Superman is the first comic-book superhero, the template for all of the costumed crimefighters that followed him, and one of the most successful pop-culture properties of all time. To the late actor Christopher Reeve, who iconically played the Man of Steel in the movies, Superman was something even more meaningful. “A friend. That's what people really need most,” he explained in an interview promoting his final performance as the superhero. “That’s the heart of Superman—the genuine love of people and that you always know he's your friend.” Having been around since 1938 and served as a model of morality, altruism, and compassion for several generations, Superman is not just an old friend—he’s one of our very best.
WHY WE LOVE SUPERMAN • The reason is simple: It’s because he’s our friend
DAWN OF SUPERHERO • Superman wasn’t just the greatest comic book superhero—he was the first
EARTHLY ORIGINS • Superman’s creators used their collaborations to escape real-world worries
UP, UP AND AWAY • After taking the comic book world by storm, Superman gained prominence across popular culture—but lost his creators
HITTING NEW HEIGHTS • Even without his creators, Superman thrived as a comic book property—and made the leap to live-action stardom
AN AMERICAN ICON • Superman became even more powerful in the 1960s and ’70s
REIGNING SUPREME • A burst of creativity kept Superman at the forefront of the comic book industry
CHANGING TIMES • With stiffening competition and slipping sales, Superman faced a transition
HOLLYWOOD… AND BUST • Superman soared at the movies—but turmoil behind the scenes made him crash back to Earth
SUPERMAN TODAY • Evolving the iconic Man of Steel has been an ongoing process
REMAKING THE MYTH • Superman—and his history—were given a massive overhaul for the 1980s and beyond
THE NEVER-ENDING BATTLE • Superman followed his resurrection with a lavish wedding—and a struggle to remain relevant
THE HERO FOR HOPE • Why we need Superman now, more than ever
The Story of Superman
PHOTO CREDITS