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Superman

Superman
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Creation & Design

Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938, representing the archetype of the superhero and embodying ideals of hope and justice.

Early Years

Superman debuted in Action Comics #1, quickly becoming a cultural icon and leading to the establishment of the superhero genre.

Character Development

Over the decades, Superman has evolved from a simple superhero into a complex character grappling with moral dilemmas, identity, and the responsibilities of power.

Cultural Reception

Superman has been received as a symbol of hope and justice, influencing countless other characters and stories in the comic book medium.

Character Details

Real Name:
Clark Kent
Aliases:
Man of Steel, Kal-El, Last Son of Krypton
Species:
Kryptonian
Gender:
male
Affiliations:
Justice League, Teen Titans, The Daily Planet
Abilities:
Super strength, Flight, Heat vision, X-ray vision, Super speed
Equipment:
Fortress of Solitude, Superman suit
Weight:
225lbs
Height:
6' 3"
Eye Color:
blue
Hair Color:
black
DC May 1938

More Fun Comics #31

More Fun Comics #31
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Full page interior advertisement for Action Comics #1 with black and white cover art that is believed to be the first published image of Superman
DC Jun 1938

Action Comics #1

Action Comics #1
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$285K
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$1.1M
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$5.6M
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1st appearance of Superman
1st appearance of Lois Lane
1st appearance of Zatara, Zatanna's father
1st appearance of Tex Thompson, later becomes Mr. America
🌎 Currently holds the world record for the highest comic sale in history after a 9.0 copy from the collection of Nicolas Cage sold for $15 million dollars in December 2025
DC Nov 1938

Action Comics #6

Action Comics #6
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$3K
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$9K
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1st appearance of Jimmy Olsen, unnamed, referred to only as Office Boy
First reference to Superman as "The Man of Steel" seen in a newspaper headline
[July 2025 - it is rumored Skyler Gisondo will reprise the role of Jimmy Olsen as the host a spin-off crime anthology TV series focused on different DC villains]
DC Jan 1939

Action Comics #8

Action Comics #8
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Superman demonstrates extraordinary hearing abilities but not referred to as 'super' until Action Comics #11
Cover art inspired by the 1919 painting 'Last of the Mohicans' by N.C. Wyeth
DC May 1939

Superman #1

Superman #1
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$125K
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$1.3M
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$4.5M
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Premiere issue of headlining Superman title
Origin of Superman
1st appearance of Ma and Pa Kent - Superman was first said to be found by a passing motorist in Action Comics #1
First pin-up poster in comics, back cover
2nd and 3rd printings exist
💰 8.0 Edgar Church Pedigree sold for $5.3 million dollars in Jan 2022
💰 9.0 sold for $9.12 million dollars in November 2025
💰8.5 Edgar Church Pedigree sold for $7 million dollars in Feb 2026
DC Jun 1939

Superman #1

2nd Print 3rd Print
Superman #1
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There were three printings of Superman #1 in 1939:
First printing - 500,000 copies
Second printing - 250,000 copies
Third printing - 150,000 copies
All printings have an advertisement on page 32 for Action Comics #14
The advertisement in copies of the first printing states an on-sale date of Action Comics #14 as June 2nd
The second and third printings of Superman #1 are indistinguishable from one another but differ from the first printing with ad copy that states "Now on Sale"
CGC does not differentiate the printings on the label but as of 2024 distinguishes between the two in the grader's notes
DC Jul 1939

Action Comics #14

Action Comics #14
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Superman's emblem is first featured on his cape
1st appearance of Clip Carson
2nd appearance of Zatara, the father of Zatanna
Triumph Aug 1939

Triumph Comics #772

Triumph Comics #772
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1st appearance of Superman in the UK
Comic strips collected and reprinted in the larger format
Issue #771 depicts Superman in an advertisement
DC Oct 1942

Batman #13

Batman #13
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Guest appearances by New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio and Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel
DC Sep 1944

Superman #30

Superman #30
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1st appearance and origin of Mr. Mxyzptlk
First time Superman references his ability to "fly", previously he was known to leap
Post Gazette Mar 1949

Meet the New Post-Gazette Sunday Funnies

Meet the New Post-Gazette Sunday Funnies
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Promotional giveaway intended to advertise the newspaper comic strips featured in the Pittsburgh Post
Interest in this issue based on classic characters Superman, Archie and Dick Tracy on the same cover
DC May 1949

Superboy #2

Superboy #2
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Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent which led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Superboy usurps American History by being the aid to George Washington in the president's most famous moments
First mention of Smallville
DC Nov 1949

Superman #61

Superman #61
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Introduction of Kryptonite, an element that weakens Superman, depicted as a red gemstone in the turban of an enemy
Origin of Superman retold
DC May 1952

Superman #76

Superman #76
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First crossover of Batman in the Superman title
Superman and Batman learn one another's identities
DC Jun 1958

