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Overview: The Death and Return of Superman arc is a major storyline published by DC Comics between 1992 and 1993. The arc consists of several interconnected titles, with key contributions from writers Dan Jurgens, Louise Simonson, and Roger Stern. Jurgens also provides some of the notable artwork along with artists like Jon Bogdanove and Tom Grummett. The story focuses on Superman’s battle against a monstrous villain named Doomsday, who poses a deadly threat to Metropolis and Superman himself. Along the way, iconic supporting characters like Lois Lane and the Justice League play significant roles, while the eventual return involves several new characters like Steel, Superboy, and Cyborg Superman. At the time of release, the story was both commercially successful and a cultural milestone, making headlines across mainstream media. Fans had mixed reactions: while some praised the bold decision to "kill" Superman, others were critical of the arc’s execution and felt the resurrection was inevitable. Nonetheless, it is considered one of the key modern Superman stories and influenced later superhero events. Its lasting impact on the comics industry and fan reception has made it a significant touchpoint in DC Comics history. Background Reading: TBD Related Guides Superman Steel Best Way To Read: Main Collection The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus Collects: Action Comics #683-692, Adventures of Superman #496-505, Superman #75-83, Superman: The Man of Steel #17-26, Justice League of America #69-70, Action Comics Annual #5, Adventures of Superman Annual #5, Green Lantern #46, Legacy of Superman #1, Supergirl and Team Luthor #1, Superman Annual #5, Superman: The Man of Steel Annual #2, Alternative Collections The Death of Superman Collects: Superman: The Man of Steel #17-19, Justice League America #69, Superman #73-75, Adventures of Superman #496-497, and Action Comics #683-684 Superman: Funeral for a Friend Collects: Adventures of Superman #498-499, Action Comics #685-686, Superman: The Legacy of Superman #1, 4, Superman: The Man of Steel #20-21, Superman #76-77 The Return of Superman Collects: Action Comics #687-692, Superman: The Man of Steel #22-26, Superman #78-83, Adventures of Superman #500-505, Green Lantern #46 Reading Order: Doomsday! Superman faces off against the unstoppable force of Doomsday in a brutal battle that takes them through the heart of Metropolis, ending in a dramatic and tragic conclusion. TitleImportanceCollectedSuperman: Man of Steel #17Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Death of SupermanSuperman Vol. 2 #73Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Death of SupermanAdventures of Superman #496Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Death of SupermanAction Comics #683Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Death of SupermanSuperman: Man of Steel #18Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Death of SupermanJustice League America #69Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Death of SupermanSuperman Vol. 2 #74Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Death of SupermanAdventures of Superman #497Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Death of SupermanAction Comics #684Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Death of SupermanSuperman: Man of Steel #19Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Death of SupermanSuperman Vol. 2 #75Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Death of SupermanDeath of Superman: Doomsday Reading Order Funeral For a Friend Metropolis and the world mourn the loss of Superman, while his close allies—Lois, Jimmy, and the rest of the Daily Planet team—struggle to cope with the void left by his absence. TitleImportanceCollectedJustice League America #70Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusSuperman: Funeral for a FriendAdventures of Superman #498Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusSuperman: Funeral for a FriendAction Comics #685Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusSuperman: Funeral for a FriendSuperman: Man of Steel #20Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusSuperman: Funeral for a FriendSuperman Vol. 2 #76Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusSuperman: Funeral for a FriendAdventures of Superman #499Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusSuperman: Funeral for a FriendAction Comics #686Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusSuperman: Funeral for a FriendSuperman: Man of Steel #21Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusSuperman: Funeral for a FriendSuperman Vol. 2 #77Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusSuperman: Funeral for a FriendLegacy of Superman #1Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusSuperman: Funeral for a FriendSupergirl and Team Luthor #1Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusDeath of Superman: Funeral for a Friend Reading Order Reign of the Superman! Following Superman's death, four mysterious new figures—Steel, Superboy, Eradicator, and Cyborg Superman—emerge, each claiming or seeming to embody aspects of Superman as the true nature of his fate unfolds. TitleImportanceCollectedAdventures of Superman #500Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanAction Comics #687Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanSuperman: Man of Steel #22Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanSuperman Vol. 2 #78Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanAdventures of Superman #501Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanAction Comics #688Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanSuperman: Man of Steel #23Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanSuperman Vol. 2 #79Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanAdventures of Superman #502Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanAction Comics #689Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanSuperman: Man of Steel #24Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanSuperman Vol. 2 #80Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanAdventures of Superman #503Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanAction Comics #690Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanSuperman: Man of Steel #25Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanSuperman Vol. 2 #81Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanAdventures of Superman #504Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanAction Comics #691Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanSuperman: Man of Steel #26Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanSuperman Vol. 2 #82Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanGreen Lantern Vol. 3 #46Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanAdventures of Superman #505Main StoryThe Death and Return of Superman OmnibusThe Return of SupermanDeath of Superman: Reign of the Superman Reading Order References: Wikipedia Comic Book Herald Comic Book Reading Orders Feature Image from Superman #75 cover art by Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding

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