Superman is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, he debuted in Action Comics #1. The character's origin story depicts him as Kal-El, an infant sent to Earth from the dying planet Krypton by his parents before its destruction. Raised in rural Kansas by Jonathan and Martha Kent, he develops superhuman abilities such as flight, super strength, and x-ray vision under Earth's yellow sun. As an adult, he operates in the fictional city of Metropolis, working as a journalist for the Daily Planet while also fighting crime and protecting the innocent under the alias Superman. He is widely considered a cultural icon and one of the most recognizable and influential superheroes of all time, inspiring numerous adaptations across media, including radio, novels, films, television, theater, and video games.
1925: Le Corbusier's Influence
Le Corbusier's architectural concepts, including the 1925 idea of a transparent and knowable city, influenced the portrayal of Superman and his urban environment.
1927: Metropolis Film Release
The film Metropolis, from which Superman's city takes its name, was released in 1927.
1930: Gladiator Publication
Philip Wylie's novel Gladiator, which influenced Superman, was published in 1930.
1932: Siegel and Shuster Meet
Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster met in 1932 at Glenville High School, beginning their collaborative partnership.
January 1933: "The Reign of the Superman" Publication
Jerry Siegel published "The Reign of the Superman," a short story featuring a proto-Superman character with different powers, in January 1933.
May 1933: Consolidated Book Publishers Publishes Detective Dan
Consolidated Book Publishers published Detective Dan: Secret Operative 48, a proto-comic book, in May 1933. This inspired Siegel and Shuster's early Superman comic book format.
July 1933: Leo O'Mealia's Superman Strips
Leo O'Mealia created early Superman comic strips based on Siegel's script in July 1933. These strips, which featured a different origin story for Superman, were ultimately rejected by O'Mealia's syndicate.
June 1934: Russell Keaton's Superman Strips
In June 1934, Russell Keaton created Superman comic strips based on Siegel's evolving origin story. These strips also faced rejection.
June 1935: Siegel and Shuster Work with National Allied Publications
Siegel and Shuster began working with National Allied Publications in June 1935, publishing strips in New Fun Comics #6 and showing Superman to the publisher.
1935: Superman's Origin Story Evolves
By 1935, Superman's origin story involved being sent back in time from a dying Earth and raised by the Kents.
1936: Detective Comics, Inc. Formation
Detective Comics, Inc. was formed in 1936 by Wheeler-Nicholson, Donenfeld, and Liebowitz.
December 1937: Siegel Meets with Liebowitz
Siegel met with Jack Liebowitz in December 1937 to discuss creating comics for Action Comics, but initially did not propose Superman.
January 1938: Superman Submission to Action Comics
Following McClure Newspaper Syndicate's rejection, Superman strips were submitted to Action Comics in January 1938.
January 1938: Wheeler-Nicholson's Bankruptcy
Wheeler-Nicholson's company was petitioned into bankruptcy by Donenfeld and Liebowitz in early January 1938, leading to its seizure.
March 1, 1938: Siegel and Shuster Sign Superman Rights to DC Comics
Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster signed over the copyright to Superman to DC Comics on March 1, 1938, before its first publication in April, receiving $130 for their first Superman story.
April 1938: Action Comics #1
In April 1938, Action Comics #1 was released, marking Superman's first appearance in a comic book. Initially, Action Comics was an anthology series.
April 18, 1938: Action Comics #1 Publication
Action Comics #1, featuring Superman's debut, was published on April 18, 1938.
June 1938: Action Comics #1 Cover Date
The cover date of Action Comics #1, Superman's debut comic, was June 1938.
August 1938: Superman Chest Logo Trademarked
In August 1938, DC Comics trademarked the iconic Superman chest logo.
1938: Superman's Narrative Elements Established
Several key elements of Superman's narrative were established in 1938, remaining consistent across numerous stories.
1938: Superman's Abilities Cataloged
Superman's various abilities and strengths have varied over time since his introduction in 1938.
1938: Superman's Superhuman Strength
Superman's superhuman strength, including lifting cars and breaking steel chains, was established in 1938.
1938: Superman's Origin Story
Superman's origin story was introduced in 1938, detailing his birth on Krypton, his escape to Earth, and his discovery by the Kents.
1938: Superman's Invulnerability
Superman's invulnerability to bullets and other harm was established in 1938.
1938: Superman's First Appearance
Superman's first appearance was in Action Comics #1, released in 1938. This marked the beginning of the character's long history and established the core elements of his origin story.
