Superman, of course, is the most important. Then there's Lois Lane, the journalist who is always on the hunt for a story and has a special relationship with Superman. Lex Luthor is also crucial as the main antagonist.
In the 'The Adventures of Superman Novel', a significant plotline is Superman's origin story. How he came from Krypton and was raised on Earth. His discovery of his powers and how he decides to use them for the greater good. Also, his relationships with Lois Lane and other characters in Metropolis play a big part in the plotlines as he tries to balance his personal life with his superhero duties.
Obviously, Superman himself is the most important. He is the hero with superpowers. And Lois Lane is also important as she is often in the middle of the stories and has a relationship with Superman.
One main theme could be heroism. Superman is always saving the day, which shows the importance of having heroes. Another might be justice as he fights against evil to bring fairness.
Lois Lane is a must - include. She can be the love interest and also a strong - willed journalist. Jimmy Olsen is also great, providing some comical relief and being Superman's friend. Lex Luthor is an obvious choice as the main villain, always plotting against Superman.
It depends on how it's presented. If it has a simple and engaging plot, along with clear explanations of Superman's world, then it would be suitable. However, if it's too focused on references to the 1978 version that new fans may not be familiar with, it could be a bit confusing at first. But overall, it has the potential to be a great entry point for new Superman enthusiasts.
One idea could be having Superman face an enemy that can manipulate time, causing chaos in Metropolis. Another could be a story where he has to deal with a powerful alien artifact that is affecting his powers. Maybe also a plot where he teams up with a new superhero from another planet.
It has modernized the franchise. The new 52 graphic novels updated the look and feel of Superman, making him more relevant to a new generation of readers.
The new superman story could be about Superman facing a threat from outer space that he's never encountered before. A race of aliens with the ability to manipulate time are attacking Earth. Superman has to not only fight them physically but also figure out how to counter their time - manipulation powers. He teams up with the smartest scientists on Earth and uses his own speed and strength to finally defeat the aliens and save the planet.
One of the best is 'Action Comics' which reimagined Superman's early days in a really cool way. It showed a younger, more brash Superman fighting for the little guy in a gritty Metropolis.