The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told

DC Comics

United States

Published
[April] 1989
Page count
340
Cover price
15.95 USD; 19.95 CAD
Colour
Colour
Format
Comic series
GCD
www.comics.org/issue/351243

Credits

Editing
Mike Gold (co-editor)
Robert Greenberger (co-editor)

Issue contents Hide all

Show/hide Cover Untitled (Superman) Cover, 1 page

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superman

Credits

Art
Dean Motter
Colours
Dean Motter
Editing
Mike Gold (co-editor)
Robert Greenberger (co-editor)
Show/hide 1. The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told (Superman) Foreword, introduction, preface, afterword, 1 page

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero

Credits

Letters
typeset

Notes

Title page.

Show/hide 2. Untitled Foreword, introduction, preface, afterword, 1 page

Credits

Letters
typeset

Notes

Dedication page.

Show/hide 3. Table of Contents Credits, 2 pages

Featuring

Characters
Superman

Credits

Art
? (Superman illustration)
Letters
Typeset
Show/hide 4. The Origins of Superman (Superman) Foreword, introduction, preface, afterword, 8 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Characters
Superman

Credits

Script
John Byrne
Art
? (Superman illustration)
Letters
Typeset

Notes

John Byrne describes the development of the Superman legend.

Show/hide 5. Gathering the Greatest (Superman) Foreword, introduction, preface, afterword, 3 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman

Credits

Script
Mike Gold
Art
? (Superman illustration)
Letters
Typeset

Notes

Mike Gold discusses the process of choosing the stories and the participants.

Show/hide 6. Superman versus Luthor (Superman) Comic story, 13 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superman; Luthor; George Taylor; Professor Martinson

Credits

Script
Jerry Siegel
Art
Paul Cassidy [as Joe Shuster]
Colours
Tom Ziuko

Notes

Art credited to Joe Shuster on item. Title from Table of Contents.

Show/hide 7. Superman versus the Archer (Superman) Comic story, 13 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superman; The Archer [Quigley]; Jimmy Olsen (last name not yet used); Lois Lane; Perry White; Sgt. Casey

Credits

Script
Jerry Siegel
Art
Leo Nowak [ghosting for Joe Shuster]
Colours
Liz Berube

Notes

Art credited to Joe Shuster on item. Story title from Table of Contents. Jimmy's hair inconsistently colored in this printing, though primarily red. Blonde in original.

Show/hide 8. What If Superman Ended the War? (Superman) Comic story, 2 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero; war
Characters
Superman; Adolf Hitler; Josef Stalin

Credits

Script
Jerry Siegel
Art
Joe Shuster
Colours
Liz Berube

Notes

Title from Table of Contents. The book incorrectly dates this reprint as 1943. This feature appeared in the 17 February 1940 issue of Look magazine. It was originally in 3-colors (black, white, and red). Thanks to Denys Howard and Michael Feldman for this information (August 2004).

Show/hide 9. The Mysterious Mr. Mxyztplk (Superman) Comic story, 12 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superman; Mr. Mxyztplk; Lois Lane; Jimmy Olsen

Credits

Script
Jerry Siegel
Pencils
Joe Shuster ?
Ira Yarbrough
Inks
Ira Yarbrough
Colours
Michele Wolfman

Synopsis

An imp from another dimension plagues Superman with practical jokes until he can make him say his name backwards.

Notes

Art credited to John Sikela on item.

Show/hide 10. The Origin of Superman! (Superman) Comic story, 10 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superman; Jor-El (flashback); Lara (flashback); Lex Luthor (cameo); John Kent (1st named, flashback); Mary Kent (flashback)

Credits

Script
Bill Finger
Pencils
Wayne Boring
Inks
Stan Kaye
Colours
Gene D'Angelo

Synopsis

After a prologue which demonstrates Superman's amazing abilities, his origin is recounted. On the scientifically advanced planet of Krypton, Jor-El fails to convince the Council of Five that Krypton is doomed. As Krypton explodes, Jor-El and Lara send their son to Earth, where he is found and adopted by the elderly Kents. As Clark grows to maturity he manifests abilities far beyond that of mortal men. On his deathbed, his father urges Clark to become a powerful force for good as Superman.

Notes

Writing uncredited on item; art credited to Wayne Boring on item.

