Superman’s Top 10 Best Reboot Rankings: Up and Away Through the Years

Since DC Comics launched Crisis on Infinite Earths, the iconic character of Superman has undergone numerous high-profile transformations, reboots, and creative reinterpretations. With a new storyline featuring Superman on the horizon, penned by Dan Slott, it’s an ideal moment to reflect on the pivotal narratives that have reshaped the Man of Steel’s history and their implications for his future.

The concept of rebooting superheroes gained traction well after the original creation of Superman, making it difficult to pinpoint many significant remodelings of the character that occurred before John Byrne’s transformative series in the mid-1980s. By broadening the definition of a “reboot”to include substantial shifts in continuity and character dynamics, it becomes evident that Superman’s narrative has experienced significant evolution throughout his nearly 80-year publication timeline.

10 Superman Forever #1 (1998)

By Louise Jones Simonson, Karl Kesel, Stuart Immonen, Dan Jurgens, Jon Bogdanove, Dick Giordano, Norm Breyfogle, Kieron Dwyer, Anthony Williams, Val Semeiks, Paul Ryan, John Byrne, Steve Yeowell, Tom Grummett, Scot Eaton, and Many More

The era of the “Electric Superman”faced criticism, especially as it concluded in a rather convoluted fashion. Creative teams had the challenging task of merging the dual personas of Superman—his red and blue incarnations—while simultaneously restoring his iconic look and powers. The crossover event that transitioned intoSuperman Forever left much to be desired, featuring a lackluster battle with the “Millennium Giants.”Ultimately, the effort to revert Superman to his classic form in the one-shot felt equally unsatisfying.

Despite its flaws, Superman Forever displayed impressive artwork and a talented roster of creators. Fans were pleased to see Superman return to his roots following a period filled with gimmicky devices. However, the absence of a compelling narrative explanation for his transition diluted the stakes and made the story feel somewhat trivial, as if Clark Kent could have reverted to form at any moment.

9 Doomsday Clock (2017)

By Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, Brad Anderson, and Rob Leigh

Writer Geoff Johns took bold strides in exploring legacy, continuity, and philosophy in the challenging follow-up to Watchmen, titled Doomsday Clock. While the series had its peaks, it ultimately degenerated into what felt like yet another continuity-altering event similar to Infinite Crisis or Zero Hour: A Crisis in Time.

This narrative introduced the concept of the “metaverse, ”illustrating an evolving multiverse that mirrored Superman’s journey through time. This conceptual framework sought to apply to both past and future storylines. However, its significance seemed to resonate primarily with diehard fans deeply invested in continuity details, which corresponds to a specialized segment of comic book enthusiasts.

8 The So-Called “Silent Reboot”(1969)

A Silver Age Shift in the Multiverse

As previously mentioned, early superhero comics typically featured standalone stories accessible to new readers, without much emphasis on continuity. It wasn’t until the Silver Age, starting in the late 1950s and early ’60s, that DC Comics began to seriously develop a cohesive continuity. This era also introduced the concept of Earth-2 and paved the way for DC’s multiverse.

Power Girl, a beloved character within the Superman Family, also originates from Earth-2. It wasn’t fully clarified until 1969 that the Golden Age Superman, who first graced the pages in 1938, belonged to Earth-2. Gradually, the stories transitioned to focus on the Earth-1 Superman, which established a clearer distinction between the two versions.

7 Absolute Superman #1 (2024)

By Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola, and Becca Carey

DC’s recent Absolute Universe initiative stands out as one of the most ambitious endeavors in the publisher’s history, with Superman positioned as a central figure. This concept offers a darker and more modern reinterpretation of classic DC characters, set against a backdrop steeped in “Darkseid energy.”While it’s uncertain whether these new iterations will have lasting impact, response from fans and critics alike has been overwhelmingly favorable.

The portrayal of Superman in the Absolute Universe serves as a radical reimagining of the character and maintains fidelity to his origins as a champion for the oppressed. In this narrative, Superman showcases unpredictable powers and champions the working class. Significant flashbacks reveal a young Kal-El growing up on Krypton, confronted by the challenges faced by his laborer parents. Early issues of Absolute Superman promise to deliver a fresh perspective on the character that will spark conversations for years.

6 The New 52 (2011)

Action Comics #1 by Grant Morrison and Rags Morales; Superman #1 by George Pérez and Jesús Merino

The New 52 launch in 2011 saw DC initiating a comprehensive reboot, resulting in the release of 52 new #1 issues. This bold move not only redefined character narratives but also propelled DC to a competitive lead in comic book sales, a position it maintained for months. Despite the initial excitement surrounding the initiative, confusion and frustration loomed as readers were often left unclear regarding the extent of the reboot and how it impacted the continuity of long-established characters like Superman.

