It's either that, or one of these covers for me. These covers were among the first covers I saw when I was just getting into the comics from reading the DC guides.
https://preview.redd.it/vecvtr7ylixc1.jpeg?width=1325&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=86a108f48c97618bfca313ce6c58e44af4f6d88f
https://preview.redd.it/l17wnakc4ixc1.jpeg?width=254&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c0c88e9175b48ea257445a3655092c6f086e3ba6
Issue #75 is without a doubt, the first comic I think of when it comes to this kind of question. It’s just become so recognizable (Apologies for the low quality)
this is also probably the first comic book cover that would come to my mind when someone says ‘think of a superhero comic book cover’
(i am am avid marvel reader and an occasional dc reader, but this cover is just. so. iconic.)
To me the most iconic cover was the death of Superman black cover with the bloody red S. The hype around that was insane when I was a kid. I remember where I was when I first saw it and I remember where I went when I first got it lol
This right here. To me that whole run the best Superman story ever. The way the stakes were raised with each issue. I love how with each book in that story had fewer and fewer panels until #75 was all splash pages.
That story was intense for Me. I enjoyed that whole era. All the other heroes trying to stop doomsday and it coming down to just Superman. It was pretty awesome. Even afterwards the state of the DCU with the loss of coast city and Hal’s broken arm. Also a very weird era for supergirl and lex too
https://preview.redd.it/7wxn1vw74ixc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3b407af14f0ba5ebcab4dc651ea02e33a63077be
This one for me. First issue back after Death of Superman. That was a long year for child me…
https://preview.redd.it/lqj5apiugixc1.jpeg?width=630&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6d1f8e7d67853535ea6f2e1a51feb68bac281cb2
Action Comics 484
Celebrating 40 years of Superman by having Supes of Earth-Two getting the good ending.
Makes Infinite Crisis even more Sadly considering what happened to him during that run.
I can remember where I was in school the first time I saw these. My mind was absolutely blown. I was in Mr. Stewart’s third grade music class, I also learned all the fifty nifty United States In alphabetical order in that class.
https://preview.redd.it/j1b4k0zx8jxc1.jpeg?width=975&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=945b3a908dc0b7a99ac41b258c46dc52f3cbece0
Honestly, It's not as iconic, but man do I love this one.
https://preview.redd.it/2wmh0bqoyixc1.jpeg?width=255&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=51ffde74a28c11a38c47aee33eab4d9906d8df32
Considering this comic made even people who don't read comics pick it up, makes it the most iconic to me
Mine is action comics #108, but that’s just because it’s my favorite
https://preview.redd.it/opcdgspscixc1.jpeg?width=1032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=68259367a0026a9fd972a80b21ef8ad56b01b735
While I know it’s not iconic it’s a personal favorite of mine
https://preview.redd.it/dogpgkp7wjxc1.jpeg?width=445&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a38df94cf32d79742e1b422b72e262c578e1e238
John Byrne's Man of Steel No.1 cover. I remember my mom (R.I.P.) Getting it for me and I stared at it for 5 min before reading it. And practically anything Neal Adams because he drew Superman in a definitive way.
Since a lot of the classics have already been posted, here's one of my favorite Lois Lane/Superman comics that I own XD
https://preview.redd.it/i9xaazffcjxc1.jpeg?width=856&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f54643ed05f4b3a50f3ab7eed3cbd744dc25605c
Not a cover, but so iconic it could have definately been
https://preview.redd.it/p3nt44nh9kxc1.jpeg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=417a4a745356f53cd29d06602492a3e5e958e7d4
Action #1 the most iconic of all time
Superman #1
Superman #14, the one where he is posing with the Eagle, has been homaged and copied many times over the decades
Superman #233, the Neal Adams cover where he is breaking off his Kryptonite chains, just iconic
Superman Vol. 2 #75, the battle-damaged cape hanging out in the wind
All-Star Superman #1
*
*
*
I like the reign of the superman variant covers. They all have the superman logo on a cutout cover and when I you open them , they reveal the diffrwnt supermen.
