Superman is a superhero who first appeared in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, debuting in Action Comics #1 in June 1938. Superman is widely considered one of the most iconic and recognizable fictional characters, often credited with establishing the superhero genre. The character's origin story involves Kal-El, the last son of the planet Krypton, who is sent to Earth as a baby and raised as Clark Kent in the small town of Smallville, Kansas. Possessing superhuman strength, speed, flight, and other abilities under Earth's yellow sun, he uses his powers to protect humanity, often adopting the secret identity of a mild-mannered reporter for the Daily Planet newspaper. Superman's mythology has expanded over decades, introducing key elements such as the planet Krypton, the villain Lex Luthor, his love interest Lois Lane, and the Justice League. The comic book series has run continuously, with numerous reboots and reinterpretations, making Superman a cornerstone of popular culture.
