Superman Day: Ranking Every ‘Superman’ #1 Cover!
by Austin Gorton
The publishing history of Superman‘s solo book (separate from his appearances in Action Comics and whatnot) is somewhat paradoxically. As literally the first American comic book superhero, he existed for many, many years in the time when restarting a series with a new #1 wasn’t just uncommon, it was actively avoided. Yet at the same time, as one of DC Comics’s marquee characters, his books often get caught up in the publisher’s various continuity reboots. So while Superman doesn’t have as many Superman #1s under his belt, as, say, Daredevil, he also got his first second #1 well before many of his superhero peers.
Since then, like all superheroes, the #1s have come fast and furious. To celebrate Superman Day, here’s a ranking of all the (non-variant) Superman #1 covers throughout the character’s long history!
#6 – Superman Vol. 5 #1 by Ivan Reis (2018)
The kickoff to Brian Michael Bendis’ Superman run is certainly a nice picture of Superman and pleasingly minimalist in its way. But it’s also not terribly exciting, lacking a hook aside from its plainness.
#5 – Superman Vol. 2 #1 by John Byrne (1987)
Certainly not a bad cover, but other than the big “FIRST ISSUE” blazoned across the top, there’s little that suggests this is special issue in any way. Superman being menaced by a villain is the kind of thing that could be the subject of any issue.
#4 – Superman Vol. 3 #1 by George Perez (2011)
Superman joins the New 52 with this cover from the legendary George Perez. Like the volume 2 cover, it is, overall, little more than a standard action scene, but Perez gives it a visual intensity its predecessor lacks. Meanwhile, the subtly different costume, with its segmented elements, quietly suggests this is the start of something new.
#3 – Superman Vol. 6 #1 by Jamal Campbell (2023)
The most recent Superman #1, Jamal Campbell’s cover is relatively low-key but creates the sense of something momentous. Backlighting everything with a rising sun (playing off the “Dawn of DC” title) underscores Superman’s defining goodness while creating a memorable visual style, as does the metaphoric representation of the other characters standing astride the city like well-dressed Kaiju.
#2 – Superman Vol. 4 #1 by Pat Gleason (2016)
Pat Gleason goes full movie poster for this cover to the launch of the “DC Rebirth” Superman book, creating a “pyramid” of elements that speak to the content and tone which builds to the title character at the top. Like the later Campell cover, this one is also backlit, though here that effect is used both to highlight Superman and cast shadows that create an ominous feeling that sets up the plot.
#1 – Superman Vol. 1 #1 by Joe Shuster (1939)
While not as iconic as the character’s first appearance in Action Comics #1, the cover to the first issue of Superman’s first headlining series is still one of the most iconic, well-remembered, and oft-homaged covers in comics history. Evoking a magazine or book cover more than the action-packed, sensationalist covers that, even in 1939, were already standard for comic books, it gives a touch class to the cover, which helps reinforce Superman’s status as the first amongst equals.
It’s always tricky to anoint the first of a thing as the best in these kinds of rankings; after all, as the first, it’s been around longer than the others, seeping into the zeitgeist, and selecting it risks implying that the subject peaked too soon, never managed to surpass early highs. But while plenty of later Superman #1s turn in some strong work, it’s tough to beat just how iconic and memorable this cover is.
