1938

Action Comics #1 introduces Superman and Lois Lane.

1940

The Adventures of Superman radio serial begins on a five-day-a week schedule. Action Comics #23 introduces Luthor. Superman #7 introduces Perry White.

1941

Superman animated cartoons produced by Fleischer Studios for Paramount. All-Star Comics #7 has cameos of Superman and Batman as honorary members of the Justice Society of America. World's Best Comics #1 (later World's Finest Comics after #2) stars Batman and Superman in separated stories. Superman #13 features the comics debut of Jimmy Olsen.

1942

Superman novel by George Lowther published by Random House.

1944

Mr. Mxyzptlk debuts in Superman #30.

1945

Superboy debuts in More Fun Comics #101.

1946

Superboy moves to Adventure Comics with #103 when More Fun Comics changes to a funny animal format.

1947

Superman and Batman guest star in All-Star Comics #36 with the Justice Society.

1948

Superman, the Columbia movie serial, is released. Superman's origin is updated in Superman #53.

1949

Superboy #1 premieres. Kryptonite first appears in the comics Superman #61.

1950

Atom Man Vs. Superman, Columbia's second movie serial is released. Lana Lang debuts in Superboy #10.

1951

Superman and the Mole Men feature film released.

1953

Superman teams with Batman in Superman #76, as a pilot for their regular team-ups in World's Finest Comics beginning with #71. The Adventures of Superman staring George Reeves in released.

1954

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #1 premieres.

1957

Lois Lane tries out for her own magazine in Showcase #9-10.

1958

Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #1 premieres. Bizarro first appears in Superboy #68. Brainiac and the city of Kandor first appear in Action Comics #242. The Legion of the Super-Heroes first appears in Adventure Comics #247.

1959

Supergirl and Metallo debuts separately in Action Comics #252.

1960

The Justice League of America (an updated version of the Justice Society), with Superman as a member receives a tryout in Brave & The Bold #28-30. Justice League of America #1 premieres afterward. Superman Annual #1 is published.

1962

The Phantom Zone appears in Superboy #100.

1964

"Superman's Mission For President Kennedy" appears in Superman #170. Concerning the government's fitness program, it was originally pulled from publication due to John F. Kennedy's assassination. It was subsequently published at the request of President Lyndon Johnson and the Kennedy family.

1965

Superman cover featured (as well as an interior reprint) in Jules Feiffer's book, The Great Comic Book Heroes, published by Dial Press.

1966

Broadway musical, "It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Superman!" produced. Filmation animates The New Adventures of Superman for CBS-TV's Saturday morning line-up/

1971

Clark Kent becomes a television reporter in Superman #233, in DC's first revamping of the character.

1973

Super Friends from Hanna Barbera premieres with Superman as one of the featured heroes.

1975

ABC Special Presentation shows a version of Superman musical.

1976

Superman meets Marvel's Spider-Man in a giant-size collector's special: Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man.

1978

Superman's 40th anniversary. DC Comics presents begins as a Superman team-up title. The World's Greatest Superheroes Starrinf Superman begins as a syndicated strip. Superman: The Movie starring Christopher Reeve premieres from Warner Brothers.

1981

Superman II debuts from Warner Brothers.

1983

Superman's 45th anniversary. Superman III premieres from Warner Brothers. Luthor and Brainiac redesigned in Action Comics #544.

1984

Superman action figure part of Kenner's Super Powers toy line. Supergirl movie released from Warner Brothers.

1985

Crisis on Infinite Earths #1 premieres to clean up the DC universe. Supergirl dies in Crisis on Infinite Earths #7.

1986

Alan Moore writes the last Superman story in Superman #423 and Action Comics #583. Batman battles Superman in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #4. John Byrne rejuvenates Superman in the wake of Crisis with Man of Steel #1. A new Superman #1 follows with the first Superman series is retitled Adventures of Superman with #424.

1987

Superman IV premieres from Warner Brothers.

1988

Superman's 50th anniversary. Superman animated series from Ruby-Spears is broadcast on CBS-TV while the Supeboy live-action series premieres in syndication. Superman kills three kryptonians in Superman #22, John Byrne leaves the book.

1990

Clark proposes to Lois in Superman #50.

1991

Superman: The Man of Steel #1 debuts.

1992

Superman dies in Superman #75.

1993

Four Supermen claims to be the real one in Adventures of Superman #500. Superman returns in Superman #82. Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman debuts in ABC-TV.

1994

Zero Hour rewrites DC Universe.

1995

Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #1 debuts.

1996

Kingdom Come by Mark Waid and Alex Ross speculates over Superman's future. Clark marries Lois in Superman: Weeding Album #1, in the same week Clark married Lois in Lois & Clark TV series. Superman: The Animated Series is released in Kids-WB.

1997

Superman changes his outfit when his powers became electric in Superman #123.

1998

Superman 60th anniversary. Superman returns to his old costume in Superman Forever #1. Superman fights world hungry in Superman: Peace on Earth by Alex Ross and Paul Dini. Superman's first year is retold in Superman For All Seasons.

2001

Superman's kryptonian origins is retold in Superman #166.