*Please note, comics do not have to be CGC-graded.
COVER DETAILS
Characters:
Superman [Clark Kent]
Notes:
This cover is from the opening Shuster panel in the Superman story in Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #10 (March 1939).
Per Comic Book Marketplace (Gary Carter, 1990 series) # ?, Leo O'Mealia's son Leo Jr. uncovered evidence of his father's work on this cover from his records.
Per Alter Ego (Twomorrows, 1999 series) #27 (August, 2003), Ken Gale and Rich Morrissey interview Vin Sullivan who remembered O'Mealia. Rich then states that O'Mealia photostatted and cut out the Shuster work from the first panel from Action #10 for the cover and drew the ornate detailing surrounding it. O'Mealia may have retraced the photostat or done some retouching of the figure and building backgrounds. Sullivan did not seem to recall the events of the cover.
We previously credited Shuster alone, then O'Mealia alone.
Logo design credit from Todd Klein via his Facebook page, used with permission.
Reprints:
Famous First Edition (DC, 1974 series) #C-61 ([March] 1979), | Superboy (DC, 1949 series) #100 (October 1962), | Superman Annual (DC, 1960 series) #1 ([Summer] 1960), | Famous First Edition (DC, 1974 series) #C-61 ([March] 1979)
STORY DETAILS
Title:
Two Page Origin of Superman
Characters:
Superman [Clark Kent]; Ma Kent [Mary] (introduction, death); Pa Kent (introduction, death)
Synopsis:
A rocketship, carrying an infant, rockets from the planet Krypton as it blows up, and lands on the Earth where a couple named the Kents find the baby inside the rocket and eventually adopt him. This infant boy grows up to be Superman.
Notes:
This is the first version of the Superman origin that mentions Krypton and his foster parents.
Title:
Clark Kent Gets a Job
Characters:
Superman [Clark Kent]; George Taylor (introduction, un-named); Sims; Evelyn Curry; Bea Carroll (villain)
Synopsis:
Clark Kent applies for a job at the Daily Star, but is turned down until Superman stops a lynching and Clark phones in the story. Then Superman gets singer Bea Carroll to confess to the murder of Jack Kennedy.
Pages:
4.000
Reprints:
Famous First Edition (DC, 1974 series) #C-61 ([March] 1979)
Notes:
New material, newly drawn for this issue. Superman wears red boots. The story has no masthead or by-line. The story continues in the next sequence.
Title:
The Coming of Superman
Characters:
Superman [Clark Kent]; George Taylor (introduction, un-named); Lois Lane (introduction); Evelyn Curry; un-named Governor; Governor's un-named servant; Bea Carroll (villain); Butch Matson (villain); Senator Barrows (villain); Alex Greer (villain)
Synopsis:
Superman breaks into the Governor's mansion to stop the execution of Evelyn Curry, and Lois is kidnapped by gangsters, no thanks to that spineless milksop, Clark Kent, but is rescued by Superman! In his next assignment, Superman tackles a corrupt Senator in Washington.
Pages:
11.670
Reprints:
Famous First Edition (DC, 1974 series) #C-61 ([March] 1979)
Notes:
Continued in next story. Clark Kent is hired as a reporter for the Daily Star newspaper in this sequence. Superman wears blue boots in this reprinted story. A scene from the cover of Action #1 appears in panel 67.
Title:
Revolution in San Monte
Characters:
Superman [Clark Kent]; Lois Lane; Lola Cortez; George Taylor (cameo); Alex Greer (villain); Emil Norvell (villain)
Synopsis:
Clark Kent and Lois Lane board the steamship Baronta, bound for San Monte in South America to cover the war brewing. He and Norvell join the San Monte Army so that the Man of Tomorrow can prove the war is being fomented by munitions manufacturers.
