Death and Return of Superman Reading Guide

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.

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:

• Wikipedia
• Comic Book Herald
• Comic Book Reading Orders

Feature Image from Superman #75 cover art by Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding