Publishers / DC / Superman (1987) / #23
23November 1988
$0.75; 1.00 CAD; 0.50 GBP

Superman #23

DC · November 1988 · on sale 1988-07-21

First appearance: FireFirst appearance: IceFirst appearance: Sturm BrightbladeOrigin: Batman2 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
Superman (DC, 1987 series)
Issue
#23
Publication date
November 1988
Key date
1988-11-00
On-sale date
1988-07-21
Indicia publisher
DC Comics Inc.
Price
$0.75; 1.00 CAD; 0.50 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 Fire - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

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

First appearance of Sturm Brightblade - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Riva Silvercrown - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Kitiara Majere - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Lord Soth - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

Origin story on record for: Batman, Bruce Wayne.

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: Mike Mignola; inks: P. Craig RussellClark Kent, Siobhan McDougal, Jimmy Olsen, Silver Banshee, Superman
2Curse of the Bansheecomic story22script: Roger Stern; pencils: Mike Mignola; inks: P. Craig Russell; colors: Petra Scotese; letters: John CostanzaBatman Origin, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Siobhan McDougal, Jimmy Olsen, Silver Banshee, Superman, Bruce Wayne Origin
6Discover the World of Dragonlancepromo (ad from the publisher)1pencils: Ron Randall; inks: Ron RandallSturm Brightblade First, Lord Soth First, Kitiara Majere First, Riva Silvercrown First
7Just Imagine! The Mightiest Heroes of Our Time...promo (ad from the publisher)0.5pencils: Jerry Ordway; inks: Ty TempletonNathaniel Adam, Booster Gold, Captain Atom, Michael Jon Carter, Beatriz da Costa, Fire First, Scott Free, G'nort, Green Lantern, Ice First, J'Onn J'Onzz, Martian Manhunter, Mister Miracle, Tora Olafsdotter
8Campaign 88promo (ad from the publisher)0.5pencils: Luke McDonnell; inks: Karl KeselDeadshot, Rick Flag Jr., Floyd Lawton
9-letters page2script: Renee Witterstaetter
10Someone Will Die Because the Joker Wants Revenge.promo (ad from the publisher)1pencils: Jim Aparo; inks: Jim AparoBatman, Robin, Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne

Plus 8 pages of advertisements and other matter across 6 sequences, as published.

Printings and variants

EditionHow to tell
Newsstandprice 0.75 USD; 1.00 CAD; barcode 07098930675211
Second PrintingSee the GCD record for identification notes.

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Superman in the Eighties #[nn]
ISBN 1-4012-0952-1		2006On eBay ›
The DC Universe by Mike Mignola #[nn]
ISBN 9781401268886		2017On eBay ›
Superman: The Exile and Other Stories Omnibus #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-4012-7823-6		2018On eBay ›
The DC Universe by Mike Mignola #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-4012-8114-4		2018On 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

‹ #2223 of 231#24 ›

Sources

  • Grand Comics Database, issue record (CC BY-SA 4.0)
  • Wikidata, Q2528846 (Sturm Brightblade), first-appearance property (CC0)
  • Wikidata, Q2252882 (Lord Soth), first-appearance property (CC0)

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