The Man of Steel # 1 1986 VF/NM

The Man of Steel # 1, released on July 10, 1986, is the first issue of a six-part limited series by writer and artist John Byrne that rebooted Superman's origin following the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths. It established a new status quo for the character, modernizing his backstory and defining his post-Crisis identity. 

The issue is divided into chapters that chronicle Clark Kent's transformation from an alien castaway into Metropolis's greatest hero. 

• Prologue (Krypton): Set on a dying, emotionally cold Krypton, scientist Jor-El and his wife Lara prepare to send their unborn son to Earth. In this version, Kal-El is inside a "birthing matrix" that acts as an artificial womb during the journey.
• Chapter One (Smallville): Fast-forwarding 18 years, teenager Clark Kent wins a high school football game single-handedly. His father, Jonathan Kent, warns him about the public display of his powers and takes him to the site where his ship landed to reveal the truth of his alien origin.
• Chapter Two (Public Debut): After years of helping people in secret, an adult Clark is forced to make his first public move when he saves an experimental space-plane (the Constitution) from crashing in Metropolis.
• Epilogue (Becoming Superman): Overwhelmed by the sudden public attention and his first encounter with reporter Lois Lane, Clark consults his parents. Jonathan suggests a secret identity, and Martha Kent sews his first costume using an "S" logo designed by Clark and Jonathan. 

Key Post-Crisis Changes 

John Byrne introduced several foundational changes to the Superman mythos in this issue: 

• No Superboy: Clark only adopts the Superman identity as an adult; he never operated as "Superboy" during his youth.
• Vulnerability of the Suit: While Superman is invulnerable due to an invisible "aura" extending slightly from his skin, his costume is made of ordinary fabric and can be damaged, particularly his cape.
• Living Parents: Unlike previous versions where the Kents died shortly after Clark's graduation, Jonathan and Martha remain alive and active in his adult life.
• Cultural Identity: Clark considers himself a human first and foremost; he has no memory of Krypton and views it as an alien world rather than his home.  
• Writer/Penciller: John Byrne
• Inker: Dick Giordano
• Colorist: Tom Ziuko
• Letterer: John Costanza

Variant Covers 

This issue was also notable for being one of the first major DC comics to be published with two variant covers of equal distribution: 

1. A close-up of Clark Kent tearing open his shirt to reveal the "S" emblem.
2. A full-bodied shot of Clark Kent standing in front of an exploding Krypton.