James Gunn’s Superman (2025) is set to soar into cinemas next week, promising a fresh yet faithful take on the Man of Steel. Whether you’re new to Superman or a lifelong fan, diving into some classic comics is the perfect way to get excited for his return to the big screen — or continue enjoying it after you’ve seen it.
While these recommended comics aren’t the only influences on Gunn’s vision — with inspirations ranging from the Fleischer animated shorts, Curt Swan’s 1950s Superman family stories, Grant Morrison’s Action Comics run in the New 52 era, and Superman: The Animated Series — they do capture key themes and values that make Superman endure.
From modern epics to timeless origin retellings, these stories will help you reconnect with the heart of the Last Son of Krypton before his newest adventure takes flight.
All-Star Superman (2005-2008)
Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s modern classic distils everything hopeful and mythic about the Superman. With a year left to live, Clark Kent reveals his identity to Lois and lets her experience his world for a day, delivering some of the most moving moments in comics. Speaking of its Silver Age influence, James Gunn has said, “There’s a lot of stuff from the comic books, but above and beyond anything else, it’s All-Star Superman,” making this arguably the greatest Superman story ever told. Plus, that ending is guaranteed to choke up even the Man of Steel himself.
Superman for All Seasons (1998)
If you know Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s work (Batman: The Long Halloween, Spider-Man: Blue), you’ll know they love classic characters and seasonal snapshots, and this book is no exception. Inspired by Norman Rockwell’s Americana, it retells Superman’s early days through the eyes of Jonathan Kent, Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, and Lana Lang. Lois’s summer-themed narration is especially poignant here, reflecting on how Superman’s arrival transforms her career. A heartfelt, beautifully illustrated coming-of-age Superman story.
Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? (1986)
Crafted as an “imaginary story” in the tradition of the legendary (and reportedly tyrannical) Mort Weisinger, this is Alan Moore’s pre-Crisis coda, told through an older Lois Lane being interviewed about Superman’s last stand. With Clark Kent outed as his alter ego, Superman’s enemies unite against him while his allies rally for a final showdown. Before Watchmen offered Moore’s definitive take on heroics, he had fun with Superman’s Silver Age history, weaving in goofy favourites like Krypto, the tragic Bizarro, the sci-fi Legion of Super-Heroes, Lana Lang, and Jimmy Olsen — all given surprising heart and a knowing wink through Curt Swan’s classic artwork.
Kingdom Come (1996)
One of the more notorious Elseworlds stories, Kingdom Come explores an alternate future where out-of-touch traditional heroes clash with their edgier, often amoral successors. While it powerfully reaffirms the hope Superman embodies, it falls into the mid-90s trap of “fridging” Lois to motivate the male hero. Even so, Mark Waid and Alex Ross’s lush painted artwork makes it unforgettable, and the story even resurfaced in televisions Arrowverse, with Brandon Routh reprising a future version of his Superman Returns role during the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover.
Superman: Birthright (2003-2004)
Superman has been in print for nearly 90 years, yet remarkably, his core origin has changed very little. Every so often, though, DC revisits it for a new generation, and in 2003, Mark Waid, Leinil Francis Yu, and Gerry Alanguilan reimagined Superman’s beginnings for modern audiences. Elements of Birthright found their way into Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel and now James Gunn’s Superman (2025), and it served as Superman’s official origin until it was replaced by Secret Origin in 2009.
Panic in the Sky (1992)
Perhaps a lesser-remembered pick, but this slice of early ’90s Superman has been on my shelf since I first got into comics. Inside the covers of the battered trade paperback, Clark rallies the entire Justice League — including the hotheaded Green Lantern Guy Gardner (portrayed by Nathan Fillion in Gunn’s film) — along with a roster of other heroes to repel Brainiac’s massive invasion. Very much a product of its era, this crossover nonetheless captures the sense of unity and teamwork that James Gunn may draw on for his vision of the DC Universe. (As someone who’s written a book on Green Arrow’s history, I love seeing how DC’s broader roster supports Superman in events like this).
The Coming of Atlas (2008)
Given Krypto’s prominence in the new film’s marketing, it’s only fair to include a story where the good boy shines. Written by James Robinson alongside artists Renato Guedes and José Wilson Magalhães, this Silver Age–inspired arc pits Superman and his loyal canine companion against the mighty Atlas. Not only does Krypto help save the day, but Kal-El proudly calls him a good boy in front of the entire city. It even features the brilliant line, “This One hurt Man. Krypto loves Man, Krypto hurt this One.” Go get ’em, Krypto.
Gunn’s film may draw on some, all, or absolutely none of these comics, but if you’re looking for inspiration to get in the mood — or simply want to discover some of the best Superman stories ever told — you’d do well to start here. Be sure to check out our other recommendations where Lois Lane features strongly, celebrating her essential role in the Superman mythos.