Original cover art from Action Comics #309

The story of Action Comics #309 has been told here before, see "The Sad Story of Action Comics #309", it is just coincidental that the original cover art from the issue recently came up for auction. the original cover art features original pen and ink art by noted Silver Age Superman comic book artist Curt Swan for the Feb., 1964 issue of "Action Comics" #309 published by DC Comics. 

The cover art has been inked by Sheldon Moldoff. The cover features Superman greeting a long line comprised of his alter-ego Clark Kent (w/whom he shakes hands), Lois Lane, Daily Planet newspaper editor (and Clark Kent's boss) Perry White, Supergirl, Batman, Robin, Superman's pal Jimmy Olsen, Clark Kent's ex-flame Lana Lang, Legion of Super-Heroes members Saturn Girl, Element Lad and Chameleon Boy and Police Chief Parker. Clark Kent's former mermaid girlfriend Lori Lemaris is seen in a tank on the line. the issue is important from not only a comic book standpoint but also historical significance because  The issue President John F. Kennedy disguises himself as Clark Kent (as seen on cover), helping Superman retain his secret identity. The the issue hit stands just one week after Kennedy's assassination in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.  DC was unable to recall the issue, the publication and distribution process was too far along.

Cover includes the "Action Comics" title paste-over as well as "Comics Code Authority" seal. It also contains the issue number paste-overs and word balloon connected to title paste-over, as well as some sign text below title paste-overs.


The original cover art Sold for an unbelievable $112,015. I guess the historical significance was not lost on collectors. This is a historically significant piece of comic book history.

Hunting for original comic art can be both rewarding and expensive. If you have a story regarding hunting comics or comic art please E-Mail us.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

Action Comics #1 - eBay Auction Update

You will surely be seeing more information about this auction in the news, there are only 5 days left and bidding has already gone over $2,000,000. The Nicoas Cage copy which was also a CGC graded 9.0, is the only comic to sold for $2,100,000. Will this one break the $3 million barrier. We shall see.

Keep checking back here.

You can see the auction by clicking on Action Comics #1 - eBay Copy.

Read all about other copies of Action Comics #1 in our special "Stories of Action Comics #1" page.

Action Comics #1 - On Heroclix Card

If you have been reading Comic Book Hunters & Gatherers for any length of time then you know we have done a lot and I mean a lot of research on the first superhero comic Action Comics #1, you can read about key issues and reprints in our ever growing "Stories of Action Comics #1". Recently one of our loyal readers sent us a picture of the Heroclix LARGE OBJECT card. Card is #F005.  As you can see from the image above it contains a picture of the cover of Action Comics #1. Pretty cool, thanks Tom.

HeroClix is a collectible minatures game that uses the Clix system that centers around the world of superheroes derived from comic books. I have never played the game but have a large collection of the figures as they are great display pieces. If you would like to learn how to play check out this recent youtube instructional video 

So in your travels hunt this card down to add to your Action Comics collection. If you also have something you would like to share with us please email us at Farleyclan003@yahoo.com, we look forward to it. 

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

#jointhehunt

Action Comics #1- 50 Year Anniversary Reprint

We continue our indept look at Action Comics #1 you can view previous post in "Stories of Action Comic #1".

 In 1988 the 50th Annivesary of the first appearance of Superman was celebrated with a reprint of Action Comics #1. Like previous reprints this one also only contains the 16 page First appearance of Superman story.

This reprint was sold both on newsstands and comic shops for 50 cents, which is the price listed in a white box in place of the original 10 cent price. The cover also either includes a small box in the left corner with a 50th Anniversay message  (direct market) or a UPC bar code (newsstand). It is important to note that because these small left side boxes appear the sweating man from the original cover has been removed.

The inside cover has a Daily Planet newspaper article describing how Action Comics is going weekly.

The back cover shows Superman on a bright yellow background.

This issue routinely sells for between $25 and $75 ungraded depending on condition. High CGC graded copies can sell for a couple of hundred. The direct market copy is more commonly found.

