Publishers / DC / Action Comics (1938) / #391
391August 1970
$0.15

Action Comics #391

DC · August 1970 · on sale 1970-06-30

First appearance: Superman Jr.First appearance: Clark Kent Jr.First appearance: Batman Jr.
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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
#391
Publication date
August 1970
Key date
1970-08-00
On-sale date
1970-06-30
Indicia publisher
National Periodical Publications Inc.
Price
$0.15
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 Superman Jr. - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Clark Kent Jr. - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Batman Jr. - 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 Punishment of Superman's Son!cover1pencils: Curt Swan; inks: Murphy Anderson; letters: Gaspar SaladinoClark Kent, Clark Kent Jr. First, Superman, Superman Jr. First
1The Punishment of Superman's Son!comic story15script: Robert Kanigher; pencils: Ross Andru; inks: Mike Esposito; letters: Gaspar Saladino, Milt SnapinnBatman, Batman Jr. First, Jor-El, Clark Kent, Clark Kent Jr. First, Superman, Superman Jr. First, Bruce Wayne
2-letters page1script: E. Nelson Bridwell
3The Ordeal of Element Lad!comic story10script: E. Nelson Bridwell; pencils: Win Mortimer; inks: Jack Abel; letters: John CostanzaImra Ardeen, Jan Arrah, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Reep Daggle, Querl Dox, Element Lad, Brin Londo, Saturn Girl, Timber Wolf

Where to read it

CollectionYear
The Legion of Super-Heroes Archives #9
ISBN 1-56389-514-5		2000On eBay ›
Showcase Presents: Legion of Super-Heroes #4
ISBN 978-1-4012-2941-2		2010On eBay ›
Amazing Heroes #291983On eBay ›
The Silver Age of Superman The Greatest Covers of Action Comics from the '50s to the '70s #[nn]
ISBN 0-89660-055-6		1995On eBay ›
Legion of Super-Heroes: The Silver Age Omnibus #3
ISBN 978-1-77950-243-8		2020On eBay ›
DC Finest: Legion of Super-Heroes: Zap Goes the Legion #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-77952-849-0		2025On eBay ›

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

Before you buy

  • Check the price box: Marvel ran 30-cent and 35-cent test-market price variants in 1976-77.
  • Canadian and Whitman editions exist for many bronze books; match the barcode area to the plate.
  • Look for Mark Jewelers inserts and date stamps - they affect collector preference, not authenticity.

Series context

‹ #390391 of 866#392 ›

Sources

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