Superman is the original superhero, and any costumed do-gooder who’s been around for over eight decades is bound to have several team-ups in their belt. In fact, joining forces with other heroes has been an essential component of the Superman mythos since the character’s earliest years.
The Man of Steel has had many comics dedicated to team-ups, including World’s Finest Comics, Superman/Batman, and DC Comics Presents which paired Superman with a different ally in every issue. Even his solo titles often feature guest stars from every corner of the DC Universe, so readers looking for the best Superman team-up stories have a wide selection to choose from.
10 Superman & Sgt. Rock In… The Miracle Man Of Easy Company
The Miracle Man Of Easy Company was the feature story that ran in DC Comics Presents #10. This Superman/Sergeant Rock team up was written by Cary Bates, one of the most prolific Superman scribes of the Bronze Age, and penciled by Joe Staton.
Joe Kubert’s Sgt. Rock comics chronicles the World War II era exploits of the eponymous military man and his Easy Company. In this issue, a bomb blasts Superman back in time. As he works to remember who he is, Superman teams up with the Sergeant and his soldiers and joins the war against the Nazis. After his memory returns, Superman finishes his mission, and journeys back to the present.
9 Superman & Batgirl In… (Almost) The World’s Finest Team
Writer Mark Millar enjoyed an Eisner Award-winning run on Superman Adventures, a comic book tie-in to Superman: The Animated Series, and this Batgirl team up from issue 25 remains a standout. (Almost) The World’s Finest Team delivers on the delightful premise that the Mad Hatter has taken Bruce Wayne hostage and will only release him if the Batman surrenders himself.
This situation poses an obvious problem to Gotham’s costumed crusaders, and Batgirl is forced to enlist the help of Metropolis’ Man of Steel. Artist Mike Manley, working within the mold of Bruce Timm’s character designs, uses his excellent cartooning skills that land every punchline and punch-up.
8 Superman & Cave Carson In… Have I Ever Told You About The Time I Saved Superman
Cave Carson is the DC Universe’s premier spelunking superhero, which is a sadly underutilized niche in the comic industry. Marv Wolfman and Gil Kane briefly resurrected the character during their Action Comics run, establishing that Cave once saved Superman’s life.
When Cave Carson finally received an ongoing series, courtesy of Gerard Way’s Young Animalimprint, the cave dwelling hero spends six issues bragging about the incident. In Cave Carson Has A Cybernetic Eye #7, co-writers Gerard Way and Jon Rivera, and artist Michael Avon Oeming, finally detail exactly how The Man of Steel came to owe Carson his life.
7 Superman & Batman & Robin In… The Composite Superman
The Composite Superman was 50% Superman, 50% Batman and a 100% evil. Legendary Silver Age creative team Edmond Hamilton and Curt Swan introduced the distinctive rogue in World’s Finest Comics #142.
Over the course of the double length feature, Superman, Batman, and Robin pursue the trail of Joe Meach who accidentally acquires all the powers of the Legion of Superheroes and uses them to plague the heroes. The climax of the story takes place in the villain’s Composite Castle, and delivers one of Swan’s best drawn action sequences.
6 Superman & Superwoman In… Welcome To Luthorcon III
In DC Comics Presents Annual #4, writer Elliot S! Maggin collaborated with artist Eduardo Barreto to craft a sequel to his much revered prose novel Superman: Miracle Monday. The novel also featured Kristin Wells, a time traveling historian and the Superwoman of Tomorrow.
Wells’ latest research trip back to Superman’s timeline leads to her developing amnesia and ending up at Luthorcon III, a convention dedicated to honoring Lex Luthor. A disguised The Man of Steel is in attendance, but so is his arch nemesis Luthor, creating the perfect set up for an epic confrontation and a few cheeky gags.
5 Superman & Batman & Friends In… The Superman/Batman Split
The Superman/Batman Split was a story that appeared in World’s Finest Comics #176, written by Cary Bates and illustrated by Neal Adams. In this tale, two warring aliens recruit Superman and Batman to aid them, resulting in DC’s finest heroes ending up on opposing sides.
But it’s not just the Man of Steel and The Dark Knight who exchange blows. The comic also features a showdown between Supergirl and Batgirl while Jimmy Olsen and Robin (Dick Grayson) team up to deescalate the situation. Fortunately, not all is as it seems.
4 Superman & The Flash In… Who Is The Fastest Man Alive?
Who’s faster, Superman or The Flash? The question has plagued superhero fans since the Silver Age. DC dedicates several comics to settling that debate by getting The Man of Steel and The Scarlett Speedster to engage in a conclusive race.
The tradition of races between Superman and the Flash was established in Superman #199 by writer Jim Shooter and artist Curt Swan. Although the heroes conduct the race in order to collect money for charity, the duo must also defeat the criminal element operating behind the scenes.
3 Superman & Batman In… Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One
Ben 10 co-creator Joe Kelly teamed up with a group of artistic talent to retell the events of Superman #67 which depicted Superman and Batman’s first meeting. In Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One, published in Superman/Batman Annual #1, Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne are forced to share a room after being double booked on a cruise ship.
Kelly and his collaborators really exploit this humorous set up, especially when the heroes compete for the attention of Lois Lane. As for guest starts, this comic also includes appearances from Deathstroke, Owlman, and a mercenary who bears a suspicious resemblance to Marvel’s Deadpool.
2 Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman & Robin In… For The Man Who Has Everything
Alan Moore’s small body of Superman comics left a significant impression on the character. For Superman Annual #11, Moore teamed with his Watchmen collaborator Dave Gibbons to produce For The Man Who Has Everything.
The influential comic is an account of Superman’s birthday party. When Wonder Woman, Batman, and Robin show up at the Fortress of Solitude, they discover the Man of Steel has been trapped by the alien tyrant Mongul. The story gives readers an insight into Superman’s greatest anxieties and forever changes how the planet Krypton is depicted.
1 Superman & Santa Claus Save The Holidays
The very first Superman team up story remained one of the best and became a perfect Holiday gift for any Superman fan. Superman’s Christmas Adventure Vol. 1 #1 was published in 1940, written by Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel, and penciled by Jack Burnley, whose work was based on co-creator Joe Shuster’s art style.
This simple story is a perfect display of Siegel’s formula for Superman. An optimistic tale with a playful sense of humor, it depicts sincere social justice concerns and wild imagination. Plus, who doesn’t want a team up between the North Pole’s most famous flying residents?