Hi all,

Just kind of recently getting back into comics---I read a lot as a kid (late 70's), but I've been out of the loop for quite a while. Anyways, I know that a lot of the Marvel characters like Spiderman, X-Men, Hulk, FF, etc were created in the early 60's, and those early ones are considered classics by the fans. I've got a couple of Marvel Masterworks Volume 1 for those characters, and I love those. But, I don't really know the different Superman eras, as the character has been around a lot longer. I'd like to start with some of the hardcover DC Archives volumes of Superman, but I don't know where to begin. Are the early ones considered classics by the fans and should I just start at the beginning, or would you recommend later volumes? Any favorite eras? Thanks for any replies.

Try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman for a discussion of the eras.

The DC archive seems to be lagging a little - and today's character is very different. Of the 7 available I guess I'd pick one of 2,6,7.

HTH

Post-Crisis

DC Comics also retires the Silver Age version of Superman in 1986 after Crisis on Infinite Earths. Just before the character's revamp, the Silver Age Superman is given a sendoff in the two-part story "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?", written by Alan Moore with art by Curt Swan.

This is indeed an excellent story - well worth reading to get an overview of SO MUCH of Superman's history.

Ahh, thanks for the Wikipedia link, that explains it pretty clearly.

I did decide to start with the DC Archives Superman-Man of Tomorrow--Vol.1, the beginning of the Silver Age stories. That was pretty much what I was looking for, as I liked it when they brought in a lot more of the sci-fi elements to the stories. I think I'll also check out "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?".

You are most welcome.