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Superman Omnibus Reading Order!

He’s the champion of the oppressed, the physical Marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to helping those in need, and the star of many comic books since his first appearance in 1938! Since his introduction in Action Comics #1, Superman has used his powers and intelligence to help humanity.

His world has naturally expanded to include more solo adventures, team-ups, new allies and villains, and iconic stories. His adventures have been chronicled in more than one comic book title. Over the years, DC Comics has collected many of these tales, story arcs, crossovers and runs in various formats, including the famous Omnibus line.

However, despite being one of DC Comics’ most important superheroes, Superman’s omnibus collection pales in comparison to Batman’s! Fortunately, things are turning around for the Kryptonian, as the publisher has released several Superman volumes in recent years, and the success of these publications should encourage more omnibus editions! With the world of Superman expanding significantly within the Omnibus line, we take a closer look at this collection, which offers both new and seasoned readers a great way to discover Big Blue’s history.

Previously on the Omnibus series…

Superman, The Omnibus Collection

Note: The DC Omnibus is a line of large-format, high-quality, full-color hardcover editions that have been published since 2007. Each volume typically reprints older stories in chronological order, encompassing an entire series, focusing on a specific run, or highlighting the work of a particular creator. However, the Omnibus format implies a substantial amount of material. 

To complete this guide, we also include the DC Deluxe Edition. This is another oversized hardcover collection with the same dimensions as the Omnibus line but designed to collect shorter runs or stories that couldn’t justify a larger Omnibus edition. Some stories have been published in both formats. In this guide, the Omnibus line is indicated in bold, while all other titles are part of the Deluxe Edition line.

Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus

For other editions, see our Guide dedicated to Classic Superman Tales. Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938. The Man of Steel emerged as a champion of the oppressed, taking down any enemy with his superhuman strength and speed. Wearing his distinctive royal blue, red and yellow costume, with cape, the Kryptonian became a symbol of hope for America. He made his debut in Action Comics #1, received his own series a year later, and co-starred with Batman in World’s Finest Comics.

As of right now, DC Comics has released seven omnibuses. In this format, this era is incomplete. 

Pre-Crisis Superman Omnibus

DC Comics hasn’t reprinted a lot of Superman stories from the Silver Age and simply nothing from the Bronze Age in the Omnibus format, but you can still read a few tales in the following Omnibus: 

Superman Post-Crisis Omnibus

For other editions and more stories, see our Guide dedicated to Superman in the Modern Age! The World of DC Comics has been rebooted following Crisis on Infinite Earths. The origins of Superman were rewritten in John Byrne’s Man on Steel and made Superman, once again, the Last Son of Krypton. But the DC Universe is always changing forms, and with time, Clark’s origins will be revisited several times, Supergirl will make her return, Superman will die, and much much more will happen! 

  • Death and Return of Superman Omnibus
    Collects Superman: The Man Of Steel #17-26, Superman #73-83, Adventures Of Superman #496-505, Action Comics #683-692, Justice League America #69, Superman: The Legacy Of Superman #1 And Green Lantern #46. The main part of this story is also available in Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Edition (Deluxe Edition). 
  • Omni Gap! The Triangle Era continues! Superman #84-150,  Adventures of Superman #506-575, Action Comics #693-762, and more! 

Zero Hour DC Event Comic Reading Order

Almost ten years after Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC Comics semi-rebooted its universe with another Crisis event, Zero Hour. This time, time itself comes under attack, it will take the combined efforts of history’s greatest heroes to save the entire DC Universe. Of course, Superman is in it (don’t feel forced to read it though, that is totally optional!).

