Superman #233

Published by DC Comics in January 1971, Superman #233 marks a significant turning point in the character's publication history, famously known as the beginning of the 'Sandman Saga.' Following years of declining sales and a perceived disconnect with younger readers, editorial director Carmine Infantino tasked writer Denny O'Neil and artist Neal Adams with modernizing the Man of Steel. This issue famously saw Superman lose his god-like invulnerability and the removal of kryptonite from the narrative, shifting the tone toward a more grounded, socially conscious storytelling style that reflected the changing cultural landscape of the early 1970s.

The creative team sought to make Superman more relatable and human, a stark departure from the Silver Age tropes that had dominated the character for decades. Neal Adams provided a dynamic, realistic aesthetic that signaled a new era for DC Comics, earning critical acclaim for revitalizing the hero's visual identity. While the radical departure from traditional canon polarized some long-term readers, the issue is widely regarded by historians and fans as a landmark of the Bronze Age, establishing a template for character-driven narratives that would influence the industry for years to come.