While today is Superman's 75th Anniversary, we shouldn't forget that it is also Lois Lane's 75th Anniversary.
Here, then, are the results of a reader poll we did back in 2011 of the Greatest Lois Lane Stories Ever Told!
10. Action Comics #484 "Superman Takes a Wife"
The first and perhaps the best marriage between Superman and Lois Lane, this story works under an intriguing premise of Clark Kent losing his memory of being Superman. No longer knowing that he has to keep his Clark Kent meek and mild-mannered, Clark becomes bolder and eventually woos and marries Lois Lane (who, in a nice twist from writer Cary Bates, discovers that Clark is Superman before Clark even realizes it!).
9. Superman #168/Detective Comics #756 "With This Ring..."
Lois and Batman team-up to get back the Kryptonite ring from Luthor's possession.
8. Adventures of Superman #627-632 "Unconventional Warfare"
In Greg Rucka's opening arc on Adventures of Superman, he has Lois Lane risk her life on the frontlines by reporting on a conflict in the Middle Eastern country known as Umec.
7. Showcase #10 "The Sightless Lois Lane"
In this utterly charming story by Jerry Coleman, Lois loses her sight and is amazing in the amount of courage that she shows in her resolve. Then there's a bit where she gets her sight back and discovers Superman's secret identity, but that's not as important as the depth of characterization Coleman gives her in this tale.
6. Action Comics #6 "Superman's Phony Manager"
The introduction of the manipulative "do anything to get a story" Lois Lane that would become such a standard for the next 20 years or so.
5. Showcase #9 "The New Lois Lane"
In her first solo comic book, Lois Lane shines in this Otto Binder tale about Lois Lane choosing to, well, not be the manipulative "do anything to get a story" Lois that she had been for the past couple decades. The casual parody of earlier Lois stories is quite remarkable.
4. Lois Lane #1-2
In a fairly dark story by Mindy Newell and Gray Morrow, Lois Lane gets caught up with investigating a child abduction ring. Our own Kelly Thompson has a nice write-up of the series here.
3. Wonder Woman #170 "She's a Wonder!"
In this compelling one-off story co-written by Phil Jimenez and Joe Kelly, Lois does a feature on Wonder Woman, so the comic shows them spending the day together, giving us insight into both characters.
2. Man of Steel
Man of Steel #2 got the most votes, but #4 got enough support that I figured I would just do the whole mini-series here. John Byrne gives Lois a whole lot of awesome moments in this series, from her spotlight in #2 to her classic moment standing up to Lex Luthor in #4 (where she returns the present he gave her - even though it happens to be the dress that she was currently wearing! We need to see that moment done on TV or film. It would KILL!).
1. All Star Superman #2-3 "Superwoman"
In this two-parter by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, Superman takes Lois Lane to the Fortress of Solitude and then gives her superpowers for a day in this love letter to the Silver Age by Morrison and Quitely.
Okay, that's the list! Agree? Disagree? Let me know!
Happy Anniversary, Lois!