Summary

• DC Comics in 2023 has produced compelling Superman stories like Red Son, Earth's End, Metropolis, Son of Superman, and Kingdom Come.
• These tales explore alternate universes, post-apocalyptic landscapes, future class struggles, and Superman's progeny dealing with his legacy.
• From Russia to an apocalyptic Earth, to future Metropolis, Superman's stories showcase his enduring impact and heroism.

Superman is the father of all superheroes, the face of DC Comics, the leader of the Justice League, the Man of Steel, the starman waiting in the sky. From his first ever comic, fans of Superman have watched him use his vast array of abilities to act as the symbol of hope for civilians and heroes alike.

Whether it be in one world or another, The Last Son of Krypton is always doing something either wildly heroic or impressively powerful, even in stories that exist outside the DC Universe canon. Here are five of the best Superman Elseworlds comic stories.

5 Superman: Red Son

The USSR Man Of Steel

• Publication Date: 2003
• Focus Characters: Superman, Batman, Lex Luthor, Wonder Woman

In Superman’s classic origin story, we see the Last Son of Krypton landing in the rural area of Smallville in America, where he was raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent. But what if Superman had not landed in America? What if, instead, Superman landed in the USSR and was raised by the Soviet government? That is the interesting question that Superman: Red Son answers.

This intriguing Superman tale takes place in an alternate universe where we see different versions of characters from the main DC canon, like Batman, Lex Luthor, and Wonder Woman, as well as famous figures from the past in our world, such as John F. Kennedy and Josef Stalin. The story takes place over five decades and goes through many real historical themes, such as the Cold War struggle between the USSR and the USA and concepts of socialism and Stalinism taking center stage.

In this three-issue miniseries we see DC villains working with the CIA, otherworldly powers aiding the KGB, powerful aliens affecting geopolitical conflicts, and the social collapse brought on by them all combined.

4 Superman At Earth's End

DC Apocalypses

• Publication Date: 1995
• Focus Characters: Superman, The DNA Diktators

When one thinks about the story of Superman, what comes to mind is usually imagery of hope and beauty, the Man of Steel making a world that has the potential to be bright even brighter by his presence and actions. However, some stories see Superman forced to deal with the utter darkness that the world can descend into. One of these stories is Superman At Earth’s End.

The story of At Earth’s End takes place in a post-apocalyptic landscape rife with a mutation, which threatens to destroy this already struggling world even further. Superman’s closest Justice League companion might be Batman, but the droves of bat-men that were scouring the Earth were a much less pleasant sight. This 'Elseworld' is also interesting for featuring an aged, white-haired Superman with a gruffer appearance than usual to fit the apocalyptic themes present.

The story acts as a sequel to the miniseries Kamandi: At Earth's End, another DC Comics tale. It follows events such as Gotham City facing nuclear threats, the death of Batman, the appearance of Adolf Hitler's (of all people) likeness through the leaders of a strange group of villains known as the DNA Diktators.

3 Superman's Metropolis

Trouble In The Big City

• Publication Date: 1996
• Focus Characters: Clarc Kent-son, Lutor, Lois Lane

Whilst he may have grown up in Smallville, Metropolis is Superman’s home. It’s the city where an adult Superman and most of his companions and allies reside, where he works as a journalist for the Daily Planet, sometimes alongside Lois Lane. A story named after the home of the Man of Steel was bound to make for an intriguing Elseworlds tale.

Superman’s Metropolis takes place sometime in the future and sees a divide and class struggle between those considered upper and lower in the city. Of course, Superman would want to rectify any perceived inequalities. Clarc Kent-son, son of Jon Kent (Master of Metropolis) interacts with lower class workers to see what it is like to walk a day in their shoes. Whilst this happens, a corrupt scientist known as Lutor controls the city and wreaks havoc. When Jon and Lutor both develop feelings for the same woman, who ends up picking Jon, Lutor utilizes hypnosis to transform Jon into a puppet he can use to hold Metropolis in a vice.

This alternative universe's Metropolis is rife with chaos, with Lutor conducting kidnappings, social drones afoot, and members of the Kent family getting their hands bloody.

2 Son Of Superman

Jon Kent Adventures

• Publication Date: 1999
• Focus Characters: Jon Kent, Superman

This is another story that deals with Superman’s progeny and another Elseworlds tale in which a character named Jon Kent plays a very important role. Whether it be Superman's biological children or clones of the Man of Steel, it is often a major plot-point that those who come from Superman’s bloodline must struggle with filling the shoes of the world’s greatest superhero. Son of Superman is no different.

A teenage Jon Kent comes to terms with the fact that he is the son of Superman, as the title suggests, and develops the Blue Boy Scout’s awesome list of superhuman abilities. This also happens up to fifteen years after Superman disappears, to make matters more contentious. During this storyline, Jon continues his missing father's work by fighting against a United States government that is in the process of enacting an economic segregation plan.

Jon aids rebel organizations and eventually finds Superman, freeing him from captivity. The Justice League helps defeat the terrorists and foil Lex Luthor's plans to use Superman’s powers. The story ends on a wholesome note, where we see Jon donning his father's uniform.

1 Kingdom Come

Metahuman War

• Publication Date: 1996
• Focus Characters: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Shazam

Among the best of the Elseworlds stories is the 1996 storyline Kingdom Come, one in which readers will not only see the adventures of Superman, but the adventures of an alternate Justice League as a whole. It shows the future of their planet being at stake as a new generation of heroes comes forth.

Superman acts as the main character of this Justice League story, the man at the forefront as the old generation of heroes contends with these newer heroes' differing values that are making the future of their world uncertain. Following the rise of Magog, metahumans who are willing to kill, Superman and the Justice League renounce their positions as superheroes. This leads to a new wave of metahumans with superpowers appearing. A large section of America risks being destroyed by radiation, and death and destruction are commonplace.

The Justice League are forced back into the fold, with Superman re-forming them after leaving Earth for years. In the conflict that ensues, Superman and his side capture the enemy, and influence others to fight for their cause. Bombs are dropped, super-powered rampages are let loose, and the United Nations are involved, making this undoubtedly the most entertaining of Superman's Elseworlds stories.