Show/hide 11. The Girl of Steel; (The Three Magic Wishes part 1) (Superman) Comic story, 10 pages
Show/hide 12. The Lost Super-Powers; (The Three Magic Wishes part 2) (Superman) Comic story, 6 pages
Show/hide 13. Superman's Return to Krypton; (The Three Magic Wishes part 3) (Superman) Comic story, 10 pages
Show/hide 14. Clark Kent's College Days (Superman; Untold Tales of Superman) Comic story, 10 pages
Show/hide 15. The Super-Key to Fort Superman (Superman) Comic story, 12 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superman; Lois Lane; Jimmy Olsen; Fortress of Solitude (intro) Batman; Joker (trophy); Green Kryptonite

Credits

Script
Jerry Coleman
Pencils
Wayne Boring
Inks
Stan Kaye
Colours
Carl Gafford

Reprint history

First print
United States
Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #241 (June 1958)
The Super-Key to Fort Superman
Also printed
Australia
Super Adventure Comic (Colour Comics, 1950 series) #99 ([September 1958])
The Super-Key to Fort Superman
 
United States
Superman Annual (DC, 1960 series) #1 ([August] 1960)
The Super-Key to Fort Superman
 
Australia
Giant Superman Album (Colour Comics, 1961 series) #2 ([September 1962?])
The Super-Key to Fort Superman
 
United States
World's Finest Comics (DC, 1941 series) #173 (February 1968)
The Super-Key to Fort Superman
 
United States
The Best of DC (DC, 1979 series) #16 (September 1981)
The Super-Key to Fort Superman
 
United States
The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told (DC, 1987 series) (1987 [March 1988])
The Super-Key to Fort Superman
 
United States
Giant Superman Annual #1 Replica Edition (DC, 1998 series) #[nn] (June 1998)
The Super-Key to Fort Superman
 
United States
Superman: The Man of Tomorrow Archives (DC, 2004 series) #Volume 1 ([September] 2004)
The Super-Key to Fort Superman
 
United States
Showcase Presents Superman (DC, 2005 series) #Vol. One ([September] 2005)
The Super-Key to Fort Superman

Synopsis

Someone has broken into Superman's Fortress of Solitude, so Superman searches the place for clues.

Notes

Jerry Coleman not credited on item; Wayne Boring credited for inks on item.

Show/hide 16. The Amazing Bizarro; (The Boy of Steel versus the Thing of Steel part 1) (Superboy) Comic story, 8 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superboy
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superboy; Bizarro; Prof. Dalton; Martha Kent; Hiram; Hilda; Melissa

Credits

Script
Otto Binder
Art
George Papp
Colours
Anthony Tollin

Notes

Chapter 1 of a 3 part story. Only Chapter 3 title listed in Table of Contents.

Show/hide 17. The Runaway Super-Creature; (The Boy of Steel versus the Thing of Steel part 2) (Superboy) Comic story, 8 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superboy
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superboy; Bizarro; Prof. Dalton; Martha Kent; Melissa

Credits

Script
Otto Binder
Art
George Papp
Colours
Anthony Tollin

Notes

Chapter 2 of a 3 part story. Only Chapter 3 title listed in Table of Contents.

Show/hide 18. The Battle with Bizarro; (The Boy of Steel versus the Thing of Steel part 3) (Superboy) Comic story, 8 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superboy
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superboy; Bizarro; Melissa

Credits

Script
Otto Binder
Art
George Papp
Colours
Anthony Tollin

Notes

Chapter 3 of a 3 part story. Only Chapter 3 title listed in Table of Contents.

Show/hide 19. The Girl from Superman's Past! (Superman; An Untold Tale of Superman) Comic story, 10 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman; An Untold Tale of Superman
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superman [Clark Kent]; Lori Lemaris; Lois Lane

Credits

Script
Bill Finger
Art
Wayne Boring
Colours
Nansi Hoolahan

Synopsis

Superman recalls his college romance with Lori Lemaris, a mermaid from sunken Atlantis.

Show/hide 20. Krypton Lives On; (Superman's Other Life part 1) (Superman) Comic story, 10 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superman [Kal-El]; Jor-El; Lara; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Jonathan Kent; Martha Kent; Zal-El; Xan-Du; Krypto

Credits

Script
Otto Binder
Pencils
Wayne Boring
Inks
Stan Kaye
Colours
Bob LeRose

Notes

Chapter 1 of 3 part story. Title listed in Table of Contents is "Superman's Other Life".

Show/hide 21. Futuro, Super-Hero of Krypton; (Superman's Other Life part 2) (Superman) Comic story, 8 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superman [Kal-El]; Futuro [Xan-Du]; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Krypto; Jor-El; Lara; Zal-El

Credits

Script
Otto Binder
Pencils
Wayne Boring
Inks
Stan Kaye
Colours
Bob LeRose

Notes

Chapter 2 of 3 part story. Title listed in Table of Contents is "Superman's Other Life".

Show/hide 22. The Superman of Two Worlds; (Superman's Other Life part 3) (Superman) Comic story, 7 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superman [Kal-El]; Futuro [Xan-Du]; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Jor-El; Lara; Zal-El; Krypto

Credits

Script
Otto Binder
Pencils
Wayne Boring
Inks
Stan Kaye
Colours
Bob LeRose

Notes

Chapter 3 of 3 part story. Title listed in Table of Contents is "Superman's Other Life".

