Every superhero needs love just as much as they need a secret identity. However, dating as a caped crusader comes with its unique share of challenges. These challenges are something the Man of Steel has experienced quite a few times since his first appearance in 1938's Action Comics #1 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
Superman has found love in the comics with his longtime crush Lois Lane as well as lesser-known heroines like his fellow meta-human Luma Lynai. However, live-action versions of the character have also romanced a few other characters in TV and movie adaptations as well.
Updated on October 25, 2022 by Scoot Allan: Herny Cavill recently announced his return as the Man of Steel in the DCEU, exciting fans but raising a few questions. It's unclear where Cavill's return fits in the ever-changing framework of the DCEU, or if other characters like Amy Adams's Lois Lane will be returning as well. There are quite a few former lovers and flirtatious romances in Superman's past from comics and other adaptations who could appear instead of Lois Lane.
13 Sally Selwyn
First Appearance: Superman (Vol. 1) #165, by writer Jerry Siegel and penciler/inker Al Plastino
While most of Clark Kent's love interests have been memorable for the Man of Steel, he has little memory of his time with Sally Selwyn. She was the daughter of a wealthy farmer named Digby Selwyn. Due to exposure to red kryptonite, Superman lost his memory and his superpowers.
The amnesiac Superman used the name Jim White after he wandered onto Digby Selwyn's ranch. He spent a few weeks there and became romantically involved with Sally Selwyn. One of her rivals attempted to kill Jim White after he was paralyzed in a riding accident. Aquaman saved him from drowning and he regained his memories and powers, but he didn't remember Sally at all.
12 Lacy Warfield
First Appearance: Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
Lacy Warfield made her first and only appearance in the 1987 film Superman IV: The Quest For Peace. While it was one of the biggest failures of the Superman movies, The Quest For Peace did introduce a new romantic interest into Superman's life. However, while Lois Lane only had eyes for Superman, Lacy took a strong liking to Clark Kent.
Lacy began working at The Daily Planet after her father, business tycoon David Warfield, purchased the newspaper. He decided to turn it into a tabloid under Lacy's supervision. Despite her advances and a definite mutual attraction, Clark Kent ultimately decided to not pursue Lacy. Unfortunately for her, she then caught the eye of the film's villain, Nuclear Man.
11 Luma Lynai/Superwoman
First Appearance: Action Comics (Vol. 1) #289, by writer Jerry Siegel, penciler/inker Jim Mooney, and letterer Milt Snapinn
After Supergirl prodded him towards marriage, Superman used the Fortress of Solitude's supercomputer to search the galaxy for the perfect partner. The computer found an alien Superwoman named Luma Lynai on a distant planet called Staryl. Superman flew to the planet and sparks flew between the two heroes.
Kal-El revealed that after a series of failed relationships, he believed that he finally found his dream girl. Unfortunately, they discovered that Lynai's powers only worked under an orange sun. Furthermore, Earth's yellow sun was potentially deadly to her. The two heroes ended their relationship before it had a chance to flourish and returned to their respective planets.
10 Lisa Lasalle
First Appearance: Superman: Earth One Volume 2, by writer J. Michael Straczynski, penciler Shane Davis, inker Sandra Hope, colorist Barbara Ciardo, and letterer Rob Leigh
Lisa Lasalle appeared in the Earth-One continuity which modernized popular DC heroes and explored their origins in exciting new ways. Clark Kent first met Lasalle on his first day of work as a reporter at The Daily Planet. She was a neighbor and welcomed him to the apartment building by asking him out on a date.
After spending some time together, they got closer and started to date. However, problems began quickly due to Clark Kent's secret life as Superman. Lasalle eventually discovered his secret identity, though she kept it to herself. Lasalle even injured herself to help Superman in a fight against Zod, earning her place alongside Kal-El's other love interests.
9 Lady Zara
First Appearance: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Season 3, Episode 21, "Through a Glass, Darkly"
Lady Zara debuted in the Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman TV series. Zara-Ra survived the destruction of Krypton like Superman. Lady Zara was a wealthy socialite on New Krypton who traveled to Earth to test the Man of Steel to see if he was truly worthy of her hand.
Lady Zara eventually revealed that she was married to Kal-El while they were infants as per Kryptonian law. However, Zara was secretly in love with her bodyguard Ching while Clark Kent had developed a close relationship with Lois Lane. Superman helped free her and New Krypton from the evil Kryptonian Lord Nor, and the pair parted ways.
8 Cat Grant
First Appearance: Adventures of Superman Vol 1 #424, by writer Marv Wolfman, penciler Jerry Ordway, inker Mike Machlan, colorist Tom Ziuko, and letterer John Costanza
Catherine "Cat" Grant was a gossip columnist turned TV reporter who worked alongside Clark Kent and Lois Lane at The Daily Planet. Fans of DC's live-action heroes might recognize Grant from her time on The CW's Supergirl TV series as a fierce critic of the Maiden of Might.
Cat Grant was instantly attracted to Clark Kent, who had developed feelings for Lois Lane. However, he still briefly dated Cat Grant and enjoyed being with somebody who was actually interested in him. Unfortunately, his feelings for Lois Lane got in the way and he ended the relationship. Kent and Grant became close friends instead as well as business partners at Clarkcatropolis.com.
