DC's Superman is one of the greatest superheroes of all time, with an enduring legacy going back to the late 1930s. Some of his best comic book stories come from the 1980s, in a variety of issues that explore both his rich legacy and potential future as the Man of Steel transitioned out of the Bronze Age into the Modern.
Some of the greatest comic book creators of all time supplied Superman with classic stories during this period, including Jim Steranko and Alan Moore, providing fans a broad spectrum of perspectives on the character. In some key cases, these issues have been very influential on later movies and television adaptations of the character.
10 Superman #400
Superman #400 was an oversized anniversary issue from 1984 that like Batman #400, one of the best Batman issues of the 1980s, celebrated the character's rich history by bringing in an all-star lineup. The issue is fantastic for the infinite wealth of creative talent on board, including Jack Kirby, John Byrne, Frank Miller, and others.
Most notable is that this issue features the only Superman story ever by iconic artist Jim Steranko, who revolutionized comic books in the 1960s with his work on Nick Fury, Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D. and other books.
9 Action Comics #554
“If Superman Didn’t Exist…” is a classic Superman story for the '80s for telling a great self-contained adventure in the spirit of some of the best Superman tales. It also is of interest to fans of the multiverse concept, as it creates an alternate timeline where Superman is erased from history after the destruction of an ancient alien temple.
The story also gets wonderfully meta as a pair of young boys will Superman back into existence by drawing him, a great representation of the power of comics to inspire change in the real world.
8 DC Comics Presents #85
Alan Moore contributed a lot of classic stories to DC Comics lore in the 1980s, including Watchmen, a series of great backups in some of the best '80s Green Lantern issues, and “The Jungle Line.”
It's another classic story of exploring power and consequence, and also the potential of concepts like The Green, which would become integral to Swamp Thing. The story, with great art by Rick Veitch, brings together two of Moore's favorite subjects during the period, Superman and Swamp Thing, after Superman is infected by an alien parasite.
7 Superman #2
“The Secret is Revealed!” stands out among the generally amazing John Byrne run on Superman in the late '80s for dispensing with one of the biggest conceits in the comics: Superman's secret identity. In the second issue of the second volume of the series, Lex Luthor discovers Clark Kent's true identity.
The issue takes a great turn when Luthor refuses to believe the outcome. He can't imagine someone with Superman's power wouldn't use it as Luthor would, and dismisses the revelation, preserving the status quo at least for the time being.
6 Action Comics #541
This issue is the resolution of the "Split Superman" saga that ran through issues #534-541 of Action Comics, in which Superman is split into two beings by Satanis. The storyline features classic art by legendary DC Comics artist Gil Kane and is written by Marv Wolfman, who made his mark in the '80s on Teen Titans and Crisis On Infinite Earths.
The issue and storyline is a great exploration of Superman's weakness against magic, testing his limits and forcing him to invent new ways of succeeding beyond his immense strength and stamina.
5 Action Comics Annual #2
Action Comics Annual #2 is part of "The Exile," an extended storyline in 1989 that has a lot of potential for future movies or TV featuring Superman. This issue is fantastic for taking the Man of Steel and transforming him into a gladiator, dressed in his shredded cape, on Mongul's Warworld.
The story throws back to Superman's 1930s pulp roots while still taking him somewhere new. It has echoes of the Planet Hulk storyline, years in advance, and tells a great tale of Superman fighting to get back home to Earth.
4 Superman Annual #11
“For the Man Who Has Everything” is another major Superman story by Alan Moore in the 1980s, this time with his Watchmen partner Dave Gibbons, making this story in Superman Annual #11 essential. In the story, Superman's birthday goes sideways when he's controlled by an alien parasite called the Black Mercy.
With outstanding art and a story that dives deep into the history and lore of Superman, it's a loving tribute to the character and DC Comics that has been adapted in other media, including one of the best episodes of Justice League Unlimited.
3 Crisis On Infinite Earths #7
One of the most consequential issues in DC Comics history is Crisis On Infinite Earths #7, in which Supergirl dies in the battle to save the universe from the Anti-Monitor. The death of his cousin has major ramifications for Superman in the issue and beyond, but the book is fantastic for its tragic and shocking story and art.
The issue features one of the most iconic and most echoed covers of all time, drawn by George Perez, where Superman holds the broken body of Supergirl in his arms.
2 Superman #423
Crisis On Infinite Earths led to a major reset for Superman, and "Whatever Happened To The World Of Tomorrow?" is a moving, essential final tribute to the lore that was about to be erased from continuity. Superman #423 features this terrific story, written by Alan Moore and drawn by Curt Swan, where Superman has disappeared.
Lois Lane has remarried and the story ends with a subtle twist indicating her husband is Superman in disguise. Before it gets there, it explores the worth and value of the Man of Steel in the DC Universe.
1 Man Of Steel #1
Many of the stories of the '80s looked back to the past but Man Of Steel #1 takes Superman into the future. Written and drawn by John Byrne, legendary for his work on X-Men and the Fantastic Four, reimagines Superman's origin for the modern era by simplifying it a great deal.
Part of that is erasing Supergirl from existence completely, a move not enjoyed by all fans, but overall Byrne's work in this issue and beyond revitalized the character coming out of the '80s and going into what would be a significant moment for him in the '90s.
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