The Superman Family is an American comic book series published by DC Comics from 1974 to 1982 featuring supporting characters in the Superman comics . The term "Superman Family" is often used to refer to the extended cast of characters of comics books associated with Superman. A similarly titled series, Superman Family Adventures , was published in 2012.
46-417: The Superman Family was an amalgamation of the titles Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane , Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen , and Supergirl . The first issue, #164, took its numbering from Jimmy Olsen , which had reached issue #163 and thus had the most issues published. Lois Lane ended at #137, while the newly launched Supergirl book had only made it to #9 at the time. A 10th and final issue of Supergirl
92-690: A Superman supporting character . At the peak of its popularity in 1962, Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane was the third best-selling comic book in the United States, surpassed only by Superman and Superboy in sales. Following a tryout in Showcase , DC decided to give Lois Lane her own ongoing series. The comic series focus on Lois' solo adventures, and sometimes with stories centered on Lois' romantic interest in Superman and her attempts to maneuver him into marriage, only to fail due to
138-530: A backup feature that ran from #105 (October 1970) through #130 (April 1973). Editor E. Nelson Bridwell had several characters and plot concepts from Jack Kirby 's " Fourth World " appear in issues #111–119 (July 1971 – February 1972). Lois' sister, Lucy Lane , was believed to have died in issue #120 (March 1972) but the character was later revived. In 1974, the title ended, as Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen had earlier that year. Both would be merged into The Superman Family , which chronologically continued from
184-466: A comic plot twist. In the early 1960s, Lana Lang made regular guest appearances, generally as Lois' romantic rival. Artist Kurt Schaffenberger drew most of the stories for the first 81 issues of the series, missing only issue #29. Schaffenberger's rendition of Lois Lane became cited by many as the "definitive" version of the character. Singer Pat Boone appeared in issue #9 (May 1959) before starring in his own comic book series . "The Monkey's Paw",
230-418: A higher page count and a higher price than DC's other titles. With issue #222 (September 1982), The Superman Family was cancelled and replaced with The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl , which briefly featured a "Lois Lane" backup series. In 2012, DC launched a new series titled Superman Family Adventures written by Art Baltazar and Franco Aureliani and drawn by Baltazar. Baltazar and Aureliani were
276-444: A line-wide relaunch with the 1985 event maxi-series Crisis on Infinite Earths . Folding their vast multiverse into a single shared universe , Superman and his supporting cast would receive a massive overhaul at the hands of writer/artist John Byrne . One last story, which also marked the end of Schwartz's tenure as editor of the series, was published to give a send-off to the former status quo: Alan Moore 's Whatever Happened to
322-479: A more contemporary look. By the 1970s, the stories began to reflect growing social awareness: Lois became less fixated on romance and more on current issues. In the controversial story "I Am Curious (Black)!" in #106 (November 1970), Lois uses a machine that allows her to experience racism firsthand as an African American woman. The series saw the debut of the Silver Age heroine " Rose & The Thorn " in
368-413: A part of the " One Year Later " banner. Superman had a crossover with Action Comics , titled " Up, Up and Away! " co-written by Geoff Johns and Kurt Busiek with art by Pete Woods . This storyline told of Clark Kent attempting to protect Metropolis without his powers until eventually regaining them. Busiek became the sole writer of the series with issue #654 (September 2006) and Carlos Pacheco became
414-921: A short story in the issue, and his run on the title began with issue #701. Artist Eddy Barrows , a previous Action Comics artist and one of the artists on the War of the Supermen event, was Straczynski's artistic collaborator. Straczynski and Barrows began a year-long story entitled " Grounded " that sees Superman begin a long walk across the United States to regain the connection with his adopted home that he feels he lost while away on New Krypton. The series ended with issue #714 (October 2011), prior to DC Comics' The New 52 company wide reboot and relaunch. DC Comics launched Superman volume 3 with issue #1 in September 2011 ( cover dated November 2011), as part of The New 52 . The first three issues saw George Pérez doing
460-708: A soap opera actress in issue #208. After the cancellation of Super-Team Family , a Supergirl/ Doom Patrol team-up originally scheduled to appear in that title was published in The Superman Family #191–193. Supergirl battled the Enchantress in issues #204–205 and teamed with the Legion of Super-Heroes in issue #207. The Superman Family became the first DC Comics series in the 80-page Dollar Comic format, consisting of 64 pages of new stories, beginning with issue #182 (March–April 1977). With that issue,
