IMO - Read for the art: Superman-For Tomorrow

Superman: For Tomorrow,12 part story running through Superman #204-215. The main (only?) reason to read this story is for the art by Jim Lee.

Superman has gone to help Kyle Rayner, Green Lantern, in deep space.

When he returns to Earth Superman discovers that Lois, along with a million other people, have disappeared in what is being called The Vanishing.

Superman locates the source responsible for all the disappearances in the Middle East. He dis-arms two warring countries and finds the device guarded by Equus.

Equus activates the device causing another world wide vanishing. This new incident along with Superman's presence and political interference gets the attention of the JLA.

They question his handling of the situation and the backlash from the public towards Superman and themselves.

Superman seeks out Batman after discovering device is a Phantom Zone type projector. He takes full responsibilty and decides to use the device on himself.

Wonder Woman wants to stop Superman, and heads to Fortress of Solitude.

There they have the obligitory hero vs hero battle.

 

After 'defeating' Wonder Woman, Superman activates device and is transported to another realm. This is when the story jumps the rails and seems to lose something.

In this other realm Superman not only discovers Lois alive

he also comes face to face with Clark Kent?

and his parents Jor-El and Lara? 

Obviously this new world isn't real or all peaches and cream, as Zod is present too. Intent on destroying Superman as usual.

Zod challenges Superman to a final showdown.

After the long battle with Zod 

Superman is able to activate exit portal and returns all the Vanishing victims to Earth. 

Again this really is all about the art. The story itself is kinda so-so and probably didnt need 12 issues to be told. Since Lois is one the Vanishing, you know they aren't dead and will all be returned some how. Once Superman entered the alternate reality I didn't care for the story. The story was too self contained and nothing from it mattered or changed anything going forward.

Brain Azzarello and Jim Lee also worked together on a Batman story. I'll re-read that one and see if its better. I remember it having more lasting effects, like Hush.