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Issue: Action Comics #1
Disclose Detail
Title:
Variant: unnamed
Rating: [no rating]
Publisher: FlagDC
Brand: none
Indicia Publisher: Detective Comics, Inc.
On Sale Date: 04/18/1938
Volume: none
Pages: 68
ISBN: none
UPC/EAN: none
Price: $0.10 USD
Indicia Frequency:
Content Items: 16 (10 stories, 1 cover)
Editor(s):  
Disclose Notes: Indicia:
ACTION COMICS. published monthly by Detective Comics, Inc., 480 Lexington Ave., New York, N. Y. Second class entry pending at Post Office, New York, N. Y. under the Act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates: 12 issues by mail in the United States, its possessions and Mexico, South America and Spain, $1.50; elsewhere $2.60. The Publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited material. Entire contents copyright 1938 by Detective Comics, Inc.

The on-sale date is the publication date reported in the U. S. Copyright Office filing.

In the documentation for the testimony from Detective Comics, Inc. vs. Bruns (Fox) Publications April 6 and 7, 1939, the on sale date for this issue is described by Jack Liebowitz as being April 18, 1938.

This is confirmed again in the documentation for the Siegel lawsuit against Warner Bros (CASE NO. CV-04-8400-SGL (RZx)) published on March 26, 2008; the on sale date for this issue is listed as being April 18, 1938.
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Disclose Format
Publication Type: Comic Book
Color: color
Dimensions: standard Golden Age US; then standard Silver Age US; then standard Modern Age US
Paper Stock:  
Binding: saddle-stitched (squarebound #334, 347, 360, 373, 437, 443, 449, 544, 600)
Publishing Format: was ongoing series
Format Notes:  
Disclose Reprinted From0
There is currently no data for this Issue being reprinted from anywhere.
Disclose Images4
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 

Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
CGC Restored Grade 8.0
Action Comics #1 (DC, 1938) CGC Apparent VF 8.0 Moderate (P) Cream to off-white pages. Demand for the few elite super-keys of the comic hobby goes up with each passing year, and attractively restored Action #1s are among these hot commodities. Most recently, the Court Copy (certified with moderate professional restoration like this copy, but graded three notches lower at Apparent 6.5) fetched $143,400.
"The most important comic book ever published" was Overstreet's note about this issue some years ago, and no one has seriously disputed that claim in the ensuing years. This is the first appearance of Superman, and by universal consensus it's the comic that started the Golden Age. Superman spawned many imitators, and the character's runaway success established DC as one of the top publishers, a status it has never lost. This first Superman story, written by Jerry Siegel and drawn by Joe Shuster, also briefly tells the origin of the character.
CGC notes, "Restoration includes: color touch, pieces added, tear seals, cover cleaned, reinforced." Overstreet 2010 GD 2.0 value = $80,000; VG 4.0 value = $160,000; FN 6.0 value = $240,000; VF 8.0 value = $600,000.

Cover, Back
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 

Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Assets1
 
 
[untitled]

