Action Comics #1 - Sales figures and more

As you know here at Comic Book Hunters and Gatherers we are big fans of the history an overall importance on Action Comics #1, just read all our past blogs in Stories of Action Comics #1.

We haven't posted much recently as our team has been doing some reach into the early history of Action Comics #1. Much has been written in regards to Siegel and Shuster trying to sell their idea and the development of Superman. Not much has been written about the actual original sale of Action Comics #1. Yes we all know it started the superhero comic book genre. We also know it had an initial print run of 202,000 copies. The rest of this blog will contain facts you may not know.

The publishers, Jack Liebowitz and Harry Donenfeld, of Action Comics #1 thought they might have something special on their hands so they printed 20,000 promotional poster to be hung on newsstands, in pharmacies and anywhere else the comic might be sold.

House Ad for Action Comics #1

Liebowitz and Donenfeld also pre-arranged for Action Comics #1 to stay on shelfs for six weeks instead of the standard four weeks.
After the issue went on sale the publishers wanted to get a feel for how the issue was selling so rhey provided retailers with a postcard  where they could record the sales fifteen days and then again at the end of the month. Although this wasn't the mat accurate way it did give a snap shot of the sales figures and the figures were GOOD!

Siegel and Shuster, Liebowitz and Donenfeld were all right they did have a hit on their hands. Of the 220,000 copies that were printed 130,000 copies had sold, that's 64% of the print run. Anything over 50% was considered both a success and made a profit.

Following the success of Action Comics #1 Liebowitz and Donenfeld wanted to verify what they already knew, that being that people were buying Action Comics to read about Superman. So in issue  #4 they put in a short survey asking readers to put their five favorite stories in order. 75% put Superman first (404 of 542) with an additional 11% put him second (59).  

The rest as they have said for many years is history. 

In upcoming blogs we will look at the sales figures of other early issues of Action Comics, you know Superman wasn't on every cover back then.

Hope you enjoyed.

Toy Fair News : DC Icons Figures

DC Collectibles has revealed new DC Icon Figures. These 6 inch figures will begin hitting shelfs in November 2015, each will retail for $24.95
These13 new figures are based on designs by artist Ivan Reis.

The line will be released in 13 waves and will include the following heroes:
Wave 1 - Deadman, Green Arrow, Pre-52 Batman, Mister Miracle, Black Adam and Crisis Flash.

Wave 2 - Blue Beetle, Justice League Lex Luther and Pre-52 Hal Jordan Green Lantern

Wave 3- Pre-52 Superman, Aquaman, Harley Quinn and Atom set

The Justice League Goes Inside the NBA All Star 2015

If you didn't know the NBA All-Star game is less then a month away, February 15th to be exact. Some of you might be saying who cares, it's not like Michael Jordan is playing alongside Bugs Bunny again.
This news might be even better then Space Jam. Turner Sports and DC Entertainment are releasing a free crossover special edition comic titled  "The Justice League Goes Inside the NBA All Star 2015". The comic teams TNT’s Sports Emmy Award-winning Inside the NBA studio team , Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal  with The Justice League from DC Comics.

The 16- page limited edition comic is written by one of our favorite writers Brian Buccellato and drawn by Beni Lobel and Tony Shasteen.

It will be available for the first time at comic book stores for free  starting Wednesday, Jan. 21.

About the Issue

In The Justice League Goes Inside the NBA All Star 2015, the NBA on TNT team prepares for a rematch of their big race Johnson, Barkley, Smith and O’Neal are paired with Justice League members Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and The Flash to see who can make it from Barclays to Madison Square Garden first. Those plans are thwarted by unexpected occurrences that happen throughout the city in which the teams are forced to work together to save the day.

This issue also features special appearances by TNT commentators Marv Albert, Reggie Miller, Chris Webber and Kristen Ledlow.

