Awesome, Dear Boy: Superman vol. 2 #75 being done in nothing but splash panels? Dan Jurgens had always wanted to do a comic like that, but no one felt right doing it because of the risk. This issue let him do so.
However, it was also part of a theme. The issue before? Two frames per page. Before that, three frames per page, and even before that, four frames per page. It was a countdown.
Cash-Cow Franchise: The compiled first part of the arc, called "The Death of Superman", is the best-selling graphic novel of all time.
Development Gag: A sad one — in Superman vol. 2 #77, Lois begins sadly daydreaming her wedding as Superman's body is being returned to the crypt.
In Memoriam: The first chapter of Funeral for a Friend in Adventures of Superman #498 was dedicated to Superman co-creator Joe Shuster, who had passed away earlier in the year.
With Superman #75 being one of the best-selling single issues in DC's history (so much so that it produced an incredible four printings for the issue, not counting newsstand variants, trade reprints or the 2018 Ace Comic Con reprint), it was inevitable that associated merchandise would be created to tie into the issue — and it was delivered in the form of the polybagged version of the comic, which included a black and blood-red S-symbol for the bag cover, along with a smattering of extras, including an obituary for Superman created specifically for the edition, a "memorial armband", a poster, a trading card and commemorative stamps. A further "Platinum Edition", limited to 10,000 copies and sans the Feelies, was also produced.
Just as Legends of Batman (barring the Elseworlds theme of most of the figures) was a toyline based on Knightfall, the 1990s Superman: The Man of Steel toyline (no relation to the toyline for Superman Returns) was one of this, as it included figures for Superman post-resurrection, Steel, Superboy, and Doomsday in a two-pack. It also lapses into Superman/Doomsday: Hunter/Prey, The Death of Clark Kent, and Underworld Unleashed as said two-pack with Doomsday came with Superman wearing his uniform from Hunter/Prey, Conduit (the main villain of TDoCK) got his own figure, and Lex Luthor's figure was based on him following his deal with Neron. The Last Son of Krypton, Metallo, and a two-pack with another Superboy and King Shark also had figures planned, but the line was cancelled before they could be released. That said, Last Son was later released as a mail-in exclusive through Toyfare, and Metallo (with a redo of a Superman figure) and the Superboy/King Shark were exclusives at comic shops and via Hasbro's website.
Much like Knightfall, DC Direct would make figures based on this story, including Superman in the black suit, Doomsday, Cyborg-Superman, the Eradicator, Steel, and Superboy.
Show Accuracy/Toy Accuracy: Concerning the Eradicator in the Hasbro line, as the comic version sported Superman's trademark spitcurl while his figurine used the later-used buzzcut.
What Could Have Been: One issue of the "Funeral For a Friend" arc was supposed to feature a scene in which Mr. Mxyzptlk arrives back on Earth, only to discover the news about Superman's death, leading him to willingly teleport himself back to the 5th dimension since not having Superman to mess around with just wasn't fun. This ultimately didn't happen in the final story.
Writer Revolt: According to Louise Simonson, in the early 90s DC's Superman writers wanted to have Superman marry Lois Lane, which publisher Jeanette Khan vetoed because they weren't married in Lois & Clark. And then...
We were a little disgruntled, and then as she closed the door, Jerry Ordway said what he always says, which was "Let's just kill him." And instead of laughing it off this time, we said "Yeah... Yeah! Let's just kill him!"
Trevor Devall voices both Bruno Mannheim and Dabney Donovan.
Rocky Carroll voices both Slias Stone and Perry White.
Charles Halford voices both Bibbo and the computer that'll become the Eradicator.
Max Mittelman voices both Jimmy Olsen and Steve Lombard.
Blooper: During the scene where Doomsday attacks the police, he kills one cop with his fists and then another by throwing a cruiser into him. When he lifts up the cruiser moments later, the second officer's body is nowhere to be seen.
Content Leak: The entire movie somehow found its way onto the internet through several torrent sites a good month before its (digital) release date.
Fake American: Downplayed, but we have Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, who was born in Canada, but lives in the US.
Milestone Celebration: The film was released to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Superman, with the special features covering his history as opposed to just the comic the film is based on.
where Doomsday attacks the police, he kills one cop with his fists and then another by throwing a cruiser into him. When he lifts up the cruiser moments later, the second officer's body is nowhere to be seen.