  • Zero Hour: Crisis in Time Omnibus 
    Collects Action Comics #703, Adventures of Superman #516, Anima #7, Batman #511, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #31, Catwoman #14, Damage #6, Darkstars #24, Detective Comics #678, The Flash #0 and #94, Green Arrow #90, Green Lantern #0 and #55, Guy Gardner: Warrior #24, Hawkman #13, Justice League America #92, Justice League International #68, Justice League Task Force #16, L.E.G.I.O.N. ’94 #70, Legionnaires #18, Legion of Super-Heroes #61, Outsiders #11, Robin #10, Steel #8, Superboy #8, Superman #93, Superman: Man of Steel #37, Team Titans #24, Valor #23, Zero Hour #4-0, and stories from Showcase ’94 #8-10.
  • Superman & Lois Lane: The 25th Wedding Anniversary Deluxe Edition
    Collects Superman (vol. 2) #118; Adventures of Superman #541; Action Comics #728; Superman: The Man of Steel #63; Superman: The Wedding Album #1
  • Superman: Our Worlds at War Omnibus Vol. 1: Prelude to War! [2025]
    Collects Superman #151-154, #159, #165, #170-171; Adventures of Superman #576, #586, #592-#593; Action Comics #763, #777, #779-780; Superman: The Man of Steel #98, #109, #114-115; Superboy #89; Wonder Woman #171; Superman Y2K #1; Superman: Metropolis Secret Files #1; Superman: Lex 2000 #1; Superman: Our Worlds at War Secret Files #1; Young Justice: Our Worlds at War #1; Batman: Our Worlds at War #1; Green Lantern: Our Worlds at War #1.
  • Superman: Emperor Joker Deluxe Edition
    Collects Superman (vol. 2) #160-161; Adventures of Superman #582-583; Superman: The Man of Steel #104-105; Action Comics #769-770; Superman: Emperor Joker #1 
  • Omni Gap! The Second Volume of Our Worlds at War, with Adventures of Superman #598, the last issue of this period.
  • Omni Gap! There’s a serious Omni Gap between the end of the Triangle era and Infinite Crisis. But we’ll have to see how DC Comics will handle this period. 

New Origin Story! In 2003, Mark Waid reinvented Superman’s origin in the 12-issue miniseries Superman: Birthright (Deluxe Edition). Originally intended as a non-canon version of Superman, updating his origin for the 21st century, it was decided that this version would replace John Byrne’s Man of Steel as Superman’s canonical origin story. We also invite you to check around here Superman/Shazam! Deluxe Edition, retelling the first meeting between the two characters.

Infinite Crisis Logo Reading Order

Infinite Crisis is a major event with ramifications for the entire DC Universe and is important in Superman’s history, while 52 chronicles the events set in the year following the Crisis — but is completely optional for Superman who is not in it. With that said, it’s a great read! 

  • Infinite Crisis Omnibus
    Collects Action Comics #826, #829, Adventures of Superman #639, #642, Countdown to Infinite Crisis, Day of Vengeance #1-6, Day of Vengeance Infinite Crisis Special, JLA #115-119, Infinite Crisis #1-6, Infinite Crisis Secret Files 2006, The OMAC Project #1-6, The OMAC Project Infinite Crisis Special, Rann-Thanagar War #1-6, The Rann-Thanagar Infinite Crisis Special, Superman #216, #219, Villains United #1-6, Villains United Infinite Crisis Special and Wonder Woman #219.
  • 52 Omnibus
    Collects 52 #1-52.

  • Final Crisis Omnibus
    Collects Batman #676-683, #701-702, Birds Of Prey #118, Dc Universe #0, Dc Universe: The Last Will And Testament #1, Final Crisis #1-7, Final Crisis: Legion Of 3 Worlds #1-5, Final Crisis: Requiem #1, Final Crisis: Resist #1, Final Crisis: Revelations #1-5, Final Crisis: Rogues’ Revenge #1-3, Final Crisis: Secret Files #1, Final Crisis: Submit #1, Final Crisis: Superman Beyond #1-2, The Flash #240-241, Justice League Of America #21, Superman/Batman #76, Teen Titans #59-60 And Terror Titans #1-6. Superman: Final Crisis – Legion of Three Worlds is also available on Deluxe Edition.
  • Superman/Batman Omnibus Vol. 2
    Collects Superman/Batman #44-87 and Superman/Batman Annual #3-5.

