Superman is a DC Comics character.
Action Comics . The publisher was originally known as National Allied Publications , and later as National Comics Publications and as National Periodical Publications , before taking on its current name of DC Comics . Man of Steel is a 2013 superhero film featuring the DC Comics character Superman . Superman . They sold Superman to Detective Comics , the future DC Comics , in 1938 . Superman debuted in Action Comics # 1 ( cover-dated June 1938 ) and subsequently appeared in various radio serials , newspaper strips , television programs , films , and video games . A close ally of Batman and Wonder Woman , he is typically depicted as a member of the Justice League .