Show/hide 23. The Night of March 31st (Superman) Comic story, 7.67 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superman

Credits

Script
Jerry Siegel
Pencils
Curt Swan
Inks
Sheldon Moldoff
Colours
Carl Gafford

Notes

Writing credited to Otto Binder on item.

Show/hide 24. The Great Boo-Boo Contest Text article, 0.33 pages

Credits

Author
Letters
typeset

Notes

Lists some of the many intentional "boners" in the preceding story.

Show/hide 25. Lex Luthor, Hero! (The Death of Superman part 1) (Superman) Comic story, 8 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superman; Lex Luthor; Jimmy Olsen; Perry White; Lois Lane; Bizarro (cameo; flashback)

Credits

Script
Jerry Siegel
Pencils
Curt Swan
Inks
Sheldon Moldoff
Colours
Bill Wray

Reprint history

First print
United States
Superman (DC, 1939 series) #193 (January-February 1967)
Lex Luthor, Hero! [The Death of Superman! part 1]
Also printed
United States
The Best of DC (DC, 1979 series) #1 (September-October 1979)
 
United States
The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told (DC, 1987 series) (1987 [March 1988])
Lex Luthor, Hero! [The Death of Superman Part 1]
 
United States
Showcase Presents Superman (DC, 2005 series) #3 (April 2007)
Lex Luthor, Hero! [The Death Of Superman! part 1]

Notes

Inking credited to George Klein on item. Chapter 1 of 3 part story. Title listed in Table of Contents is "The Death of Superman".

Show/hide 26. Luthor's Super-Bodyguard! (The Death of Superman part 2) (Superman) Comic story, 9 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superman; Lex Luthor; Supergirl; Lois Lane; Perry White; Jimmy Olsen

Credits

Script
Jerry Siegel
Pencils
Curt Swan
Inks
Sheldon Moldoff
Colours
Bill Wray

Reprint history

First print
United States
Superman (DC, 1939 series) #193 (January-February 1967)
Luthor's Super-Bodyguard! [The Death of Superman! part 2]
Also printed
United States
The Best of DC (DC, 1979 series) #1 (September-October 1979)
 
United States
The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told (DC, 1987 series) (1987 [March 1988])
Luthor's Super-Bodyguard [The Death of Superman Part 2]
 
United States
Showcase Presents Superman (DC, 2005 series) #3 (April 2007)
Luthor's Super-Bodyguard! [The Death of Superman! part 2]

Notes

Inking credited to Gerge Klein on item. Chapter 2 of 3 part story. Title listed in Table of Contents is "The Death of Superman".

Show/hide 27. The Death of Superman! (The Death of Superman part 3) (Superman) Comic story, 8 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superman; Lois Lane; Lucy Lane; Lori Lemaris; Jimmy Olsen; Perry White; Linda Lee [Supergirl]; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Aquaman; Green Arrow [Oliver Queen]; Wonder Woman; Flash [Barry Allen]; Lana Lang; Krypto; Legion of Super-Heroes [Lightning Lad; Cosmic Boy; Saturn Girl]; Superman robots; Van-Zee; Sylvia; Lex Luthor

Credits

Script
Jerry Siegel
Pencils
Curt Swan
Inks
Sheldon Moldoff
Colours
Bill Wray

Reprint history

First print
United States
Superman (DC, 1939 series) #193 (January-February 1967)
The Death of Superman! [part 3]
Also printed
United States
The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told (DC, 1987 series) (1987 [March 1988])
The Death of Superman Part 3
 
United States
Showcase Presents Superman (DC, 2005 series) #3 (April 2007)
The Death Of Superman! [Part 3]

Notes

Inking credited to George Klein on item. Chapter 3 of 3 part story. Title listed in Table of Contents is "The Death of Superman".

Show/hide 28. The Titanic Twins! (The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue! part 1] (Superman) Comic story, 8 pages
Show/hide 29. The Anti-Evil Ray! (The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue part 2] (Superman) Comic story, 8 pages
Show/hide 30. The End of Superman's Career! (The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue part 3) (Superman) Comic story, 8 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superman; Lois Lane; Lana Lang; Supergirl; Legion of Super-Heroes [Saturn Girl; Cosmic Boy; Sun Boy; Bouncing Boy]; Lex Luthor; Mr. Mxyzptlk; Comet; Lucy Lane; Perry White

Credits

Script
Leo Dorfman
Pencils
Curt Swan
Inks
George Klein
Kurt Schaffenberger (Lois and Lana figures pages 1, 3-7)
Colours
Shelly Eiber

Reprint history

First print
United States
Superman (DC, 1939 series) #162 (July 1963)
[The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue! Part III] The End of Superman's Career!
Also printed
Australia
Superman Supacomic (Colour Comics, 1959 series) #52 ([December 1963?])
[The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue! Part III] The End of Superman's Career!
 
