10 Most Devastating Comic Book Endings

Superman wasn't only the first superhero, he was also the most impactful. For a generation disenfranchised by the Great Depression, he became a mythic father figure and a desperately needed a guiding hand. In 1991, DC unveiled plans to kill of Superman in a big event comic to increase deflating sales figures.

In the back of their minds, long-time comic fans knew this was a charade. Superheroes die and are reincarnated all the time, Superman was no different. But there was still a sliver of doubt that permeated their minds. They wouldn't actually do it, would they?

A year later, they did. The beastly character Doomsday was introduced, a Kryptonian monstrosity who was the only being capable of besting Superman in single combat. The Man of Steel met the mindless beast in an epic battle that sprawled across the country. Despite aid from his powerful allies, Superman is only able to defeat Doomsday with one final blow backed with all of his immeasurable power. This, however, leaves him open to a mortal strike from the behemoth that knocks the life out of him.

The story would later continue with the Funeral for a Friend and Reign of the Supermen arcs, but the enduring image that closed out the Death of Superman was of Superman's broken body being cradled by Lois Lane, reassured that he had saved the day one last time.