1. All Star Superman
Writer: Grant Morrison Artist: Frank Quitely
Where do I start with this book? It's a 12 issue mini-series from DC's now defunct All Star line where hugely popular creators were teamed with DC's biggest characters. And while All Star Batman and Robin was an unmitigated disaster thanks to Frank Miller's continued descent into insanity, All Star Superman was the complete opposite, becoming not only the pinnacle of Superman comics but a masterclass in comics writing and storytelling. The Man of Steel saves a science vessel from burning up in the sun but in the process becomes poisoned by the sun's solar radiation - Superman gets cancer, and there's no cure. Over the 12 issues we see Superman doing everything he can to set the world right before he goes and say his goodbyes to his loved ones. There aren't many flawless comics, let alone flawless superhero comics, but this is definitely one of them. From the opening sequence which is just four panels and eight words depicting Superman's origins, you know you're in the hands of true artists who know exactly what they're doing. Each issue pays tribute to an integral part of the character from Superman revealing his true identity to Lois, to Clark saying goodbye to his father Jonathan, to a whole issue devoted to Jimmy Olsen (whose introduction in drag is outstanding). There's an amazing sequence where Clark visits Lex in jail while a riot is in progress and manages to save Lex's life "by accident" numerous times using his powers while appearing to be clumsy old Clark Kent at the same time. It's a fantastic juggling act that is just one gem of a sequence out of many. And there are truly beautiful moments like when Superman saves a suicidal teen from jumping off of a building by telling her it's never as bad as it seems and that she's stronger than she seems. Moments like this show you the true character of Superman, that he cares so much about everyone, which is what makes him so great - not his powers, but his humanity.
While there is some great action in this comic like the Bizarro issue, this book reminds us that Superman is also a genius, that he's smart and cares about science like his father Jor-El. He maps out the Kryptonian genome before he dies and even sets free the citizens of Kandor (on Mars). If you're a long-time Superman fan, you'll get a lot out of this as Morrison and Quitely go nuts with the references from way back when, but Morrison writes this in such a way that a totally new Superman reader can pick this up and enjoy it immensely without knowing a thing about the character or his world. If you read only one Superman book, make it All Star Superman. * What did you think? Your favourite Superman title not on the list? Let me know in the comments what your list would be.