1938: Superman and Urban Architecture
Scott Bukatman discussed Superman's connection to urban architecture in 1938, noting how the character's flight and X-ray vision humanize and democratize the city.
1938: Superman's Debut and the Golden Age of Comics
In 1938, Superman debuted, popularizing the superhero archetype and its conventions like costumes, codenames, superpowers, and altruistic missions. This marked the beginning of the Golden Age of Comic Books, inspiring characters like Batman and Captain America.
1938: Superman's Origin and Kryptonian Strength
Action Comics #1 (1938) introduced Superman and attributed his strength to the advanced evolutionary state of Kryptonians.
January 1939: Superman Daily Comic Strip
A Superman daily comic strip began in newspapers in January 1939, syndicated by the McClure Syndicate.
June 1939: Ultra-Humanite Debut
The Ultra-Humanite, a mad scientist, first appeared in Action Comics #13 (June 1939) as Superman's first recurring villain.
June 1939: Superman #1
The first issue of Superman's own dedicated comic book series was released in June 1939.
October 1939: Superman, Inc. Founded
Jack Liebowitz established Superman, Inc. in October 1939 to expand the Superman franchise beyond comic books.
December 1939: Captain Marvel First Published
Fawcett Comics first published Captain Marvel in December 1939, a character with many similarities to Superman, leading to a lawsuit from DC Comics.
1939: First Superman Merchandise Appears
The first Superman merchandise, a Supermen of America club button and a wooden doll by Ideal Novelty and Toy Company, appeared in 1939.
1939: X-Ray Vision Debut
Superman first demonstrated his X-ray vision ability, the power to see through objects, in Action Comics #11 in 1939.
1939: Superhuman Hearing Introduced
Action Comics #11 (1939) saw the introduction of Superman's superhuman hearing. This power allows him to perceive sounds too faint or at frequencies undetectable by normal human hearing.
April 1940: Lex Luthor's Introduction
Lex Luthor, Superman's most famous nemesis, debuted in Action Comics #23 (April 1940).
May 1940: Krypto-Raygun Advertisement
An advertisement for the "Krypto-Raygun", a device projecting images onto walls, appeared in Superman #5 (May 1940).
1940: Nazi Denouncement of Superman
In 1940, Joseph Goebbels denounced Superman and Jerry Siegel, believing Superman to be Jewish, highlighting early interpretations of the character.
1940: Superman Gains Flight
In 1940, during the second episode of the Superman radio serial, Superman gained the iconic power of flight. Initially, in Action Comics #1, he could only leap and run at great speeds.
1940: Superman's Character Softened
Superman's initially aggressive personality is toned down in 1940 with a new code of conduct.
1940: Superhuman Breath Debut
Superman's superhuman breath, enabling him to inhale or exhale large quantities of air and hold his breath indefinitely, was introduced in Action Comics #20 (1940).
1940: Whitney Ellsworth as Editor
Whitney Ellsworth was hired as editor for Superman comics in 1940, and implemented restrictions on violence, and other story elements, in Superman stories.
1940: The Adventures of Superman Radio Show
The Adventures of Superman radio show premiered in 1940, running until 1951 with 2,088 episodes.
1941: Comic Strip Readership Grows
By 1941, the Superman newspaper strips reached an estimated readership of 20 million.
1941: Mort Weisinger's Editorial Reign Begins
Mort Weisinger began his long tenure as editor of Superman comics in 1941.
August 1942: Lois Suspects Clark
In Superman #17 (July-August 1942), a story features Lois Lane suspecting Clark Kent's true identity and attempting to prove he is Superman. This was a recurring theme before the 1970s.
1942: Superman Works with Police
By 1942, Superman begins working alongside the police.
1942: Superman's Parents Named
In 1942, Superman's biological parents were officially named Jor-el and Lara in a spinoff novel.
1943: DC Comics Publishes Superboy without Siegel's Permission
While Siegel served in the army in 1943, DC Comics published a story featuring Superboy, based on Siegel's earlier script, without his permission, angering him.
1943: Siegel's Conscription
Jerry Siegel, the writer of the Superman comic strip, was conscripted into the U.S. Army in 1943.
1943: Kryptonite Debut
Kryptonite, a substance that weakens and can kill Superman, first appeared in a 1943 episode of the radio serial.
1944: Superboy Stories Begin
From 1944 to 1986, DC Comics regularly published stories of Superman's childhood and adolescent adventures as Superboy.
