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
For crossover and significant events, I typically only read the main story the first time I encounter it. Trying to read all of the tie-ins with the story tends to make them increasingly convoluted and are not crucial to the main narrative. However, I think they are important to read, as many series-shifting plotlines can happen.
For the tie-in issues, I only read them as they come up in the reading guide that I am working through. This can become problematic because the tie-in issues are not always included in collected editions of the event. So you may need to hunt for them.
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.
| Title | Importance | Collected |
|---|---|---|
| Superman: Man of Steel #17 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Death of Superman |
| Superman Vol. 2 #73 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Death of Superman |
| Adventures of Superman #496 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Death of Superman |
| Action Comics #683 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Death of Superman |
| Superman: Man of Steel #18 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Death of Superman |
| Justice League America #69 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Death of Superman |
| Superman Vol. 2 #74 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Death of Superman |
| Adventures of Superman #497 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Death of Superman |
| Action Comics #684 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Death of Superman |
| Superman: Man of Steel #19 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Death of Superman |
| Superman Vol. 2 #75 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Death of Superman |
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.
| Title | Importance | Collected |
|---|---|---|
| Justice League America #70 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus Superman: Funeral for a Friend |
| Adventures of Superman #498 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus Superman: Funeral for a Friend |
| Action Comics #685 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus Superman: Funeral for a Friend |
| Superman: Man of Steel #20 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus Superman: Funeral for a Friend |
| Superman Vol. 2 #76 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus Superman: Funeral for a Friend |
| Adventures of Superman #499 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus Superman: Funeral for a Friend |
| Action Comics #686 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus Superman: Funeral for a Friend |
| Superman: Man of Steel #21 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus Superman: Funeral for a Friend |
| Superman Vol. 2 #77 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus Superman: Funeral for a Friend |
| Legacy of Superman #1 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus Superman: Funeral for a Friend |
| Supergirl and Team Luthor #1 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus |
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.
| Title | Importance | Collected |
|---|---|---|
| Adventures of Superman #500 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Action Comics #687 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Superman: Man of Steel #22 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Superman Vol. 2 #78 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Adventures of Superman #501 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Action Comics #688 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Superman: Man of Steel #23 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Superman Vol. 2 #79 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Adventures of Superman #502 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Action Comics #689 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Superman: Man of Steel #24 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Superman Vol. 2 #80 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Adventures of Superman #503 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Action Comics #690 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Superman: Man of Steel #25 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Superman Vol. 2 #81 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Adventures of Superman #504 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Action Comics #691 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Superman: Man of Steel #26 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Superman Vol. 2 #82 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Green Lantern Vol. 3 #46 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
| Adventures of Superman #505 | Main Story | The Death and Return of Superman Omnibus The Return of Superman |
References:
Feature Image from Superman #75 cover art by Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding
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