Superman’s Birthday! (Plus the New Superman Film Logo)

Superman debuted in Action Comics on April 18, 1938. In the decades since then, the Man of Steel has saved countless realities, planets, and friends. He is a legendary powerhouse all on his own or working alongside his equally iconic colleagues in the Justice League.

With James Gunn’s announcement that principal photography has begun for the DCU’s Superman, there’s no time like the present to celebrate Superman’s special birthday. Kal-El’s actual birthday is celebrated on 35 EORX 9998. For those of you who don’t have a Kryptonian calendar handy, his birthday is February 29 — otherwise known as Leap Day!

That means this year, Superman’s birthday falls on Thursday, February 29.

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Celebrating Superman’s Legacy

The Superman film will fly into theaters on July 11, 2025. James Gunn said in his post that the newly revealed film logo is inspired by the iconic DC artwork of Alex Ross.

Back in 2013, for the 75th anniversary of the super hero’s first comic book appearance, Zack Snyder and Bruce Timm produced an exhilirating two-minute short. The video is a visual tribute to the ever-popular hero, chronicling Superman’s comics debut to his modern incarnations throughout DC media.

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Staying Up to Date on Superman’s Birthday

There are multiple sources, including a calendar from DC itself, that confirm Kal-El landed on Earth on June 18. John and Martha Kent decided to celebrate young Clark’s birthday on the day that he arrived, though this was not the day he was born far away in the cosmos.

The DC Comics calendar confirms that his birthday is actually on February 29, a day that only happens once every four years! Even TIME magazine used this date as reference. (Plus, Superman’s fellow hero Shazam chose this date as his own birthday too.)

Superman’s birthday was most famously confirmed in Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ comic book, For The Man Who Has Everything. The story follows Wonder Woman, Batman, and Robin as they travel to Superman’s Fortress of Solitude on February 29, with presents for Superman himself. But when they arrive, Superman is under the spell of a powerful plant called the Black Mercy, which tricks him into hallucinating a perfect life.

The story explores what The Man Who Has Everything could ever want, and we learn that Kal-El dreams of a family still on Krypton, with a wife and children. Even though his dream life isn’t perfect, he is happy. Could you blame him? After all, with his home planet destroyed long ago, it’s only natural for Kal-El to wonder what could have been if things were slightly different.

Once Superman realizes he is under the influence of the Black Mercy, he valiantly chooses his responsibility to the people of Earth over remaining in his dream world. A difficult decision but not a surprising one considering Superman’s character. He says a heartfelt goodbye to his children, and gives up everything he ever wanted out of his love for Earth and love for his friends. When he awakens, after a brief fight with the villain Mongul, Superman opens the thoughtful gifts that his friends brought him.

What a memorable birthday!

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Superman should always be celebrated, especially on his birthday, and what better way to celebrate than with all your favorite Superman collectibles or some Superman artwork?

How do you plan to celebrate Superman’s birthday? Join the conversation with other DC fans over at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!