The Adventures of Superman
by George Lowther

First published in 1942, this novel deals with Superman's origin before settling into a wartime tale of Nazi saboteurs and "haunted" shipyards, with rescues and super-feats galore. Written by "Adventures of Superman" radio show scriptwriter George Lowther, the book establishes many details of the Superman legend for the first time, some of which will be adopted into the canon, the rest altered and tweaked in later years but still owing a debt to Lowther. Included here are the first references to "Jor-el and Lara" (as opposed to the original Jor-L and Lora) and the first recorded account of Superman's childhood on the Kent farm. Superman co-creator Joe Shuster provides the illustrations, some in the form of painted color plates. Originally marketed as a kid's book, it's been recreated down to the dust jacket and typeface by Applewood books.

Cost: $ 17.95
Status: Should be available at a book store near you.

Kingdom Come
by Elliot S. Maggin

The much-hyped comic book miniseries is adapted into a novel by ex-Superman scripter Elliot S. Maggin. Like the original, it deals with a dystopian future wherein an over-abundance of superheros cause the world more troubles than they solve. Superman appears as an almost Messianic figure, representing the first, presumably purer generation of super-beings and trying to restore order. Many elements of the original series rang false to me, but with the luxury of space (337 pages with few illustrations), Maggin manages to sew up many of the loose ends and shed light on the motivations behind seemingly out-of-character actions. Superman in particular benefits from this fleshing-out. If you didn't read the comic version and/or aren't familiar with the current state of American comics (for which this is all allegory), then this probably isn't for you. But Maggin still reigns as one of the great Superman writers, and for that reason alone this is a worthy passtime for completists.

Cost: Originally $20.00
Status: Check the bargain bins at a book store near you.

Superman: Last Son of Krypton
by Elliott S. Maggin

Published to coincide with the 1978 release of "Superman: The Movie," this book looked for all the world like a novelization of the film. It is nothing of the kind. The Superman in these pages is strictly the comic book version, circa mid-70s. Clark Kent is working as a TV anchorman for Galaxy Broadcasting, and ex-jock/sportscaster Steve Lombard is still making his life miserable. The story ranges from 1950s Smallville (where yes, Virginia, there was a Superboy) to the far reaches of space, with appearances by Jor-El, Albert Einstein and of course Lex Luthor as only Elliot Maggin could write him. This remains the best Superman novel to date. Rumor has it a reprinting was in the works until DC Comics backed out of the deal. As it stands, you have a fair chance of finding a dog-eared paperback copy at your favorite second-hand bookstore or comics shop.

Cost: Originally $2.25
Status: Should turn up with some digging.