Publishers / DC / Superman (1987) / #16
16April 1988
$0.75; 1.00 CAD; 0.40 GBP

Superman #16

DC · April 1988 · on sale 1987-12-15

First appearance: MatrixFirst appearance: Supergirl2 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.
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Identification plate

Series
Superman (DC, 1987 series)
Issue
#16
Publication date
April 1988
Key date
1988-04-00
On-sale date
1987-12-15
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 Matrix - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Supergirl - 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 Perfidious Perils of the Pusillanimous Prankster!cover1pencils: John Byrne; inks: John ByrneClark Kent, Superman
1DCpromo (ad from the publisher)1letters: typeset
2He Only Laughs When I Hurt!comic story22script: John Byrne; pencils: John Byrne; inks: Karl Kesel; colors: Tom Ziuko; letters: John CostanzaDesaad, Morgan Edge, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Matrix First, Jimmy Olsen, Sarah Olsen, The Prankster, Supergirl First, Superman, Alice White, Perry White, Oswald Loomis
4-promo (ad from the publisher)0.5pencils: Jan Duursema; inks: Tom MandrakeTravis Morgan, The Warlord
8-promo (ad from the publisher)1pencils: Joe Orlando; inks: Dave GibbonsThe Phantom, Kit Walker
10Fifty Years of Superman in Action Comicspromo (ad from the publisher)1pencils: John Byrne; inks: John Byrne, George PérezClark Kent, Princess Diana, Superman, Wonder Woman
11-letters page2script: Mike Carlin

Plus 7.5 pages of advertisements and other matter across 7 sequences, as published.

Printings and variants

EditionHow to tell
Newsstandprice 0.75 USD; barcode 0709893067504
Canadianprice 1.00 CAD; barcode 0709893067504

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Superman: The Man of Steel #8
ISBN 978-1-4012-4391-3		2014On eBay ›
Superman: The Man of Steel #4
ISBN 978-1-77951-321-2		2022On eBay ›

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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

‹ #1516 of 231#17 ›

Sources

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