100000 BCE
Kryptonian Civilization Flourishes
The ancient Kryptonian civilization develops advanced technology and culture on the planet Krypton, laying the foundation for Superman's heritage. #krypton #lore )
Chronological Storyline (45 Milestones)
5000 BCE
Founding of the City of Kandor
The great Kryptonian city of Kandor is established, later to be shrunk and taken by Brainiac. #kandor #krypton )
1900 CE
Birth of Jor-El
Jor-El, father of Superman, is born on Krypton. He becomes a leading scientist who warns of Krypton's impending doom. #jor-el #krypton
Jun 1, 1938 CE
Action Comics #1 Published
Superman makes his first appearance in Action Comics #1, written by Jerry Siegel and drawn by Joe Shuster. This debut launches the superhero genre. #superman #comics
1938 CE
Krypton Destroyed
The planet Krypton explodes, and the infant Kal-El is sent to Earth by his parents Jor-El and Lara. #krypton #destruction )
1938 CE
Kal-El Lands on Earth
The infant Kal-El crash-lands in Smallville, Kansas, where he is adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent and named Clark. #smallville #origin
Jul 1, 1939 CE
Superman #1 Published
Superman gets his own comic book series, starting with Superman #1 featuring a reprint of Action Comics #1 and new stories. #superman #comics )
1939 CE
Metropolis Founded (in-continuity)
In the DC Universe, the city of Metropolis is founded as a major metropolis on the East Coast, becoming home to the Daily Planet and Superman. #metropolis #dc )
1940 CE
Lex Luthor Introduced
Lex Luthor makes his first appearance in Action Comics #23 as a genius billionaire and Superman's arch-nemesis. #lexluthor #villain
1941 CE
Jimmy Olsen Introduced
Jimmy Olsen, the Daily Planet photographer and Superman's pal, debuts in Action Comics #6 (though not named until later). #jimmyolsen #dailyplanet
1943 CE
Kryptonite Introduced
Kryptonite, radioactive fragments of Krypton that weaken Superman, first appears in The Adventures of Superman radio serial. #kryptonite #weakness
1945 CE
Superboy First Appears
Superboy (Clark Kent's younger self) debuts in More Fun Comics #101, detailing his adventures in Smallville. #superboy #smallville )
1949 CE
Fortress of Solitude Established
Superman builds the Fortress of Solitude in the Arctic as his private retreat, first appearing in Superman #17 but formally established in 1949. #fortressofsolitude #superman
1950 CE
Lana Lang Introduced
Lana Lang, Clark's childhood friend and love interest, debuts in Superboy #10. #lanalang #smallville
1952 CE
First Superman/Batman Team-Up
Superman and Batman first meet in Superman #76, beginning their iconic partnership. #superman #batman )
1955 CE
Krypto the Superdog Introduced
Krypto, Superman's canine sidekick from Krypton, debuts in Adventure Comics #210. #krypto #superdog
1958 CE
Brainiac Shrinks Kandor
The alien Brainiac shrinks the Kryptonian city of Kandor and bottles it, later discovered by Superman in Action Comics #242. #brainiac #kandor )
1959 CE
Supergirl Arrives
Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) makes her first appearance in Action Comics #252 as Superman's cousin from Argo City. #supergirl #krypton )
1960 CE
Justice League of America Founded
Superman becomes a founding member of the Justice League of America in The Brave and the Bold #28. #justiceleague #superman
1960 CE
Bizarro Created
Bizarro, a flawed duplicate of Superman, debuts in Superboy #68. #bizarro #doppelganger
1961 CE
General Zod Introduced
General Zod, a Kryptonian criminal, appears in Adventure Comics #283. #generalzod #krypton
1961 CE
Phantom Zone Discovered
The Phantom Zone, a parallel dimension for Kryptonian criminals, is introduced in Adventure Comics #283. #phantomzone #krypton
Dec 15, 1978 CE
Superman: The Movie Released