United States
100-Page Super Spectacular (DC, 1973 series) #DC-18 (July 1973)
The End of Superman's Career
 
United States
The Best of DC (DC, 1979 series) #19 (December 1981)
The End of Superman's Career! (Part III of "The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue")
 
United States
The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told (DC, 1987 series) (1987 [March 1988])
The End of Superman's Career [The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue Part 3]

Notes

Kurt Schaffenberger inks uncredited on item. Chapter 3 of 3 part story. Title listed in Table of Contents is "The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue".

Show/hide 31. The Forever People (Forever People) Comic story, 24 pages

Featuring

Feature
Forever People
Characters
Forever People [Vykin; Big Bear; Serifan; Mark Moonrider; Beautiful Dreamer]; Infinity Man; Superman; Jimmy Olsen; Bobby; Laurie; Rocky; Darkseid

Credits

Script
Jack Kirby
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Vince Colletta
Al Plastino (Superman touch-ups)
Colours
Jerry Serpe

Notes

Originally titled "In Search of a Dream!"

Show/hide 32. Must There Be a Superman? (Superman) Comic story, 17 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superman; Guardians of the Universe; Green Latern [Katma Tui]

Credits

Script
Elliot Maggin
Pencils
Curt Swan
Inks
Murphy Anderson
Colours
Tatjana Wood

Reprint history

First print
United States
Superman (DC, 1939 series) #247 (January 1972)
Must There Be a Superman?
Also printed
United States
The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told (DC, 1987 series) (1987 [March 1988])
Must There Be a Superman?
 
United States
Superman in the Seventies (DC, 2000 series) ([October] 2000)
Must There Be a Superman?
Show/hide 33. For the Man Who Has Everything... (Superman) Comic story, 40 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superman [Kal-El]; Lyla Lerrol Kal-El (in Superman's mind); Allura Zor-El (in Superman's mind); Van-El (in Superman's mind); Orna-El (in Superman's mind); Kara Zor-El (in Superman's mind); Wonder Woman [Diana Prince]; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Jason Todd]; Jor-El (in Superman's mind); Lor-Em (in Superman's mind); Dax-Ar (in Superman's mind); Mongul; Thomas Wayne (cameo, in Batman's mind); Martha Wayne (cameo, in Batman's mind); Joe Chill (cameo, in Batman's mind); Jax-Ur (as a picture on a handout, in Superman's mind); Brainiac (cameo, in Mongul's mind); Bolphunga The Unrelenting (cameo, in Mongul's mind); Adam Strange (cameo, in Mongul's mind); A Guardian of the Universe (cameo, in Mongul's mind); Hyanthis (cameo, in Mongul's mind); A Branx warrior (cameo, in Mongul's mind); Martian Manhunter (cameo, in Mongul's mind)

Credits

Script
Alan Moore
Art
Dave Gibbons
Colours
Tom Ziuko
Letters
Dave Gibbons

Synopsis

Wonder Woman, Batman, and Robin arrive at the Fortress of Solitude to celebrate Superman's birthday, but find him under the thrall of a flower called the Black Mercy, a gift from Mongul. Under its control, Superman experiences his greatest desire, life on an unexploded Krypton. While Wonder Woman fights with Mongul, Batman and Robin remove the flower from Superman, and after it briefly attaches to Batman, Robin puts it on Mongul, trapping him in dreams of his own greatest desire.

Show/hide 34. The Secret Revealed (Superman) Comic story, 22 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman
Genre
Superhero
Characters
Superman [Clark Kent]; Jonathan Kent; Martha Kent; Lana Lang; Amanda McCoy; Ms. Dunlop; Ms. Poole; Mr. Happersen; Dr. Kelley; Lex Luthor; Metallo; Mr. Jenner; Mr. Breen

Credits

Script
John Byrne
Pencils
John Byrne
Inks
Terry Austin
Colours
Petra Scotese
Letters
John Costanza

Synopsis

Lex Luthor uses every method available to him to learn the connection between Clark Kent and Superman, including drugging Ma and Pa Kent and torturing Lana Lang. The computer calculates that Clark Kent is Superman, which Lex feels is illogical, and so he has the computer data deleted and Amanda McCoy is fired.

Show/hide 35. End Notes (Superman) Text article, 3 pages

Featuring

Feature
Superman

Credits

Author
Robert Greenberger
Art
? (Superman illustration)
Letters
Typeset

Notes

Robert Greenberger discusses some of the stories that didn't quite make the cut.


Status

AusReprints ID

  • 39077

Cover added

  • 11/02/2010

Index completed

  • 11/02/2010