Home > Comics > Superman Family of Comics > Golden-Age Superman Comics: 1938-1958

This is a selection of Superman Comics from the Golden Age (with GEMs highlighted).  The list includes links for the following: (a) Wiki page (from the Grand Comics Database, or GCD), (b) e-book (available upon request), and (c) More info on each comic (via optional posts by various contributors).

Please note that the list is sortable by each column. (Multiple levels of sorting are possible by sorting more than one column in succession, from lowest to highest.)  You can also do an instant filtering of the table by entering a character string in the ‘Search’ field.

The Golden Age began with the creation of Superman by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and his introduction to the world in the landmark Action Comics #1.  Superman was a big hit from day one, and over the next two decades his popularity continued to rise steadily and he became an American institution.  The Superman stories in this era are characterized by their everyday plots dealing with gangsters, criminals, corrupt politicians, and the like, rather than the supervillains and aliens that would come to be common in later eras.  For much of this era, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were still directly involved in the Superman comics in one way or another, though the presence of other writers and artists was increasing.

Over the next two decades after his debut, the Superman legend grew with the fleshing out of his origin story and the introduction of his teenage version called Superboy.  Other milestones during this period included the introduction of Kryptonite, an array of Kryptonian survivors and many memorable villains (such as Lex Luthor and Mr. Mxyzptlk).  A new aura of tragedy was added to the comic via an emphasis on Krypton’s destruction and Superman’s lost heritage.  Also, Superman’s secret identity of Clark Kent was given greater prominence: along with his foster parents Jonathan and Martha Kent, his circle of friends expanded (Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Lana Lang, etc.).

The Golden Age came to a close with Mort Weisinger taking over the editorship of the entire family of Superman comics, marking the beginning of the Silver Age.  For more details on the Golden Age of Superman comics, please see this link.

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