506-603: A story from issue #42 (July 1963), featured a one-panel appearance , with his costume miscolored, by the defunct Fawcett Comics ' Captain Marvel , who was not yet a DC character. The letters page of #113 (October 1971) described it as "strictly a private joke" on the part of former Captain Marvel artist Schaffenberger. The story was reprinted in #104 (October 1970) with the costume coloring corrected. The Catwoman made her first Silver Age appearance in #70 (November 1966). In issue #80 (January 1968), Lois' fashions were updated to
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#1732779705380552-622: A superhero in 2001. The tale was an inspiration for Mark Millar 's Superman: Red Son limited series published in 2003. DC's parent company Warner Communications reinstated the byline for Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster which had been dropped decades earlier and the first issue with the restored credit was Superman #301 (August 1976). Martin Pasko and Swan created the Master Jailer character in issue #331 (January 1979). The bottle city of Kandor , which had been introduced in 1958,
598-732: A total of 228 monthly issues including issue #0 (October 1994) published between issues #516 and #517 as a tie-in to the Zero Hour limited series and issue #1,000,000 (November 1998) as a tie-in to the DC One Million limited series and nine Annuals published between 1987 and 1997. When the series was relaunched in late 1986 under its new title, the creative team initially was writer Marv Wolfman and artist Jerry Ordway . John Byrne replaced Wolfman with issue #436 (January 1988) and Ordway became both writer and artist with issue #445 (October 1988). Writer/artist Dan Jurgens worked on
644-473: Is an American comic book series published monthly by DC Comics . The series focusing on the adventures of Lois Lane began publication with a March/April 1958 cover date and ended its run in September/October 1974, with 137 regular issues and two 80-page Annuals. Following the similar themed Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen , Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane was the second comic series based on
690-589: The National Periodical Publications comic book Action Comics #1 in June 1938. The strip proved so popular that National launched Superman into his own self-titled comic book, the first for any superhero , premiering with the cover date summer 1939. Between 1986 and 2006 it was retitled, The Adventures of Superman , while a new series used the title Superman . In May 2006, it was returned to its original title and numbering. The title
736-743: The Superman title in July 2021. The monthly series concluded in December 2022, with 18 issues and one annual. The series followed the adventures of Jon Kent , the son of Superman and Lois Lane, as he is entrusted with the protection of Earth. A new ongoing Superman comic book series launched in February 2023 from writer Joshua Williamson and artist Jamal Campbell. The Superman series had Annuals published since 1960. Eight issues of Superman Annual were published starting in winter 1960. An additional four issues were published from 1983 to 1986 and
782-457: The supervillain Terra-Man in issue #249 (March 1972) and the superhero Vartox in issue #281 (Nov. 1974). Issues #272 (Feb. 1974), #278 (Aug. 1974), and #284 (Feb. 1975) of the series were in the 100 Page Super Spectacular format. Superman #300 (June 1976) featured an out-of- continuity story by Bates and Maggin which imagined the infant Superman landing on Earth in 1976 and becoming
828-442: The "framing element" was removed from the covers, and the book switched to printing all-new material. It became a monthly series in 1981, starting with issue #207. DC published several other ... Family titles concurrently with The Superman Family . These included Batman Family (1975–78), Super-Team Family (1975–78) and Tarzan Family (1975–76). As a rule, DC's other ... Family titles contained mostly reprints and featured
874-505: The Man of Tomorrow? The story's first part saw publication in Superman #423, which would be the last issue before the title was relaunched with its legacy numbering as The Adventures of Superman . Superman was relaunched with a new #1 issue in a second volume in 1986, and was published concurrently with The Adventures of Superman . The Adventures of Superman was numbered from issue #424 (January 1987) to issue #649 (April 2006), for
920-464: The Superman storylines ran with the story continuing through the titles Superman , Action Comics and later in two further series, Superman: The Man of Steel and Superman: The Man of Tomorrow . Jerry Ordway returned as writer of the title with issue #480 (July 1991). Tom Grummett drew part of #480 and became the main artist on the series with the following issue. The series participated in
966-528: The covers for issues #675 (June 2008) through #685 (April 2009). James Robinson replaced Busiek with issue #677 (August 2008). Robinson's run on the title began with " The Coming of Atlas " story arc and began a link between Superman , Action Comics , and Supergirl that started a long-form narrative with the New Krypton event. The majority of Robinson's run featured Mon-El and the Guardian as
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#17327797053801012-547: The crossover storyline "Panic in the Sky" in 1992. During their run on The Adventures of Superman , Grummett and Ordway (along with editor Mike Carlin and others) were the architects of " The Death of Superman " storyline, in which Superman died and was resurrected. It was during that storyline, that Grummett and writer Karl Kesel , created the new Superboy in The Adventures of Superman #500 (June 1993). Other crossovers