Hopefully you can find one of these reprints to help continue to build your Action Comics #1 collection. Yes there are a bunch of reprints but what do you expect it is the most important comic ever produced, Full reprint list.

We are starting a new ongoing spotlight post here at CBH&G entitled "Hunting for Action Comics #1" but we need your help, so send us your story of Action Comics #1 via email, Farleyclan003@yahoo.com

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

The Sad Story of Action Comics #309

Strange coincidences happen all the time both when dealing with comics and real life, the story of Action Comics #309 crosses over between the two worlds.

Back in the 1960's many of Supermans issues including Action Comics had covers that, instead of showing fight scenes from the issue,  showed some type of née to solve mystery. The cover of Action Comics #309 showed Superman shaking hands with his alter ego, Clark Kent. Prospective buyer were supposed to see this cover on the newsstand and want to see why.

The Superman story in this issue has Superman being asked by a television show to meet with former/current friends including Clark Kent. In order to pull this off Superman asks for help from a very powerful friend. President John F. Kennedy agrees to help the Man of Steel, so he dresses up as Clark Kent. He agrees to keep Superman's secret identity secret.

The sad part of this story is that this issue hit newsstands days after President Kennedy was assassinated on November 22,1963. In those days comics began shipping throughout the country weeks before they hit newsstands making it to late in the process for DC to recall the issue.

Only about 35 copies of Action Comics #309 have been graded by CGC, the highest being a 9.8. You can add a copy to your collection for less then $10 ungraded and a couple of hundred high grade.

If nothing else this issue would be a fantastic conversation piece. It does have a historical back story.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Action Comics #1 - Nestlé 1987 Reprint

Following the success of their 1984 Giveaway Nestles Quick again had a reprint of Action Comics #1 produced, this version has a .50 price in a black box on the cover instead of the original .10 pricing, the rest of the cover looks exactly the same as the original. Many confuse the two reprints,
The back cover is the same as the 1983 Nestlé Quick reprint.

No solid pricing could be found on this reprint, many other site wrongly have it pictured as the 1983 version, we are guessing a mint copy will cost about $150. We also could not find any graded versions.

This reprint was created to coincide with the release of Superman meets the Nestle Quick Bunny comic crossover, which was given away with the reprint. You can easily find a copy of the great team-up for between $2 and $10.

If you have copy of this particular Action Comics #1 reprint or would like to share a story of hunting success please email us atFarleyclan003@yahoo.com

You can view our Stories of Action Comics #1 to learn about other reprints and important copies of the first appearance of Superman.

Good Luck on Your Action Comics #1Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Action Comics #1 - Peanut Butter Reprint

This reprint is simlar to the Nestlé Quick Reprint. It was also released in 1983 but was a giveaway by Superman Peanut butter. It was released in celebration of Supermans 45th anniversary. Cover is exactly the same as the original Action Comics #1, printed on newspaper type paper and is Approximately 7 1/4 " x 10 1/4 inches.  

This reprint was a free giveaway from Superman Peanut Butter released in January 1983, it contained only the 13 page Superman story from Action Comics #1. Inside the cover is a congratulation message for 45 years of Superman. 

The back covet contained an add for Superman Peanut Butter.

Unkike the Nestle Quick reprint, We have not seen a CGC graded copy yet. An ungraded copy in near mint condition can be yours for about $200 if you can find one.
Remember to check out "Stories of Action Comics #1"

Good luck on your hunt
#jointhehunt

Action Comics #1- The eBay Copy

Nicolas Cage Copy

We continue our "Stories of Action Comics #1" with coverage of an upcoming graded CGC 9.0 that
 will be auctioned on eBay next month. You can view the countdown Here.

The comic is part of a large Pristine Auction consignment with part of the proceeds going to the Christopher Reeves foundation. Christopher Reeve is the actor who played Superman in the late 1970/ early 1980's.

