Must-read graphic novels are futuristic classics that shouldn't be missed. Of course, not every must-see is perfect. That's why we've rated them 1-5 on the patented "crunchy goodness" scale.

Title: Superman: The Man Of Steel
Date: 1986

Vitals: John Byrne reinvented Superman from the ground up with this series, collected in an easy-to-find graphic novel. The biggest changes: Lois Lane is less ditzy, Lex Luthor is a suave businessman instead of an obvious maniac, Superman's Earth parents aren't dead, and Superman was never Superboy.

Famous names: John Byrne, Dick Giordano

Crunchy goodness: 3

Elevator pitch: It's just like regular Superman — only without Superbaby and the legion of Super pets.

Stunt casting: Batman puts in an appearance in one issue, but he and Superman aren't best friends. Instead, Superman mistrusts the shrouded vigilante, who resorts to becoming a suicide bomber to halt Superman in his tracks.

Most painfully dated moment: The Man Of Steel tries to flee the silliness of classic Superman so frantically, that it ends up looking old-school twenty years later.

Spinoffs/Sequels/Copycats: Byrne's reinvention of Superman helped to inspire the 1990s show Lois and Clark.

The Continuity Pages: Superman - John Byrne Era

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