1058-533: The early 1940s, Superman was selling over a million copies per month. By 1942, artist Wayne Boring , who had previously been one of Shuster's assistants, had become a major artist on Superman. Superman #23 (July–August 1943) featured the first Superman comic book story written by someone other than Jerry Siegel. The story "America's Secret Weapon!" was written by Don Cameron despite bearing Siegel's signature. Siegel introduced Mister Mxyzptlk in issue #30 (September 1944). A more detailed origin story for Superman
1104-556: The elder title, premiering with issue #164 (April–May 1974). The release of the last issue of Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane was delayed for several months due to a nationwide paper shortage. The character has appeared in several self-titled miniseries and one-shots including: Superman (comic book) Superman is an ongoing American comic book series featuring the DC Comics superhero Superman as its protagonist . Superman began as one of several anthology features in
1150-443: The featured characters, while Superman himself had gone to live on the planet New Krypton. Robinson's last full issue was #699, tying into Last Stand of New Krypton , and he finished his run in a short story in issue #700 (August 2010) that returned Superman to Earth. Superman #700 also saw writer J. Michael Straczynski , a self-professed Superman fan who feels a personal connection to the character, take over writing duties with
1196-509: The numbering continued from the 1960 series. Superman Annual #11 (1985) featured the story " For the Man Who Has Everything " by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons . When the original Superman series was retitled as The Adventures of Superman , both it and Superman (vol. 2) received Annuals relaunched with #1 issues. The Adventures of Superman Annual ran for nine issues from 1987 to 1997. After The Adventures of Superman
1242-402: The project became an issue. DC Comics responded to a petition about to be dropped with a statement that it supported freedom of expression and that the personal views of individuals associated with the company were not the views of the company. Illustrator Chris Sprouse left the project due to the media attention and some comic book stores announced a boycott. Card's Superman story was dropped and
1288-438: The scripting and breakdowns. Dan Jurgens began to co-write and draw Superman with Keith Giffen . Their first issue was #7 (May 2012). As of September 2012's issue #0, Scott Lobdell and Kenneth Rocafort became the creative team. John Romita Jr. drew the Superman series in collaboration with writer Geoff Johns in 2014. Romita Jr.'s Superman pencils were inked by Klaus Janson . Superman's secret identity as Clark Kent
1334-473: The series participated in included Zero Hour: Crisis in Time , The Final Night , and Infinite Crisis . As of the start of 2002, the integration between the Superman titles became less frequent, and the remaining issues of The Adventures of Superman commonly carried self-contained stories. Issue #600 (March 2002) was a double-sized special featuring Superman combating Lex Luthor. The final issue (#649)
1380-478: The series' artist. The series participated in the weekly series Countdown to Final Crisis , giving a different perspective on certain events shown in the weekly title, such as the events preceding the death of New God Lightray . Busiek and Pacheco developed an extended storyline featuring Arion coming into conflict with Superman. The plotline concluded in Superman Annual #13. Alex Ross painted
1426-562: The setting of Supergirl's adventures during the character's run in the title. She moved to Florida to join the faculty at the New Athens Experimental School in issue #165. In an "imaginary story" set in a possible future in issue #200, Supergirl, now known as Super woman , is depicted as being the Governor of Florida in her secret identity of Linda Danvers. She leaves Florida and relocates to New York City to become
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1472-472: The title from 1989–1991. Hank Henshaw , a character who would later become the Cyborg Superman, first appeared in issue #466 (May 1990). By the late 1980s, the plots of the Superman books were often linked. To coordinate the storyline and sequence of event, from January 1991 to January 2002, "triangle numbers" (or "shield numbers") appeared on the cover of each Superman comic book. During these years,
1518-404: The title's editor with issue #233 (January 1971) and together with writer Denny O'Neil and artist Curt Swan streamlined the Superman mythos, starting with the elimination of Kryptonite . Elliot S. Maggin began his long association with the title with the story "Must There Be a Superman?" in issue #247 (Jan. 1972). Writer Cary Bates , in collaboration with Swan, introduced such characters as
1564-557: The view of comics historian Les Daniels , artist Curt Swan became the definitive artist of Superman in the early 1960s with a "new look" to the character that replaced Wayne Boring's version. Writer Jim Shooter and Swan crafted the story "Superman's Race With the Flash!" in Superman #199 (Aug. 1967) which featured the first race between the Flash and Superman, two characters known for their super-speed powers . Julius Schwartz became
