These groundbreaking classic stories -- which cemented Superman's place as the medium's most enduring hero -- are gathered for the first time in this singular, expansive collection.

Originally published in single magazine form in Action Comics #1-31, Superman #1-7, New York World's Fair comics #1-2. Superman created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster.

Superman, champion of the oppressed! -- Revolution in San Monte Pt. 2 -- The Blakely Mine disaster -- Superman plays football -- Superman and the dam -- Superman's phony manager -- Superman joins the circus -- Superman in the slums -- Wanted: Superman -- Superman goes to prison -- Superman and the "black gold" swindle -- Superman declares war on reckless drivers -- Superman at the World's Fair -- Superman vs. the Cab Protective League -- Superman #1 -- Origin of Superman -- Prelude to "Superman, champion of the oppressed" -- A scientific explanation of Superman's strength -- Superman text story -- Meet the creators -- Superman meets the Ultra-Humanite -- Superman on the high seas -- Superman and the numbers racket -- Superman #2 -- The Comeback of Larry Trent -- Superman champions universal peace! -- Superman and the skyscrapers -- Superman text story -- The return of the Ultra-Humanite -- Superman's Super-Campaign -- Superman and the Purple Plague -- Superman #3 -- Superman and the runaway -- Superman and the jewel smugglers -- Superman and the Screen Siren -- The atomic disintegrator -- Europe at war, part 1 -- Europe at war, part 2 -- Superman #4 -- The challenge of Luthor -- Luthor's undersea city -- The economic enemy -- Terror in the trucker's union -- Carnahan's heir -- Amnesiac robbers -- Superman #5 -- The slot machine racket -- Campaign against the planet -- Luthor's incense machine -- The wonder drug -- New York World's Fair Comics #2: Superman at the World's Fair -- Professor Cobalt's clinic -- Brentwood Home for Wayward Youth -- The Strongarm assaults -- Superman #6 -- Lois Lane, murderer -- Racketeer terror in Gateston -- Terror stalks San Columa -- The construction scam -- The life insurance con -- The midsummer snowstorm -- Superman #7 -- Metropolis's most savage racketeers -- The exploding citizens -- Superman's cleanup campaign -- The black gang -- In the grip of Morpheus -- Afterword by Jim Steranko -- Biographies.