So what does all this mean to us comic hunters? If you sign up to be pre-qualified for the monumental auction and have an extra couple of million bucks sitting around you to can own a mint copy of Superman first appearance in Action Comics #1, the most famous comic ever made.

Experts are predicting that this copy will sell for around $3 million, keep in mind that the Nicolas Cage Copy also a CGC graded 9.0 sold for $2,100,000 in 2012. Since that auction hosted by ComicConnect the Comic market has exploded. Prices being realized for lesser known comics has increased steadily and high graded comics have become long-term investments.

So what are you waiting for sign-up to get Qualified and when you win the Action Comics #1 send us  a picture and we will tell your story, you can Email us. If you have a picture of any key issues send us a picture and we might tell your story.

Read the other "Stories of Action Comics #1" by clicking HERE

Good Luck on your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Action Comics #1 - Ashcan edition

Okay first off many of you may be asking, what the hell is an Ashcan? Back in Golden Age of Comics, companies would have to create a faux comic in order to get the name of the title licensed with the US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO). The publisher would create the title logo and place it on a piece of cover art, so they would own the trademark rights to the logo. This cover would be affixed to an existing comic book interior or just random pages. This was accepted as an authentic comic and the title rights were secured. There were a couple of these ashcans created for each title, afterwards they were usually thrown away. 

The Action Comics #1 Ashcan was created in 1938 to garner the rights to the title Action Comics.  Superman does not appear on the cover. if you recall from our   Stories of Action Comics #1, Superman was a last minute throw in.
 The Ashcan cover was a gruesome monster done by artist Craig Flessel. It was rare for Ashcans to use or initial cover art, usually recycled images were used. It is believed that only 3 Action Comics Ashcan copies exist, one is in the permanent archives of DC comics, while the other two are in the hands of private collectors. One recently sold for about $20,000.

Even just seeing an ashcan is a rarity, some come up for sale on occasion but that is rare. Keep on the look out for one as you never know where you might find a copy.

You can purchase a copy of the cover, along with Siegel and Shusters Slam Bradley art for only $35, check it out HERE

Good Luck on Your Hunt.
#jointhehunt

Action Comics #1 - McClure File Copy Superman Man of Tomorrow

Before Action Comics #1 contained e first appearance of Superman his creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster pitched the character in a couple of different ways, first as a bald supervillian bent on world domination and second as The Superman a daily comic strip which was submitted to McClure news syndicate. 30 days worth of stripes were created. Back before comics became popular the money for artists and writers was in daily newspaper strips. McClure syndicate liked the strip so they used it to help sell Superman to virus papers across the country. This was all done before Action Comics #1 changed the world.

The story of this strips becomes even more historically importsnt whenyou realize that these strips were actually cut and used by DC to create Action Comics #1. Most collectors are not aware that in fact the story of Superman as told in Action Comics #1 was intended to be a daily newspaper strip.

So what is the MCClure file copy?  Well McClure syndicate created a book that they used to sell Superman to the various newspapers across the USA. All 30 Superman strips or a months worth of publication are contained within this book.

Salesmen would carry this book and show it to the newspaper men thus selling Superman before the comic strip went live, which was scheduled for January 16, 1939.

The strips contain the first origin of Superman. Action #1 had limited space so that origin was reduced to a few panels thus cutting it short. The book which is very rare, only a few in existence also contains Shusters cover art that would be used in Action Comics #7

These book sells for about $60,000 in mint condition when they actually come up for sale, which is rare.
There is currently one up for auction on eBay, check it out HERE, your chance to own a piece of history.

Please let us know how you like the "Stories of Action Comics #1"

Good luck on your hunt.

Action Comics #1 - Nestles Quick Reprint

Todays installment of Stories of Action Comics #1 takes a look at another reprint, we last looked at the Safeguard soap reprint. This one was a little later done in 1983 this one was a giveaway by Nestlé Quick, celebrating Supermans 45th anniversary. Cover is exactly the same as the original Action Comics #1. Cover is on newspaper type paper and is Approximately 7 1/4 " x 10 1/4 inches.  This reprint was a free giveaway from Nestlé released in January 1983, it contained only the 13 page Superman story from Action Comics #1. Inside the cover is a congratulation message for 45 years of Superman. 

