Advertising disclosure: ComicRecord is a participant in the eBay Partner Network. Links to eBay on this site are advertising, and as an eBay Partner Network affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Publishers / DC / Action Comics (1938) / #252
252May 1959
$0.10

Action Comics #252

DC · May 1959 · on sale March 31, 1959

Buy it now on eBay ›Graded copies ›
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.
  • Buy links are eBay affiliate links. They never change what the record says.

Identification plate

Series
Action Comics (DC, 1938 series)
Issue
#252
Publication date
May 1959
Key date
May 1959
On-sale date
March 31, 1959
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

From the editorial file First appearance of Supergirl, May 1959, and of Metallo in the same issue. The most important Superman family key of the Silver Age.

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 Supergirl from Krypton!cover1pencils: Curt Swan; inks: Al PlastinoSuperman [Kal-El]; Supergirl [Kara Zor-El]
2The Menace of Metallo!comic story12.67script: Robert Bernstein; pencils: Al Plastino; inks: Al PlastinoSuperman [Clark Kent]; Lois Lane; Metallo [John Corben] (intro, villain); Professor Vale; Perry White; Jimmy Olsen (unnamed); Edith; Sherry Blair
5-comic story0.67script: Henry Boltinoff; pencils: Henry Boltinoff; inks: Henry BoltinoffPete; Mrs. Ellis
6Coming Super-Attractionspromo (ad from the publisher)0.33
7Congo Bill Dies at Dawn!comic story5.67script: Robert Bernstein; pencils: Howard Sherman; inks: Howard ShermanCongo Bill; Congorilla; Janu the Jungle Boy; Rupert; Sgt. Hallix; Gabin
9-letters page1letters: typesetSuperman
10The Supergirl from Krypton!comic story7.67script: Otto Binder; pencils: Al Plastino; inks: Al PlastinoSuperman [Kal-El]; Supergirl [Kara Zor-El] (introduction, origin); Zor-El (introduction, flashback); Miss Hart (introduction); Superboy (on a poster); Alura (unnamed, flashback)

Plus 6.99 pages of advertisements and other matter across 9 sequences, as published.

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Superman Annual #11960On eBay ›
Superman Annual #21960On eBay ›
Action Comics #3341966On eBay ›
Superman #2171969On eBay ›
Secret Origins #21973On eBay ›
Secret Origins of Super-Heroes1979On eBay ›
Superman from the Thirties to the Eighties #[nn]
ISBN 0517551004		1983On eBay ›
Giant Superman Annual #1 Replica Edition #[nn]
ISBN 1-56389-466-1		1998On eBay ›
Supergirl Archives #1
ISBN 1-56389-737-7		2001On eBay ›
Millennium Edition: Action Comics 252 #[nn]2000On eBay ›
Showcase Presents: Superman #1
ISBN 1-4012-0758-8		2005On eBay ›
DC Silver Age Classics Action Comics 252 #[nn]1992On 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

‹ #251252 of 866#253 ›

Sources

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