Publishers / DC / Action Comics (1938) / #648
648December 1989
$0.75; 0.95 CAD; 0.50 GBP

Action Comics #648

DC · December 1989 · on sale 1989-11-09

First appearance: MetalloDeath of Emmett Vale1 variant
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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
#648
Publication date
December 1989
Key date
1989-12-00
On-sale date
1989-11-09
Indicia publisher
DC Comics Inc.
Price
$0.75; 0.95 CAD; 0.50 GBP
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 Metallo - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

Death on record for: Emmett Vale.

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 Brainiac Trilogy, Part Twocover1pencils: George Pérez; inks: George Pérez; letters: Todd KleinClark Kent, Metallo First, Superman
2Body and Mind [The Brainiac Trilogy, Part 2]comic story22script: Roger Stern; pencils: Kerry Gammill, George Pérez; inks: Brett Breeding; colors: Glenn Whitmore; letters: Bill OakleyBrainiac, John Corben, Dubbilex, Milton Moses Fine, The Guardian, Sydney Happersen, Clark Kent, Lex Luthor, Metallo, Robotman, Cliff Steele, Superman, Emmett Vale Death, Perry White
11-letters page1.5letters: typeset
12Free Poster!promo (ad from the publisher)0.5pencils: Kevin Maguire; inks: Ty TempletonClark Kent, Superboy

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

Printings and variants

EditionHow to tell
Newsstandprice 0.75 USD; 0.95 CAD; barcode 07098930410912

Where to read it

CollectionYear
The Superman Gallery #11993On eBay ›
Adventures of Superman: George Pérez #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-77950-012-0		2020On eBay ›

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

Before you buy

  • Confirm the UPC box: a publisher mark instead of a barcode means direct edition, a barcode means newsstand.
  • Glossy covers of this era show edge chipping easily. Check black edges closely in the photos.
  • Check the staples and centerfold; heavily read anniversary and key issues loosen there first.

Series context

‹ #647606 of 866#649 ›

Sources

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