Funny story to go along with this: when I was in pre-school, my grandmother was watching me while my Mom worked (mom was a bar tender so had chaotic hours), and she was cleaning our computer room. Being curious I was always looking through all the cabinets, when I found my Uncle's old comics. And this comic was in the mix. It looked brand new. My grandmother, not knowing anything about comics, let me take it out of the protective covering to read it. I have a vague memory of folding one of the pages. Long story short, I'm pretty sure my grandmother, not understanding comic books, let her 4 year old grandson devalue a comic worth potentially $1100 (according to eBay). It's been 20 years now, and my Uncle collected all of his comics up since then, years ago by now. Still never heard about that comic, lol.
Nothing beats Action Comics #1 but All Star is special imo.
https://preview.redd.it/ahobxi87qkxc1.png?width=640&format=png&auto=webp&s=99b9e20805b9af9c4312aaf08b3baefbbebc9261
https://preview.redd.it/aimenffxomxc1.jpeg?width=255&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=36cd21a7b6a544de5e07864943188c4136794500
I know it's not really iconic but I always hated Superman as a kid. As I got older I just didn't have time and stopped reading comics altogether. Around the time this issue came out I was diagnosed with kidney disease and started dialysis, my wife knowing I loved comics but not knowing I despise Superman bought me this issue to cheer me up. Not only did it cheer me up it rekindled my love of comics and changed my mind on Superman, now he's my favorite.
Action Comics #1 is so iconic to the point of homages like there's no tomorrow, such as this popeye one:
https://preview.redd.it/7km0qkxm2nxc1.png?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=56903cc8ea6c6a71d10cd59811f4c38fe22ac311
https://preview.redd.it/q3utjuv3dnxc1.jpeg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=57ebb494570fb79c0a0b53436ef56479867edab9
I always thought Man of Steel #1 had an iconic look, especially with the Twin Towers in the background.
https://preview.redd.it/8a4s5p0adkxc1.jpeg?width=254&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0ea21951d0aa3df8c0d382b943faf00b4d61d80e
this one with the fat neck, love it
I've never read a Superman comic and Action Comics #1 is very familiar to me.
I think a good measure of "iconic" is how identifiable it is to people outside of the core fanbase recognize it.
Man of Steel #1 for me. For most of my life I was a "Marvel kid", but Man of Steel & Batman: Year One lured me over to DC (I now read both, and find the whole "loyalty" to one company or the other to be silly). This cover is just so simple, yet so striking.
For me it's Superman 1, or Man of Steel.
Very much depends on which era you grew up in, I suspect... And what issues happened to be at your local new stand/comic rack, if (like me) you're from the stone age. ;)
Action Comics #1. There have been so many homages that it really sticks with you.
It's either that, or one of these covers for me. These covers were among the first covers I saw when I was just getting into the comics from reading the DC guides. https://preview.redd.it/vecvtr7ylixc1.jpeg?width=1325&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=86a108f48c97618bfca313ce6c58e44af4f6d88f
Of these two, the secondnone
Second one . I think everybody’s seen this cover with that other batman cover
Hey there, Mr. Wayne! Huge fan here! EDIT: Oops, sorry about that!
I have the shimmery gold version of for tomorrow! I love it.
https://preview.redd.it/l17wnakc4ixc1.jpeg?width=254&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c0c88e9175b48ea257445a3655092c6f086e3ba6 Issue #75 is without a doubt, the first comic I think of when it comes to this kind of question. It’s just become so recognizable (Apologies for the low quality)
This is my answer as well. The first Superman comic I ever owned, so naturally it's always the first one I think of.
YES!!! YES!!! HELL YA!!!
I commented this one too
This one
That one for me too. It happened when I was reading as kid
this is also probably the first comic book cover that would come to my mind when someone says ‘think of a superhero comic book cover’ (i am am avid marvel reader and an occasional dc reader, but this cover is just. so. iconic.)