Action Comics #241

Action Comics #241
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Introduction of the Fortress of Solitude
A prototype version of Superman's headquarters was introduced in Superman #17 and the name was mentioned in Superman #58
DC Jul 1958

Action Comics #242

Action Comics #242
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1st appearance and origin of Brainiac
1st appearance of the Bottle City of Kandor, the capital city of Krypton
[December 2025 - James Gunn posted an Instagram confirming Lars Edinger will portray Brainiac]
DC Mar 1960

Action Comics #262

Action Comics #262
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Introduction of the concept that Kryptonians derive their powers from Earth's yellow sun
Introduction of the concept that Kryptonians are as powerful as ordinary humans under their native planet's red sun
DC Nov 1960

Superman #141

Superman #141
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1st appearance and death of Lyla Lerrol, a ryptonian love of Superman
Origin of Superman retold
Superman returns to Krypton
DC Apr 1961

Action Comics #275

Action Comics #275
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First mention of Superman's Heat Vision power - previous issues demonstrated his X-Ray vision having powers to melt glaciers
Debut of Red/Green Kryptonite - causes mutations including an extra eye on the back of Superman's head
DC Jul 1961

Superman #146

Superman #146
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Origin of Superman, a recap of his youth including his journey to Earth, childhood with the Kents, time spent as Superboy and relocation to Metropolis
DC Oct 1961

Secret Origins Special #1

Secret Origins Special #1
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Reprinted origin stories:
Adam Strange (Showcase #17)
Green Lantern (Green Lantern #1)
Challengers of the Unknown (Showcase #6)
J'onn J'onzz (Detective Comics #225)
The Flash (Showcase #4)
Wonder Woman (Wonder Woman #105)
Superman/Batman team-up (World's Finest #94)
DC Nov 1961

Superman #149

Superman #149
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"Death of Superman" story written by Jerry Siegel -non-continuity story
1st appearance of The Flash aka Barry Allen in the Superman title
DC Jan 1963

Superman #158

Superman #158
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1st appearance of Than-Ol, Kryptonian scientist
Superman disguises himself as Nightwing and Jimmy Olsen as Flamebird
DC Aug 1966

Action Comics #340

Action Comics #340
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1st appearance of Parasite
Interior double-page pin-up of Superman
Like Batman 181, this copy has a centerfold newsprint pin-up that is often missing, so when buying a raw copy remember to double-check for it or ask the seller if it is intact
DC Dec 1978

Superman #330

Superman #330
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$35
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Origin of Superman, specifically how he keeps his identity as Clark Kent a secret by subconsciously using the power of super-hypnosis which is amplified by his eyeglasses, made from the Kryptonian glass of his rocket, to alter how others perceive him
DC Jan 1981

DC Comics Presents #32

DC Comics Presents #32
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First kiss between Wonder Woman and Superman, not in a dream as seen in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #93
In this issue, they kissed after both being struck by an arrow from Eros (Cupid)
Marvel Apr 1981

Marvel Treasury Edition #28

Marvel Treasury Edition #28
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$20
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62-page, oversized DC/Marvel crossover featuring Spider-Man and Superman
Battle of Superman vs the Hulk
First part of the crossover trilogy began in Superman vs The Amazing Spider-Man #1 and continues in DC Special Series #27 with Hulk and Batman
DC Jul 1985

Superman #409

Newsstand
Superman #409
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Variant cover with 'Superhombre' logo
Logo first used on a 1942 Ashcan of Superman #1
Trademark renewed and printed to show proof of usage on the covers of this issue and Adventure Comics #304
DC Oct 1986

Superman: The Man of Steel #1

Superman: The Man of Steel #1
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Origin of Superman, reimagined
First post-Crisis on Infinite Earths appearance of Superman - Crisis on Infinite Earths was a publishing event that served to reboot the DC Universe
1st appearance of Kelex, the artificial intelligence of the Fortress of Solitude
DC Jun 1988

Superman: This Island Bradman #1

Superman: This Island Bradman #1
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8-page comic book privately commissioned by an English real estate developer for reportedly $10,000
'This Island Bradman' was created to celebrate the birthday of Daniel Bradman and given out as party favors
Approximately 200 copies produced
Swipe the cover image to read the complete story
DC Dec 1990 Vol 2

Superman #50

Superman #50
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Clark Kent proposes to Lois Lane, she accepts
Marvel/DC crossover: Mr. Mxyzptlk reveals himself to also be Marvel’s Impossible Man and claims he needs to visit his ‘four friends’
Quote 'Oops, sometimes it's just IMPOSSIBLE to remember what I look like from world to world’
In this issue, he confronts a group of heroes dressed in blue using dialogue from the Impossible Man's first appearance (Fantastic Four #11 - 1963)
DC Dec 1992 Vol 2

Superman #74

Superman #74
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First battle of Superman versus Doomsday
A short scuffle gives the first partial view of what Doomsday looks like beneath the damaged suit

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