Superman : Comic Book Covers of the Year (1938 - present)

[daBronzeBomma]

So, in honor of our boy Clark celebrating his 83rd birthday right now, this could be a fun little exercise:

Put a pic of the single best cover (IYO) featuring him from each calendar year of his published existence.

Ground rules:

1. It has to feature Clark Kent/ Kal-El / Superman as a central part of the picture (no ensembles unless he is squarely in the middle of it)

2. Main canon (at the time) Clarks are much preferred over any AU Clark. Let's avoid Ultraman or Overman or Injustice Superman if at all possible.

3. No substitutes. No Lois Lane, Supergirl, Superboy, Steel, Krypto, Mon-El, or any other SuperFam as the main character if Clark is not central in the pic.

4. Superman's main ongoing titles are preferred, but miniseries and graphic novels are totally acceptable.

5. Chronological order year by year would be nice, but we'll take what we can get.

Let's see how far we get!

[daBronzeBomma]

1938 is an absolute no-brainer.

It's, IMO, not only the Cover of its Year, it's the Cover of its Decade, the Cover of its Century, and the Cover of the entire franchise.

Action Comics #1.
Cover-dated June 1938.



Any candidates for 1939?

[Kuwagaton]

I think 1939 is also a no brainer with Superman #1



Then for 1940 I think another one in Action Comics #23



These three covers go from pop culture recognition to comic fan recognition to Superman fan recognition. Completely iconic, but from here I think it gets more arguable and interesting

[daBronzeBomma]

1941 Superman Cover of the Year:

Superman #13



Any takers for 1942?

[K7P5V]

Hopefully, these count...

1942
(both covers )

[Sacred Knight]

Fun idea!

Oh '43 would be perfect for the classic Fleischer pose but alas, not a comic. But the equally classic American flag pose works:

113323464140.jpg

[Vordan]

Fantastic idea!

1944 Mxy’s first appearance!

[Kuwagaton]

Lol I'm glad I'm in time for 1945. Incidentally, I'm assuming we're going by cover date. Most issues are gonna fall comfortably in the publication year but with the very beginning or end it can get tricky.

[Robanker]

Lol I'm glad I'm in time for 1945. Incidentally, I'm assuming we're going by cover date. Most issues are gonna fall comfortably in the publication year but with the very beginning or end it can get tricky.

That has to be it for 1945, but would be my honorable mention:

Action_Comics_85.jpg

This would be my pick for 1946 even if it's a World's Finest cover, it's just pure fun.

World's_Finest_Comics_23.jpg

[daBronzeBomma]

I'm going to offer a Batman-less option for 1946

Action Comics #101

Man, that is a visceral cover!

[Vordan]

1947

[K7P5V]

1948

[Johnny Thunders!]

Superman is full on Mr. Spaceman way earlier than people realize.

[Kuwagaton]

1949 gave us another classic that's still used in merchandising

[Vordan]

Damnit I wanted to post that one

1950!



This was the year and issue where Kal learned that he was Kryptonian not human.