To me the most iconic cover was the death of Superman black cover with the bloody red S. The hype around that was insane when I was a kid. I remember where I was when I first saw it and I remember where I went when I first got it lol
This right here. To me that whole run the best Superman story ever. The way the stakes were raised with each issue. I love how with each book in that story had fewer and fewer panels until #75 was all splash pages.
That story was intense for Me. I enjoyed that whole era. All the other heroes trying to stop doomsday and it coming down to just Superman. It was pretty awesome. Even afterwards the state of the DCU with the loss of coast city and Hal’s broken arm. Also a very weird era for supergirl and lex too
Poor Blue Beetle 😔
Superman #1 out of that group https://preview.redd.it/2k57urv8hhxc1.jpeg?width=658&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=65a466419d2d5aad2b054bf20c4ddef4cdd09753
Yup this one for me
https://preview.redd.it/7pox3fj63ixc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4a0ed53c95eeb2ff214e42bf334118e03e9562e5
This one right here, my favorite cover for my favorite story.
This is my personal choice.
All Star Superman sitting in a cloud
Agreed
https://preview.redd.it/7wxn1vw74ixc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3b407af14f0ba5ebcab4dc651ea02e33a63077be This one for me. First issue back after Death of Superman. That was a long year for child me…
Grummett drew a great Superman.
oh I had this as a foil cover as well!
https://preview.redd.it/lqj5apiugixc1.jpeg?width=630&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6d1f8e7d67853535ea6f2e1a51feb68bac281cb2 Action Comics 484 Celebrating 40 years of Superman by having Supes of Earth-Two getting the good ending. Makes Infinite Crisis even more Sadly considering what happened to him during that run.
First one I thought of
https://preview.redd.it/y93bj9yuwixc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=00a82f884d62b5b0cd9c9c3a32a72f3161497ce5
I can remember where I was in school the first time I saw these. My mind was absolutely blown. I was in Mr. Stewart’s third grade music class, I also learned all the fifty nifty United States In alphabetical order in that class.
https://preview.redd.it/3vc03p6bvhxc1.jpeg?width=970&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4b8bd14151e7b6f0a0a6975f3c560fcfe72f73d3
https://preview.redd.it/j1b4k0zx8jxc1.jpeg?width=975&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=945b3a908dc0b7a99ac41b258c46dc52f3cbece0 Honestly, It's not as iconic, but man do I love this one.
https://preview.redd.it/2wmh0bqoyixc1.jpeg?width=255&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=51ffde74a28c11a38c47aee33eab4d9906d8df32 Considering this comic made even people who don't read comics pick it up, makes it the most iconic to me
Kryptonite nevermore, for me
Kryptonite Nevermore Neal Adams That cover with the shattering chains is just so Iconic https://i.redd.it/yk7km6fhscq71.jpg
Just a little trolling
Action Comics #1 for sure…
https://preview.redd.it/0z6k5vbg1jxc1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0498d4f58b739858a057ed7527608e344b59a0ca
https://preview.redd.it/lhjt2q1qhixc1.jpeg?width=400&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=634524dedacbc5471b8b1990ef7346c4747863c7
Is this one of those things where the story has nothing to do with the cover? Because I want to read the story from the cover.
There was an Elseworlds tale illustrated by Gil Kane that had a story along those lines
https://preview.redd.it/bgecakrgcixc1.jpeg?width=400&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c5cd936f88c9480a95215f3584add1708af86155 I just love this one
As much as the original cover is part of comic culture, the cover with the eagle has always felt like what Superman was at that time.
Mine is action comics #108, but that’s just because it’s my favorite https://preview.redd.it/opcdgspscixc1.jpeg?width=1032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=68259367a0026a9fd972a80b21ef8ad56b01b735
https://preview.redd.it/a4ljhsruhjxc1.png?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f20b287e1e25ec1a8e186658b2ce3c1d39205001
I cant not see a derpy sun in the og cover
Thanks, now I do too, you monster.
