic wraparound cover art by Neal Adams
One-shot issue featuring a boxing match between Superman & Muhammad Ali
Classic wraparound cover art by Neal Adams
Action Comics #481
DC
•
1978
•
Vol. 1
Introduction of the Supermobile
Whitman edition, logo in upper left corner
All-New Collectors' Edition #58
DC
•
1978
•
Vol. 1
First battle of Superman vs Shazam
First meeting and battle of Superman vs Black Adam - Black Adam disguised as Shazam
First battle of Superman vs Shazam
First meeting and battle of Superman vs Black Adam - Black Adam disguised as Shazam
Superman #330
DC
•
1978
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Superman, specifically how he keeps his identity as Clark Kent a secret by subconsciously using the power of super-hypnosis which is amplified by his eyeglasses, made from the Kryptonian glass of his rocket, to alter how others perceive him
Origin of Superman, specifically how he keeps his identity as Clark Kent a secret by subconsciously using the power of super-hypnosis which is amplified by his eyeglasses, made from the Kryptonian glass of his rocket, to alter how others perceive him
Action Comics #500
DC
•
1979
•
Vol. 1
Milestone issue #500
DC Comics Presents #32
DC
•
1981
•
Vol. 1
First kiss between Wonder Woman and Superman, not in a dream as seen in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #93
In this issue, they kissed after both being struck by an arrow from Eros (Cupid)
First kiss between Wonder Woman and Superman, not in a dream as seen in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #93
In this issue, they kissed after both being struck by an arrow from Eros (Cupid)
Marvel Treasury Edition #28
Marvel
•
1981
•
Vol. 1
62-page, oversized DC/Marvel crossover featuring Spider-Man and Superman
Battle of Superman vs the Hulk
First part of the crossover trilogy began in Superman vs The Amazing Spider-Man #1 and continues in DC Special Series #27 with Hulk and Batman
62-page, oversized DC/Marvel crossover featuring Spider-Man and Superman
Battle of Superman vs the Hulk
First part of the crossover trilogy began in Superman vs The Amazing Spider-Man #1 and continues in DC Special Series #27 with Hulk and Batman
DC Special Series #26
DC
•
1981
•
Vol. 1
Solo story touring the Fortress of Solitude
DC Comics Presents #49
DC
•
1982
•
Vol. 1
Team-up of Superman and Shazam vs Black Adam
Variant cover with 'Superhombre' logo
Logo first used on a 1942 Ashcan of Superman #1
Trademark renewed and printed to show proof of usage on the covers of this issue and Adventure Comics #304
Variant cover with 'Superhombre' logo
Logo first used on a 1942 Ashcan of Superman #1
Trademark renewed and printed to show proof of usage on the covers of this issue and Adventure Comics #304
Superman: The Man of Steel #1
DC
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Superman, reimagined
First post-Crisis on Infinite Earths appearance of Superman - Crisis on Infinite Earths was a publishing event that served to reboot the DC Universe
1st appearance of Kelex, the artificial intelligence of the Fortress of Solitude
Origin of Superman, reimagined
First post-Crisis on Infinite Earths appearance of Superman - Crisis on Infinite Earths was a publishing event that served to reboot the DC Universe
1st appearance of Kelex, the artificial intelligence of the Fortress of Solitude
Action Comics #600
DC
•
1988
•
Vol. 1
Anniversary issue celebrating Superman's 50th year
Cover art inspired by Superman Annual #7
Anniversary issue celebrating Superman's 50th year
Cover art inspired by Superman Annual #7
Superman: This Island Bradman #1
DC
•
1988
•
Vol. 1
8-page comic book privately commissioned by an English real estate developer for reportedly $10,000
'This Island Bradman' was created to celebrate the birthday of Daniel Bradman and given out as party favors
Approximately 200 copies produced
Swipe the cover image to read the complete story
8-page comic book privately commissioned by an English real estate developer for reportedly $10,000
'This Island Bradman' was created to celebrate the birthday of Daniel Bradman and given out as party favors
Approximately 200 copies produced
Swipe the cover image to read the complete story
Action Comics #654
DC
•
1990
•
Vol. 1
Superman gives Batman a kryptonite ring as a trusted safeguard in case Superman ever loses control and needs to be stopped