1944: Mister Mxyzptlk's Debut
Mister Mxyzptlk, a magical imp and Superman's first recurring super-powered adversary, first appeared in 1944.
October 1946: Superman, Inc. Merges with DC Comics
Superman, Inc. merged with DC Comics in October 1946.
1946: Superman Tackles Social Issues on Radio
In 1946, Superman radio programs addressed social issues like the Ku Klux Klan, anti-semitism, and veteran discrimination, reflecting the liberal idealism of the time.
1947: Siegel and Shuster Sue DC Comics, Then Settle
After Siegel left the Army, he and Shuster sued DC Comics in 1947 for the rights to Superman and Superboy. The court ruled Superman belonged to DC Comics but Superboy belonged to Siegel. They settled out of court, receiving $94,013.16 (equivalent to $1,192,222 in 2023), and were subsequently fired by DC Comics.
1947: DC Comics Pays Siegel and Shuster for Work
Between 1938 and 1947, DC Comics paid Siegel and Shuster at least $401,194.85 (equivalent to $7,310,000 in 2023) for their work on Superman.
1947: Superman's Hometown Located in Iowa
In 1947, a radio serial placed Superman's unnamed hometown in Iowa.
March 1948: Trial Begins Between DC Comics and Fawcett Comics
The trial for copyright infringement between DC and Fawcett Comics began in March 1948. While the judge ruled Fawcett had infringed, they also found DC's copyright notices invalid due to technicalities.
June 1949: Smallville Named
Superman's hometown was officially named Smallville in June 1949.
1949: Heat Vision First Use
In 1949, Superman used his heat vision for the first time in Superman #59. Originally, this power was described as an intense application of his X-ray vision, but it later became known simply as "heat vision".
1949: Kryptonite in Comics
Kryptonite made its first appearance in comics in Superman #61 (December 1949).
1949: Radio Show Format Change
The Adventures of Superman radio show episodes were extended to 30 minutes in 1949, from their original 15-minute format.
1949: Wayne Boring Takes Over Art
Win Mortimer took over the art duties for the Superman newspaper strip in 1949 until 1956.
1950: End of the Golden Age of Comics
Around 1950, the Golden Age of Comic Books came to a close due to declining sales, leading to many superhero titles being canceled. However, Superman's popularity endured, paving the way for the Silver Age.
1951: End of Radio Show
The Adventures of Superman radio show concluded its run in 1951.
1952: Astro Boy's Debut
In 1952, Astro Boy, inspired by Mighty Mouse (a Superman parody), debuted in Japan, marking an early influence of American superhero fiction on Japanese culture.
September 1953: Fawcett Comics Ceases Captain Marvel Publication
Fawcett Comics published their last Captain Marvel story in September 1953, following a settlement with DC Comics where they paid $400,000 and agreed to stop publishing the character.
1954: Comics Code Authority Established
The Comics Code Authority is established in 1954, creating a code of conduct for comic book content, although distinct from Ellsworth's earlier code for Superman.
1955: Curt Swan's Artistic Influence
Around 1955, Curt Swan took over as the primary artist for Superman comics, succeeding Wayne Boring.
1955: Superman Animated Shorts Air in Japan
The 1940s Superman animated shorts were broadcast on Japanese television in 1955, introducing the character to a wider Japanese audience.
1956: Adventures of Superman Airs in Japan
The George Reeves TV show "Adventures of Superman" aired in Japan in 1956, further popularizing the character and influencing the development of Japanese superheroes.
1956: Win Mortimer's Run Ends
Win Mortimer's run as the artist for the Superman newspaper strip concluded in 1956.
1957: Super Giant Released
Super Giant, the first Japanese superhero movie, was released in 1957, showcasing the growing influence of the genre in Japan.
July 1958: Brainiac's First Appearance
Brainiac, Superman's first alien villain, was introduced in Action Comics #242 (July 1958).
1958: Moonlight Mask Premieres
In 1958, Moonlight Mask, the first Japanese superhero TV show, premiered.
1958: Letters Columns Introduced
Letters columns were introduced in Superman comics in 1958 to foster interaction with readers.
1958: Fortress of Solitude Introduced
Superman's Fortress of Solitude is described as a cave with a giant key in 1958.
1959: DC Comics Rehires Jerry Siegel
DC Comics rehired Jerry Siegel as a writer in 1959.
1959: Freeze Breath First Appearance
Superman first showcased his freeze breath ability in Superman #129 (1959). This is an extension of his breath powers, focused to freeze targets.