7 Maxima
First Appearance: Action Comics (Vol. 1) #645, by writer Roger Stern, writer/penciler George Pérez, inker Brett Breeding, colorist Glenn Whitmore, and letterer Bill Oakley
Maxima was the princess of the planet Almerac who pursued Superman as her romantic mate after discovering they were a genetic match. She offered to have his children in return for his hand in marriage. She felt that no one else could provide that for him. While tempting at first, Superman ultimately turned down Maxima. He worried their children would grow up to become despots.
Maxima continued to try and win the Last Son of Krypton's heart a few times over the years. She eventually joined the Justice League and fought against various supervillains to prove to him that she was his best match. Unfortunately, Superman was already married to Lois Lane by that time and rejected her. This provoked Maxima to join the Superman Revenge Squad instead.
6 Lyla Lerrol
First Appearance: Superman (Vol. 1) #141, by writer Jerry Siegel, penciler Wayne Boring and inker Stan Kaye
Superman first met famous Kryptonian actress Lyla Lerrol when he visited his home planet Krypton in the past. He fell in love with her and was ready to settle down but he found his way back to Earth. However, Superman lived out an entire fantasy life alongside his one-time love in Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon's "For The Man Who Has Everything" from Superman Annual #11.
One of Superman's most iconic villains was Mongul, who attacked the Man of Steel with a deadly plant called the Black Mercy. It incapacitated Superman by giving him a mental fantasy of his perfect life. Kal-El grew up on Krypton which never exploded, and he married Lyla. Batman was able to remove the Black Mercy, ending Superman's fantasy life with Lyla and their children.
5 Beautiful Dreamer
First Appearance: Forever People (Vol. 1) #1, by writer/penciler Jack Kirby, penciler Al Plastino, inker Vince Colletta and letterer John Costanza
Superman worked with Beautiful Dreamer quite a few times over the years, though their relationship was always platonic. Beautiful Dreamer was a New God and a member of the Forever People who could join together to become one of DC's most powerful cosmic characters, Infinity Man.
John Byrne's Superman/Batman: Generations explored a reality where DC's heroes aged in real-time since their first appearance. Superman married Beautiful Dreamer in the future and they had two children together. Unfortunately, Darkseid destroyed New Genesis, murdered the New Gods, and killed Superman's family in the dark imaginary series.
4 Lori Lemaris
First Appearance: Superman (Vol. 1) #129, by writer Bill Finger, penciler Wayne Boring and inker Stan Kaye
Lori Lemaris met Clark Kent while they were both attending Metropolis University. Unbeknownst to the Man of Steel, Lemaris was secretly a mermaid from the undersea kingdom of Tritonis. She would often cut their dates short in order to protect her secret, which gave her something in common with Clark Kent.
Clark proposed to Lori, but she heartbreakingly turned him down because she had to return to her home country. Superman investigated her claim and discovered the truth about her ancestry. They were from two different worlds and couldn't easily stay together, so they said goodbye with a final parting kiss.
3 Lana Lang
First Appearance: Superboy (Vol. 1) #10, by writer Bill Finger, penciler John Sikela and inker Ed Dobrotka
Clark Kent's Smallville sweetheart and one of his childhood best friends is Lana Lang. She debuted in Superboy #10, by Bill Finger, John Sikela and Ed Dobrotka, as a neighbor to the Kents, which turned into a lasting friendship. The pair dated in high school. Lana Lang has had a frequent presence in Superman's life over the years, though the character has been retconned quite a few times.
Lana Lang was one of the series leads in WB's Smallville series which explored Clark Kent's teenage years. Lana and Clark broke up when he revealed his powers to her and departed for Metropolis. Lang briefly found love with John Henry Irons/Steel after she gained powers as Superwoman. Lana Lang's rise and fall as Superwoman is a harsh reality of rereading DC Rebirth.
2 Wonder Woman
First Appearance: All-Star Comics (Vol. 1) #8, by writer William Moulton Marston, penciler/inker Harry G. Peter
The warrior princess of Themyscira is Diana Prince, who is better known as Wonder Woman. She seemed like a perfect fit for the Man of Steel given their similar power levels. Wonder Woman is a great warrior, she's strong, she's altruistic, and she comes from a world beyond just like Kal-El.
However, Superman and Wonder Woman's relationship remained platonic as teammates in the Justice League for decades. In the New 52, the pair finally started dating, though they ultimately decided to split up and remain friends. Diana remains a loyal friend and confidant who is always there to comfort and counsel Kal-El when he needs it most.
1 Lois Lane
First Appearance: Action Comics (Vol. 1) #1, by writer Jerry Siegel and penciler/inker Joe Shuster
Superman's main love interest is the intrepid Pulitzer Prize-winning star reporter of The Daily Planet, Lois Lane. She has earned the top spot in Kal-El's heart as his best friend, teammate, wife, and mother to his child. They have spent years as friendly rivals which developed into a loving and lasting relationship.
Lois helps bring a much-needed balance and perspective to the Man of Steel's life which makes him an even better superhero. The arrival of their son Jon Kent only brought them closer together as they watched him become one of the best versions of Superboy. Clark Kent and Lois Lane are one of DC's best couples who have gone through hell together and come out stronger.