| The Superman Family | |
|---|---|
 Cover ofThe Superman Family #164 (April–May 1974), the initial issue published under that title. Cover art byNick Cardy. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| Schedule | Bimonthly #164–207 Monthly #208–222 |
| Format | 100 pages (#164–169) 64 pages (#170–176, 191–204) 48 pages (#177–181, 205–222) 80 pages (#182–190) |
| Publication date | The Superman Family: April/May 1974 – September 1982 Superman Family Adventures: July 2012 – June 2013 |
| No. of issues | The Superman Family: 59 (#164–222) Superman Family Adventures: 12 |
| Main character(s) | Lois Lane Supergirl Jimmy Olsen Krypto Nightwing andFlamebird Clark Kent Superboy Kal-L and Lois Lane Kent |
| Creative team | |
| Written by | List
|
| Penciller | List
|
| Inker | List
|
| Letterer | List
|
| Colorist | List
|
| Editor | List
|
The Superman Family is anAmerican comic book series published byDC Comics from 1974 to 1982 featuringsupporting characters in theSuperman comics. The term "Superman Family" is often used to refer to the extended cast of characters of comics books associated with Superman. A similarly titled series,Superman Family Adventures, was published in 2012.
The Superman Family was an amalgamation of the titlesSuperman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane,Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen, andSupergirl. The first issue, #164, took its numbering fromJimmy Olsen,[1] which had reached issue #163 and thus had the most issues published.[2]Lois Lane ended at #137, while the newly launchedSupergirl book had only made it to #9 at the time. A 10th and final issue ofSupergirl was published five months afterThe Superman Family's launch.
The Superman Family went through two distinct phases. In its inception the three leadsJimmy Olsen,Lois Lane, andSupergirl rotated new stories each issue with reprints for the other characters.[3] The first six issues (#164–169) of the series were in the100 Page Super Spectacular format[4] andNick Cardy was the cover artist.[5] Changes were made in the setting of Supergirl's adventures during the character's run in the title. She moved to Florida to join the faculty at the New Athens Experimental School in issue #165.[6] In an "imaginary story" set in a possible future in issue #200, Supergirl, now known as Superwoman, is depicted as being theGovernor of Florida in her secret identity of Linda Danvers.[7] She leaves Florida and relocates to New York City to become a soap opera actress in issue #208.[8]
After the cancellation ofSuper-Team Family, a Supergirl/Doom Patrol team-up originally scheduled to appear in that title was published inThe Superman Family #191–193.[9] Supergirl battled theEnchantress in issues #204–205[10][11] and teamed with theLegion of Super-Heroes in issue #207.[12]
The Superman Family became the first DC Comics series in the 80-pageDollar Comic format, consisting of 64 pages of new stories, beginning with issue #182 (March–April 1977).[13] With that issue, the "framing element" was removed from the covers, and the book switched to printing all-new material. It became a monthly series in 1981, starting with issue #207.
DC published several other... Family titles concurrently withThe Superman Family. These includedBatman Family (1975–78),Super-Team Family (1975–78) andTarzan Family (1975–76). As a rule, DC's other... Family titles contained mostly reprints and featured a higher page count and a higher price than DC's other titles.
With issue #222 (September 1982),The Superman Family was cancelled and replaced withThe Daring New Adventures of Supergirl, which briefly featured a "Lois Lane" backup series.
In 2012, DC launched a new series titledSuperman Family Adventures[2] written byArt Baltazar andFranco Aureliani and drawn by Baltazar.[15] Baltazar and Aureliani were the winners of the 2011Eisner Award in the category "Best Publication for Kids" for their work on theTiny Titans title for DC.[16] Fuzzy the Krypto Mouse, a character who appeared in a single story inSuperboy #65 (June 1958),[17] inspired a similar character created by Baltazar forSuperman Family Adventures.[18]Superman Family Adventures ended with issue #12.[19]
DC's100-Page Super Spectaculars were proving popular, so DC said goodbye toSupergirl,Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen,Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane, and housed the characters together inThe Superman Family. Continuing the numbering from whereSuperman's Pal Jimmy Olsen ended, the series featured classic reprints with new tales in the lead spot.
DC Comics has revealed the cover to the first issue ofSuperman Family Adventures, the new all-ages title by the formerTiny Titans team of Art Baltazar and Franco Aureliani.
| Characters | |
|---|---|
| Locations | |
| History and themes | |
| Ongoing publications | |
| In other media | |
| Related | |
| Supergirls | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supporting | |||||
| Enemies | |||||
| Titles | |||||
| Other media |
| ||||
