Publishers / DC / Action Comics (1938) / #256
256September 1959
$0.10

Action Comics #256

DC · September 1959 · on sale 1959-07-30

First appearance: Dick Malverne
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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
#256
Publication date
September 1959
Key date
1959-09-00
On-sale date
1959-07-30
Indicia publisher
National Comics Publications Inc.
Price
$0.10
Pages
36
Rating
Approved by the Comics Code Authority

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

Why this issue matters

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

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
0The Superman of the Future!cover1pencils: Curt Swan; inks: Stan KayeClark Kent, Lois Lane, Superman
2The Superman of the Future!comic story11.67script: Otto Binder; pencils: Curt Swan; inks: Stan KayeClark Kent, Lois Lane, Superman
6Water: A Good Friend or Deadly Enemy-- Depending on You!public service announcement1script: Jack Schiff; pencils: Bernard Baily; inks: Bernard Baily; letters: Ira Schnapp
7-comic story0.67script: Henry Boltinoff; pencils: Henry Boltinoff; inks: Henry Boltinoff; letters: Henry BoltinoffProfessor Eureka
8Superman's Secret Messagepromo (ad from the publisher)0.33letters: typeset
9Janu, the Joker of the Jungle!comic story6script: Robert Bernstein; pencils: Howard Sherman; inks: Howard ShermanCongo Bill, The Congorilla, Janu
12-letters page1letters: typeset
13The Great Supergirl Mirage!comic story6.67script: Otto Binder; pencils: Jim Mooney; inks: Jim MooneyKara Zor-El, Supergirl, Dick Malverne First

Plus 7.66 pages of advertisements and other matter across 11 sequences, as published.

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Superman Annual #31961On eBay ›
Adventure Comics #3901970On eBay ›
The Best of DC #171981On eBay ›
Supergirl Archives #1
ISBN 1-56389-737-7		2001On eBay ›
Showcase Presents: Superman #1
ISBN 1-4012-0758-8		2005On eBay ›
The Greatest 1950s Stories Ever Told #[nn]
ISBN 0930289838		1992On eBay ›
Showcase Presents: Supergirl #1
ISBN 978-1-4012-1717-4		2008On eBay ›
Superman: The Man of Tomorrow Archives #3
ISBN 978-1-4012-4107-0		2014On eBay ›
Superman in Action Comics #1
ISBN 1-55859-595-3		1993On eBay ›
Supergirl: The Silver Age Omnibus #1
ISBN 978-1-4012-6246-4		2016On eBay ›

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

Before you buy

  • Check spine ticks and cover gloss in the photos; silver-age Marvels chip at the edges easily.
  • Look for tanning at the page edges and transfer stains on the inside covers.
  • Confirm the cover price against the plate; higher prices can mean a later or foreign printing.

Series context

‹ #255256 of 866#257 ›

Sources

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