Superman Birthright

This is the definitive Superman origin story to me. His nature is well-established, in that he's caring and charitable and wants to help people, and the way that translates into him putting on the red cape and *why* comes across as completely understandable. The "silly" elements of Superman make so much sense when told this way that when I first read it in 2004, it made Superman my favorite superhero (which has caused me much grief since so many other people, especially those like Zach Snyder, don't get him at all).

Birthright is what Man of Steel should have been: it humanizes Kal-El in a way that is surprising but doesn't turn him into a mopey mess who would never in a million years dedicate his life to helping others.

If you're sure that you don't like Superman because he's just "too silly" or "so powerful he doesn't have any conflict," then give this one a read and reconsider.

This is for sure in my top-three Superman books of all time (along with Secret Identity and Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow). If you think you don't like Supes (I mean, for good reason -- he IS pretty boring most of this time), read this book, and you might rethink that...or at least find yourself enjoying a Superman book for once.