Publishers / DC / Superman (1939) / #[1]
[1][Summer 1939]
$0.10

Superman #[1]

DC · [Summer 1939] · on sale 1939-05-18

First appearance: Jonathan KentFirst appearance: Martha KentFirst appearance: Jerry SiegelDeath of Jonathan Kent
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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
Superman (DC, 1939 series)
Issue
#[1]
Publication date
[Summer 1939]
Key date
1939-07-00
On-sale date
1939-05-18
Indicia publisher
Detective Comics Inc.
Price
$0.10
Pages
68

Match the book in your hand against this plate before paying an edition-specific price.

Why this issue matters

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

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

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

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

Death on record for: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent.

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 Complete Story of the Daring Exploits of the One and Only Supermancover1pencils: Joe Shuster, Leo O'Mealia; inks: Joe Shuster, Leo O'Mealia; colors: Strauss Engraving Company; letters: Joe ShusterClark Kent, Superman
2Two Page Origin of Supermancomic story2script: Jerome Siegel; pencils: Joe Shuster; inks: Joe Shuster; colors: Strauss Engraving Company; letters: Joe ShusterClark Kent, Superman, Martha Kent First, Jonathan Kent First
3Clark Kent Gets a Jobcomic story4script: Jerry Siegel; pencils: Joe Shuster; inks: Joe Shuster; colors: Strauss Engraving Company; letters: Joe ShusterBea Carroll, Evelyn Curry, Clark Kent, Superman, George Taylor
4The Coming of Supermancomic story11.67script: Jerry Siegel; pencils: Joe Shuster; inks: Joe Shuster; colors: Strauss Engraving Company; letters: Joe ShusterBea Carroll, Evelyn Curry, Alex Greer, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Butch Matson, Senator Barrows, Superman, George Taylor
5-promo (ad from the publisher)0.33pencils: Joe Shuster; inks: Joe Shuster; colors: Strauss Engraving CompanyClark Kent, Superman
6Revolution in San Montecomic story12.67script: Jerome Siegel; pencils: Joe Shuster; inks: Joe Shuster; colors: Strauss Engraving Company; letters: Joe ShusterAlex Greer, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Superman, George Taylor
7-promo (ad from the publisher)0.33colors: Strauss Engraving CompanyClark Kent, Superman
8Superman & Action Comics Invite You to Become a Charter Member of the Supermen of Americain-house column2pencils: Joe Shuster; inks: Joe Shuster; colors: Strauss Engraving CompanyClark Kent, Superman
9Scientific Explanation of Superman's Amazing Strength--!comic story1script: Jerry Siegel; pencils: Joe Shuster; inks: Joe Shuster; colors: Strauss Engraving Company; letters: Joe Shuster
10The Blakely Mine Disastercomic story12.67script: Jerome Siegel; pencils: Joe Shuster; inks: Joe Shuster; colors: Strauss Engraving Company; letters: Joe ShusterClark Kent, Superman, George Taylor
11-in-house column0.33colors: Strauss Engraving Company
12Superman Plays Footballcomic story12.75script: Jerome Siegel; pencils: Joe Shuster; inks: Joe Shuster; colors: Strauss Engraving Company; letters: Joe ShusterClark Kent, Superman
13Acquiring Super-Strengthactivity0.25colors: Strauss Engraving Company
14-text article1pencils: Joe Shuster; inks: Joe Shuster; colors: Strauss Engraving CompanyClark Kent, Superman, Joe Shuster First, Jerry Siegel First
15Biff Dugantext story2script: Jerry Siegel; pencils: Joe Shuster; inks: Joe Shuster; colors: Strauss Engraving CompanyClark Kent, Superman
16-promo (ad from the publisher)1pencils: Fred Guardineer; inks: Fred Guardineer; colors: Strauss Engraving CompanyClark Kent, Superman, Tong, Zatara
18-illustration1pencils: Joe Shuster; inks: Joe Shuster; colors: Strauss Engraving CompanyClark Kent, Superman

Plus 2 pages of advertisements and other matter across 2 sequences, as published.

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Action Comics #131939On eBay ›
Superman Annual #11960On eBay ›
Superman Annual #21960On eBay ›
Adventure Comics #2851961On eBay ›
Superboy #1001962On eBay ›
The Great Comic Book Heroes #[nn]1965On eBay ›
Superman from the Thirties to the Seventies #[nn]1971On eBay ›
Superman from the Thirties to the Eighties #[nn]
ISBN 0517551004		1983On eBay ›
The Superman Archives #1
ISBN 0-980289-47-1		1989On eBay ›
The Superman Archives #2
ISBN 0-930289-76-5		1990On eBay ›
Famous First Edition #C-611979On eBay ›

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

Before you buy

  • Golden-age paper is brittle. Ask about page suppleness and check edges for chips in the photos.
  • Check for trimmed edges, married covers, and clipped coupons - all common on books this old.
  • Confirm the indicia matches this plate; many golden-age titles changed names mid-run.

Series context

1 of 423#2 ›

Sources

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