DC is taking Superman back to where it all began this September with Superman: The Stranger, a new six-issue DC Black Label series written and illustrated by Wes Craig.
Set in an Art Deco-inspired version of 1938 Metropolis, the series revisits the earliest days of the Man of Tomorrow while drawing inspiration from the original Action Comics stories and the iconic Fleischer Studios animated shorts. The project presents a fresh interpretation of Superman’s beginnings through a modern lens while embracing the character’s earliest foundations.
For Craig, the appeal lies in stripping Superman down to his most essential elements.
“Superman is my favorite hero. Always has been,” said Craig. “I grew up on Christopher Reeve and John Byrne’s interpretation, then his animated adventures and All-Star Superman as I grew older. His mythology always changing with the times. But the version I love the most and the one that I think, strangely, reflects our modern world best, is the ORIGINAL. You strip away the extra powers, you strip away Ma and Pa Kent, and Smallville and Krypton, you boil it down to that explosive first issue of Action Comics, and you have this vital, powerful myth of a brash young man with incredible powers fighting against a corrupt city. That’s the story I want to tell.”
The series follows Clark Kent at the start of his superhero career. By day, he’s struggling to get by in the growing city of Metropolis. By night, he becomes Superman, patrolling the streets and confronting the corruption, inequality, and suffering that plague the city.
As Clark works to improve the lives of those around him, he begins to question whether his efforts are making a meaningful difference. While he can stop criminals and save lives, larger systemic problems continue to persist, creating challenges that even Superman may not be able to punch his way through.
Joining Craig on the series are colorist Jason Wordie and letterer Tom Napolitano. The debut issue will feature variant covers by Dave Johnson, Goran Parlov, and Ethan Young.
Superman: The Stranger #1 arrives September 2, 2026. The series carries DC’s Ages 17+ designation and will be released under the DC Black Label imprint.
Check out the cover art below.
You must be logged in to post a comment.