Lois Lane

Lois Lane
Art by Gary Frank
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceAction Comics #1
(June 1938)
Created byJerry Siegel
Joe Shuster
In-story information
Team affiliationsDaily Planet
Galaxy Communications
PartnershipsClark Kent
Jimmy Olsen
Supporting character ofSuperman
Superboy
Notable aliasesSuperwoman
Red Tornado
Abilities
  • Superwoman
    Heat vision, X-ray vision, Freeze breath, Invulnerability, Flight, Superhuman strength, Speed and Hearing
  • Red Tornado
    Air manipulation and Durability

Lois Lane is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, she first appeared in Action Comics #1 (June 1938). Lois is an award-winning journalist for the Metropolis newspaper the Daily Planet and the primary love interest of the superhero Superman and his alter ego, Clark Kent. In DC continuity, she is also his wife and the mother of their son, Jon Kent, the newest Superboy in the DC Universe.

Lois' physical appearance was originally based on Joanne Carter, a model hired by Joe Shuster. For her character, Jerry Siegel was inspired by actress Glenda Farrell's portrayal of the fictional reporter Torchy Blane in a series of films. Siegel took her name from actress Lola Lane.[1]

Depictions of the character have varied spanning the comics and other media adaptations. The original Golden Age version of Lois Lane, as well as versions of her from the 1970s onwards, portrays Lois as a dauntless journalist and intellectually equal to Superman. During the Silver Age of Comics, she was the star of Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane, a comic book series that had a light and humorous tone.

Lois has appeared in various media adaptations and is among the best-known female comic book characters. Actress Noel Neill first portrayed Lois Lane in the 1940s Superman film series and later reprised her role in the 1950s television series Adventures of Superman, replacing Phyllis Coates from season two. Margot Kidder played the character in four Superman films in the 1970s and 1980s, Kate Bosworth in the 2006 film Superman Returns and Amy Adams in the DC Extended Universe. Teri Hatcher portrayed Lois in the 1990s television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and Erica Durance in the 2000s series Smallville. Elizabeth Tulloch played the character in the television series Superman & Lois. Rachel Brosnahan will play Lois Lane in the upcoming film Superman (2025).

  1. ^ Letters to the Editor, Time magazine (May 30, 1988), pp. 6–7.