Superman is an ongoing American comic book series featuring the DC Comics. The character Superman began as one of several anthology features in comic book Action Comics this date in 1938. The strip proved so popular that National launched Superman into his own self-titled comic book, the first for any superhero, premiering with the cover date Summer 1939.

Superman also had the distinction of being the first ever hero-character featured in more than one comic magazine. By issue #7, Superman was being hailed on the covers as the “World’s Greatest Adventure Strip Character.” Various characters and story legends were introduced over time: Perry White, a supporting character who originated on the Superman radio program; kryptonite came from the same radio program; and Jimmy Olsen first appeared as a named character in the story “Superman versus The Archer” in 1941. A more detailed origin story for Superman was presented in 1948 to mark the character’s tenth anniversary.  (from Wikipedia)