New Origin Story (again)! In 2009, Geoff Johns and Gary Frank redefined the origins of Superman in Superman: Secret Origin (Deluxe Edition), replacing Mark Waid’s Birthright as the new canonical origin story for a few years… until Flashpoint and Grant Morrison’s updated version.
  • Superman: New Krypton Saga Omnibus Vol. 1
    Collects Action Comics #866–879, Supergirl #35–43 and Annual #1, Superman #681–690 and Annual #14, Superman: New Krypton Special #1, Superman: World of New Krypton #1–5, World of New Krypton Special #1, Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen Special #1, Adventure Comics Special Featuring the Guardian #1, Manhunter #1 and #6, and The Flash #12.
  • Omni Gap! Superman: New Krypton Saga Vol. 2!  Superman: Secret Files 2009, Superman: World of New Krypton #6-12, Action Comics #880-889, Supergirl (2005) #44-52, Superman #691-700, Superman Annual #14, Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olson Special #2, Adventure Comics (2009) #8-11, Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton #1-3, Superman: War of the Supermen #0-4
  • Omni Gap! Superman Post-New Krypton: Superman #700-714, Action Comics #890-904, and more.

Flash Barry Allen - Flashpoint Reading Order

It’s the end of an era! Flashpoint marks the end of the Modern Age/Post-Crisis era, leading into the New 52 relaunch. It’s a completely optional read for Superman.

Superman in New 52 and Beyond

New 52 – Superman is redefined as a younger and brasher version of the character. Superman from New 52 is not married to Lois Lane and his adoptive parents Jonathan and Martha Kent have died. This unpopular era in The Man of Steel’s history is also not well collected in the Omnibus line, as only Grant Morrison’s run on the character (focused on the early days in Metropolis) has been reprinted in that format. For other editions and more stories, see our Guide dedicated to Superman New 52!

  • Superman by Grant Morrison
    Action Comics (vol. 2) #0–18, Annual #1
  • Superman: Unchained Deluxe Edition
    Collects Superman Unchained #1–9; material from Superman Unchained Director’s Cut #1 
  • Omni Gap! The entirety of Superman (2011) #1-52 and Annuals by George Pérez, Dan Jurgens, Scott Lobdell, & Cie
  • Omni Gap!  Superman: Action Comics Vol. 2 #19-52 Greg Pak, The New 52 Omnibus (2013 – 2016) by Andy Diggle, Greg Pak, Scott Lobdell & Cie
  • Omni Gap! Superman / Wonder Woman #1-29 by Charles Soule and Tony S. Daniel.

Rebirth – Almost five years after New 52, DC relaunched once again under the DC Rebirth banner to restore the DC Universe to a status quo closer to the Pre-Flashpoint era while still taking into account some elements of the New 52 era. This was also used to bring back the previous versions of Superman and Lois, who are married and have a son, Jon Kent. For other editions and more stories, see our Guide dedicated to Superman Rebirth Part I (Tomasi, Gleason and Jurgens) and Part II (Brian Michael Bendis). 

Infinite Frontier/Dawn of DC – The DC Multiverse has expanded into a larger Omniverse, where everything is now canon. During the short Infinite Frontier era that concluded with Dark Crisis, Clark Kent lived Earth for some adventures in space (in Action Comics), his son Jonathan Kent took on the Superman mantle on Earth during his absence. Then, DC Comics entered the Dawn of DC era with Clark back on Earth and more family adventures! This is still recent history and DC Comics has just started collecting those years. For other editions and more stories, see our Guide dedicated to Superman Infinite Fontier/Dawn of DC.

  • Superman by Phillip Kennedy Johnson Omnibus Vol. 1 [2025]
    Collects Action Comics #1029-1049; Superman #29-32; Infinite Frontier #0; Superman and the Authority #1-4; Superman: Son of Kal-El #16-18; Action Comics 2022 Annual #1; Batman/Superman: Authority Special #1; Superman: Warworld Apocalypse #1.

In a not-so-distant past… Batman / Superman: World’s Finest was launched in 2022, from Mark Waid and Dan Mora. The stories are set in the current DC Continuity but set in a time mirroring the Silver and Bronze Ages, and chronicle some Batman and Superman adventures as they team up for dangerous missions! A Deluxe Edition has been announced for 2026.

Elseworlds and other non-canon stories

Some of the most iconic and impactful Superman stories have been set in alternate realities, and DC Comics has collected several of those tales in Deluxe Editions, mostly… and soon in Omnibus! 

  • Elseworlds: Superman Omnibus Vol. 1 [2026]
    Collects Superman: Speeding Bullets, Superman: Kal, Superman: The Dark Side, Superman/Wonder Woman: Whom Gods Destroy, and many more Elseworlds classics.

Did we forget an Omnibus? Did we make a mistake? Let us know in the comments!

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