The origin story of Superman has become one the most significant works in American literature. Beyond captivating the imaginations of one generation, it has adapted and changed as much as our culture has in 70+ years. It’s core roots are so engrained in the minds of our culture and remain to be significant with each telling, that it has not just created a whole genre (superheroes) and solidified American Mythology.
The heart of the story remains the same, but the details and style have been retold and reimagined over and over again. For a great database of various comicbook retellings, check out http://superman.nu/theages/origins/1939.php. But with Superman spanning over 70 years across all forms of media, there’s a lot of great and not so great material to choose from. Here, I list my top 5 favorite Superman origin stories.
1. Superman: The Movie (1978)
There is no denying the cultural impact of the Donnerverse. To me, it’s the Superman standard. Details are streamlined to make way for heavy allegory and mythology, and the film leaves us with the most enduring version of the character known to date. It gives us a bit of Sci Fi, a bit of Americana, a bit of comedy, and perhaps the greatest contribution to the character since radio gave him flight: the John Williams score.
What I like most about the story is how simple it is – no Krytpo the Dog, no Supergirl, and no other heroes universe. It’s the Superman story at it’s very finest and most important.
2. It’s Superman (2005) Tom De Haven’s novel presents us, I believe, with the Superman that Siegel and Shuster wanted. Set in the 1930s, it’s set against the great depression and the rising world of organized crime. For most fans, it’s a bit of a shock to meet this version of Clark – built more like a linebacker, raised mostly by his Dad, and stumbling into the role of Superman rather than accepting a destiny. He doesn’t even learn of Krypton. These twists not only make the read fun along the way, but they lead to the creation of a much tougher, more believable Superman. We believe this is guy we saw smashing a car full of gangsters in Action Comics #1. Because the world around him is much rougher, Superman is needed the way the first Superman comics were needed: to kick a little ass and raise a little hope. It’s also the best Lex Luthor, hands down, bringing him back to pre WW2 science and mixing it with Godfatheresque crime.
3. Superman: Birthright (2003-2004) This comic series did exactly what naysayers thought was impossible, it contextualized Superman for the world of the 2000s. I think it did an excellent job of not only tackling WHO Clark would be in this decade – a vegetarian, globetrotting reporter with a desire to help those in need – but WHY he becomes the Superman we need. It’s very well written in both story and dialogue, and it even gives us an excellent take on Martha Kent (perhaps the most overlooked character in every other story.)
4. Smallville (2001-2011) One of the most important aspects of a good Superman origin story to me is the amount of thought put into Superman’s transition. After 10 years of watching Clark slowly become the Man of Steel, it’s safe to say that Smallville takes the cake in that department. And despite how some may feel about costumes and effects, I think the finale was an exceptional story that tied 10 years of themes together, and gave us the who, what, where, when, how and why for Superman. It doesn’t give us the angsty, morally conflicted superhero that some may want It gives us a MAN. And that was there goal.
It’s the only universe I enjoy where multiple superheroes exist, and for that alone I tip my hat to the writers. It’s ability to do all of this and still make it feel like the Superman we loved from the Donnerverse is the best thing I could have ever asked for in a TV series about Clark Kent.
5. Superman: Earth One (2010) Before reading Earth One, I made the clichéd mistake of judging a book by its cover. I avoided it for a while, cursing the idea of an “emo Superman. “ But after a few pages, I realized this was a very very well written take on the boy in blue. Like Birthright, it gives us a Superman that fits with contemporary society, but in perhaps the complete opposite way. Rather than a humanitarian searching for a way to help, it presents us with a cocky Clark Kent, looking for a reason to care. In today’s America, that’s a pretty relatable character. Making his transformation a duty, based on Kryptonian’s attacking earth, was an incredibly interesting take that kept the story fresh and exciting. It’s perhaps the biggest character arc for Clark Kent I’ve ever read yet still leaves you with a Superman to look up to.
Honorable Mention: “Superman: Flyby” by J.J. Abrams. This unproduced, 2001 screenplay would have made a hell of a good Superman movie, and did the absolute best job of capturing Clark’s early feelings of being an outcast. It doesn’t count on my list since it was never published, but you can find the script online very easily.
What do you think? What Superman is YOUR Superman? Surprised “The Man of Steel” didn’t make my list? ‘Secret Origins?”
Stay tuned for my future Articles:
Top 5 versions of the Superman character.
Top 5 Superman Artists.