1960: Superman's Costume Origin
In 1960, Superboy's costume was said to be made from Kryptonian blankets.
1960: Public Sales Data Released
Sales data for comic books became public in 1960, revealing Superman's popularity throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
1961: Superman's Imaginary Death
Superman's first depicted death occurs in 1961, an imaginary story disregarded later.
1961: The Role of Earth's Sun
Superman #146 (1961) established the importance of Earth's yellow sun in activating Superman's powers, excluding his strength.
1963: Yellow and Red Sunlight Effects
Action Comics #300 (1963) clarified that all of Superman's powers, including strength, were activated by yellow sunlight and could be deactivated by red sunlight, similar to Krypton's.
1964: Vulnerability to Magic
Superman's vulnerability to magic was established in Superman #171 (1964), making enchanted weapons and spells as effective on him as on a normal human.
1965: Siegel and Shuster's Second Lawsuit Against DC Comics
In 1965, Siegel and Shuster tried to regain Superman rights but the court ruled they had transferred these rights to DC Comics in 1938. They appealed, but the decision was upheld, and DC Comics fired Siegel again.
April 1966: Superman's First "Death"
In April 1966, Superman is temporarily killed by kryptonite but is revived by an android.
May 1966: End of Original Comic Strip Run
The original run of the Superman daily comic strip ended in May 1966.
1966: It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Superman Musical
The Broadway musical "It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Superman" opened in 1966, receiving a Tony Award nomination.
1967: DC Comics Merges with Warner Communications
Following DC Comics' merger with Warner Communications in 1967, the Licensing Corporation of America took over Superman licensing.
1970: Julius Schwartz Takes Over
Julius Schwartz replaced Mort Weisinger as editor of Superman comics in 1970, introducing significant changes to the character and storylines.
1970: Weisinger's Retirement
Mort Weisinger retired as editor of Superman comics in 1970.
1971: Superman as a Reflection of the Times
In 1971, Gerald Clarke, writing in Time, discussed Superman as a reflection of the changing American landscape, suggesting his popularity signaled a shift from the self-made man ideal.
1972: DC Comics Licenses Captain Marvel
In 1972, DC Comics licensed Captain Marvel and published crossover stories with Superman.
1975: Campaign for Comic Creators' Rights and Agreement with Warner Brothers
In 1975, Siegel and other comic creators campaigned for better compensation. Warner Brothers agreed to provide Siegel and Shuster with a yearly stipend, medical benefits, and future credits in exchange for never contesting Superman's ownership.
1977: Comic Strip Revival
The Superman newspaper comic strip was revived in 1977, coinciding with the release of Superman movies.
June 1978: Superman and Lois Marry
In Action Comics #484 (June 1978), Clark Kent revealed his identity as Superman to Lois Lane, and they married. This was the first non-"imaginary tale" where their marriage occurred.
1978: Fortress of Solitude Reimagined
The Fortress of Solitude is depicted as a crystal structure in the 1978 movie.
1978: Superman as a Christ Allegory
The 1978 Superman movie, starring Christopher Reeve, presented Superman as an allegory for Jesus Christ, with elements like the spaceship resembling the Star of Bethlehem.
1978: Smallville Located in Kansas
The 1978 Superman movie placed Smallville in Kansas, a location used in many subsequent stories.
1978: Superman's "S" Symbol Explained
The "S" on Superman's chest was reinterpreted as the crest of the House of El in the 1978 movie.
1978: Clark Kent Returns to Journalism
In the 1978 movie, Clark Kent was re-established as a newspaper journalist, reflecting his most recognizable profession.
1981: Smallville Located in Maryland
New Adventures of Superboy #22 (Oct. 1981) places Smallville in Maryland.
1983: End of Revived Comic Strip
The revived Superman newspaper comic strip ended in 1983.
1986: Superman's Power Development Revised
Beginning in 1986, Superman's powers were depicted as developing more slowly, with his superhero career starting in adulthood.
1986: Superman's Costume Reimagined
In 1986, Martha Kent made Superman's costume from human-made cloth, made indestructible by Superman's aura.
1986: The Man of Steel #1
In 1986, with the release of Man of Steel #1, the explanation for Superman's costume's resilience was changed. Now, instead of being made of special materials, his invulnerability extends to any tight-fitting clothing he wears due to a protective aura.
