Superman has been around for a long time. He's been here through a World War. He's lasted seven decades and counting. So it's safe to say he's been through his share of monumental stories. But the most defining and central Superman comic had to be The Death of Superman in Superman #75 in 1992.
Never had comic books captured the media like they did sixteen years ago in 1992. One of the greatest fictional icons in modern day America died, and the nation took notice. It became a media circus and QVC was doing specials hosted by Dan Jurgens selling copies left and right. This was at the height of the speculator market, and quite possibly the final nail in the coffin that would see the comic industry spiral downwards for a number of years afterward.
But all things aside, The Death of Superman was something to behold. In the story, the villain Doomsday and Superman fight to the bitter end. Neither one of them will give an inch, and Doomsday doesn't seem like he can be beaten. At the close of their battle, both are left dead and laying in the middle of the street in downtown Metropolis.
The powerful imagery of Superman laying battered, bloody and defeated in the arms of Lois Lane, who his holding his head up is phenomenal. Then, as the page is unfolded, Superman's head drops and the tears begin to flow. It had a very spiritual connotation relating it somewhat to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross in the way the death was depicted.
Many praised the story, while many saw it as a cheap promotional ploy. It was actually both, and for a while it succeeded as both. And, as everyone knows, Superman sales hadn't been great and people were bored with the character. So mixing it up like this did something special for the Man of Steel - it got people interested.
Following the death of Superman comic was a story line called Reign of the Supermen in which four new Supermen came on the scene, each claiming to be the real Superman. One was Superboy, who we would later discover was a clone of both Superman and Lex Luthor. Another was John Henry Irons, who later became known as Steel. One was thought to be the true Superman, but turned out to be a Cyborg. And the last was The Eradicator, who ended up being a part of the original Superman's soul, but without the balance humanity had given him.
Later, as planned and expected, the true Superman rose from the grave sporting a new hairdo and donning a new black costume for a while.
Whether the story is viewed as a cheap ploy or a history changing mega story, the fact is that The Death of Superman comic was one hot comic.
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