Superman is a fictional superhero created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. He first appeared in Action Comics #1, published by DC Comics (then National Allied Publications) in April 1938, with a cover date of June 1938. The character was an instant success and is widely credited with launching the superhero genre and the Golden Age of Comic Books.
Born on the doomed planet Krypton, the infant Kal-El is sent to Earth by his scientist father Jor-El, where he is found and adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent. Raised as Clark Kent in Smallville, Kansas, he discovers he possesses extraordinary powers under Earth's yellow sun, including superhuman strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, and X-ray vision. As an adult, he moves to Metropolis and adopts the dual identity of mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent and the costumed hero Superman, dedicating his life to protecting humanity.
Superman's iconic status has made him one of the most recognizable and influential fictional characters in the world. His symbol, the S-shield, and his red-and-blue costume have become cultural touchstones. The character's mythology has been expanded over decades through thousands of comic books, introducing a vast supporting cast including Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, and arch-nemesis Lex Luthor, as well as concepts like the Fortress of Solitude and the bottled city of Kandor.
