Publishers / DC / Adventures of Superman (1987) / #438
438March 1988
$0.75; 1.00 CAD; 0.40 GBP

Adventures of Superman #438

DC · March 1988 · on sale November 24, 1987

First appearance: Vril DoxFirst appearance: Milton Moses FineFirst appearance: Brainiac2 variants
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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.
  • Buy links are eBay affiliate links. They never change what the record says.

Identification plate

Series
Adventures of Superman (DC, 1987 series)
Issue
#438
Publication date
March 1988
Key date
March 1988
On-sale date
November 24, 1987
Indicia publisher
DC Comics Inc.
Price
$0.75; 1.00 CAD; 0.40 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 Vril Dox - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Milton Moses Fine - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Brainiac - 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
0-cover1pencils: Jerry Ordway; inks: Jerry OrdwayClark Kent, Superman
2...The Amazing Brainiaccomic story22script: John Byrne; pencils: Jerry Ordway; inks: John Beatty; colors: Anthony Tollin; letters: Albert T. DeGuzmanBrainiac First, Milton Moses Fine First, Adam Grant, Cat Grant, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Superman, Jerry White, Ron Chin, Vril Dox First
4The Rest of the Storypromo (ad from the publisher)1pencils: John Byrne; inks: John Byrne, Alfredo AlcalaClark Kent, Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent, Lana Lang
8-promo (ad from the publisher)0.333
9The Future Is 30 Years Old and It's Just Beginningpromo (ad from the publisher)1letters: typeset
10-promo (ad from the publisher)1letters: typeset
11Who Is... What Is...promo (ad from the publisher)1pencils: Bernie Wrightson; inks: Bernie WrightsonBatman, Black Canary, Blue Beetle, Doctor Fate, Guy Gardner, Green Lantern, J'Onn J'Onzz, Ted Kord, Dinah Lance, Martian Manhunter, Kent Nelson, Bruce Wayne, The Weird
12-letters page2script: Mike Carlin
13Two Free Months of DC Comicspromo (ad from the publisher)1letters: typesetJan Arrah, Brek Bannin, Dawnstar, Element Lad, Brin Londo, Polar Boy, Queen Projectra, Sensor Girl, Timber Wolf

Plus 5.667 pages of advertisements and other matter across 6 sequences, as published.

Printings and variants

EditionHow to tell
Newsstandprice 0.75 USD; barcode 0709893114003
Canadianprice 1.00 CAD; barcode 0709893114003

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Superman vs. Brainiac #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-4012-1940-6		2009On eBay ›
Superman: The Man of Steel #7
ISBN 978-1-4012-3820-9		2013On eBay ›
Superman: The Man of Steel #3
ISBN 978-1-77950-966-6		2021On 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

‹ #43715 of 230#439 ›

Sources

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