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Joe Shuster Action Comics #24 Superman Cover Original Art (DC, 1940)....
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Description
Joe Shuster Action Comics #24 Superman Cover Original Art (DC, 1940). Here's a super treat for you, boys and girls -- step right up for a historic, prime, early Superman cover by none other than co-creator Joe Shuster! This is only the second original published Shuster Superman cover we've ever offered, and it's a small miracle it survived at all.Original Shuster art from Action Comics and Superman is almost mythical in its rarity. For decades, DC routinely destroyed original art after publication, often burning it, a practice that lasted well into the early 1970s. That's why Golden Age DC art, especially from the late '30s and early '40s, is so scarce today. The fact that this cover still exists makes it nothing short of a Golden Age survivor.
This issue features just Superman's 12th cover appearance on Action Comics within the title's first two years (and 16th overall counting Superman), right as DC was discovering the Man of Steel was the engine behind its boast as the "World's Largest Selling Comic Magazine." His popularity skyrocketed so quickly that he earned his own title in June 1939, and by Action Comics #19, he was cemented as the permanent cover star.
The Superman mythos were still being hammered into place. Lex Luthor had literally debuted the issue before. And for the first time, Clark Kent is shown reporting from the Daily Planet, the name we now take for granted replacing the earlier Daily Star. This cover sits right at the moment the Superman universe was crystallizing into the version we recognize today.
The image itself is pure early Shuster: Superman smashing through a wall in a burst of kinetic brush lines, a frightened criminal clutching a fainting woman in classic cliffhanger fashion. The spit curl, the narrowed eyes, the bold yet economical linework -- every hallmark that helped turn Superman from "funny-book novelty" into an American myth is on proud display. A true relic of the Golden Age, something that, given DC's old art-destruction policies, shouldn't even exist. A word on the cover's inker: while it is not certain whether Shuster or one of his studio colleagues inked the piece, we have most often seen the cover inks for #24 attributed to Paul Cassidy and will stick with that attribution here.
Produced in ink over graphite on Bristol board with an image area of 12.5" x 17.5". The logo and trade dressing are a production stat, exhibiting some discoloration on the left side and minor edge creases. There is evidence of adhesive residue along the top of the stat where the issue number, DC bullet stat, and month paste-ups were once placed. Toning, smudging/soiling, spot staining in the image area, glue residue staining, missing "World's Largest Selling Comic Magazine!" paste-up, whiteout corrections/highlights, chipped corners, minor right edge tear, minor corner creasing, and handling wear. In Very Good condition.
More information about Joe Shuster. See also: Shuster, Joe, Joseph Shuster, Shuster, Joseph, Artist. Lookup the Comic Book in our Guide
Auction Info
2026 May 8 - 10 Comic Art Signature® Auction #7466 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
May, 2026
8th-10th
Friday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 36
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25% of the successful bid per lot.
Jerry Weist's Comic Art Price Guide 2011
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