The film Superman, starring Christopher Reeve, is released, becoming a landmark superhero movie and defining Superman's screen legacy. #superman #movie )
1985 CE
Crisis on Infinite Earths Reboots Continuity
The Crisis on Infinite Earths event resets the DC Universe, affecting Superman's origin and history. #crisis #dccomics
1986 CE
Man of Steel Miniseries
John Byrne's Man of Steel miniseries reboots Superman's origin, establishing the modern version of the character. #manofsteel #superman )
Nov 18, 1992 CE
Death of Superman
Superman is killed by the monster Doomsday in Superman #75, in a hugely publicized event. #deathofsuperman #doomsday
1993 CE
Return of Superman
Superman returns to life after being resurrected, with multiple impostors vying for his mantle. #returnofsuperman #superman
1993 CE
Steel Introduced
John Henry Irons takes up the mantle of Steel, a high-tech hero and ally of Superman, debuting in The Adventures of Superman #500. #steel #superman )
1996 CE
Kingdom Come Published
Mark Waid and Alex Ross's Kingdom Come presents an older, darker Superman forced out of retirement. #kingdomcome #superman )
Oct 16, 2001 CE
Smallville TV Series Airs
The television series Smallville debuts, chronicling Clark Kent's early years before becoming Superman. #smallville #tvs
2005 CE
All-Star Superman Published
Grant Morrison's All-Star Superman miniseries redefines the character with a poignant story of Superman's final days. #allstarsuperman #superman
Jun 28, 2006 CE
Superman Returns Film Released
The film Superman Returns serves as a sequel to the original Christopher Reeve films, ignoring Superman III and IV. #supermanreturns #movie
2009 CE
Calvin Ellis Becomes Superman of Earth-23
Calvin Ellis, an African-American Superman from Earth-23, debuts in Final Crisis #7. #superman #diversity
2009 CE
New Krypton Storyline
The New Krypton storyline brings thousands of Kryptonians to Earth, leading to conflict with Superman. #newkrypton #kryptonians
Sep 1, 2011 CE
New 52 Superman Reboot
The New 52 reboots Superman's continuity, introducing a younger, less experienced Superman. #new52 #superman
Jun 14, 2013 CE
Man of Steel Film Released
Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder, reimagines Superman's origin for a modern audience. #manofsteel #movie )
Feb 1, 2016 CE
DC Rebirth Launches
The Rebirth initiative restores classic elements of Superman's lore, including his marriage to Lois Lane and the return of the pre-New 52 Superman. #dcRebirth #superman
Mar 25, 2016 CE
Batman v Superman Released
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice pits Superman against Batman, setting up the Justice League. #batmanvsuperman #movie
Jul 1, 2016 CE
New Super-Man Introduces Chinese Superman
The series New Super-Man debuts with Chinese teenager Kong Kenan gaining superpowers and becoming Superman of China. #chinesesuperman #diversity
Nov 17, 2017 CE
Justice League Film Released
Superman returns from the dead to join the Justice League in the film. #justiceleague #superman )
2018 CE
Krypton TV Series Airs
The television series Krypton explores the history of the House of El on Krypton before its destruction. #krypton #tvs )
Feb 23, 2021 CE
Superman & Lois TV Series Premieres
The television series Superman & Lois focuses on Clark and Lois raising their twin sons in Smallville. #supermanandlois #tvs
2021 CE
Jonathan Kent Becomes Superman
In the comics, Clark's son Jonathan Kent takes up the mantle of Superman for a new generation. #jonathankent #superman )
2023 CE
My Adventures with Superman Animated Series
An animated series _My Adventures with Superman_ premieres, offering a new take on Superman's early career. #myadventureswithsuperman #animated
2023 CE
Superman: Legacy Announced
James Gunn announces Superman: Legacy, a new film set to launch the DC Universe. #supermanlegacy #movie