Superman: The Man of Steel #1
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeThis volume collects the first six issues of the 2003 Superman: The Man of Steel series, which reimagined the Man of Steel's early days in Metropolis for a modern audience. Written by John Byrne with art by Byrne and Dick Giordano, the story follows Clark Kent's debut as Superman, his first encounters with Lex Luthor, and the emergence of villains like Metallo and the Parasite. It serves as a cornerstone for the post-Crisis on Infinite Earths Superman continuity.
In "Book One: Prologue: From Out the Green Dawn…," Superman returns to Smallville only to find the spaceship that brought him to Earth has vanished. As he uncovers a hidden program within it, he gains access to the full knowledge of Krypton—and confronts the lasting impact of his past choices on those he cares about. Written by John Byrne and illustrated by John Byrne, with inks by Dick Giordano, colors by Tom Ziuko, and letters by John Costanza, this pivotal issue sets the tone for a new era of Superman’s origin. The cover, by Jerry Ordway, captures the moment with quiet intensity.
In the dying moments of Krypton, Jor-El and Lara face the end of their world with quiet resolve, their love for their unborn son Kal-El guiding their final decisions. As the planet fractures above them, Jor-El activates the escape pod, entrusting the future to his infant son and the distant promise of Earth.
Clark Kent juggles fame as a star football player with the growing mystery of his origins—until his foster father, Jonathan Kent, reveals a truth that upends everything: Clark is not who he thought he was. With Martha Kent by his side, Clark grapples with the revelation that he’s an alien, born on a distant world, and his extraordinary abilities are more than just a lucky break.
Clark Kent steps into the spotlight for the first time when he saves the space-plane Constitution, a moment that thrusts him into the public eye and sets off a chain of events he never expected. His secret is no longer just his own—especially when he meets Lois Lane, the reporter whose sharp eyes are already scanning the skies for answers.
In a quiet moment on the Kent farm, Jonathan and Martha help Clark Kent craft a new suit—something that honors both his roots and the hero he’s becoming. As they work, the idea takes shape: a way to keep his two lives separate, yet connected, with a costume that reflects who he is and who he’s meant to be.
In "Book Three: One Night in Gotham City...", Superman arrives in Gotham City to arrest the outlaw Batman, only to find himself chasing the elusive Magpie alongside the Dark Knight. As the two heroes navigate the city's shadows, Superman begins to understand that Gotham demands a different kind of justice—one shaped by its darkness, not just its light.
In "Book Four: Enemy Mine...", Superman finds himself entangled in a dangerous game when Lex Luthor orchestrates a terrorist attack on his luxury liner, hoping to force the hero into his service. With Lois Lane and Mayor Frank Berkowitz caught in the chaos, Superman’s refusal to be bought only fuels Luthor’s determination — setting the stage for a bitter rivalry that’s far from over.
In "Book Six: The Haunting," Superman returns to Smallville only to find the ship that brought him to Earth gone—leaving behind a mystery that pulls him deeper into his past. As a long-lost Kryptonian program awakens within him, he confronts the echoes of his origins and the lingering impact of his choices, including the emotional toll on Lana Lang and the growing connection he feels toward Lois Lane.
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Reprints
↩ Reprints The Man of Steel #1 (1986), The Man of Steel #2 (1986), The Man of Steel #1 (1986), The Man of Steel #3 (1986), The Man of Steel #4 (1986), The Man of Steel #5 (1986), The Man of Steel #6 (1986), The Man of Steel #[nn] (1988)
Reprinted in Superman: The Man of Steel #1 (2020)
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