The Superman Family | |
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Cover of The Superman Family #164 (April–May 1974), the initial issue published under that title.
Cover art by Nick Cardy. |
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Publication information | |
Publisher | DC Comics |
Schedule | Bimonthly #164-207 Monthly #208-222 |
Format | 100 pages (#164-169) 64 pages (#170-176,191-204) 48 pages (#177-181,205-222) 80 pages (#182-190) |
Publication date |
The Superman Family: April/May 1974–September 1982 Superman Family Adventures: July 2012 - June 2013 |
Number of issues |
The Superman Family: 59 (#164-222) Superman Family Adventures: 12 |
Main character(s) |
Lois Lane Supergirl Jimmy Olsen Krypto Nightwing and Flamebird Clark Kent Superboy Kal-L and Lois Lane Kent |
Creative team | |
Writer(s) |
List
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Penciller(s) |
List
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Inker(s) |
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Letterer(s) |
List
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Colorist(s) |
List
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Editor(s) |
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The Superman Family was an American comic book series published by DC Comics from 1974 to 1982 featuring supporting characters in the Superman comics. The term "Superman Family" is often used to refer to the extended cast of characters of comics books associated with Superman. A similarly titled series Superman Family Adventures was launched in 2012.
The Superman Family was an amalgamation of the titles Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane, Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen, and Supergirl. The first issue, #164, took its numbering from Jimmy Olsen, which had reached issue #163 and thus had the most issues published. Lois Lane ended at #137, while the newly launched Supergirl book had only made it to #9 at the time. A tenth and final issue of Supergirl was published five months after Superman Family's launch.
The Superman Family went through two distinct phases. In its inception the three leads Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, and Supergirl rotated new stories each issue with reprints for the other characters. The first six issues (#164-169) of the series were in the 100 Page Super Spectacular format and Nick Cardy was the cover artist. Changes were made in the setting of Supergirl's adventures during the character's run in the title. She moves to Florida to join the faculty at the New Athens Experimental School in issue #165. In an "imaginary tale" set in a possible future in issue #200, Supergirl, now known as Superwoman, is depicted as being the Governor of Florida in her secret identity of Linda Danvers. She leaves Florida and relocates to New York City to become a soap opera actress in issue #208.
After the cancellation of Super-Team Family, a Supergirl/Doom Patrol team-up originally scheduled to appear in that title was published in The Superman Family #191–193. Supergirl battled the Enchantress in issues #204–205 and teamed with the Legion of Super-Heroes in issue #207.