Superman: The Definitive History

Insight Editions

• Publisher: Insight Editions
• Year: 2024
• eBook ISBN: 9798886635935

Behold the most comprehensive book about Superman ever produced! From Krypton and Smallville to Metropolis and beyond, explore over eighty-five years of Superman’s history in radio, TV, film, animation, computer games, PSAs, advertising, merchandise and, of course, comics. This ultimate official book features a wealth of unpublished artwork, exclusive interviews, unique bonus inserts, and little-known facts detailing the long and extraordinary history of the world’s first, and greatest, costumed superhero.

Since his 1938 debut in the pages of Action Comics #1, Superman was the very first superhero, and he has become an international icon and a cultural cornerstone, instantly recognizable to audiences everywhere. Following Kal-El from his escape from the dying planet Krypton through his humble beginnings in Kansas to his work as a part-time journalist and full-time superhero in Metropolis, this deluxe edition explores Superman across comics, TV, animation, film, video games, and beyond, creating a compelling portrait of one of the most recognizable characters in the history of popular fiction. Covering the complete history of Superman in vivid detail, this massive tome features exclusive commentary from the key creatives who have been instrumental in building Superman’s iconic legacy. Filled with exclusive insert items and extremely rare replicas, Superman: The Definitive History is the ultimate exploration of the template for all superheroes and his incredible and enduring impact on pop culture.

COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY: Flip through over 400 pages detailing every adventure and incarnation of Superman across comics, TV, animation, movies, videogames, and beyond.

ALL-STAR CONTRIBUTORS: Read essential interviews and insights from those who have shaped the Man of Steel’s journey and cultural impact, including filmmakers, actors, writers, illustrators, and many more.

CAST OF THOUSANDS: Fully explores the entire Superman family including Superboy, Power Girl/Supergirl, the Legion of Super-Pets (Krypto, Streaky, Beppo, Comet, and Fuzzy the Krypto Mouse), Bizarro, and all the Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen comics. Plus, all the key villains: Lex Luthor, Brainiac, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Darkseid, Doomsday, General Zod, etc.

EXCLUSIVE BONUS INSERTS: Filled with pull-out cards, posters, mini-books, and other interactive ephemera that bring the history of Metropolis’s protector to life.

NEVER BEFORE SEEN IMAGES: Revel in exclusive, unseen treasures from the 85-year history of Superman taken directly from DC’s and Warner Bros.’ archives.

COMPLETE YOUR COLLECTION: Batman: The Definitive History of the Dark Knight in Comics, Film, and Beyond, Batman: The Animated Series, DC Comics: Anatomy of a Metahuman, and DC Comics Variant Covers: The Complete Visual History also available from Insight Editions.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Foreword by Mike Carlin
• Introduction by Brandon Routh
• Chapter 1: “Look! Up in the Sky!” Origins and Beginnings
• Chapter 2: “Strange Visitor from Another Planet…” Superman’s Homes
• Chapter 3: “There Is a Superhero in All of Us. We Just Need the Courage to Wear the Cape.” Superman in Comics
• Chapter 4: “Powers and Abilities Far Beyond Those of Mortal Men.” Evolution of Superman and His Alternate Versions
• Chapter 5: “It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane!”
• Chapter 6: “Faster than a Speeding Bullet!”
• Chapter 7: “Able to Leap Tall Buildings in a Single Bound!”
• Chapter 8: “More Powerful than a Locomotive!”
• Chapter 9: “This Looks Like a Job For…”
• Chapter 10: “Do Your Worst, Luthor. Do It Forever. I Won’t Break!”
• Chapter 11: “You’ll Believe a Man Can Fly!”
• Chapter 12: “Up, Up, and Away!”
• Chapter 13: “Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow.”
• Acknowledgments
• Key to Cover Art
• Timelines
• Copyright