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's physical appearance was originally based on Joanne Carter, a model hired by Joe Shuster. Jerry Siegel took her name from actress Lola Lane, while her character was inspired by actress Glenda Farrell's portrayal of the fictional reporter Torchy Blane in a series of 1930s self-titled films.[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.
Since her debut in comic books in 1938, Lois has appeared in various media adaptations and is among the best-known female comic book characters. Actresses who have portrayed Lois in live-action film and television include Noel Neill, Phyllis Coates, Margot Kidder, Teri Hatcher, Erica Durance, Kate Bosworth, Amy Adams, and Elizabeth Tulloch. In animation, the character has been voiced by Joan Alexander, Dana Delany, and Alice Lee. Rachel Brosnahan most recently played the character in the film Superman (2025).
