Publishers / DC / Action Comics (1938) / #1
1June 1938
$0.10

Action Comics #1

DC · June 1938 · on sale 1938-04-18

First appearance: Lois LaneFirst appearance: George TaylorFirst appearance: ZataraOrigin: Chuck Dawson
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How to read this file
  • Every claim on this page traces to a public bibliographic record; the sources are listed at the bottom of the file.
  • A first-appearance badge means this is the earliest non-flashback appearance on record in this database.
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Identification plate

Series
Action Comics (DC, 1938 series)
Issue
#1
Publication date
June 1938
Key date
1938-06-00
On-sale date
1938-04-18
Indicia publisher
Detective Comics Inc.
Price
$0.10
Pages
68

Match the book in your hand against this plate before paying an edition-specific price.

Why this issue matters

From the editorial file The book that started the superhero industry. Superman debuts in a 13 page lead by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, June 1938 cover date, and every costumed character since descends from it. It is the anchor of the entire hobby and among the rarest of all mainstream comics in any grade.

First appearance of Lois Lane - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of George Taylor - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Zatara - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Tex Thomson - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Tong - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Chuck Dawson - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Scoop Scanlon - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Rusty James - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Marco Polo - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Butch Matson - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Alex Greer - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Bea Carroll - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Evelyn Curry - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Tigress - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Senator Barrows - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Rick Radomski - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Sticky-Mitt Stimson - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Lou Gehrig - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Robert Woolsey - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Constance Bennett - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Charles Boyer - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Lee Grissom - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

Origin story on record for: Chuck Dawson, Clark Kent, Superman.

The evidence

Claims here come from the story records for this issue, listed under Sources at the bottom of the file. Character hubs with full evidence tables are coming to this site.

Contents

SeqStoryTypePagesCreditsCharacters
0-cover1pencils: Joe Shuster; inks: Joe Shuster; colors: Jack Adler, Ed EisenbergClark Kent, Butch Matson First, Rick Radomski First, Superman
1$25 Cash Prizes!promo (ad from the publisher)1script: Vin Sullivan
2Superman Origincomic story1script: Jerry Siegel; pencils: Joe Shuster; inks: Joe Shuster; colors: Strauss Engraving Company; letters: Joe ShusterClark Kent Origin, Superman Origin
3The Coming of Supermancomic story11.67script: Jerry Siegel; pencils: Joe Shuster; inks: Joe Shuster; colors: Strauss Engraving Company; letters: Joe ShusterBea Carroll First, Evelyn Curry First, Alex Greer First, Lois Lane First, Butch Matson First, Senator Barrows First, Superman, Clark Kent, George Taylor First
4Action Comicspromo (ad from the publisher)0.33script: Vin Sullivan; pencils: Joe Shuster; inks: Joe Shuster; colors: Strauss Engraving CompanyClark Kent, Superman
5The 4-G Gang, Part 1comic story6script: Homer Fleming; pencils: Homer Fleming; inks: Homer FlemingChuck Dawson First
6The Mystery of the Freight Train Robberiescomic story12script: Fred Guardineer; pencils: Fred Guardineer; inks: Fred Guardineer; colors: Strauss Engraving Company; letters: Fred GuardineerTigress First, Tong First, Zatara First
7South Sea Strategy [Part 1]text story2script: Captain Frank Thomas; colors: Strauss Engraving CompanyBret Coleman; Cottonball; Merna Newton; Samuel Newton; South Seas natives (villains)
8-comic story4script: Alger; pencils: Alger; inks: Alger; colors: Strauss Engraving Company; letters: Russell ColeSticky-Mitt Stimson First
9Episode 1comic story4pencils: Sven Elvén; inks: Sven Elvén; colors: Strauss Engraving Company; letters: Sven ElvenMarco Polo First
10The Light Heavyweight Championshipcomic story4script: Gardner Fox; pencils: Fred Guardineer; inks: Fred Guardineer; colors: Strauss Engraving Company; letters: Fred GuardineerPep Morgan
11The International Jewel Thiefcomic story6pencils: Will Ely; inks: Will Ely; letters: Bill ElyRusty James First, Scoop Scanlon First
12Murder in Englandcomic story12script: Ken Fitch; pencils: Bernard Baily; inks: Bernard Baily; colors: Strauss Engraving Company; letters: Bernard BailyTex Thomson First
13Fred Astaire, Constance Bennett, Charles Boyer, Wheeler and Woolseycartoon1pencils: Sheldon Moldoff; inks: Sheldon Moldoff; colors: Strauss Engraving CompanyFred Astaire, Constance Bennett First, Charles Boyer First, Bert Wheeler, Robert Woolsey First
14Lou Gehrig, Lee Grissom, and Babe Ruthcartoon1pencils: Moldoff; inks: MoldoffBabe Ruth, Lou Gehrig First, Lee Grissom First

Plus 1 page of advertisements and other matter across 1 sequence, as published.

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Detective Comics #151938On eBay ›
Detective Comics #161938On eBay ›
Superman #[1]1939On eBay ›
Superman from the Thirties to the Seventies #[nn]1971On eBay ›
Secret Origins #11973On eBay ›
Action Comics [Safeguard Deodorant Giveaway] #11976On eBay ›
A Smithsonian Book of Comic-Book Comics #[nn]
ISBN 0-87474-228-5; 0-8109-0696-1		1981On eBay ›
Superman from the Thirties to the Eighties #[nn]
ISBN 0517551004		1983On eBay ›
Action Comics [Nestlé Quik 10¢ Cover] #11983On eBay ›
Action Comics [50th Anniversary Edition] #11988On eBay ›
Superman: The Action Comics Archives #1
ISBN 1-56389-335-5		1998On eBay ›
Famous First Edition #C-261974On eBay ›

Reading the story costs a fraction of owning the issue. Both routes are on every file.

Before you buy

  • Reprints and facsimiles vastly outnumber originals: 1970s oversized editions, anniversary reprints, and giveaway copies all exist. An original at a too-good price is not an original.
  • For a purchase at this level, third-party authentication and a documented chain of ownership are not optional.
  • Golden-age paper is brittle. Ask about page suppleness and check edges for chips in the photos.
  • Check for trimmed edges, married covers, and clipped coupons - all common on books this old.
  • Confirm the indicia matches this plate; many golden-age titles changed names mid-run.

Series context

1 of 866#2 ›

Sources

  • Grand Comics Database, issue record (CC BY-SA 4.0)
  • Wikidata, Q110552827 (Lois Lane), first-appearance property (CC0)

Found an error in this file? corrections@comicrecord.com