Are you counting the months until we get a new Superman man film? I have to admit, I actually am. I have faith that writer/director James Gunn could very well deliver something special in Summer 2025 with his DCU film reset, featuring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel.
For those of us who love Clark Kent/Kal-El in his various iterations, I feel confident in saying that there’s no better gift for a Superman fan than Superman: The Definitive History from Insight Editions. This absolutely massive tome, written by Edward Gross and Robert Greenberger, details the entire history of the character, leaving no stone (or Kryptonite) unturned.
Here’s the log line:
Behold the most comprehensive book about Superman ever produced! From Krypton and Smallville to Metropolis and beyond, exploreover eighty-five years of Superman’s history in radio, TV, film, animation, computer games, PSAs, advertising, merchandise and, of course, comics. This ultimate official book features a wealth of unpublished artwork, exclusive interviews, unique bonus inserts, and little-known facts detailing the long and extraordinary history of the world’s first, and greatest, costumed superhero.
Since his 1938 debut in the pages of Action Comics #1, Superman was the very first superhero, and he has become an international icon and a cultural cornerstone, instantly recognizable to audiences everywhere. Following Kal-El from his escape from the dying planet Krypton through his humble beginnings in Kansas to his work as a part-time journalist and full-time superhero in Metropolis, this deluxe edition explores Superman across comics, TV, animation, film, video games, and beyond, creating a compelling portrait of one of the most recognizable characters in the history of popular fiction. Covering the complete history of Superman in vivid detail, this massive tome features exclusive commentary from the key creatives who have been instrumental in building Superman’s iconic legacy. Filled with exclusive insert items and extremely rare replicas, Superman: The Definitive History is the ultimate exploration of the template for all superheroes and his incredible and enduring impact on pop culture.
COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY: Flip through over 400 pages detailing every adventure and incarnation of Superman across comics, TV, animation, movies, videogames, and beyond.
ALL-STAR CONTRIBUTORS: Read essential interviews and insights from those who have shaped the Man of Steel’s journey and cultural impact, including filmmakers, actors, writers, illustrators, and many more.
CAST OF THOUSANDS: Fully explores the entire Superman family including Superboy, Power Girl/Supergirl, the Legion of Super-Pets (Krypto, Streaky, Beppo, Comet, and Fuzzy the Krypto Mouse), Bizarro, and all the Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen comics. Plus, all the key villains: Lex Luthor, Brainiac, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Darkseid, Doomsday, General Zod, etc.
EXCLUSIVE BONUS INSERTS: Filled with pull-out cards, posters, mini-books, and other interactive ephemera that bring the history of Metropolis’s protector to life.
NEVER BEFORE SEEN IMAGES: Revel in exclusive, unseen treasures from the 85-year history of Superman taken directly from DC’s and Warner Bros.’ archives.
I don’t know what I was expecting when I pulled Superman: The Definitive History out of its Superman-logo graced brown box, but I can tell you this book exceeded everything one could hope for. It gorgeously designed, from its slipcase to the pull-outs to the pages in between its covers. “Definitive” is the exact right word.
Insight Editions is one of the great publishers of comic-related titles, on par with the fine folks at Taschen, and they have once again delivered the goods with this new book. Fans of Superman will absolutely spend hours combing through the title, but I’d suggest that Superman: The Definitive History isn’t strictly for fans of the character. As one of, if not the most recognizable icons of modern times, I think that anybody interest in pop culture as a whole would love to receive this book for the holidays. It’s a coffee table book for the masses; just make sure you have a strong table, as again, at nearly 500 pages, this is a massive book.
You can order Superman: The Definitive History here.