You can take this cape and…
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UPDATED 3/9/25: Time to dig deep into the cavernous 13th Dimension vaults! Every so often I like to reprint a story that was popular the first time around, just for the hell of it. This is one of those, from March 2023. Dig it! — Dan
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By PETER BOSCH
Yes, it is true that “With great power comes great responsibility,” but superheroes are just as human as the rest of us when it comes to being unappreciated. Who among us hasn’t gotten to the point of frustration where we have had enough and suddenly yell “I quit!” Sometimes, they just want to move on with their lives.
The first superhero you probably think of when it comes to hanging it up is Spider-Man, but he is not alone. In addition to those below, you could also find Hawkeye quitting in The Avengers #109, the Caped Crusader leaving the Justice League in Batman and the Outsiders #1, etc., etc.
Here are 13 times superheroes called it quits (at least temporarily). Add your own choices in the comments!
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Superman #240 (July 1971, DC)
Neal Adams
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Green Lantern #181 (Oct. 1984, DC)
Dave Gibbons
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The New Teen Titans #39 (Feb. 1984, DC)
George Pérez
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Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane #80 (Jan. 1968, DC)
Curt Swan pencils, Neal Adams inks
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The Flash #159 (Mar. 1966, DC)
Carmine Infantino pencils, Joe Giella inks
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The Amazing Spider-Man #50 (July 1967, Marvel)
John Romita cover. Interior page by Romita and inker Mike Esposito.
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Fantastic Four #191 (Feb. 1978, Marvel)
George Pérez pencils, Joe Sinnott inks
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Captain America #176 (Aug. 1974, Marvel)
John Romita
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Superman #201 (Nov. 1967, DC)
Curt Swan pencils, George Klein inks
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Iron Man #21 (Jan. 1970, Marvel)
George Tuska pencils, Mike Esposito inks
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The X-Men #138 (Oct. 1980, Marvel)
John Byrne pencils, Terry Austin inks
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Adventure Comics #466 (Nov.-Dec. 1979, DC)
Paul Levitz writer, Joe Staton artist
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Wonder Woman #269 (July 1980, DC)
Ross Andru pencils, Dick Giordano inks
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MORE
— The 13 RULES OF LOVE — By Your Favorite Superhero Couples. Click here.
— ARF! ARF! 13 Times KRYPTO Was a Very Good Boy. Click here.
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13th Dimension contributor-at-large PETER BOSCH’s first book, American TV Comic Books: 1940s-1980s – From the Small Screen to the Printed Page, was published by TwoMorrows. (You can buy it here.) A sequel, American Movie Comic Books: 1930s-1970s — From the Silver Screen to the Printed Page, is due in 2025. (You can pre-order here.) Peter has written articles and conducted celebrity interviews for various magazines and newspapers. He lives in Hollywood.
March 7, 2023
I think you should have selected Iron Man 169 instead of IM 21. Packing it in in the middle of a fight? (I know in the actual comic Tony passed out and Rhodey decided it was him or no one…but the cover is next level “I’ve had it”!)
March 7, 2023
Hi, Geoff. It was a personal choice. But I knew others would have their own picks. It’s why I said, “Add your own in the comments.”
March 7, 2023
Superheroes quitting is certainly understandable.
March 7, 2023
Amazing Spidey 50. Wow,
March 8, 2023
I remember getting 3 of these when the came out. FF 191 , X- Men 138 and Teen Titans 39 which was a big big deal because Dick Grayson gave up being Robin.
Spider-Man 50 I bought as a back issue when I was a kid , that all red cover is so beautiful.
I like a lot of Marvel 60’s. Mono color covers.
March 9, 2023
I got some Flash issues at a used store when I was in High School, including #159. An issue or two later they ran another story written to go with the same cover!
March 10, 2023
Missed a great cover that crosses over with the Superboy Adams’ work and our heroes quitting. Issue #161 of Superboy.
https://www.newkadia.com/Show_Image.php?img=https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fwww.covernk.com%2FCovers%2FL%2FS%2FSuperboy%2B1949%2Bseries%2Fsuperboy1949series161.jpg&K=S&T=Superboy&S=1949%20series&SS=&I=161&cover=&printing=
March 9, 2025
In X-Men #138, Cyclops quit the X-Men, but he didn’t quit being a superhero (though he went from full-time to part-time). He kept his Cyclops outfit handy, and would wear it when necessary.