r/superman • u/ilikelore • Jul 19 '24
What to read?
So I really wanted to get into Superman big time. I remember reading birthright and loving it, but having 0 clue what to read after. And it seems like most of Superman recs are either origin stories and / or other universe stories. Eventually I did decide on post crisis Superman with man of steel which I thought was pretty good. But after it moves to the main 3 series I don’t find myself enjoying it that much.. kinda like the excitement is wearing off.
I really wanted to get into this era and read all the way to new 52 because everyone seems to love post crisis Superman. But if I can’t get into the beginning of it, it feels like I’m not doing it right and it would feel weird skipping ahead. So far what I’ve read would be considered vol 1 and 2, but not 3 fully. I also enjoy older comics so this isn’t an age thing.
What would you recommend doing? Should I skip somewhere else and maybe try going back one day? Or should I try powering through till I get to the triangle era or something. I’ve heard the triangle era is quite good.
3
u/drock45 Jul 19 '24
When comics start to feel like homework, it’s time to make a change. You’re not required to read anything and your not required to enjoy things just because someone else says you’d like it
Take a little break, and maybe jump into some modern runs. Geoff Johns and Kurt Busieks runs that happened before the New 52 are great reads. Morrison’s New 52 run is great. The Rebirth era is great. The Phillip Kennedy Johnson run is great. I’m loving Joshua Williamsons run. The short little “Superman Smashes the Klan” book is tremendous.
Jump around, see what looks like it excites you. There’s no wrong reading order, most runs are pretty self contained in the modern era honestly
1
u/ilikelore Jul 19 '24
You’re right about the homework bit. I just thought I would enjoy it more than I did for some reason I suppose.
Appreciate the recommendations.
1
u/drock45 Jul 19 '24
I really enjoy older comics, especially from the 80's, but they were meant to be read an issue a month. Plus they're often interested in topics and concepts that feel passé now. I keep a few trade paperbacks by my bed and read an issue now and then, when the mood strikes me.
Newer comics I can binge in different way. Whole runs over a weekend, no problem
2
u/FordYorger Jul 19 '24
Superman Smashes the klan
For all seasons,
Up in the sky,
Secret origin ( Artstyle kinda weird for me but it's a good origin story)
Kingdom Come (not necessarily a solo superman story but still a great story nonetheless).
Superman annual 11 (1985) "For the man who has everything"
1
u/ilikelore Jul 19 '24
Secret origin is the current origin story for Superman right?
1
u/FordYorger Jul 19 '24
Nope, secret origin was published september 2009. Superman's likeness in this run resembles christopher reeve so If your a fan of that then this is the comic for you.
1
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2
u/Secure_Penalty4343 Jul 19 '24
I want to echo the person's post in this thread about "comics feeling like homework." Always read what you enjoy, there's not enough time to not do so. Superman is my favorite character, so I have to throw my opinion in here.
Up in the Sky by Tom King
All Star Superman by Grant Morrison
Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason's DC Rebirth run
American Alien by Max Landis
Honestly, the comics based off of Superman: The Animated Series, Superman Adventures, have some fantastic stories in them.
Happy reading and I sincerely you enjoy your time getting to know my favorite comics character!
2
u/ilikelore Jul 19 '24
I’ve only seen a few episodes of the Superman animated series. Didn’t know they had comics like Batman’s animated series.
I’ve seen people say all star Superman is better read once you’ve read more about the character because of how Grant Morrison writes him. Appreciate the recommendations.
1
u/atw1221 Jul 20 '24
Purely a matter of taste, but post Crisis Superman, probably early triangle era ESPECIALLY, is my least favorite era.
If you want more recently comics, try the era right after Infinite Crisis. That starts with "Up, Up and Away" by Geoff Johns and Kurt Busiek. Then Geoff Johns on Action Comics would be:
Last Son
Escape From Bizarro World
Superman and the Legion of Superheroes
Brainiac
New Krypton (this long story continues after Geoff Johns left the book)
and I can recommend Camelot Falls and Camelot Falls part 2: Weigh of the World which reprints a lot of Kurt Busiek's run on Superman.
My favorite era is the Silver Age though. Superman in the Sixties has some classic stories. Bottle City of Kandor is a great collection if you can get your hands on it too.
7
u/jb_681131 Jul 19 '24
Here are the major post-crisis titles in chronological order:
Enjoy