Released May 1939
Superman #1
Key Issue
Synopsis
CLARK KENT GETS A JOB The doomed planet Krypton was about to explode. A scientist on it placed his infant son in a rocket-ship that eventually landed on Earth. It was found by John & Mary Kent, who turned the baby over to an orphanage. His feats of strength were already apparent, and they were all too ready to give him back to the Kents when they showed up and asked to adopt him. After the death of his parents, Clark Kent, the boy's human name, tried to get a job at the Daily Star, but was turned down because of his lack of experience. Hearing about a riot at the county jail, he heads over there to try to prove his worth. After dispatching the mob that is trying to kill a prisoner, the prisoner gives him some information. It seems that Bea Carroll, singer at the Hilow Night Club, killed Jack Kennedy and framed Evelyn Curry for the murder. He tells Daily Star editor George Taylor what he knows about the riot, and Taylor hires him on the spot. THE COMING OF SUPERMAN Superman travels to the Hilow Night Club and tells Bea Carroll that he knows that she killed Jack Kennedy. What follows is a retelling of the story from Action Comics #1, "Superman, Champion of the Oppressed". REVOLUTION IN SAN MONTE This story is reprinted from Action Comics #2. THE BLAKELY MINE DISASTER This story is reprinted from Action Comics #3. SUPERMAN, GRIDIRON HERO This story is reprinted from Action Comics #4.
Variants
Synopsis
CLARK KENT GETS A JOB The doomed planet Krypton was about to explode. A scientist on it placed his infant son in a rocket-ship that eventually landed on Earth. It was found by John & Mary Kent, who turned the baby over to an orphanage. His feats of strength were already apparent, and they were all too ready to give him back to the Kents when they showed up and asked to adopt him. After the death of his parents, Clark Kent, the boy's human name, tried to get a job at the Daily Star, but was turned down because of his lack of experience. Hearing about a riot at the county jail, he heads over there to try to prove his worth. After dispatching the mob that is trying to kill a prisoner, the prisoner gives him some information. It seems that Bea Carroll, singer at the Hilow Night Club, killed Jack Kennedy and framed Evelyn Curry for the murder. He tells Daily Star editor George Taylor what he knows about the riot, and Taylor hires him on the spot. THE COMING OF SUPERMAN Superman travels to the Hilow Night Club and tells Bea Carroll that he knows that she killed Jack Kennedy. What follows is a retelling of the story from Action Comics #1, "Superman, Champion of the Oppressed". REVOLUTION IN SAN MONTE This story is reprinted from Action Comics #2. THE BLAKELY MINE DISASTER This story is reprinted from Action Comics #3. SUPERMAN, GRIDIRON HERO This story is reprinted from Action Comics #4.
Key Facts
- 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
Details
- Series
- Superman
- Cover Date
- May 1939
- Pages
- N/A
- UPC
- N/A
- Cover Price
- N/A
- Final Order Cutoff
- N/A
Creators
-
ArtistJoe Shuster
-
WriterJerry Siegel