The Death of Superman

Guide Note

The Death of Superman was a multi-title story arc during which Superman was forced to fight a seemingly unstoppable alien named Doomsday. The event received a great deal of publicity in media and resulted in a rush to purchase Superman #75, the issue wherein Doomsday delivers the apparently final, fatal punch. Fast Facts:

1. Publisher: DC Comics
2. Schedule: Weekly
3. Format: Standard U.S., 4 color
4. Publication Dates: 1993 - 1994
5. Writers:
   1. Dan Jurgens
   2. Louise Simonson
   3. Roger Stern
   4. Jerry Ordway
   5. Karl Kesel
6. Artists:
   1. Dan Jurgens
   2. Jon Bogdanove
   3. Tom Grummett
   4. Brett Breeding
   5. and Rick Burchett
7. Followed by:
   1. Funeral for a Friend
   2. Reign of the Supermen!
   3. The Return of Superman
8. Complete story arc: The Death and Return of Superman
9. Comic Books:
   1. Superman
   2. Superman in Action Comics
   3. Superman: The Man of Steel
   4. Adventures of Superman

The editorial team at DC Comics had to cancel a year-long story arc involving the development of Lois Lane and Clark Kent's romantic relationship when it was learned that parent company Warner Brothers was already planning a similar story in the television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Facing the need to re-plot twelve issues of four different Superman titles, Jerry Ordway joked, "Let's just kill 'im." This off-the cuff remark began to appeal to editor Mike Carlin, and the plan was set in motion.

Despite the media focus on the death of Superman, DC never intended to permanently kill the Man of Steel. By the end of the year, Superman was restored, with heightened powers and a new, longer hairstyle. Even the alien Doomsday proved to still be alive, and Superman defeated it a second time.