For decades, Superman has stood as one of the most popular comic book heroes ever. Early on, the character helped popularize the medium and remains among the biggest American icons of all time. While the character has been consistently reimagined on the page, he has sporadically appeared on film and television as well. With Henry Cavill reprising his Man of Steel role in next year’s Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, let’s take a stroll down memory lane and investigate the last son of Krypton’s greatest hits on the small screen.

The Adventures of Superman (1952-1958)

Long before Christopher Reeve created the definitive live-action version of the character, this hit show proved that Superman’s widespread popularity was on a definite upswing. Starring George Reeves as the Man of Steel, the black-and-white adventure series marked the character’s debut on television, following his successful movie serials and radio dramatizations. Many of the most familiar elements of Superman mythos remain intact here, including his secret identity as Clark Kent and close relationship with fellow Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane. During its run, Phyllis Coates was replaced by Noel Neill as Lane, and the hero’s battles with the criminal underworld of Metropolis became more family-friendly. It may not be the most ambitious or visually bold series the character would appear in, but The Adventures of Superman is an integral part of Kal-El’s history and undoubtedly helped foster a generation of fans.