What became a huge event in comic book history only came about through the need to fill a gap in planned stories. Clark Kent had revealed his identity to Lois Lane and they were engaged to be married, meetings were held to plan the duos wedding, however they hit a stumbling block as it was announced that Warner Bros. were intending to produce a new TV show (what would become ‘Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman’) and the powers that be felt that the comic and TV show should sync. Eventually 5 years later the comic book and TV wedding did both occur within the same week. In the meantime however there was significant restructuring of the timeline of stories to be planned and an oft joked about idea of killing Superman was brought to the discussion table with serious intent.

The storyline was developed for over a year, with storylines running as normal though issues of the comics began to include shots of a gloved hand punching to escape an underground prison. Doomsday, a newly developed adversary, was coming. On his escape, the almost mute, ferocious monster wrecked havok levelling cities and endangering lives before events over 7 issues of the comic lead to a final confrontation with Superman on the streets of Metropolis. A devastating fight, it was pure and simply the brute force of Doomsdays strength that brought the hero’s end.

In the weeks leading up to the storys publication, word of the plot reached the media with fans showing a degree of scepticism and the story received coverage previously unheard of in the comic book industry. Just as the Christopher Reeve movies saw a resurgence in the popularity of comic books this story revived what was a suffering industry in 1992 and the collected set of comics dealing with Superman’s death sold over 6 million copies and Superman No. 75, the issue of his death, remains the biggest selling comic book of all time.

The story and its evolution and reaction are each ongoing topics of discussion over 10 years later - the creation of a new villain was criticised, though admittedly it was felt Superman’s rogue gallery was lacking an appropriate assailant. So too it was felt the decision smacked of a publicity stunt. DC seem to have managed the promotion of the story carefully so that no one could ever claim they had said his death would be permanent. Whatever the reasons there was no easy solution to events as the comics went on hiatus for 2 months causing further consternation amongst fans. On their re-launch a lengthy story of those attempting to replace Superman and how the world dealt with his death, each DC superhero wearing a black arm band, lead to the Man of Steels eventual revivial, his alien genetics under the yellow sun serving him again, forming the basis for his ‘resurrecton’, the actual details of which are unncecssary here.

Of the stories that have marked out the significance the character can bear on all forms of media this serves as the best example I feel - though I still remember a significant costume change being covered on the 6.1 news a number of years back and so too the wedding issue, attaining record breaking sales, was also a note worthy event. Such strength of brand and image and longevity is hard to match.