With all apologies to past artists, I think that Alex Ross' version of Superman is the best ever. He infuses such humanity into that character while retaining the strength and power he radiates.
Read 'Kingdom Come' (my favorite mini-series) and be amazed at how incredible the art work is. Batman smiles in every scene he is in while Superman is the one who frowns. It's a nice reversal of emotions in the two.
The Superman that Ross paints is larger than life, the greatest hero ever. He doesn't smile because he has the weight of the world (literally) on his shoulders. You see how other heroes would flock to his side. His charisma and sheer presence makes him seem like a god to everyone around him. This is how you are suppose to react to him.
He's SUPERMAN for Christ sake.
http://samuraifrog.tumblr.com/