Pages:
12.670
Reprints:
Famous First Edition (DC, 1974 series) #C-61 ([March] 1979)
Notes:
Clark apparently works for the (Cleveland, Ohio) Evening News, as he sends pictures there, although panel 15 of the story has Lois stating "our editor decided to have me accompany you to the warzone..." and Lois works for the Daily Star. Since Siegel and Shuster both came from Cleveland, it's possible Siegel put this in as a plug for their hometown newspaper! Superman wears blue boots.
Title:
Scientific Explanation of Superman's Amazing Strength--!
Synopsis:
Superman's strength is attributed to the lighter gravity found on Earth, and is compared to the ant and the grasshopper, both insects whose strength and jumping ability, by comparsion, would be considered super strength.
Pages:
1.000
Reprints:
Famous First Edition (DC, 1974 series) #C-61 ([March] 1979)
Notes:
Adapted (not reprinted) from page 1 in Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #1 (June 1938). According to Superman: The Complete History, the idea, and title for this sequence came from M. C. Gaines in a letter to Siegel and Shuster dated March 27, 1939.
Synopsis:
Clark asks editor Taylor for the assignment at a cave-in the Blakely Mine, a mine notorious for its unsafe working conditions. However, when he disguises himself as a miner, he is caught and taken to Blakely, who is entertaining guests at a party. Blakely decides to move the party into the mine, showing to all present that conditions and fail safe measures are more than adequate for the worker's safety.
Pages:
12.670
Reprints:
Famous First Edition (DC, 1974 series) #C-61 ([March] 1979)
Notes:
Superman appears in only one panel in this story. Wears blue boots.
Title:
Superman Plays Football
Characters:
Superman [Clark Kent]; Tommy Burke; Mary; Wallace Dodd (cameo); Coach Randall (villain); Oliver Stanley; Ray Martin; Mike
Synopsis:
Learning that the football coach of Dale University, who is desperately trying to save his job, has hired professional thugs to play against Cordell University, Superman kidnaps Cordell's bench warmer-player, Tommy Burke, and takes his place in the big game, foiling the plot and allowing Cordell to win the game.
Pages:
12.750
Reprints:
Famous First Edition (DC, 1974 series) #C-61 ([March] 1979)
Notes:
Clark works for the Evening News in this story. Superman wears blue boots.
Characters:
Superman [Clark Kent] (inset); Jerry Siegel (photo); Joe Shuster (photo)
Synopsis:
Features photos and biographies of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the creators of Superman.
Pages:
1.000
Pencils:
? (photographs)
Inks:
? (photographs)
Letters:
typeset
Reprints:
Famous First Edition (DC, 1974 series) #C-61 ([March] 1979)
Synopsis:
After Superman eludes Sergeant Blake by changing to Clark Kent, Clark blackmails the detective into allowing him a jailhouse interview with Biff Dugan. When Dugan escapes, Clark switches to Superman and returns Dugan to his cell.
Pages:
2.000
Letters:
typeset
Reprints:
Famous First Edition (DC, 1974 series) #C-61 ([March] 1979)
Notes:
In this story, Clark works for the Daily Star.
Characters:
Superman [Clark Kent]
Pages:
1.000
Reprints:
Famous First Edition (DC, 1974 series) #C-61 ([March] 1979)
Notes:
Illustration used for The Supermen of America club. The original has a dashed line to the right where this pinup could be cut out, which none of the reprinted issues has. Printed on the back cover.
Exclusive to Heritage members: GoCollect price report for this certified comic.
CGC Census Report*
Grade
0.5
1.0
1.5
1.8
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.2
9.4
9.6
9.8
9.9
10.0
Total
Universal
12
11
13
5
9
2
4
4
3
3
4
3
2
0
2
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
79
Qualified
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
Signature Series
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Restored
8
4
4
0
1
2
2
4
6
4
17
6
14
9
10
7
5
2
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
108
Total
22
16
17
5
10
4
6
8
10
7
21
9
16
9
12
7
6
3
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
191
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