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Superman's secluded headquarters in the heart of the Arctic.

The original Silver Age Fortress, first appearing in 1958, was located in the Arctic and built into the side of a steep cliff. The Fortress was accessible through a large gold-colored door with a giant keyhole, which required an enormous key to open it. The arrow-shaped key was so large that only Superman (or another Kryptonian such as Supergirl) could lift it; when not in use, the key sat on a perch outside of the Fortress, where it appeared to be an aircraft path marker.

The Fortress contained an alien zoo, a giant steel diary in which Superman wrote his memoirs (using either his invulnerable finger or heat vision to engrave entries into its pages), a chess-playing robot, specialized exercise equipment, a laboratory where Superman worked on various projects such as developing defenses to Kryptonite, a computer, communications equipment, and rooms dedicated to all of his friends, including one for Clark Kent to fool visitors. As the stories continued, it was revealed that the Fortress was where Superman's robot duplicates were stored. It also contained the Phantom Zone projector, various pieces of alien technology he had acquired on visits to other worlds, and, much like the Batcave, trophies of his past adventures. Indeed, the Batcave and Batman himself made an appearance in the first Fortress story. The Fortress also became the home of the bottle city of Kandor (until it was enlarged), and an apartment in the Fortress was set aside for Supergirl.

A detailed description of the Fortress and its contents forms the background to DC Special Series #26 (1981); Superman and his Incredible Fortress of Solitude, in which Superman minutely inspects the Fortress, suspecting an enemy has planted an Earth-destroying bomb within it. Another noteworthy appearance of this version of the Fortress was in 1985's Superman Annual #11, a story by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons titled "For the Man Who Has Everything", in which it served as a battleground for Superman, Batman, Robin, and Wonder Woman against the alien would-be overlord Mongul. This story was adapted to animation in the Justice League Unlimited series.

The design is based off the Superman Films of the 70s and 80s featuring Christopher Reeve.

And slowly but surely Kal-El awoke . . . his eyes opening. How long had he been asleep? The world seemed okay when he went under. However, what was going on?

"Father, what happened while I was asleep?" he asked, groggily getting up from his chambers . . . while it sounded like this was a mere mortal father and son, this was no mere mortal awakening in the land of the Midnight Sun.

Kal-El looked intently as he woke further, watching as Jor-El spoke. "Indeed a fair bit has happened since I was asleep." Kal-El mentioned as he rose to his feet. "Although I'm not sure I can do it alone, father. Where's Bruce? He told me before I came here he would keep an eye on things. Perhaps he could give me the lay of the land until we can get a plan in motion." he mentioned.

"Forgive me, father. It's an Earth Expression." Kal-El replied embarrassed before listening. "Then I think I should start there. He never lets anyone use that boat, father. At least not for just a minute reason." he said as he got to his feet. "Please keep the fortress safe while I'm gone, father. And don't wait up for me!" he said before opening the door to the polar sunshine. I LOVE this planet! he thought before taking a running start and WHOOSH! Up into the air he went!