Illustration  on  Cover, Front
Credits
typeset
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]
Reprinting
FlagAction Comics [Superman Sleeping Bag] #1 published January 1976
FlagAction Comics [Nestlé Quik 50¢ Cover] #1 published January 1987
FlagAction Comics [US Postal Service] #1 published September 1998
FlagStålmannen #9/1984 published ?
FlagSuperman from the Thirties to the Seventies #[nn] [Original Edition] published January 1971
as Superman's First Appearance [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]black and white
FlagSupermann #2/1974 published February 1974
as Tilbakeblikk [Text Article on Interior Page(s)]
FlagFamous First Edition #C-26 published April 1974
as [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, Front]
FlagAction Comics [Safeguard Deodorant Giveaway] #1 published January 1976
as [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, Front]
FlagSupermann #2/1976 published February 1976
as [untitled] [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
FlagLynvingen #2/1976 published February 1976
as 60000 kroner for Supermann! [Text Article on Interior Page(s)]0.5 page
FlagSuperboy #3/1976 published March 1976
as [untitled] [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
FlagAction Comics [Nestlé Quik 10¢ Cover] #1 published January 1983
as [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, Front]
FlagSuperman from the Thirties to the Eighties #[nn] published January 1983
as [untitled] [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperserien #9/1984 published January 1984
as ingen tittel [Illustration on Cover, Front]
FlagSupermann #10/1986 published January 1986
as [untitled] [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]0.25 page
FlagSupermann #1/1987 published January 1987
as [untitled] [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
FlagAction Comics [50¢ Cover] #1 [Direct] published January 1988
as [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, Front]
FlagSupermán #57 published December 1988
as [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, Front]
FlagSupermán #57 published December 1988
as Action Comics 1 [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
FlagAction Comics 1 Reprint [Death of Superman] #[nn] published January 1992
as [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, Front]
FlagSuperman: The Action Comics Archives #1 [First Printing] published February 1997
as Action Comics #1 [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
FlagTommy og Tigern #3/1998 published March 1998
as Det er en fugl... Det er et fly.. Det er en superserie. [Text Article on Interior Page(s)]0.25 page
FlagSuperman #37 published July 1998
as Action Comics #1 [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
FlagMillennium Edition: Action Comics 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published February 2000
as [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, Front]minus the price, and (like all reprints of this issue) flying rocks, one bead of sweat, and about an inch off the bottom of the cover
FlagSuperman in the Forties #[nn] published December 2005
as Milestones [Text Article on Interior Page(s)]
FlagThe Superman Chronicles #1 [First Printing] published April 2006
as [untitled] [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman: A Celebration of 75 Years #[nn] published January 2013
as [untitled] [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman: The Golden Age Omnibus #1 published August 2013
as Action Comics #1 [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]cover
 
Miscellaneous
1
In Alter Ego #56 (Feb. 2006), in an interview with Adler, he reports that he painted the colors on the engraving plates for this story.
$25 Cash Prizes!

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
?
typeset
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Inside front cover.
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman [Clark Kent] (introduction, origin)
As a distant planet was destroyed by old age...
A space vehicle from a destroyed world lands on Earth, and its occupant becomes Superman. In addition, a scientific explanation for this being's powers is given.
Reprinting
FlagAction Comics [Nestlé Quik 50¢ Cover] #1 published January 1987
FlagSecret Origins #1 published February 1973
as The Secret Origin of Superman [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagFamous First Edition #C-26 published April 1974
as [untitled] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagAction Comics [Safeguard Deodorant Giveaway] #1 published January 1976
as Revolution in San Monte Pt 1 [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSecret Origins of the Super DC Heroes #[nn] published January 1976
as One Page Origin of Superman [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagA Smithsonian Book of Comic-Book Comics #[nn] published January 1981
as Superman [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagAction Comics [Nestlé Quik 10¢ Cover] #1 published January 1983
as Revolution in San Monte, Part 1 [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagAction Comics 1 Reprint [Death of Superman] #[nn] published January 1992
as Origin and Purpose [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman: The Action Comics Archives #1 [First Printing] published February 1997
as [untitled] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman #37 published July 1998
as Als ein entfernter Planet aufgrund seines hohen Alters kurz vor seinem Untergang stand,... [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagMillennium Edition: Action Comics 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published February 2000
as One Page Origin of Superman [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagKlassiker der Comic-Literatur #1 published January 2005
as Superman [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman in the Forties #[nn] published December 2005
as [untitled] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagThe Superman Chronicles #1 [First Printing] published April 2006
as [untitled] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman through the Ages #[nn] published August 2007
as Origin [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman: A Celebration of 75 Years #[nn] published January 2013
as [untitled] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman: The Golden Age Omnibus #1 published August 2013
as [untitled] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
1
This strip was originally prepared for newspaper publication, cut up and repaged. Black shading used.
The Coming of Superman