Superman gives Batman a kryptonite ring as a trusted safeguard in case Superman ever loses control and needs to be stopped
Superman #50
DC
•
1990
•
Vol. 2
Clark Kent proposes to Lois Lane, she accepts
Marvel/DC crossover: Mr. Mxyzptlk reveals himself to also be Marvel’s Impossible Man and claims he needs to visit his ‘four friends’
Quote 'Oops, sometimes it's just IMPOSSIBLE to remember what I look like from world to world’
In this issue, he confronts a group of heroes dressed in blue using dialogue from the Impossible Man's first appearance (Fantastic Four #11 - 1963)
Clark Kent proposes to Lois Lane, she accepts
Marvel/DC crossover: Mr. Mxyzptlk reveals himself to also be Marvel’s Impossible Man and claims he needs to visit his ‘four friends’
Quote 'Oops, sometimes it's just IMPOSSIBLE to remember what I look like from world to world’
In this issue, he confronts a group of heroes dressed in blue using dialogue from the Impossible Man's first appearance (Fantastic Four #11 - 1963)
Action Comics #662
DC
•
1991
•
Vol. 1
Clark Kent tells Lois Lane that he is Superman
Adventures of Superman #496
DC
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
3rd cameo appearance of Doomsday, a panel shows the opposite site of the door as the bone-spiked fist pierces through the steel with a caption that reads '...Doomsday Is Coming!'
3rd cameo appearance of Doomsday, a panel shows the opposite site of the door as the bone-spiked fist pierces through the steel with a caption that reads '...Doomsday Is Coming!'
Action Comics #683
DC
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
4th cameo appearance of Doomsday, the mysterious fist succeeds in punching a hole through the steel door with a caption that reads '...Doomsday Is Here!'
4th cameo appearance of Doomsday, the mysterious fist succeeds in punching a hole through the steel door with a caption that reads '...Doomsday Is Here!'
Superman: The Man of Steel #18
DC
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
1st full appearance of Doomsday, mostly obscured by a containment suit with one arm bound behind his back as he wreaks havoc across the countryside
1st full appearance of Doomsday, mostly obscured by a containment suit with one arm bound behind his back as he wreaks havoc across the countryside
Justice League America #69
DC
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
Battle of Doomsday vs the Justice League: Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, Guy Gardner, Maxima, Fire, Ice, Bloodwynd
Doomsday vs the Justice League
Battle of Doomsday vs the Justice League: Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, Guy Gardner, Maxima, Fire, Ice, Bloodwynd
Doomsday vs the Justice League
Superman #74
DC
•
1992
•
Vol. 2
First battle of Superman versus Doomsday
A short scuffle gives the first partial view of what Doomsday looks like beneath the damaged suit
First battle of Superman versus Doomsday
A short scuffle gives the first partial view of what Doomsday looks like beneath the damaged suit
Adventures of Superman #497
DC
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
Second battle of Doomsday versus Superman
If this issue were being scored the same as a boxing match, Superman would have won the round
Throughout this issue, the action occurs in four panels on every page
Second battle of Doomsday versus Superman
If this issue were being scored the same as a boxing match, Superman would have won the round
Throughout this issue, the action occurs in four panels on every page
Action Comics #684
DC
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
Doomsday reaches the city limits of Metropolis
Every page of this issue has exactly three panels except the first page
Doomsday reaches the city limits of Metropolis
Every page of this issue has exactly three panels except the first page
Superman: The Man of Steel #19
DC
•
1993
•
Vol. 1
Doomsday is fully revealed in this issue after most of the suit has been destroyed
Throughout this issue, the action occurs in two panels on every page
The lone 9.9 sold for $1,600 in February 2024.
Doomsday is fully revealed in this issue after most of the suit has been destroyed
Throughout this issue, the action occurs in two panels on every page
The lone 9.9 sold for $1,600 in February 2024.