Alongside sweeping changes to iconic characters such as Wonder Woman and the Justice League, Superman faced unique challenges. While Grant Morrison’s approach gained popularity for reengineering the character in Action Comics, George Pérez faced contention with editorial and ultimately left his title. Subsequently, despite the contributions of Keith Giffen and Dan Jurgens, the direction struggled to resonate with audiences. The New 52 Superman’s revamped costume attracted mixed reviews, and the decision to eliminate the marriage between Superman and Lois Lane met with backlash from dedicated fans.

5 Rebirth (2016)

Superman: Rebirth #1 by Peter J. Tomasi, Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza, Wil Quintana, and Rob Leigh

With the decline of the New 52 era, DC sought to rejuvenate interest by merging aspects from the New 52 with the pre-Flashpoint universe. This creative resurgence culminated in the Rebirth initiative, which restored many cherished character dynamics. Essentially, the initiative fused the New 52 Superman with the post-Crisis version, creating a cohesive depiction of the Man of Steel moving forward.

Unlike the New 52, where timelines appeared fragmented, the coordination between Action Comics and Superman became clearer, leading to a harmonious blend of classic storytelling with contemporary themes. The return to familiar motifs coupled with the new familial dynamic of Clark and Lois raising Jonathan Kent reignited excitement among fans and set a new standard for Superman narratives.

4 Superman: Birthright (2003)

By Mark Waid, Leinil Francis Yu, Gerry Alanguilan, Dave McCaig, and Comicraft

Regarded as a pivotal piece in modern Superman lore, Superman: Birthright effectively aligned the post-Crisis character with the contemporary storytelling style embodied by the television series Smallville, which was airing during its publication. Writer Mark Waid, an avid admirer of Superman, sought to reexamine Clark’s formative years while gracefully integrating elements from John Byrne’s historical approach.

Waid’s narrative refined Superman’s backstory while maintaining a sense of accessibility, resulting in a beloved series that captivated audiences for a decade before being further honed by Secret Origin. It stands as one of the most well-received standalone Superman stories, contrasting with the evolving yet looser structure seen in eras like Rebirth and New 52.

3 Convergence: Superman (2015)

By Dan Jurgens, Lee Weeks, Norm Rapmund, Brad Anderson, and Sal Cipriano

Convergence served as one of several interconnected DC events aimed at reestablishing a sense of normalcy following the complications of the New 52. The story follows a series of cities from the multiverse, collected by Telos—an avatar of Brainiac—transporting them to a realm where powers ceased to function.

During their loss of abilities, Clark and Lois build a family, welcoming the birth of Jon Kent, which lays the groundwork for the emotional and narrative complexities leading to the Rebirth era. This pivotal plotline establishes that Clark and Lois from Crisis on Infinite Earths had endured through to this current narrative, effectively merging their histories with their New 52 counterparts. Notably, the Superman: Lois & Clark miniseries emerged as a standout, solidifying its status as one of the finest Superman stories within modern continuity.

2 Superman: Secret Origin (2009)

By Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, Jon Sibal, Brad Anderson, and Steve Wands

Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, known for their contributions to noteworthy comic series, delivered a much-anticipated rendition of Superman’s origin with Superman: Secret Origin. This narrative lacks the convoluted nature present in many continuities, merging elements fans missed from the pre-Crisis era while crafting a story that resonated with newer readers.

The series showcases a comprehensive interpretation of Superman’s early days, featuring themes of legacy and camaraderie, especially with the Legion of Super-Heroes.Secret Origin played a vital role in bridging generational gaps for readers and became a significant reference point for subsequent Superman stories.

1 The Man of Steel (1986)

By John Byrne, Dick Giordano, Tom Ziuko, and John Costanza

Over the years, various authors and artists enriched Superman’s narrative; however, it was John Byrne who redefined the character’s mythology through The Man of Steel. Following the tumultuous multiverse of DC Comics, which had become overly complex, the Crisis on Infinite Earths event sought to streamline storylines and ensure greater accessibility for readers.

The restructuring of Superman’s abilities benefited from a thoughtful approach, as Byrne shifted away from presenting the character as excessively powerful. He introduced more depth to Clark Kent’s personality, making him relatable and embodying the essence of humanity. This reboot marked the beginning of a new era, resulting in substantial commercial success, with stories such as The Death and Return of Superman achieving remarkable acclaim. For over a decade, readers embraced this iteration of the character until further changes emerged with Birthright.

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