So spend your afternoon tomorrow hunting this limited edition comic down.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

Underroos are back and they are for adults

If you grew up in the late 1970's or early 1980's then I am pretty sure that at one point in your childhood you wore underroos. Whether it was Superman, Batman, Spidey or Captain America you put them on under your clothes and felt like the superhero you were. It may have been 30 plus years since you have done that but do not fear underroos are back and they are being made for adults.

You can find them at Hot Topic or online at some other retail outlets. I got Superman for christmas. They are being made for men and women ( think Wonder Women or Bat girl and Harley Quinn).

My advice to out and get a set, it's like being twelve again. Relive your childhood.

Good luck on your hunt!

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!

DC Comics March Variant Covers - At the movies!

DC comics continues to provide fans with great variant cover ideas each mont. March variant covers are possible one of the best themed so far.

22of DC comics most popular titles will showcase classic Warner Brothers movie poster on thier variant covers. Okay to be clear some are classic movies, some not so much classic as iconic. The one thing that can't be disputed is the re-imagined movie posters all look fantastic.

Here is the list of comics with the movie they are aligned with. I have my favorites, I am sure so will you.

Green Lantern #40 mirrors 2001:A SpaceOdyssey

Green Lantern Corps # 40 iconic Forbidden Planet

Sinestro #11 as underrated West World ( if you never saw it rent it now)

Justice League Dark #40 a the great Bettleguise

Justice League #40 in Magic Mike (Not a Classic but funny)

Justice League Unlimited #10 it's Mars Attack ( get it Martian Manhunter)

Action Comics #40 Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure

Superman/Wonder Woman #17 a Great nod to Gone with the Wind

Batman/ Superman #20 The Fugitive (Should have been The Flash)

Superman #40 as Superfly

Supergirl #40 The Wizard of Oz

Wonder Woman #40 as "300"

Batman #40 doing his best Jim Carry as the Mask

Detective Comics #40 The Matrix (Batman is the one)

Harley Quinn #16 jailhouse Rock

Catwoman #40 Steve McQueens Bullet

Grayson #8 Enter the Dragon

Batman/Robin # 40 Harry Potter

Batgirl #40 Purple Rain

Teen Titans #8 by far my favorite, the Titans as the Lost Boys

Aquaman #40 Free Willy ( what a great idea)

The Flash #40 North by North West ( Catch me if you can would have been better)

Another Action Comics #1 Sells at Auction

As part of their November auction, Heritage Auction House sold another copy of Action Comics #1, the historic first appearance of Superman. This copy was graded CGC GD/VG 3.0, with Cream to off-white pages. 
As we have discussed as part of our "Stories of Action Comics #1", with the increased prices realized through recent auctions more copies of Action Comics #1 are bound to pop up.
Here is a good example, this 3.0 copy sold for $310,700. Lower grades are what most collectors are interested in as they are more affordable then the high grades. Well at least they are now.

If you happen to see any copies drop us an email, we would love hearing from you. Farleyclan003@yahoo.com

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

Action Comics #1 on display at NYCC

If you have read this blog before you know that we are fascinated by the mythology of Action Comics #1. You can read all our past post relating to this famous comic at Stories of Action Comics #1.

This past weekend at New York Comic Con the copy of Action Comics #1 was on display in the main area.the comic sold on EBay for over $3 million. You can read about it at eBay copy.
This comic was purchased by Metropolis Comics owners  Vincent Zurzolo and Stephen Fishler. It is the world’s most expensive comic book. They willit with a host of other rare comics at he Comic Connect.

During the convention I actually ran into the owner who sold the copy of Action Comics #1 Pristine Comics’ Darren Adam. He explained how happy he was to sell the comic and how he and his wife celebrated with a nice bottle of wine. What was he doing at Comic Con you might ask, well buying more comics of course. A true hunter and a gentleman.
It was a nice discussion with a true fan and collecting legend,

So many things make NYCC great.

Good luck on your hunt!