Back cover contains a Nestlé Quick advertisement.(Nestle would do a similar reprint in 1987)

 

A CGC mint condition edition of this reprint will cost you about $300, much like the Safeguard Soap edition due to the paper stock it is hard to find these in mint condition. Non-graded copy will coat you between $25-$60. There are more o these out there then the Safeguard version. So as always get to hunting. Send us a photo if you find one and we will show of your find and the story here.

 

 

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

#jointhehunt 

Action Comics #1 - Safeguard Soap Reprint

We have looked at a number of the better know copies of Action Comics #1, the first appearance of Superman. If you missed any of our previous posts you can view them HERE.
Most of these copies are wayyyyy out of most of our price range, unless you want to sell your home and buy a low grade. Do not dispare there are reprints that will not cost you as much of your hard earned cash.

The first reprint edition we will look at is the Safeguard Soap version. It came out in 1976, it was a promotional giveaway and the only way to get a copy of this limited edition issue was to mail in 3 proofs of purchase from 3 Bath Size Safeguard soap packages. This was a very limited print run. The fact that it could only be obtained through the mail mean that getting a mint copy was difficult, the postal service wasn't as good back then. Il. We started the reprint version of "stories of Action Comics #1" because this version is very hard to find as most people did not send away for it, I was only 4 so I blame my parents.

So how can you spot a Safeguard reprint? The cover looks exactly the same the original, same date. Insead of .10 cover price this version includes a black box that says " Free when you buy 3 bath size Safeguard." The bottom says "Reprint of first Superman feature" . It is also important to note that the cover is made of newspaper type paper, and it only includes the Superman story. The back cover shows a safeguard soap ad.

You can get a copy of this reprint for about $200, graded mint 9.0'amd above will cost you about $1,500, much more manageable then $2,000,000.

So get to hunting this and any other reprint you can find down. We will look at some of the others in future posts.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

#jointhehunt

Action Comics #1 - The Billy Wright Copy

We continue our stories of Action Comics #1 with the Billy Wright Copy.
This copy is CGC graded a 3.0 which obviously is much lower then the recent copies, the Nicolas Cage copy is a 9.0 and the Jack White copy is a 6.0.

What exactly does a 3.0 mean? According to CGC (Comics Guaranty Company) census, there are currently four existing Action Comics #1 copies in '3.0' condition. A grade of 3.0 usually means the comic has some defects that go along with age. this particular copy has no major defects but it does have two splits in its spine: 1" at the top and 3.75" at the bottom and a store stamp on the front. We can only assume this is where Billy Wright purchased his comics. Here is where we begin the story, because BillyWright is as important to this tale as is the Action Comics #1, which by the way, sold at auction in February 2012 for $299,000.

The story of Billy Wrights Collection

Born  in 1927, Billy Wright began collection comic books at the age of nine. He purchased his comics from drugstores and news stands between 1938 and 1941 (a drugstore stamp can be seen on the cover of Action Comics #1). The years Mr. Wright began his collection is considered the Golden Age of comic books which actually begins with Action Comics #1, the introduction of Superman in June 1938.

Wright was an only child and unlike most  mother from that era Mrs. Wright kept the majority of young Billy's childhood possessions including his comic books and games. Billy's comic collecting stopped in the 1940's But he carefully stored his collection and maintained in throughout his adult life. Obviously they had meaning to him. A fact that holds true when you take into account that  Billy passed away in 1994 and his wife Ruby kept comic books stored on the shelves of a basement closet. The collection remained there until the passing of Ruby in 2011. 

