5. Superman: Secret Identity
(Superman)
Ok, so I’m super totally cheating on this one. This isn’t a story that will help you jump on to the regular Superman titles. Hell, it isn’t even in continuity. But it is a story about the true heart of Superman, and the core essence of the character that I’d recommend if you want to read a true blue Superman comic.
The story follows Clark Kent, but not OUR Clark Kent. This Clark Kent lives in our world, where Superman is only a famous comic book character. As a result, Clark absolutely hates Superman and is sick of everyone making fun of him for sharing a name with a fictional character. And then one day, on a camping trip by himself, Clark wakes up floating fifteen feet above the ground.
As his super powers mysteriously develop, Clark discovers his destiny in a beautiful story that takes place across decades and shows what would happen to a Superman born into the real world. Kurt Busiek and Stuart Immonen turn in a near perfect story that anyone who likes Superman, (and everyone who doesn’t) should read.