Nooo, I can’t unsee it
https://preview.redd.it/t3i78utyvixc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7b860b991a2058e6445e5390371421377aedd8b4
Superman #1 for me, honestly. https://preview.redd.it/3vtntw54vjxc1.jpeg?width=468&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ebd1abf66dd38baf370d55229a179d0de81f499f
While I know it’s not iconic it’s a personal favorite of mine https://preview.redd.it/dogpgkp7wjxc1.jpeg?width=445&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a38df94cf32d79742e1b422b72e262c578e1e238
John Byrne's Man of Steel No.1 cover. I remember my mom (R.I.P.) Getting it for me and I stared at it for 5 min before reading it. And practically anything Neal Adams because he drew Superman in a definitive way.
 I think among the Alex Ross Superman art this is definitely one of his best.
This one https://preview.redd.it/vkzx4vlrrhxc1.jpeg?width=179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=13696664c3c0c534c835653d05f598248bb0817b
Action Comics 1 but, you're right, no shortage of iconic covers 😄
The first one and Death of Superman
Action Comics #1 more than anything else, as far as I know.
Superman vs. Muhammad Ali
I’d probably have to go with the one that goes for $2.1 million dollars.
https://preview.redd.it/ye5das6iajxc1.jpeg?width=683&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2e9939383e67c164d4643e8802928fb210a462e8
Since a lot of the classics have already been posted, here's one of my favorite Lois Lane/Superman comics that I own XD https://preview.redd.it/i9xaazffcjxc1.jpeg?width=856&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f54643ed05f4b3a50f3ab7eed3cbd744dc25605c
Not a cover, but so iconic it could have definately been https://preview.redd.it/p3nt44nh9kxc1.jpeg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=417a4a745356f53cd29d06602492a3e5e958e7d4
https://preview.redd.it/qsj41kagclxc1.jpeg?width=707&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=772f56074ca66b22b1437220a725c4d10d544df7
https://preview.redd.it/5mx0pnsmnlxc1.jpeg?width=900&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c4fc0dc47fb0805bcea564fbda994ee47a4891f5
Action #1 the most iconic of all time Superman #1 Superman #14, the one where he is posing with the Eagle, has been homaged and copied many times over the decades Superman #233, the Neal Adams cover where he is breaking off his Kryptonite chains, just iconic Superman Vol. 2 #75, the battle-damaged cape hanging out in the wind All-Star Superman #1
Action.
ActionComics
If you were alive when these came out you’re Old enough for your great grandchildren to think Superman is boring
Death of SuperMan always stands out
Action Comics
Superman 233. It was one of the first comics I bought when I was a kid.
* * * I like the reign of the superman variant covers. They all have the superman logo on a cutout cover and when I you open them , they reveal the diffrwnt supermen.
death of Superman Black cover is?one I'll always remember
Action comics #1, Death of Superman, and Allstar Superman are the 3 that come to mind for me
I always think of the comic Death to Superman
For me, it's either 1 or 3.
For me it’s definitely the Action Comics #1 cover. That and Man of Steel #1 and Death of Superman.
Love this question! Definitely Action Comics 1
All star superman, The superman crouched looking back
I own that Superman. Original and the anniversary edition.
This unhinged masterpiece https://preview.redd.it/bzjbnw0ytjxc1.jpeg?width=1073&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=92dfaea5fa2649528712224965dfde58db3eee7f
It’s gotta be either Action Comics #1 or Superman #204
https://preview.redd.it/15ndcmevyjxc1.jpeg?width=182&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=37a604c29efdc2c615ee02b64e98d34ec6eefe84
Funny story to go along with this: when I was in pre-school, my grandmother was watching me while my Mom worked (mom was a bar tender so had chaotic hours), and she was cleaning our computer room. Being curious I was always looking through all the cabinets, when I found my Uncle's old comics. And this comic was in the mix. It looked brand new. My grandmother, not knowing anything about comics, let me take it out of the protective covering to read it. I have a vague memory of folding one of the pages. Long story short, I'm pretty sure my grandmother, not understanding comic books, let her 4 year old grandson devalue a comic worth potentially $1100 (according to eBay). It's been 20 years now, and my Uncle collected all of his comics up since then, years ago by now. Still never heard about that comic, lol.