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]; George Taylor (unnamed); Lois Lane; Daily Star; Evelyn Curry; Bea Carroll (villain); Butch Matson (villain); Senator Barrows (villain); Alex Greer (villain)
Superman delivers a witness to the governor to stop an execution, then stops a wife-beater. Later Superman, as Clark Kent, goes out with Lois, but she earns the wrath of Butch Matson and Superman must save her. Finally, Clark is assigned a story on the South American republic of San Monte. He heads to Washington DC to find out who is behind Senator Barrows pushing legislation which will embroil the United States in a war in Europe by grabbing lobbyist Alex Greer and scaring the truth out of him.
Reprinting
FlagAction Comics [Superman Sleeping Bag] #1 published January 1976
FlagAction Comics [Nestlé Quik 50¢ Cover] #1 published January 1987
FlagAction Comics [US Postal Service] #1 published September 1998
FlagSuperman #[1] published January 1939
as The Coming of Superman [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman from the Thirties to the Seventies #[nn] [Original Edition] published January 1971
as The Coming of Superman [Story on Interior Page(s)]Recolored (Superman's boots changed from blue to red)
FlagFamous First Edition #C-26 published April 1974
as [untitled] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagAction Comics [Safeguard Deodorant Giveaway] #1 published January 1976
as Revolution in San Monte Pt 1 [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagA Smithsonian Book of Comic-Book Comics #[nn] published January 1981
as Superman [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagAction Comics [Nestlé Quik 10¢ Cover] #1 published January 1983
as Revolution in San Monte, Part 1 [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman from the Thirties to the Eighties #[nn] published January 1983
as Revolution in San Monte pt I [Story on Interior Page(s)]pp. 6-18
FlagAction Comics [50¢ Cover] #1 [Direct] published January 1988
as Revolution in San Monte, Part 1 [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSupermán #57 published December 1988
as [untitled] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagAction Comics 1 Reprint [Death of Superman] #[nn] published January 1992
as Origin and Purpose [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman: The Action Comics Archives #1 [First Printing] published February 1997
as Superman, Champion of the Oppressed! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman #37 published July 1998
as Eine unermüdliche Gestalt rast durch die Nacht. [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagMillennium Edition: Action Comics 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published February 2000
as The Coming of Superman [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagKlassiker der Comic-Literatur #1 published January 2005
as Superman [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman in the Forties #[nn] published December 2005
as [untitled] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagThe Superman Chronicles #1 [First Printing] published April 2006
as Superman, Champion of the Oppressed! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman through the Ages #[nn] published August 2007
as The Coming of Superman [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman: A Celebration of 75 Years #[nn] published January 2013
as Superman, Champion of the Oppressed [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman: The Golden Age Omnibus #1 published August 2013
as Superman, Champion of the Oppressed! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
11.67
Story continues in Action Comics #2. Originally prepared for newspaper publication, cut up and repaged by Joe Shuster, not Harry Lampert as often claimed. Black shading used. Superman wears blue boots. The last 1/3 of page 12 is an illustrated promotional ad for the Superman strip appearing in Action Comics.
[untitled]

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
?
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]
And so begins the startling adventures...
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #[1] published January 1939
as [untitled] [Promotional Material (from Publisher) on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman: The Action Comics Archives #1 [First Printing] published February 1997
as [untitled] [Promotional Material (from Publisher) on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman #37 published July 1998
as und so beginnen die verblüffenden Abenteuer des sensationellsten Comichelden aller Zeiten: SUPERMAN! [Promotional Material (from Publisher) on Interior Page(s)]
FlagThe Superman Chronicles #1 [First Printing] published April 2006
as [untitled] [Promotional Material (from Publisher) on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman: The Golden Age Omnibus #1 published August 2013
as [untitled] [Promotional Material (from Publisher) on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
0.33
Illustrated promotional advertisement for the Superman strip appearing in Action Comics.
The A-G Gang

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
?
Subject Matter
adventure, western
Chuck Dawson; Notch Logan (villain); John Burwell (villain); "Trigger" Holt (villain); Butch (villain); Dan
When Charles Dawson, owner of the Circle-D Ranch is killed in a bloody Texas range war, his young...
Chuck begins a vendetta aginst the crooked ranch owners who have, by fraud, acquired the range lands he inherited after his father's death.
Reprinting
FlagFamous First Edition #C-26 published April 1974
as [untitled] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagMillennium Edition: Action Comics 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published February 2000
as The A-G Gang [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
6
The Mystery of the Freight Train Robberies

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
occult
Zatara (introduction); Tong (introduction); Brady (death); Captain Kennedy; The Tigress (introduction, villain); Babcock (villain)
This is serious, Tong.
Zatara and Tong investigate the murders of several railroad detectives and the theft of over $200,000 in loot.
Reprinting
FlagFamous First Edition #C-26 published April 1974
as The Mystery of the Freight Train Robberies! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagMillennium Edition: Action Comics 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published February 2000
as The Mystery of the Freight Train Robberies [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
12
South Sea Strategy [Part 1]

