SUPERMAN -- Essential Reading?

[Air Wave]

So, let's say I want to introduce someone to Superman...what would people suggest as essential reading (collections, anthologies, graphic novels, etc.)? I want to be sure we cover both really great stories as well as stories important to the history. And I really want to make sure ALL periods are covered, all the way back to the beginning, just to build up a really good collection. What do you think?

['Dax]

CBR's list of best Superman stories.

[Air Wave]

CBR's list of best Superman stories.

That's a great list (I think I've seen it before.). But ultimately I'd want to get them in some kind of collected form, either in trade paperbacks or as part of bigger collections.

[MykeHavoc]

All-Star Superman
Action Comics (New 52) vol 1-3
Last Son of Krypton
Birthright
For All Seasons
Death of Superman
Red Son
Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
Black Ring
World of Krypton

Those should get you started.

[Air Wave]

All-Star Superman
Action Comics (New 52) vol 1-3
Last Son of Krypton
Birthright
For All Seasons
Death of Superman
Red Son
Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
Black Ring
World of Krypton

Those should get you started.

Thanks for all that.

[Steven Ely]

Superman: The Dailies (1939-1942).
Superman Sunday Classics (1939-1943).
Superman Sunday Pages (1943-1946).
The Superman Chronicles volumes.
The Man of Steel volumes.
Adventures of Superman: Gil Kane.
The World's Greatest Super-Heroes (includes Peace on Earth).
Jimmy Olsen Adventures by Jack Kirby volumes.
Jack Kirby Omnibus volume 2.
Kingdom Come.
World's Finest (1990).
Superman vs. Muhammad Ali.
The Incredible Hulk vs. Superman (DC/Marvel crossover).

[Dispenser Of Truth]

The Superman Chronicles
Dailies and Sunday Strips
Showcase Volumes
Superman in the 40s/50s/60s/70s/80s
Superman Vs. Lex Luthor
Novels Last Son of Krypton/Miracle Monday
Jack Kirby Fourth World Omnibi
Superman #400 (Available online)
Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? (TPB includes the other Moore Superman stories, "For the Man Who Has Everything" and "Jungle Line")
Man of Steel
Death/Return
For All Seasons
Kingdom Come
Peace on Earth
Hitman #34 "Of Thee I Sing"
What's So Funny About Truth, Justice and the American Way?
Birthright
Secret Identity
Red Son
All-Star Superman
Action Comics (Vol. 2) Vol. 1-3
Bonus: Grant Morrison's JLA/Final Crisis (including Superman Beyond)

[Robotman]

"All Star Superman" and "Superman and the Legion of Superheroes" are two of my favorite comics of all time.

All of the best stories are collected in tpb.

[Dispenser Of Truth]

All of the best stories are collected in tpb.

Not really. Lots of Maggin stuff uncollected, for starters.

[Steven Ely]

If you consider Maggin's Superman stuff the best. Maggin stories like "The Super-Cigars of Perry White!" in Action Comics #436 (1974) where Perry White smokes cigars which give him super-powers rivaling Superman's and "The Ozone-Master Comes Calling!" in Superman #376 (1982) where again Perry White smokes a cigar which gives him super-powers, would have suited Mad/Saturday Night Live in mockery of Superman. Heck, even Curt Swan complained in The Comics Journal #73 (1982).

[Auguste Dupin]

If you consider Maggin's Superman stuff the best. Maggin stories like "The Super-Cigars of Perry White!" in Action Comics #436 (1974) where Perry White smokes cigars which give him super-powers rivaling Superman's and "The Ozone-Master Comes Calling!" in Superman #376 (1982) where again Perry White smokes a cigar which gives him super-powers, would have suited Mad/Saturday Night Live in mockery of Superman. Heck, even Curt Swan complained in The Comics Journal #73 (1982).

There's more to Maggin than Perry White getting high after a smoke, though.
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