Superman #75
DC
•
1993
•
Vol. 2
Death of Superman
Death of Doomsday
Every page of this issue is a full or double-splash page
Six-million issues sold
Death of Superman
Death of Doomsday
Every page of this issue is a full or double-splash page
Six-million issues sold
Action Comics #689
DC
•
1993
•
Vol. 1
Resurrection of Superman
Debut of Superman's black suit, intended to aid in his regeneration
Resurrection of Superman
Debut of Superman's black suit, intended to aid in his regeneration
Kingdom Come #2
DC
•
1996
•
Vol. 1
Superman forms the new Justice League
1st appearance of Red Arrow, alternate reality identity of Roy Harper
1st appearance of Red Tornado, Maxine Hunkel, the granddaughter of Red Tornado, in an alternate reality
1st appearance of Atom Smasher, in an alternate reality, death in Kingdom Come #4
Superman forms the new Justice League
1st appearance of Red Arrow, alternate reality identity of Roy Harper
1st appearance of Red Tornado, Maxine Hunkel, the granddaughter of Red Tornado, in an alternate reality
1st appearance of Atom Smasher, in an alternate reality, death in Kingdom Come #4
Superman: The Wedding Album #1
DC
•
1996
•
Vol. 1
Marriage of Superman and Lois Lane
Interior art depicts a number of past Superman creators attending the wedding which is officiated by Jerry Siegel
Marriage of Superman and Lois Lane
Interior art depicts a number of past Superman creators attending the wedding which is officiated by Jerry Siegel
Superman Forever #1
DC
•
1998
•
Vol. 1
Superman returns to his original form after having been split into two independent beings of energy, one red and one blue
Superman returns to his original form after having been split into two independent beings of energy, one red and one blue
Reprint of Action Comics #1 distributed in 1998 by the US Post Office commemorating 50 years of Superman
Scarce issue, sealed with a book of Superman stamps
Reprint of Action Comics #1 distributed in 1998 by the US Post Office commemorating 50 years of Superman
Scarce issue, sealed with a book of Superman stamps
Legends of the DC Universe: Crisis on Infinite Earths #1
DC
•
1999
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of the Justice Alliance, an alternate reality version of the Justice League from an Earth where most of the super-heroes are black
1st appearance of a black Superman, Supergirl and Wonder Woman
1st appearance of the Justice Alliance, an alternate reality version of the Justice League from an Earth where most of the super-heroes are black
1st appearance of a black Superman, Supergirl and Wonder Woman
Incredible Hulk vs Superman #1
DC/Marvel
•
1999
•
Vol. 1
Battle of the Hulk versus Superman in a hypothetical one-shot
Action Comics #767
DC
•
2000
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Action Comics #773
DC
•
2001
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Superman #172
DC
•
2001
•
Vol. 2
First use of Superman's heat vision and super breath at the same time
Action Comics #784
DC
•
2001
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Batman #612
DC
•
2003
•
Vol. 1
Battle of Batman vs Superman
Debut of Batman's Kryptonite Ring used to level the playing field when fighting Superman
As with all April 2023 issues of DC comics, there is a coupon for the game "Black & Bruised" attached inside
Battle of Batman vs Superman
Debut of Batman's Kryptonite Ring used to level the playing field when fighting Superman
As with all April 2023 issues of DC comics, there is a coupon for the game "Black & Bruised" attached inside
Superman: Red Son #1
DC
•
2003
•
Vol. 1
Premiere issue of a three-part series that envisions Superman's story if he landed and was raised in the Soviet Union
Premiere issue of a three-part series that envisions Superman's story if he landed and was raised in the Soviet Union
Variant sketch cover art by Jim Lee
Variant second printing cover art by Alex Ross
Adjust Your Filters To See More Comics!
By default Key Collector searches for Standard Cover Key Issues.
Adjust the "Variants" and/or "Non-Key Issues" search filters above for additional content:
- Variant Covers ([[totalVariants]])
- Non-Key Issues ([[totalNonKeys]])
At Key Collector, our primary focus is on unearthing those rare Standard Cover Key Issues for you. However, the world of comic collectibles is vast and varied. We want to make sure you have the tools to explore it all!