1610-625: The winners of the 2011 Eisner Award in the category "Best Publication for Kids" for their work on the Tiny Titans title for DC. Fuzzy the Krypto Mouse, a character who appeared in a single story in Superboy #65 (June 1958), inspired a similar character created by Baltazar for Superman Family Adventures . Superman Family Adventures ended with issue #12. Superman%27s Girl Friend, Lois Lane Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane
1656-414: Was also the 800th issue of the Superman series as a whole, with a variant cover done by Tony S. Daniel to commemorate the occasion. The series ended its run with issue #45 (April 2018). A fifth series under the direction of Brian Michael Bendis was released in July 2018 and ended its run in June 2021 with issue #32. Superman: Son of Kal-El , written by Tom Taylor and art by John Timms, replaced
1702-471: Was being hailed on the covers as the "World's Greatest Adventure Strip Character". Perry White , a supporting character who had originated on the Superman radio program was introduced into the comic book in issue #7 (October 1940). Editor Mort Weisinger began his long association with the title with issue #11 (July–August 1941). Jimmy Olsen first appeared as a named character in the story "Superman versus The Archer" in Superman #13 (Nov.–Dec. 1941). In
1748-456: Was canceled with issue #714 in 2011, and was relaunched with issue #1 the following month which ended its run in 2016. A fourth series was released in June 2016 and ended in April 2018, while the fifth series was launched in July 2018 and ended in June 2021. The series was replaced by Superman: Son of Kal-El in July 2021, featuring adventures of Superman's son, Jon Kent . A sixth Superman series
1794-530: Was part of a three-part crossover with Superman and Action Comics , an homage to the Earth-2 Superman in the wake of events in the limited series Infinite Crisis . For its last two years, The Adventures of Superman was written by Greg Rucka . His stories included the villain Ruin , the attempted assassination of Lois Lane and a number of Mister Mxyzptlk appearances. Adventures of Superman
1840-402: Was presented in issue #53 (July 1948) to mark the character's tenth anniversary. Another part of the Superman mythos which had originated on the radio program made its way into the comic books when kryptonite was featured in a story by Bill Finger and Al Plastino . Superman was the first DC title with a letters column as a regular feature beginning with issue #124 (September 1958). In
1886-429: Was published five months after The Superman Family ' s launch. The Superman Family went through two distinct phases. In its inception the three leads Jimmy Olsen , Lois Lane , and Supergirl rotated new stories each issue with reprints for the other characters. The first six issues (#164–169) of the series were in the 100 Page Super Spectacular format and Nick Cardy was the cover artist. Changes were made in
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1932-543: Was relaunched on April 29, 2013. Unlike the previous volume, the new series is not set in the mainstream DC Universe continuity but instead features anthology style stories with rotating creative teams in the same format as the second Legends of the Dark Knight series. It is released as a digital-first comic with print publication to follow. The first story was to have been written by Orson Scott Card and drawn by Chris Sprouse and Karl Story . Card's participation in
1978-525: Was released in February 2023. Due to the Superman character's popularity after his premiere in Action Comics #1 , National Allied Publications decided to launch an entirely new magazine featuring a single character, which at that time was unprecedented. Superman #1 appeared on the shelves in the summer of 1939. Superman now also had the distinction of being the first ever hero-character featured in more than one comic magazine. By issue #7, Superman
2024-399: Was replaced by a story written by Jeff Parker . The relaunched Adventures of Superman series came to an end with issue #17, released in September 2014. Superman volume 2 reached issue #226 (April 2006) and was then canceled as part of the linewide " Infinite Crisis " storyline. The Adventures of Superman was returned to its original title, Superman , with issue #650 (May 2006), as
2070-463: Was restored to normal size in a story by Len Wein and Swan in Superman #338 (August 1979). The series reached issue #400 in October 1984. That issue featured work by several popular comics artists including the only major DC work by Jim Steranko as well as an introduction by noted science-fiction author Ray Bradbury . Superman ran uninterrupted until the mid-1980s, when DC Comics instituted
2116-530: Was revealed to the world in a storyline by writer Gene Luen Yang in 2015. This series ended its run with the release of issue #52 (July 2016). As part of the DC Rebirth relaunch, Superman Volume 4 began with issue #1 in June 2016 (cover dated August 2016), including a one-shot DC Rebirth special Superman: Rebirth #1. Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason are the creative team, with the Superman series shipping twice-monthly. This volume's 34th issue
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