Following Ruby's passing the couples great nephew Michael Rorrer was clearing out the former home located  in Martinsville, Virginia. Rorrer discovered the collection neatly stacked in the basement closet. Many believe this to be one of the best collections ever assembled particularly because all the comics were in near mint condition and had been assembled by one person during his childhood. Basically what this means is all the 345 comics in the collection went from the drugstore or newsstand into Mr. Wrights collection where they remained for 70 plus years. When  CGC graded each of the 345 issues they included a special notation, Billy Wrights name thus giving  the comic pedigree.

Along with the copy of Action Comics #1 the collection contains 44 titles on the Overstreet list of the Top 100 Golden Age Books, with nine of these the highest-graded or joint highest-graded copies in existence. An additional 13 copies were amongst the five highest-graded of their kind in existence

The collection also contained 67 #1 issues and 33 #2 issues many of theses are considered key issues from the Golden Age. Among the key issues are Detective Comics #27 the 1st. appearance of Batman,  All-American Comics #16, 1st. appearance of the Green Lantern,  All Star Comics #3, 1st. appearance Justice Society of America, the first ever Marvel comic book Red Raven #1 and the first apperance of the Human Torch and the Sub-mariner, Marvel Comics #1. 

The Billy Wright collection was put up for auction in February 2012 and brought a record result of $8.9 million plus making it the single biggest comic book auction ever held.

All this tells us that there are remarkable comic book treasures out there if you hunt wherever you are, that includes helping family clean their homes. Always be on the look out for buried gold.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Action Comcs #1 - The Jack White Copy

We continue our stories of Actin Comics #1, following our look at The Nicolas Cage copy and the The One in the Wall,we will look at the Jack White copy.
 If you didn't already know, Jack White is most famous for being one-half of the rock group the White Stripes. He recently released his first solo album Blunderbuss.

It is believed that Jack obtained his copy through a ComicConnect auction back in 2009 for the then record price of $317,200. The CGC grade on this copy is a 6.0.

Last year Jack loaned his copy to DC entertainment for a party at San Diego Comic Con  celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Superman. While most people were caught up in Man Of Steel director Zack Snyder, Man Of Steel star Henry Cavill and DC editor Jim Lee also appeared at the party. When asked abut loaning his copy to DC Entertainment for use at the event, White said, "Action Comics #1 is an important piece of history. Instead of keeping my comic locked inside a vault I want to share it with fans during key moments like Superman's 75th anniversary, much like fine art is shared in museums."

At the event Action  Comics #1 made a grand entrance being delivered by a Brinks security truck. The comic was displayed in a special, "speeding bullet-proof" display case made specifically for the event, allowing guests to get an up-close look at what many consider to be the most valuable comic of all time. 

Events such as this just add to the legacy of this issue and helps us continue our stories of Action Comics #1.

Good Luck with Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Wednesday Whacked Comic Cover - Amazing Spider-Man # 306

If you have been reading our blog you already know that we have dedicated a bunch of posts this week to stories of Action Comics #1. Each post tells about a different copy of Action Comics #1. Obviously we are a fan of the history of comics and the important that the first apperance of Superman plays in it.
If you have been folowing us for awhile then you also know that each week on Wednesday we look at a whacked comic cover just for fun.

Well this Wednesday we combined the two, yes it's whacked comic cover, Action Comics #1 edition.

Apparently we aren't the only ones who sees the importance that Action Comics #1 holds, comic artis, writer, mega-star Todd McFarlane also does. His fondness for Action Comics #1 has given us our Wednesday Whacked comic cover- Amazing Spider-Man #306.

With this cover Todd Mcfarlane pays homage to Action Comics #1 but replacing The man of steel with your friendly neighborhood Spiderman.

Todd's ode to Action Comics #1 didn't stop there a few years later he again paid homage this time with Spawn #228. Superman is again replaced is time with Spawn. McFarlane went even further with this covers he imitated the entire look including the logo and pricing.

If you have any comic covers that also pay homage to Action Comics #1 send us an Email with a photo and description.

So if you can't afford your own copy of Action Comics #1 search around for one of these two whacked replacements.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Action Comics #1 - The Nicolas Cage Copy

We started our stories of Action Comics #1 with The One in the Wall, we continue today with the most famous copy of all the 100 or so copies, the Nicolas Cage Copy.