Text Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
? (spot illustrations)
? (spot illustrations)
?
typeset
Subject Matter
adventure
Bret Coleman; Cottonball; Merna Newton; Samuel Newton; South Seas natives (villains)
For an instant, the sky to the west was splashed with all the vivid colors of nature's paint box.
Bret and Cottonball seek to rescue one Samuel Newton, whose daughter was carried off into the jungle by a pack of savage natives.
Reprinting
FlagFamous First Edition #C-26 published April 1974
as South Sea Strategy [Part 1] [Text Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagMillennium Edition: Action Comics 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published February 2000
as South Sea Strategy [Part 1] [Text Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
2
Sticky-Mitt Stimson

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
crime
Sticky-Mitt Stimson
Beeg airplane!
Sticky swipes some apples and is pursued by the police. He gets a lucky break to make good his escape.
Reprinting
FlagFamous First Edition #C-26 published April 1974
as Sticky-Mitt Stimson [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagMillennium Edition: Action Comics 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published February 2000
as Sticky-Mitt Stimson [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
4
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
?
Subject Matter
historical
Nicolo Polo; Uncle Maffeo; Marco Polo; Niku
It's the year 1271...
Marco, his father and his uncle are given an audience with the new Pope. They are sent on a mission to satisfy a request from the Khan of Tartary for priests and men of learning.
Reprinting
FlagFamous First Edition #C-26 published April 1974
as [untitled] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagMillennium Edition: Action Comics 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published February 2000
as [untitled] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
4
The Light Heavyweight Championship

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
adventure
Pep Morgan; Pop Burkett; Sailor Sorenson; Boomerang; O'Rourke; Doc Lowery (villain)
Pep Morgan, versatile young athlete is fighting Sailor Sorenson for the...
When the Boxing Commission runs a dirty fight trainer out of town, he swears his revenge...against Pep.
Reprinting
FlagFamous First Edition #C-26 published April 1974
as [untitled] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagMillennium Edition: Action Comics 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published February 2000
as The Light Heavyweight Championship [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
4
The International Jewel Thief

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
?
Subject Matter
adventure
Scoop Scanlon; Rusty James; Arnold (villain)
Scoop Scanlon, ace reporter of the Bulletin, rouses his sleepy-eyed pal...
An international jewel thief arrives in America as a prisoner, but Scoop and Rusty are on hand to witness his escape with the help of his gang lying in wait.
Reprinting
FlagFamous First Edition #C-26 published April 1974
as [untitled] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagMillennium Edition: Action Comics 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published February 2000
as The International Jewel Thief [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
6
Murder in England

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
adventure
Tex Thomson (introduction, see notes); Bob; Betty; unnamed gangster chief (intro, villain, death); Monk (villain); Sonja (villain)
Having struck it rich in the oil fields of Texas, Tex Thomson has left his native country to tour the world.
Ken is framed for the murder of a man, and, with the help of Betty and Bobby, sets out to prove his innocence.
Reprinting
FlagFamous First Edition #C-26 published April 1974
as [untitled] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagMillennium Edition: Action Comics 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published February 2000
as Murder in England [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
12
Tex Thomson later becomes Mr. America in Action Comics #33 and then Americommando in Action Comics #54.
Fred Astaire, Constance Bennett, Charles Boyer, Wheeler and Wollsey

Cartoon  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
?
?
Subject Matter
celebrity
Fred Astaire; Constance Bennett; Charles Boyer; Wheeler; Woolsey
Fred Astaire once sat in a booth during a benefit given in London, and danced with...
Interesting facts about celebrities Fred Astaire, Constance Bennett, Charles Boyer and the comedy team of Wheeler and Woolsey are provided in this illustrated filler.
Reprinting
FlagFamous First Edition #C-26 published April 1974
as Fred Astaire, Constance Bennett, Charles Boyer, Wheeler and Wollsey [Cartoon on Interior Page(s)]
FlagMillennium Edition: Action Comics 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published February 2000
as [untitled] [Cartoon on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
1
[untitled]

Cartoon  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
?
Subject Matter
informational
Take it easy, horsey!
Reprinting
FlagFamous First Edition #C-26 published April 1974
as [untitled] [Cartoon on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
1
Inside back cover.
[untitled]

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
?
?
?
typeset
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Back cover.

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