4. Birthright
This spot was a toss-up between this title and Superman: Secret Origin. Both are reimaginings of Superman's origin in the modern day world and the introduction of several of the supporting characters. The difference between the two is Birthright was meant as a one-off tale whereas Secret Origin, written by Geoff Johns, was meant to be the new origin in DC's continuity, much in the same way his Green Lantern: Secret Origin became the established continuity for Hal Jordan. What is strange about that though is Superman: Secret Origin was written about a year or less before The New 52 started, completely making it null and void. Why I chose Mark Waid's Birthright over Secret Origin and even Grant Morrison's opening arc of The New 52 is because Birthright introduced several new ideas and concepts into the mythology, going so far as to influence this summer's Man of Steel. Introducing the S-shield as the Kryptonian symbol of hope, Clark's journeys before becoming Superman and Lois investigating him before his reveal to the world are only small things taken from this story. Birthright also goes very in-depth into the creation of Clark's bumbling reporter persona and into Lex Luthor's psyche, adding new layers to both characters. The realization that these enemies are both alone in their own way on Earth is a stunning one, but, as Superman rightly points out, it's the choices they each made rather the circumstances which led them to where they are.