1986: Mike Carlin as Editor and DC Reboot
Mike Carlin became the editor for Superman comics following Julius Schwartz's retirement in 1986, coinciding with DC Comics' reboot of the universe with "Crisis on Infinite Earths."
1987: Superman Sales Rise
Starting in 1987, sales of Superman comics began to rise again, leading up to the peak in 1992.
1990: Psionic Vulnerability
In Superman #48 (October 1990), a young, power-amplified metahuman named Gene-Bomb demonstrated the ability to affect Superman's psyche and microbiology, causing internal damage and disrupting his perceptions.
1991: DC Comics Acquires Captain Marvel
In 1991, DC Comics purchased Fawcett Comics, acquiring full rights to Captain Marvel and eventually renaming him "Shazam" to avoid conflict with Marvel Comics' own Captain Marvel.
Nov 1992: The Death of Superman
In November 1992, Superman #75 was released, featuring the storyline "The Death of Superman." The issue sold over 23 million copies, making it the best-selling comic book issue of all time.
1992: Doomsday's Arrival
Doomsday, a monstrous villain known for being the first to seemingly kill Superman in physical combat (without using kryptonite or magic), debuted in Superman: The Man of Steel #17-18 (November-December 1992).
1992: Shuster's Death and Agreement with Heirs
Following Shuster's death in 1992, DC Comics offered his heirs a stipend in exchange for not challenging Superman's ownership, which they initially accepted.
1992: Origin of Clark Kent's Name Revealed
In 1992, Joe Shuster revealed Clark Kent's name was inspired by actors Clark Gable and Kent Taylor.
1993: The Death and Return of Superman
In 1993, Superman dies battling Doomsday and is revived using Kryptonian technology.
1996: Carlin's Promotion
Mike Carlin was promoted to Executive Editor for DC Universe books in 1996, a position held until 2002.
1996: Siegel's Death
Siegel, the co-creator of Superman, passed away in 1996.
October 2001: Agreement with Siegel's Heirs
After Siegel's death in 1996, his heirs and DC Comics reached an agreement in October 2001. DC Comics would pay millions and a $500,000 yearly stipend in exchange for permanent Superman rights, and credit the Siegel family in future productions.
October 2001: Siegel Heirs Cancel Deal with DC Comics
After initially agreeing with DC Comics in October 2001, the Siegel heirs cancelled the deal and sued DC Comics in 2004 for Superman and Superboy rights after striking a deal with Marc Toberoff.
2002: Carlin's Tenure Ends
Mike Carlin's time as Executive Editor concluded in 2002.
2003: Shuster Heirs File Termination Notice
The Shuster heirs filed a termination notice in 2003 for Shuster's half of the Superman copyright.
2004: Siegel Heirs Sue DC Comics
The Siegel heirs sued DC Comics in 2004 to reclaim the rights to Superman and Superboy.
2005: Susceptibility to Psychokinetic Powers
Wonder Woman Vol 2 #219 (September 2005) highlighted Superman's vulnerability to psychokinetic phenomena such as telekinesis, illusion casting, and mind control.
2008: Court Ruling Favors Siegel Heirs, Later Overturned
A judge ruled in favor of the Siegel heirs in 2008, but DC Comics appealed, and the appeals court ruled in DC's favor, upholding the October 2001 agreement.
2010: DC Comics Sues Shuster Heirs
DC Comics sued the Shuster heirs in 2010, and the court ruled in DC's favor due to the 1992 agreement.
2013: Messianic Themes in Man of Steel
The 2013 movie Man of Steel revisited the messianic theme, with Jor-El tasking Superman with guiding humanity, echoing his earlier role.
May 2016: Superman's Death
In May 2016, Superman dies from kryptonite poisoning and is replaced by a Superman from an alternate timeline.
March 2018: Action Comics Sales Decline
By March 2018, sales of Action Comics had declined significantly, reflecting a broader trend in the comic book industry.
2018: Superman Merchandise Sales
In 2018, Superman licensed merchandise generated $634 million in global sales, with 43.3% coming from North America, according to The Licensing Letter. This was less than Spider-Man's $1.075 billion and Star Wars' $1.923 billion in global merchandise sales.
2023: $130 in 1938 Equivalent to $2,800 in 2023
Siegel and Shuster were paid $130 in 1938, equivalent to $2,800 in 2023, for their initial Superman work.
January 1, 2034: Superman Enters Public Domain
Superman (as depicted in Action Comics #1) is scheduled to enter the public domain on January 1, 2034, under current US copyright law.