In an era where celebrity couples implode every six months, it’s amazing to see Superman and Lois together after 87 years—and the #Clois spotlight is about to get even brighter. This summer, David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan will put their own spin on the DC Universe’s greatest love affair in DC Studios’ Superman. But if you don’t want to wait that long, don’t worry! We’re here with a full dozen must-read stories for all of you Superman and Lois shippers out there!
“Superman, Champion of the Oppressed”
Relationship Status: Superman meets Lois Lane. Clark and Lois have a (bad) first date.
Where to Read It: 1938’s Action Comics #1
The Story: This historic issue was the first appearance of both Superman and Lois, launching the superhero genre as we know it. Lois Lane reluctantly accepts a date from her coworker Clark Kent, who she despises for his cowardly ways. After some thugs manhandle Lois, Superman appears and makes quick work of them. Lois is speechless, and the first seeds in their long romance are planted.
“The Big Scoop”
Relationship Status: Superman and Lois have their first kiss, and Lois proclaims her love for the Man of Steel for the first time.
Where to Read It: 1938’s Action Comics #5
The Story: Lois Lane heads to Valleyho to cover a story about a collapsing dam. After Superman saves Lois from a flood, the grateful reporter offers her thanks by giving him “a super-kiss for a super-man.” Although Superman protests Lois’s affections at first, the kiss is enough to make him say “wow.” Lucky for Superman, there would be plenty more kisses ahead.
“Man or Superman?”
Relationship Status: Lois Lane first suspects that Clark Kent is Superman.
Where to Read It: 1942’s Superman #17
The Story: When Clark Kent shows up somewhere he couldn’t possibly have gotten to fast enough, Lois Lane begins to suspect his double identity for the first time. It takes some quick thinking and super speed to throw Lois off his scent, but this story wouldn’t be the last time Superman would have to worry about this. Lois would spend years trying to prove Superman and Clark Kent were one and the same, launching one of the best games of cat and mouse in the entire DCU.
“Lois Lane – Superwoman”
Relationship Status: Lois Lane pops the question for the first time!
Where to Read It: Action Comics #60
The Story: Lois Lane receives a blood transfusion from Superman, which grants her incredible powers. The reporter adopts the identity of Superwoman and helps Superman in his fight against the underworld, but the real juice arrives at the end, as she tells Superman that she loves him and proposes marriage. The Man of Steel accepts—but alas, it was all just a dream. This issue was the first time Lois gained superpowers and the first time she proposed to Superman, two things which would become regular traditions during the Silver Age. Speaking of…
“Superman’s Girlfriend Lois Lane”
Relationship Status: Lois and Superman have dozens of engagements, weddings and breakups of all shapes, sizes and intensities.
Where to Read It: Superman’s Girlfriend Lois Lane #1-137
The Story: Superman and Lois’s relationship gets a bit strange here. Throughout the entire series, Lois proposes to Superman thirteen times, Clark/Superman proposes to Lois sixteen times, they get engaged sixteen times, and they have thirteen interrupted weddings. And that’s leaving out all the dreams, robots and other suitors Lois almost married. Lois and Superman’s behavior in this Silver Age title may not hold up to modern day sensibilities, but the comic is still a fun look at a more lighthearted era of their relationship.
“Superman Takes a Wife”
Relationship Status: Superman and Lois get married…….on Earth-Two!
Where to Read It: Action Comics #484 (reprinted in DC Retroactive: Superman – The 70’s #1)
The Story: Set on Earth-Two of DC’s Multiverse (which is inhabited by characters from the Golden Age), Clark Kent loses his memories and powers, causing Lois Lane to see her coworker in a new light. Clark becomes more assertive and uses his platform as a journalist to go after criminals. A romance develops between him and Lois, and the two are soon married. But what happens when Lois finds out her husband was once the Man of Steel, and can she help him regain his memories of the hero he once was?
“The Story of the Century”
Relationship Status: The Post-Crisis first meeting between Superman and Lois Lane.
Where to Read It: 1986’s The Man of Steel #2
The Story: After Crisis on Infinite Earths reset Superman’s history, John Byrne put a new spin on the mythos with the Man of Steel limited series. The second chapter focuses on Lois Lane and her quest to get an interview with Superman. This story borrows from the 1978 Superman film, and it’s hard not to hear Margot Kidder and Christopher Reeve’s voices while you read it.
“The Human Factor”
Relationship Status: Clark Kent and Lois Lane get engaged.
Where to Read It: 1990’s Superman #50
The Story: The Post-Crisis versions of Clark and Lois took a few years to get together, but once they did, Superman knew it was love. After a visit to his parents in Smallville, Clark returns to Metropolis with Martha Kent’s old ring and decides it’s time to propose to Lois. No robots, no Silver Age trickery and no twists—Lois and Clark get officially engaged, and it’s a sweet romantic moment.
“Secrets in the Night”
Relationship Status: Clark Kent finally tells Lois about his double identity.
Where to Read It: 1991’s Action Comics #662
The Story: Superman battles Silver Banshee, but the main event of the story occurs in the final pages. Now that Clark and Lois are engaged, it’s time for him to come clean with her. While visiting Lois at her apartment, Clark Kent reveals that he’s Superman, changing their relationship (and the Superman mythos) forever.
“The Wedding Album”
Relationship Status: Clark Kent marries Lois Lane.
Where to Read It: Superman: The Wedding Album #1
The Story: After decades of “will they or won’t they,” a death and resurrection, and a brief break-up, Lois and Clark finally tie the knot. DC knew this was a special occasion and brought in a team of their greatest writers and artists to make this book extraordinary. The minister was even drawn to look like Jerry Siegel.
“Superman Again”
Relationship Status: Lois and Clark become parents.
Where to Read It: Convergence: Superman #1-2
The Story: In Convergence, Superman and Lois Land find themselves trapped in a dome around Gotham City. Superman has lost his powers and tries to continue crimefighting without them, but an even bigger change is around the corner. During this story, Lois gives birth to Jon Kent, a character who has gone on to become a huge part of the modern DC landscape.
“Invisible Mafia”
Relationship Status: Lois and Clark work on their marriage.
Where to Read It: Action Comics #1004
The Story: Getting married doesn’t always mean happily ever after, and it takes hard work to maintain a family. After a lengthy trip across space, Lois reunites with Superman and the two have a long and intimate talk about the state of their marriage and the next steps they’ll take. Brian Michael Bendis pens a heartwarming tale that captures the heart of Lois and Superman’s relationship and sets the stage for the next phase of their lives.
The journey for Superman and Lois has been romantic, exciting, and full of unexpected twists and turns. Still, the couple have managed to keep things fresh across 87 years of deaths, continuity reboots and other bits of drama. We have no clue what’s in store for Superman’s next 87 years, but with Lois Lane by his side, there’s no limit to what this iconic couple can accomplish.
Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, movies and comics for DC.com, is a regular contributor to the Couch Club and writes our monthly Batman column, "Gotham Gazette." Follow him on Bluesky at @joshualapinbertone and on X at @TBUJosh.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.
