Kenner and FAO Schwarz released The History of Superman Collection in November 1996. The three-pack commemorative action figure set was accompanied by four trading cards produced by Fleer/SkyBox.

Three of the cards showcase different decades in Superman's history. The 1940s are represented by the 1938 issue of Action Comics #1. The Superman emblem depicted on the first cover is from an earlier costume designed by Joe Shuster. The cover art is by an unknown staff member at Detective Comics based on an interior panel by Joe Shuster.

Action Comics #467, released in 1977, was illustrated by Bob Oksner.

The 1990s cover is from Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #1, released in 1995. The cover was penciled by Tom Grummett, inked by Brett Breeding, and colored by Glenn Whitmore.

The fourth card is an unnumbered hologram promo for the Fleer/Skybox Superman Holo Series set released in 1996. The hologram features the same artwork as the Superman Holo Series checklist, but it is stamped with a blue-foil Kenner logo. The image was penciled by Chris Renaud and rendered by Visual Logic.

FAO Schwarz and Kenner released a similar collection of action figures and cards for Batman.