CATALOG RECORD

Action Comics #1

DC · Series began 1938 · June 1938

first Superman

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first Superman

Superman (Clark Kent / Kal-El / Kal-L) — introduction · origin
Lois Lane (girlfriend/wife of Superman) — introduction, last name revealed in issue #2
Zatara (DC magician) — introduction
Tex Thomson (Mr. America; Americommando) — introduction, see notes
Tong (Zatara's assistant) — introduction
Chuck Dawson (cowboy) — introduction · origin
Rusty James (Scoop Scanlon's partner) — introduction
Scoop Scanlon (DC, Five Star Reporter) — introduction
Butch Matson (Superman thug) — introduction
Alex Greer (DC character) — introduction
Bea Carroll (first Superman villain) — introduction
Tigress (Zatara's enemy) — introduction
Senator Barrows (DC character) — introduction

Dates

Cover date: June 1938
On sale: April 18, 1938
Pages: 68

Editions and covers

Original edition
Source ↗

Facsimile reprints exist

Action Comics 1 (Facsimile Edition) (2022), Action Comics #1 (Facsimile Edition) (2023), Action Comics 1 (Golden Age) Superman Day Special Facsimile Edition (2025), Action Comics 1 (Facsimile Edition) (2026). A facsimile reproduces this issue with a modern cover price and barcode; check before buying.

Creators

pencils: Joe Shuster, Homer Fleming, Fred Guardineer, Russell Cole, Sven Elven, Bill Ely, Bernard Baily, Sheldon Moldoffinks: Joe Shuster, Homer Fleming, Fred Guardineer, Russell Cole, Sven Elven, Bill Ely, Bernard Baily, Sheldon Moldoffscript: Vin Sullivan, Jerry Siegel, Fred Guardineer, Russell Cole, Gardner Foxcolors: Strauss Engraving Companyletters: Joe Shuster, Sven Elven, Fred Guardineer, Bernard Baily

Stories

Superman Origin · 1 pages
A space vehicle from a destroyed world lands on Earth, and its occupant becomes Superman. In addition, a scientific explanation for this being's powers is given.
The Coming of Superman · 11.67 pages
Superman delivers a witness to the governor to stop an execution, then stops a wife-beater. Later Superman, as Clark Kent, goes out with Lois, but she earns the wrath of Butch Matson and Superman must save her. Finally, Clark is assigned a story on the South American republic of San Monte. He heads to Washington DC to find out who is behind Senator Barrows pushing legislation which will embroil the United States in a war in Europe by grabbing lobbyist Alex Greer and scaring the truth out of him.
The 4-G Gang, Part 1 · 6 pages
Chuck begins a vendetta aginst the crooked ranch owners who have, by fraud, acquired the range lands he inherited after his father's death.
The Mystery of the Freight Train Robberies · 12 pages
Zatara and Tong investigate the murders of several railroad detectives and the theft of over $200,000 in loot.
South Sea Strategy [Part 1] · 2 pages
Bret and Cottonball seek to rescue one Samuel Newton, whose daughter was carried off into the jungle by a pack of savage natives.
Untitled · 4 pages
Sticky swipes some apples and is pursued by the police. He gets a lucky break to make good his escape.
Episode 1 · 4 pages
Marco, his father and his uncle are given an audience with the new Pope. They are sent on a mission to satisfy a request from the Khan of Tartary for priests and men of learning.
The Light Heavyweight Championship · 4 pages
When the Boxing Commission runs a dirty fight trainer out of town, he swears his revenge...against Pep.
The International Jewel Thief · 6 pages
An international jewel thief arrives in America as a prisoner, but Scoop and Rusty are on hand to witness his escape with the help of his gang lying in wait.
Murder in England · 12 pages
Ken is framed for the murder of a man, and, with the help of Betty and Bobby, sets out to prove his innocence.

Characters

Clark KentSupermanLois LaneGeorge TaylorZataraTex ThomsonPep MorganTongChuck DawsonRusty JamesScoop ScanlonMarco PoloButch MatsonAlex GreerBea CarrollEvelyn CurryTigressSenator BarrowsRick RadomskiSticky-Mitt Stimson

Reprinted in

Famous First Edition (1974), Millennium Edition: Action Comics 1 (2000), Action Comics 1 (Facsimile Edition) (2022), Action Comics #1 (Facsimile Edition) (2023), Action Comics 1 Fan Expo Special Edition (2023), Action Comics 1 (Golden Age) Superman Day Special Facsimile Edition (2025), Action Comics 1 Superman Day Special Edition (2026), Action Comics 1 (Facsimile Edition) (2026), Action Comics 80 Years of Superman: The Deluxe Edition (2018), Action Comics [Safeguard Deodorant Giveaway] (1976), A Smithsonian Book of Comic-Book Comics (1981), Action Comics [Nestlé Quik 10¢ Cover] (1983), Action Comics [Nestlé Quik 50¢ Cover] (1987), Action Comics 1 Reprint [Death of Superman] (1992), Action Comics nº1 (Fac-Símile) (1994), Superman: The Action Comics Archives (1997), Superman in the Forties (2005), The Superman Chronicles (2006), Superman through the Ages (2007), Superman: A Celebration of 75 Years (2013)