Superman is one of the first superheroes ever created. As the undisputable star of the Golden Age of comic books, the Man of Steel starred in many of the genre's best storylines throughout the '40s and '50s; to this day, he remains one of DC's key characters.
By the time the Bronze Age began, many superheroes' popularity had declined, but not Superman's. And even though most fans and critics don't remember the 1970s fondly, the decade still delivered some pretty memorable Superman storylines. During the disco era, the Man of Steel experienced new adventures that would eventually contribute to his ever-expanding legacy as the ultimate superhero in American comic books.
10 Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #133, "Jimmy Olsen, Superman's Pal, Brings Back The Newsboy Legion!"
Jimmy Olsen joins forces with the Newsboy Legion and meets the Outsiders of the Wild Area. After surviving a murder attempt by Intergang on Morgan Edge's orders, Clark Kent tries to warn Jimmy and the Newsboy Legion against searching for the Mountain of Judgment, but the youths ignore him.
The Intergang is one of the most famous criminal organizations in DC Comics. They're also constant threats to Superman in the Modern Age, so their debut is rather important. The comic book's plot might be average at best, like many other of Jimmy's adventures in the 1970s. Still, the debut of Intergang is significant enough to rescue this issue from obscurity.
9 Superboy Vol. 1, #171, "Dark Strangler Of The Seas!"
Aquaboy's life is in danger after a dangerous oil spill. A group of dolphins takes him to Superboy, who saves his life. The two heroes then join forces to take down the oil company responsible for the spill.
Superboy's comics exist in a strange state of permanent stasis. Because they deal with Superman's younger years, their plots are usually low-stakes and episodic, more so than any other series. They also always take place in the past, although the timeline remained confusing for years. This issue is the first Superboy storyline that takes place in a "floating timeline," redefining the course of the series.
8 Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #142, #143, "The Man From Transilvane!"
Superman and Jimmy Olsen come across a miniature planet called Transilvane. At the same time, an apparent vampire, Dragorin, and a werewolf, Lupek, wreak havoc, and it's up to the duo to stop them. The Intergang makes another appearance in the Legion's portion of the story.
DC Comics has its fair share of powerful vampires and werewolves. Dragorin and Lupek are hardly the best representatives of their respective groups, but they provide an excellent threat to Jimmy Olsen. The issue is fast-paced, entertaining, and above all, fun. It's the sort of story that fans love to see every once in a while.
7 Superman Vol. 1, #230, "Killer Kent Versus Super Luthor"
Mad with grief at his wife's death, Jor-El destroys his planet, Krypton, and escapes to Earth along with his son, Lex-El. On Earth, bank robbers Jonathan and Martha Kent implant a chip on their son's brain to make sure he turns evil, no matter what. Arriving on Earth, Jor-El fails to develop powers, but Lex does. The two settle on the town of Smallville, where Lex becomes best friends with the Kents' son Clark, setting the stage for a timeless rivalry.
Originally published as an imaginary, one-of-a-kind storyline, Killer Kent Versus Super Luthor is an exercise in subversion, shocking audiences by taking the purest hero and the vilest villain and having them switch places. The result is an entertaining and, at times, though-provoking study on heroism and the importance of circumstance in the lives of others.
6 All-New Collectors' Edition #C-56, "Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali"
An alien materializes during an interview with Muhammad Ali in Metropolis, punching Lois Lane. While Ali deals with the alien, Clark Kent flies into space to discover an invasion on the way. The alien race, named Scrubb, wishes to fight Earth's champion to prove its superiority. Thus, Superman and Ali must fight for the honor to represent Earth, although Superman must do so sans superpowers.
The Man of Steel fighting the legendary Muhammad Ali is the stuff of fan dreams. It might be one of Superman's weirdest comic book arcs, but the sight of two heroes in American pop culture together in the same ring makes all concerns fly out the window. Superman vs. Muhammad Ali is one of the Bronze Age's defining moments and a once-in-a-lifetime matchup unlike any other.
5 DC Super-Stars #12, "Don't Call Me Superboy!"
An adult Clark Kent reminisces about a visit he had during his teenage years. A robot "Super-Teacher" from Krypton arrives at Smallville and challenges the teenage hero to perform several tasks and prove he's finally ready to receive the title of "Superman."
Unlike future iterations of Superboy, who fans usually hated, the original Superboy received praise from critics and readers alike. Seeing him go through his own version of Hercules' Twelve Labors is impressive and even inspiring. The Super-Teacher's mechanical behavior provides a pleasant balance with Superboy's wholesomeness, creating an episode in the Man of Steel's life that is both entertaining and crucial.
4 Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #134, "The Mountain Of Judgment!"
After reaching the Mountain of Judgment, Jimmy and his companions find the Hairies, another youth tribe. Superman then discovers a bomb implanted in Jimmy's vehicle, the Whiz Wagon. The Man of Steel rescues his pal, the other Legion members, and the Hairies, and they all share a celebratory drink. Meanwhile, Morgan Edge receives further instructions from his master in outer space.
Like the previous issue, this comic has an average story that would otherwise not be worthy of receiving any attention. However, things change when one of the final panels reveals Edge's master, Darkseid. The Lord of Apokolips would go on to become one of Superman's coolest and most enduring villains, as well as one of DC's most dangerous foes.
3 Superman Vs. The Amazing Spider-Man One-Shot, "The Battle Of The Century"
After meeting at a prison in Deming, New Mexico, Lex Luthor and Doctor Octopus hatch a plan to beat their nemesis, at last. A fake Superman arrives at the World News Conference and kidnaps Lois Lane and Mary Jane Watson. Spider-Man and the real Superman battle each other before realizing they were tricked. The two then join forces to track down Luthor and Doc. Ock.
The clash of Superman and Spider-Man was, indeed, the battle of the century. The plot isn't anything new, but the sight of these two battling before joining forces is one of the most epic moments in comic book history. Plus, J. Jonah Jameson and Perry White bonding over their less than reliable employees is a moment for the ages.
2 Superman Vol. 1, #233-#238, "Kryptonite, Nevermore"
Because of a failed experiment, all the Kryptonite in the world becomes iron. With no more apparent weaknesses, the Man of Steel thinks he's now invincible. However, he soon discovers there's something wrong with his powers, just as a new Sand Superman appears to wreak havoc.
Kryptonite, Nevermore, also known as The Sandman Saga, is the first Bronze Age Superman storyline. It introduced ambitious concepts, like a power-down Superman and a less dopey version of Clark Kent. The Quarmer, AKA the Sandman, is one of Superman's most underrated comic book villains, a character who managed to take half of the hero's powers. Kryptonite, Nevermore is one of Superman's best character studies, an exploration of the man and the abilities that make him "of steel." And while its effects didn't last long, its influence in Superman lore is undeniable.
1 Superman Vol. 1, #247, "Must There Be A Superman?"
The Guardians of Oa summon Superman to stand trial. They accuse him of limiting humankind's advancement by making them dependant on his superhuman abilities. Shook to his core by the Guardians' accusations, Superman returns to Earth and ignores humans' cry for help.
Seeing Superman reject his heroic duties was a crucial moment in comic books. The 1970s were a time of political unrest, with governments calling for a rise of the individual, less dependant on the government. This ideology found its way to comic books, and Must There Be a Superman? is its best representation. It's an early example of a hero's crisis of faith, and the fact it was Superman who endured it makes it all the more meaningful.
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