April 18, 2025, marks Superman Day, a celebration of the world’s first superhero, who debuted in Action Comics #1 on April 18, 1938. Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Superman—aka Kal-El or Clark Kent—ignited the superhero genre, becoming a global symbol of hope, justice, and resilience. As fans honor the Man of Steel on his 87th anniversary, we dive into his cultural significance, pivotal comic moments, iconic portrayals across media, and the box office performance of his theatrical films, reflecting a legacy that continues to soar.
The Importance of Superman
Superman is more than a caped hero; he’s a cultural touchstone. Born during the Great Depression, he embodied the era’s yearning for justice, fighting corrupt tycoons and social ills, as noted by comics scholar Roger Sabin, who ties his activism to Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal ideals. His origin—an alien from Krypton raised by Kansas farmers Jonathan and Martha Kent—resonates as an immigrant story, blending otherworldly power with human values. Posts on X, like one from @thegeekofsteel, call him “an enduring symbol of hope and heroism” that “changed comics forever”. His moral compass, honed by the Kents, inspires across generations, making him the blueprint for heroes like Spider-Man and Wonder Woman. As IGN argues, his 1978 film set the gold standard for comic book movies, proving superheroes could be blockbuster icons.
Key Moments in Superman’s Comic History
Superman’s 87-year comic run is packed with defining moments that shaped his mythos. Here are five milestones:
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- Action Comics #1 (1938): Superman debuts, lifting a car on the cover and saving an innocent woman from execution. Siegel and Shuster establish his Kryptonian origin, Clark Kent persona, and Lois Lane romance, launching the superhero genre.
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- More Fun Comics #101 (1945): Superboy is introduced, revealing Clark’s youth as a crime-fighter in Smallville. This retcon adds the Kents’ farm upbringing, Lana Lang, and the Legion of Super-Heroes, inspiring TV’s Smallville.
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- Action Comics #23 (1940): Lex Luthor, Superman’s arch-nemesis, debuts as a brilliant but corrupt scientist. His intellect makes him a foil to Superman’s brawn, a dynamic enduring in every medium.
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- Action Comics #241 (1958): The Fortress of Solitude, Superman’s Arctic sanctuary, is created by Jerry Coleman and Wayne Boring. It becomes a staple, housing Kryptonian relics and symbolizing his dual heritage.
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- Superman #75 (1992): “The Death of Superman” sees Clark perish battling Doomsday, shocking readers. His resurrection redefines comic deaths, influencing resurrections like Jason Todd’s, per ScreenRant.
Iconic Portrayals of Superman
Superman’s screen legacy spans radio, TV, and film, with actors bringing unique spins to the Man of Steel. Key portrayals include:
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- Kirk Alyn (1948-1950): The first live-action Superman in serials Superman and Atom Man vs. Superman, Alyn’s athletic charm suited the era’s kid-friendly tone.
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- George Reeves (1951-1958): Reeves defined Superman for the TV generation in Adventures of Superman, blending warmth and authority. His tragic death cemented his legend.
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- Christopher Reeve (1978-1987): Reeve’s iconic turn in Superman: The Movie and three sequels made him the gold standard. MovieWeb notes he played Clark and Superman as distinct personas—clumsy reporter versus confident hero—earning universal praise.
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- Dean Cain (1993-1997): Cain’s Lois & Clark leaned into romance, offering a lighthearted, romantic-lead Superman that resonated with ‘90s audiences.
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- Tom Welling (2001-2011): Welling’s Clark in Smallville explored his pre-Superman years, grounding the hero in teen struggles. He avoided the cape but became a fan favorite.
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- Brandon Routh (2006): Routh channeled Reeve in Superman Returns, adding a melancholic edge. He reprised the role in 2019’s Arrowverse crossover.
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- Henry Cavill (2013-2022): Cavill’s gritty Superman in the DC Extended Universe (Man of Steel, Batman v Superman) brought modern intensity, though divisive for its darker tone.
