As the holidays arrive and the year comes to a close, we thought we’d take a look back at 2013 and commemorate some of the moments that really stood out in the world of DC Entertainment in a two-week DCComics.com series we’re calling “Ten Moments that Mattered.” Some of these moments were happy. Some were sad. They played out in the pages of our comics, on the big and small screen and in the halls of our office. However, all of them made a profound difference in the world of DC Comics and in the hearts and minds of our fans. 2013 was a big year for us, but even in a big year, not all moments are created equal. Here are ten that mattered…

Seventy-five years ago, Superman made his debut in the pages of Action Comics #1, and in so doing, he shaped the foundation of the comic book medium and reignited a popular genre of storytelling based around men and women with super powers. This year, DC Entertainment paid tribute to him with the release of a new blockbuster film, and more directly, with the creation of an inspiring new animated short that traced the history of Superman from his first appearance to his latest…all in just under two minutes.




Directed by Zack Snyder, with the assistance of DC animation luminary Bruce Timm, the Superman 75th Anniversary short became a viral sensation when it was released in mid-October, with many fans rewatching it numerous times to catch blink-and-you-missed-it moments and discussing its references to Superman throughout the years with their fellow fans. In fact, there were so many details packed into its brief running time, that we published a list of 75 official annotations to accompany the short right here on DCComics.com.

While it’s not a complete history—many fans also enjoyed debating its omissions—the Superman 75th Anniversary short is still a thrilling journey through history, a love letter for fans of all ages to embrace, and a testament to the lasting appeal of one of the most popular characters in entertainment.

Be sure to check DCComics.com again tomorrow for another moment that mattered in 2013.