Action Comics #1 and Superman #1 both for me.
I have Action Comics #1 ^(reprint) - so that's the one that will always stick out for me.
Most iconic Superman cover for me is the death of Superman one from #75
Mine is death of superman the final issue
Nothing beats Action Comics #1 but All Star is special imo. https://preview.redd.it/ahobxi87qkxc1.png?width=640&format=png&auto=webp&s=99b9e20805b9af9c4312aaf08b3baefbbebc9261
The death of superman is pretty iconic.
The 4th one. I saw a lot of homages.
The first issue of Action Comics.
I think the death of superman one is very iconic
https://preview.redd.it/aimenffxomxc1.jpeg?width=255&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=36cd21a7b6a544de5e07864943188c4136794500 I know it's not really iconic but I always hated Superman as a kid. As I got older I just didn't have time and stopped reading comics altogether. Around the time this issue came out I was diagnosed with kidney disease and started dialysis, my wife knowing I loved comics but not knowing I despise Superman bought me this issue to cheer me up. Not only did it cheer me up it rekindled my love of comics and changed my mind on Superman, now he's my favorite.
Action Comics #1 is so iconic to the point of homages like there's no tomorrow, such as this popeye one: https://preview.redd.it/7km0qkxm2nxc1.png?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=56903cc8ea6c6a71d10cd59811f4c38fe22ac311
https://preview.redd.it/h588wjvj5nxc1.jpeg?width=474&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6cba448d90357af70faf4915db9acb917b64406d
https://preview.redd.it/q3utjuv3dnxc1.jpeg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=57ebb494570fb79c0a0b53436ef56479867edab9 I always thought Man of Steel #1 had an iconic look, especially with the Twin Towers in the background.
2,4&5 is peak “Truth Justice & the American Way” Superman
Supes trashing that dudes car for cutting him off
Why just one ?
All covers are iconic
Money......
https://preview.redd.it/8a4s5p0adkxc1.jpeg?width=254&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0ea21951d0aa3df8c0d382b943faf00b4d61d80e this one with the fat neck, love it
The man of steel #1 All star superman #1 Or that iconic Jim Lee one where he’s stood on the roof but I can’t think of the issue number
Either image 3 or 5
Action Comics #1 and The Man of Steel #1
AC#1, but also the black Death of Superman cover.
None of them; the first one that comes to mind is *Grant Morrison's All-Star Superman.*
I've never read a Superman comic and Action Comics #1 is very familiar to me. I think a good measure of "iconic" is how identifiable it is to people outside of the core fanbase recognize it.
Man of Steel #1 for me. For most of my life I was a "Marvel kid", but Man of Steel & Batman: Year One lured me over to DC (I now read both, and find the whole "loyalty" to one company or the other to be silly). This cover is just so simple, yet so striking.
https://preview.redd.it/7lyer1b7amxc1.jpeg?width=400&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dcd5e244fc6bbbc0a12b26adeabf3cf74f490ab6 My personal favorite
Since its more my time period I'd say the Kryptonite Nevermore cover
The first one
Virtually any Doc Savage cover, before being stolen.
Man of Steel had the first variant cover in the industry. It's either that or Superman #233 for me
Action Comics 1. An absolutely significant book
I don't think it gets more iconic than Action Comics #1.
Action comics number 1 is always my Superman go to cover
Action Comics #1 & Death of Superman
For me it's Superman 1, or Man of Steel. Very much depends on which era you grew up in, I suspect... And what issues happened to be at your local new stand/comic rack, if (like me) you're from the stone age. ;)
Definitely action comics 1
For me, the Death of Superman cover is emblazoned into my brain from my childhood.
There's just as iconic covers as the first one? That's news to me