#ComicBytes: The greatest Superman stories ever told in comics
The most recognizable hero in the world, Superman is an integral part of pop-culture and has featured in thousands of stories published in hundreds of languages. Despite being an alien, he seems more human than most of us! While all of his stories are great in their own way, some especially stand out. Here are five Superman stories that fans should definitely check out.
How far will Superman go to save someone like himself?
The story of Superman: Last Son of Krypton begins with a rocket, containing a boy, landing in Metropolis. Superman believes that the rocket is from his home planet, Krypton and tries to protect the boy with everything he has got. The story, written by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner, has Superman battling Lex Luthor, his Superman Revenge Squad, General Zod, Ursa, and Non.
What makes Superman more 'human' than most?
Mark Waid's Superman: Birthright charts the hero's origin in a spectacularly different style. It is a re-imagination of the classic origin story but is written in a deep, enchanting manner. The story of his childhood, parents, and the complexity they faced owing him being an alien, makes it a delight to read. What really stands out though, is the role of Lex Luthor here.
What if Superman's rocket landed in Soviet Russia?
Superman: Red Son came out in 2003 and had a simple plot- Baby Superman's rocket lands in Soviet Russia and he grows up with Russian values. With this seemingly simple change, everything else changes drastically, including characters like Batman and Lex Luthor (who's an American scientist here). This story, written by Mark Millar, is an interesting take on the Superman we know and love.
How did Superman die?
This story has been one of the most popular Superman tales ever. There's an animated movie as well as a big-screen adaptation of 1992's The Death of Superman. No one could believe it back then because killing an iconic fictional character was unheard of. Yet, the makers took the risk and introduced a new villain called Doomsday who eventually prompted Superman to sacrifice himself.
The best Superman story ever told
Some stories, like All-Star Superman, are simply faultless. They have so much that reading them is a fulfilling experience. Apart from great art and visuals, it has a culmination of multiple story arcs, albeit set in a separate continuity. Superman faces his biggest nightmare with a smile on his face and the reader can't help but marvel at the amazing storytelling. Definitely a must-read.
