There are few characters in comic book history with the legacy of Lois Lane. Debuting right along Superman in Action Comics #1 in June of 1938. From the beginning, Lois has been an intrepid reporter for The Daily Planet and the love interest of Clark Kent. Their relationship has been the standard by which many of the comic book relationships that followed are judged.
With over eighty years of history in her reporter's notebook, Lois has seen and done it all. She's also been portrayed numerous times in radio, film and television adaptations of Superman's story. Without further delay, let's take a look at some of the best and some of the worst versions of Lois Lane.
10 WORST: Golden Age Lois (Comics)
Lois Lane is an integral part of the Superman mythos, but like the Man of Steel himself, she's undergone some changes. Looking back from the perspective of the 21st century, Lois, as she was originally presented in the comics, was a little... old-fashioned.
Styled after a pre-World War II movie serial character named Torchy Blane, Lois was always a reporter and always a love interest for Clark, but early on she was alternately nagging and in dire need of rescue. Like a lot. This version of Lois persisted for decades until more modern sensibilities kicked in.
9 BEST: Noel Neill (Adventures Of Superman)
There have been a lot of Lois Lanes over the years, and each generation tends to have their own Lois. The Baby Boomer generation most likely thinks of Noel Neill when they think of the reporter. Neill played Lois on the 1950s Adventures of Superman television series featuring George Reeves as Kal-El.
Headstrong, intelligent and witty, Neill's Lois was an evolution from the damsel in distress Lois was used to being. And Neill would have known; she played Lois in the 1940s Superman film serials, and later made cameo appearances in a number of Superman projects, including the 1978 Superman film and 2006 Superman Returns.
8 WORST: Amy Adams (DCEU)
No reflection on the actress whatsoever, but the Lois Lane from the DCEU was hit and miss. Presented as a very enterprising and no-nonsense reporter committed to the truth (yay!) she ultimately becomes the stereotypical damsel in distress that early comic book Lois was (no!).
Lois is made the bait in a needlessly complicated and convoluted trap by Lex Luthor in Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, and then pretty much is a bystander in Justice League as everyone else brings back her boyfriend.
7 BEST: Teri Hatcher (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman)
The first TV Lois Lane in decades, Terri Hatcher brought a sexy, comic vibe to the character that distinguished her from every version that came before. The gung-ho reporter side of Lois was emphasized in the 90s series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, even as the romantic aspect of her and Superman's relationship became much more front and center.
Lois wasn't just the girlfriend or damsel; she was an undercover reporter who made her stories and made her own way. Her independence and grit separated her from the pack, and for an entire generation who went without a Superman movie, Terri Hatcher is their Lois Lane.
6 WORST: Silver Age Lois (Comics)
This one is not... good. So we've established Lois Lane has been on a journey of sorts from her damsel in distress origins to her progressive and independent present. Most of that evolution has been good. But not all of it.
One of the most headache-inducing moments in the character's history and perhaps all of comics was when Lois decided to become an African-American. Civil rights and race relations were certainly ambitious for comics in 1970, especially when Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #106 hit newsstands. Despite its - charitably - good intentions, the comic falls flat on its face with its myopic approach to the subject.
5 BEST: Erica Durance (Smallville)
Smallville was presented as a stripped-down take on the Superman legend, focusing on Clark's upbringing in his hometown. Necessarily, this left Lois out as he didn't meet her until he went to Metropolis and started working at The Daily Planet. But that didn't stop Lois from making her mark on the show.
Erica Durance debuted in the show's fourth season, as a bit more of a tomboy than we had been used to with Lois. Strong yet vulnerable, Erica Durance's Lois endeared herself quickly to fans, graduating from a recurring character to a regular in swift order.
4 WORST: Megan Fox (Robot Chicken)
Shrill, selfish and ignorant, the Lois Lane Megan Fox portrays in a few Robot Chicken sketches isn't even funny. While not the worst version - we're getting to that - she provides stiff competition. The point of Robot Chicken is to parody well-known characters and tropes, which it did fantastically. But with Lois, there's nothing recognizable.
She's isn't an exaggerated damsel in distress or super-aggressive reporter. Here, she's just a huge jerk who forces her superpowered husband to use his powers to make up for the fact she forgot to Tivo an episode of Top Chef. That's right. Top Chef.
3 BEST: Dana Delaney (Superman: The Animated Series)
You can't go wrong with Dana Delaney in general, and the '90s Superman: The Animated Series did right by casting her as Lois Lane. Her Lois is equally a throwback to earlier versions with her vaguely '40s Noir-ish depiction and the competitive streak of Margot Kidder (hey, she must be on this list somewhere!), but Delaney's Lois is much more her own woman.
Double entendres are as much a part of her arsenal as pen and paper. She also throws a few elbows, ribbing Clark for his small-town roots at the same time she calls out his privilege for getting assignments that she wanted. You could argue her Lois arrived a little too soon, but she's an all-time classic.
2 BEST: Kate Bosworth (Superman Returns)
Superman Returns seems to have been ill-fated from the jump. On paper, it's a solid idea. In execution, it's another matter entirely and nowhere is that more evident than the casting of Kate Bosworth.
She portrays none of the brassy nerve of the character and is regulated to being a damsel in distress - again - as first Superman saves her from a doomed airplane, and then their son, from some rather pedestrian thugs. The character, like the film, just doesn't work on any level. On any list, you'll find Bosworth at the top (or bottom) of least liked Lois Lane's.
1 BEST: Margot Kidder (Superman: The Movie)
While not perfect (she can't spell?), the best Lois Lane by far is Margot Kidder. The trick to any depiction of the character lies in walking the thin line between independent heroine and partner to Superman. Kidder does it with aplomb in 1978's Superman: The Movie, taking charge of stories and events while still being okay with being rescued. Maybe a little too okay, sometimes.
Kidder set the bar high, so high most every modern portrayal of Lois Lane is judged by her. Though the films introduced some crazy concepts and didn't take advantage of all of the incredible talent at their disposal, there is no better representation of Lois Lane on screen or in the comics.