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- Tyler Hoechlin (2016-2024): Hoechlin’s warm, family-oriented Superman in the Arrowverse and Superman & Lois balances classic heroism with modern stakes.
David Corenswet is set to debut as Superman in James Gunn’s Superman, releasing July 11, 2025, promising a hopeful, comics-inspired take.
Notable Voice Actors of Superman
Superman’s presence in animation, radio, and video games has been shaped by talented voice actors who’ve brought distinct flavors to the Man of Steel. From radio serials to modern animated series, these performers have defined his heroic tone across decades. Here are some of the most iconic voices behind Kal-El, drawn from sources like Behind The Voice Actors and fan polls.
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- Bud Collyer (1940-1966): The first Superman voice, Collyer starred in the 1940s Adventures of Superman radio serial, Fleischer cartoons, and 1966’s The New Adventures of Superman. His warm, authoritative tone set the standard, earning 29% in a 2022 Superman Homepage poll. Superman Homepage notes his Clark/Superman vocal distinction as groundbreaking.
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- Danny Dark (1973-1985): Dark voiced Superman in Super Friends and its spin-offs, bringing a classic, smiling-hero vibe. GameRant praises his “compassionate” tone, ideal for the era’s kid-friendly cartoons.
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- Tim Daly (1996-2000): Daly’s Superman in Superman: The Animated Series is a fan favorite, with a steady, heartfelt delivery. Voted top voice actor with 59% in a Superman Homepage poll, his performance balanced Clark’s humanity and Superman’s heroism, per CBR.
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- George Newbern (2001-2019): Newbern took over for Daly in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, voicing Superman across multiple series and films. His “nice guy” quality, noted by Bruce Timm, shone in villainous turns like Injustice, per DCAU Fandom.
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- Jerry O’Connell (2015-2020): O’Connell voiced Superman in New 52 animated films like The Death of Superman, bringing charisma to a modern hero. Collider lauds his ability to elevate the character for new audiences.
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- Jack Quaid (2023-Present): Quaid voices a young Superman in My Adventures with Superman, capturing Clark’s coming-of-age struggles. Dexerto highlights his fresh, relatable take, with a second season greenlit.
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- Darren Criss (2020): Criss voiced a youthful Superman in Superman: Man of Tomorrow, emphasizing inexperience with grace, per ScreenRant. His performance grounds the hero, akin to Henry Cavill’s live-action arc.
Superman Films: Box Office Performance
Superman’s theatrical films have grossed over $2.6 billion globally, with hits and misses reflecting his cinematic journey. Below is a table of all major Superman-led films and significant ensemble films featuring him, with unadjusted global box office figures from Box Office Mojo and GameRant.
Superman Films and Box Office (Unadjusted Global Gross)
– Superman: The Movie (1978): $300.5M
– Superman II (1980): $190.4M
– Superman III (1983): $80.2M
– Supergirl (1984): $14.3M
– Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987): $36.7M
– Superman Returns (2006): $391.1M
– Man of Steel (2013): $668.0M
– Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016): $874.4M
– Justice League (2017): $661.3M
– Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021): N/A (Streaming)
– The Flash (2023): $271.3M
Batman v Superman leads, boosted by Batman’s draw, but fell short of $1 billion due to mixed reviews. Superman: The Movie, adjusted for inflation, would exceed $1.2 billion today, per GameRant.
Why Superman Day Matters
Superman Day, tied to Action Comics #1’s release, celebrates a character who’s fought Nazis on radio, tackled the Klan, and inspired hope through crises. His story—fleeing a doomed Krypton, embracing Earth’s values—mirrors universal struggles, as @hist_of_the_day noted on X: “It was the birth of the superhero genre as we know it”. With James Gunn’s Superman looming, 2025 feels like a rebirth for the hero. So, raise a glass (or a phone booth) to the Man of Steel—his legacy proves you can believe a man can fly.
What’s your favorite Superman moment or portrayal? Share below!
DC Fanboy! Superman is the greatest comic book character of all time. Favorite movies are Man of Steel, Goonies, Back To the Future