Not only is this copy the most famous copy of Action Comics #1 but it has become the most famous copy of any comic book in the world, so famous that there is a movie being planned to tell the story.
First off the Nicolas Cage copy is the best copy of Action Comics #1 in existence, graded CGC 9.0. CGC ( Comic Grading Company) is the most reputable grading company there is. Because of the 9.0 grade this copy also became  the first comic ever to break the $2 million mark and is the highest price ever paid for a comic $2,161,000.

The book was sold at auction In November 2011 by auction house Comic Connection, which has sold 4 of the 5 comic books to break the million dollar mar. We will look at the previous record holder an 8.5 copy of Action Comics #1 in another stories of Action Comics #1 post. 

The Nicolas Cage copy has an interesting history, it was first sold by Sotheby’s in 1992 for $82,500, then sold to Nicolas Cage in 1997 by Metropolis / Comic Connect’s for $150,000.

After that the story gets intriguing. In 2000 it, along with other rare comics, were stolen from Cage's home. Cage, who took his last name from his favorite comic character Luke Cage, was so saddened by he theft he sold his entire collection through Heritage Auctions.

Fast forward 11 years later, LAPD recovered the Action Comics #1 in a San Fernando Valley storage locker. Cage had already been paid the insurance money for the comic and there has been much debate as to who the seller was, most believe Comicconnect did in fact sell it for Nicolas Cage but that has  never been proven.

The current owner of this highest grade issue of Action Comics #1 is unknown, but I know for a fact it isn't me. If it's you thanks for reading our blog.

It is important to note that some experts believe that this is in fact not the best copy in existence. Some believe that the Edgar Church copy owned by Mile High Comics is he best copy,  not only has it not been grade as of yet but it has not been seen or scanned for close to 30 years.

Next up in our stories of Action Comics #1 is the Jack White copy.

Remember to always keep an eye out for Action Comics #1 you never know where it will turn up, maybe in a Wall, or your uncles closet, at your local flea market or some big auction. They are hiding out there and a good hunter can find it. 
Send us your tales of the hunt and we may write a post about it, Email us.

Good luck on your hunt!
#jointhehunt

Action Comics #1 - The One in the Wall

In a recent post we gave a detailed look at the first true superhero comic Action Comics #1, the first appearance of Superman.  As a follow up to that piece we will be posting about famous copies of Action Comics #1, yes this issue is so important in the comic book world there are specific copies that have a history. Expect this to be a three or four part series of posts. Our first mini-series at CBH&G.

The first tale of Action Comics #1 is the one in the wall.

It happened in Elbow Lake, Minnesota a copy of Action Comics #1 was found in the wall of a house David and Deanna Gonzalez had purchased for $10,100. The couple purchased the home as a fixer-upper and while taking down a wall amidst newspapers from the 1930's that were used as insulation they found an actual copy of the first apperance of Superman, Action Comics#1.

The couple knew right away that the comic was valuable but they didn't know how valuable it would be. Following the discovery the grading firm CGC graded the copy a 1.5, it could have been a 3.0 but an eager relative ripped the back cover shortly after its discovery. Oh family can be so helpful at times!

The copy ended up selling at auction for $175,000, more then 10 times the amount the Gonzalez family paid for the house.

Comic Connect, a New York City based auction house, listing for the comic said that it “boasts bright, sparkling colors and sturdy off-white pages” not to bad for being in a wall for almost 80 years.

It really amazes us that after 8 decades the most valuable comic in existence can be found in a wall of a $10,000 fixer-upper. It just proves that there truly are hidden treasures out there to be found and if you hunt for comics no matter where you are you never know what you might find. So get hunting.

Keep checking back for the next, Story of Action Comics #1.

If you have a story about a really interesting find please Email us and we will share it with the world, include photos.

Good Luck on your Action Comics hunt!

