Modern Day Version
In 1986, after the Crisis on Infinite Earths limited series, DC Comics hired writer/artist John Byrne to re-create the Superman character, reshaping the previous 48 years of stories by putting new twists on the established mythos. In the post-Crisis version, as seen in Byrne's introductory miniseries The Man of Steel, Superman—like all post-Crisis Kryptonians— is created through in-vitro fertilization on Krypton. While a fetus, he escapes Krypton's destruction in a spacecraft (his "birthing matrix" with a rocket engine attached), and lands some 50 years later on Earth, just outside of Smallville, Kansas. This Superman is effectively born on Earth and is as much a son of Earth as of Krypton. As in the original version, the Kents find and adopt him and raise him like a normal human. In the retelling, Clark's powers develop gradually, beginning with his invulnerability, and he doesn't fly until he is a teenager. After leaving Smallville, he travels the world before settling in Metropolis, completing his education, and going to work at The Daily Planet. Although he spends months helping people and averting disasters in secret during his travels, Clark does not become a superhero until just before starting work at The Daily Planet, when he prevents an experimental spacecraft from crashing in Metropolis.
The Kents remain alive during Clark's transition to Superman. The post-Crisis comics presented Clark Kent as the "real" person, with Superman the secret identity that he presents to the world to prevent his enemies from harming his family or friends. People do not suspect that Superman is hiding his real identity, because he wears no mask. The concept that Clark is the real man, as well as the greater emphasis on his earthly upbringing, is a deliberate reversal of the earlier pre-Crisis version. Another significant aspect of the post-Crisis Superman's reinvention is a reduced level of abilities compared to his previous incarnation, with powers such as time travel removed outright and other powers — notably his invulnerability and super-strength — vastly reduced. The series also introduces the idea that Superman's invulnerability stems from his body's creating an "energy field" when exposed to solar radiation from the Earth's yellow sun. This energy field lies just above his skin and is used to explain why his costume (excluding his cape) is rarely damaged during adventures. It also explains why Superman is only invulnerable when exposed to the radiation from a yellow sun. The Man of Steel #3 , documents the first meeting between Superman and Batman. Superman attempts to take Batman into custody but in the end realizes why Batman must operate outside the law. Other post-Crisis comics show that the relationship between the two is a trusting one, despite the unease each feels due to the differences in their methods: Superman relies on trust and strength to achieve his goals in cooperation with the law, while Batman relies on violence and fear and operates outside the law. Man of Steel also reduces the emphasis on Superman's Kryptonian heritage. Previous comic books depicted a Superman not only aware of his heritage, but also versed in its language, culture, and other elements. In Man of Steel #6, Superman only first learns of his Kryptonian heritage as an adult when his birthing matrix generates a memory implant. While such Kryptonian technology is able to help bolster his knowledge, the revamped Superman is no longer a completely Kryptonian-educated man. As in the original continuity, Lois Lane is Clark Kent/Superman's love interest. In the early 1990s, Lois and Clark fall in love. Clark soon tells her that he is Superman, which causes a brief strain on their relationship. They eventually marry in the mid-'90s special Superman: The Wedding Album.
Death and rebirth
Main article: The Death of Superman In 1993, DC Comics published the storyline "The Death of Superman", in which Superman and the Justice League fight a character called Doomsday. The story concludes with the Justice League in a hospital while Superman fights Doomsday on his own. Both Superman and Doomsday are killed, taking each other down with their final blows. "The Death of Superman" is followed by "Funeral for a Friend", which chronicles Superman's funeral and examines other characters' reactions to the death of their greatest hero. Next, DC published the "Reign of the Supermen" storyline, during which four different characters — a new Superboy, the cyborg "Man of Tomorrow", the murderous "Last Son of Krypton", and Steel — are introduced as Superman, although none of them is. A de-powered Kal-El later surfaces in a Kryptonian battle suit near the end of "Reign of the Supermen". He wears a black costume with a silver 'S' shield and long hair. The cyborg is revealed to be Hank Henshaw, who allies with Mongul and destroys Coast City. Superman, Superboy, Supergirl, Steel, Hal Jordan, and the Eradicator attack "Engine City" (built on top of Coast City), and the united Supermen defeat the cyborg Superman and destroy his body.
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