Death of Superman, Killed by Doomsday

If you have been curious about the death and return of Superman, prepare for a bumpy ride. Superman “died” around the time that the comic book industry crashed. Batman’s back was broken, Spider-Man was a clone, and Superman was dead. It was a horrible time for comic books.

So who killed Superman, you ask? Was it Lex Luthor? Or a mean person who snuck kryptonite into his lime Jello? No, it was someone whom no one has ever heard of before. A monster named Doomsday killed Superman.

How Superman Died

The death of Superman began in Superman: The Man of Steel 18 and ended in Superman 75. DC was doing what it did best by forcing you to subscribe to 10 different comics to get the full story. Anyway, this monster, Doomsday, was buried underground on Earth for some reason. He was also restrained in some way, wearing a green suit and having these metallic tubes around his limbs. One day, he literally just punches his way out, using one hand.

Of course, Doomsday turns out to be a really bad dude for virtually no reason. He lets a bird land on hand… and then crushes it. The Justice League shows up to try and stuff Doomsday, and Doomsday nearly kills them all, still using just one hand. After everyone fighting for a long time, Superman realizes that breaking the bones sticking out of Doomsday’s skin causes him pain.

Superman and Doomsday both punch each other in the face at the same time and they both die as a result. Seriously. So there you have it, the death of Superman. But Superman returns later, of course.

As the impact of Superman’s death reverberated throughout the DC universe, fans were left in shock and disbelief. The subsequent storyline, titled “Funeral for a Friend,” examined the grief experienced by both the superhero community and the world at large. Eventually, four new characters emerged, each claiming to be the one true Superman reborn. However, it ultimately transpired that the real Superman had never truly died, but instead existed in a state of near-death hibernation from which he was able to recover, proving that even death itself could not entirely vanquish the iconic hero.

In the aftermath of Superman’s return, the storyline explored the ramifications of his apparent death and the actions of the four substitute Supermen. Each of these new characters, while possessing unique attributes and motivations, ultimately proved inadequate in truly replacing the original Superman. The integral role that Superman played in maintaining peace and order became even more apparent during his absence. Undeniably, the legacy of the “Death of Superman” storyline endures, serving as a testament to the immense impact and enduring appeal of this iconic character in the realm of comic books and popular culture.

In Other Media

“The Death of Superman” has found its way into various media adaptations over the years, captivating audiences through different formats.

In 1993, the storyline was transformed into two distinct novelizations, offering fans the chance to explore the narrative in written form. The following year, 1994, saw the launch of a beat ’em up video game, bringing the intense action of the story to gamers.

Fast forward to 2007, an animated film adaptation titled “Superman: Doomsday” hit the screens, presenting a reimagined version of the tale.

More recently, the story was re-adapted into a two-part animated film series. This began with “The Death of Superman” in 2018, followed by “Reign of the Supermen” in 2019, allowing for a deeper dive into the beloved saga.

Here are the key differences between the animated film adaptations of “The Death of Superman”:

• Release Timeline and Format: The first adaptation, Superman: Doomsday, was released in 2007 as a single direct-to-video feature. The second adaptation was split into two parts, with The Death of Superman arriving in 2018 and followed by Reign of the Supermen in 2019.
• Story Condensation: Superman: Doomsday condensed the storyline to fit a 75-minute runtime, resulting in significant alterations. In contrast, the later adaptations stretched the narrative over two films, allowing for a more detailed retelling.
• Faithfulness to Source Material: The 2018-2019 adaptations are noted for adhering more closely to the original comic storyline. They incorporate many beloved moments from the comic that were absent in the earlier film.
• Character Inclusion: In Superman: Doomsday, the Justice League is notably absent, and many elements from “Reign of the Supermen!” were omitted. The 2018 and 2019 films address this by including a broader range of characters and plot points.
• Fan Reception: The later adaptations are appreciated for being less condensed and more comprehensive, capturing fan-favorite scenes that were left out in the initial adaptation.

Overall, while both sets of films tackle the iconic story, the latter adaptations offer a richer and more faithful comic book experience.

Death of Superman Comic Value

In 1992, Superman 75 reached an impressive milestone by selling more than six million copies, making it the highest-selling comic book of that year.

If you have this comic containing the Death of Superman, it probably isn’t worth much. You can check what the going rate is here (affiliate link). You have to keep in mind, there were a billion copies of this comic printed for collectible purposes. And because there were so many copies printed, they no longer became very collectable.

One of the versions they printed was of the comic sealed in a black plastic bag. I remembered thinking as a kid that it was fit for the comic to be sold in a garbage bag because that’s probably where all the copies were going to end up anyway.

The Impact of “The Death of Superman” on Comic Sales

The release of Superman #75 in November 1992 marked a pivotal moment in comic book history. This issue, known for the storyline “The Death of Superman,” significantly boosted sales and doubled DC Comics’ market share that month. The storyline’s success not only heightened public interest in the Superman series but also elevated the stature of Dan Jurgens, propelling him from a relatively average writer and penciller to a star in the comic industry.

Surge in Comic Sales

Following this landmark event, Superman comics continued to dominate sales charts well into 1993. Among the top-selling issues were:

• The Adventures of Superman #500
• Action Comics #687
• Superman #78
• Superman: The Man of Steel #22

These issues consistently held the top spots, showcasing sustained interest in the storyline. Furthermore, the initial releases of the “Reign of the Supermen!” saga were among the bestsellers in June 1993, underscoring the lasting impact of the storyline.

Strategic Moves by Competitors

Recognizing the market shift, Valiant Comics strategically timed the release of Bloodshot #1 and Turok: Dinosaur Hunter #1 to coincide with Superman #75 and The Adventures of Superman #500, respectively. These issues featured enhanced covers to capitalize on the influx of customers drawn by the Superman series, thus capturing additional attention and further boosting sales.

Market Saturation and Decline

However, not all consequences were positive. The massive print runs led to an oversaturation. Retailers and distributors soon found themselves saddled with unsold stock. This oversupply contributed to financial burdens, leading to store closures. Additionally, the quick decline in the collector’s value of early prints—falling to the original cover price within months—disheartened many buyers.

In summary, while the initial sales surge following “The Death of Superman” was remarkable, it also laid bare the challenges of market saturation and the volatile nature of comic book collectible value, which would contribute to a downturn in the industry.