#jointhehunt

The Comic Book that started it all- Action Comics #1

Along with being a comic book hunter and gatherer, I also consider myself a comic book historian. I have been collecting for over 35 years and have also taught history classes base solely on comic books. Oh,that was a lot of fun.

I have always been interested in the stories of the characters history, their creators and the publishers who made them. One of my favorite stories from the comic book Golden age, is actually the comic book that itself started the Golden Age when it was released. That comic is Action Comics #1.

It has been considered the most valuable comic book, selling for as much as $2 million dollars, we will go into that in another post. It is the first appearance of arguably of the most recognizable super hero ever created, Superman. It literally changed the word by starting e superhero genre. Here is its story.

Published on April 18, 1938 (cover-dated June), by National Allied Publications, DC comics before they were DC comics (could never understand why they didn't name it Action Comics), it is considered by most to be the the first true superhero comic. Like most comics at the time Action comics was an anthology, which means it contained many different unrelated stories, one of them being Superman. The first issue of Action  Comics sold out of its initial print run of 200,000 copes. Sales would quickly approach 1,000,000 a month, in comparison the biggest selling comic of last few years was Walking Dead #100 it sold 335,000 copies. 

Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were paid $10 per page, for a total of $130 for their work on this issue.It has been said that selecting Superman to run in Action Comics #1 was "pure accident" based on deadline pressure and that he selected a "thrilling" cover, depicting Superman lifting a car over his head. Prior to Action Comics #1 Siegel and Shuster had pitched Superman for a number of years.

Here is how Superman ended up in Action Comics:

Following the success of Detective Comics Jack Liebowitz, co-owner of National Publications, asked editor Vin Sullivan to create another comic book but he was on a the tight deadline. Sullivan decided to search through old inventory and stockpile pages but he needed a lead for the new title. Sullivan reached out to former coworker Sheldon Mayer for help. Mayer found the rejected Superman comic strips, and Sullivan told Siegel and Shuster that if they could paste them into 13 comic book pages, he would buy them. The rest, as they say, is history.

Seigel and Shuster rewrote and redrew the original pages they had to create the first page of Action Comics #1:

1. Baby Superman is sent to Earth by his scientist father in a "hastily-devised space ship" from "a distant planet" which "was destroyed by old age".
2. After the space ship lands on Earth, "a passing motorist, discovering the sleeping baby within, turned the child over to an orphanage".
3. The baby Superman lifts a large chair overhead with one hand, astounding the orphanage attendants with "his feats of strength".
4. When Superman (now named Clark Kent) reaches maturity, he discovers that he can leap 1/8 of a mile, hurdle 20-story buildings, "raise tremendous weights", outrun a train, and "that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin".
5. Clark decides that "he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind, and so was created 'Superman', champion of the oppressed...."

Two new panels offering a "scientific explanation of Clark Kent's amazing strength" were added. The panels do not identify Superman's home planet by name or explain how he was named Clark Kent.

The next 12 pages showed Superman attempting to save an innocent woman about to be executed while delivering the real murderess, bound and gagged, and leaving her on the lawn of the state Governor's mansion after breaking through the door into his house with a signed confession; coming to the aid of a woman being beaten up by her husband, who faints when his knife shatters on Superman's skin; rescuing Lois Lane (who also debuts in this issue) from a gangster who abducted her after she rebuffed him at a nightclub (and after Clark had refused to stand up to him, earning Lois's ire) which leads to the cover scene with the car; and going to Washington D.C., instead of South America to "stir up news" as his editor wants, to investigate a Senator that he suspects is corrupt, and prompting a confession by leaping around high buildings with the terrified man, which leads into the next issue. All the while, Clark tries to keep Superman out of the papers. All this has become a story for the ages.

 

Current figures suggest that there are fewer then 100 copies still in existence. The highest graded version is 9.0 which sold for over $2,000,000, more on this copy and other copies in future posts.

I am personally on a search to just see a copy of Action Comics #1 in person as sadly I can not currently afford a copy.


Good luck on your hunt!
#jointhehunt