Publishers / DC / Adventure Comics (1938) / #257
257February 1959
$0.10

Adventure Comics #257

DC · February 1959 · on sale 1958-12-30

First appearance: Sam ScudderFirst appearance: Mirror MasterFirst appearance: Hercules
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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
Adventure Comics (DC, 1938 series)
Issue
#257
Publication date
February 1959
Key date
1959-02-00
On-sale date
1958-12-30
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 Sam Scudder - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

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

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

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

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

First appearance of Tarkus - 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
0Superboy Meets the First Two Super-Men!cover1pencils: Curt Swan; inks: Stan Kaye; letters: Ira SchnappHercules First, Clark Kent, Merrio First, Samson First, Superboy, Tarkus First
2The First Two Super-Men!comic story12.67script: Otto Binder; pencils: Curt Swan; inks: Ray BurnleyHercules First, Clark Kent, Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent, Krypto, Merrio First, Samson First, Superboy, Tarkus First
4-comic story0.67script: Henry Boltinoff; pencils: Henry Boltinoff; inks: Henry Boltinoff; letters: Henry BoltinoffLittle Pete
5-statement of ownership0.33script: J. S. Liebowitz
6Just One Second!promo (ad from the publisher)1Barry Allen, The Flash, Mirror Master First, Sam Scudder First
7The Magic Card!public service announcement1script: Jack Schiff; pencils: Bernard Baily; inks: Bernard Baily; letters: Ira Schnapp
8The Arrows That Failedcomic story5.67pencils: Lee Elias; inks: Lee EliasGreen Arrow, Roy Harper, Oliver Queen, Speedy
10-comic story0.67script: Henry Boltinoff; pencils: Henry Boltinoff; inks: Henry Boltinoff; letters: Henry BoltinoffPeg
11Adventure Comicspromo (ad from the publisher)0.33Clark Kent, Oliver Queen, Superboy
12-letters page1letters: typeset
13The Imitation Aquamancomic story5.67script: Robert Bernstein; pencils: Ramona Fradon; inks: Ramona FradonAquaman, Arthur Curry, Topo
15-comic story1script: Henry Boltinoff; pencils: Henry Boltinoff; inks: Henry Boltinoff; letters: Henry BoltinoffVarsity Vic

Plus 4.99 pages of advertisements and other matter across 7 sequences, as published.

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Superman Annual #61962On eBay ›
Showcase Presents: Green Arrow #1
ISBN 1-4012-0785-5		2006On eBay ›
DC Finest: Aquaman: King of Atlantis #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-77952-989-3		2025On 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

‹ #256226 of 472#258 ›

Sources

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