Key Collector Comics
Superman
View Key Issues

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
First Appearance:
More Fun Comics #31
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
1 2 3 › »

Clicking on the eBay link and making a purchase may result in this site earning a commission from the eBay Partner Network.

More Fun Comics #31
DC ⋅ 1938
View Details
More Fun Comics #31
 
Low
$230
Mid
$700
High
$2.5k

Key Facts

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

Detective Comics #15
DC ⋅ 1938
View Details
Detective Comics #15
 
Low
$1.2k
Mid
$3.6k
High
$9.4k

Key Facts

Full page interior advertisement for Action Comics #1 with black and white cover art

Action Comics #1
DC ⋅ 1938
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (18)
Action Comics #1
 
Low
$285k
Mid
$1.1M
High
$4.6M

Key Facts

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

Action Comics #2
DC ⋅ 1938
View Details
Action Comics #2
 
Low
$18.8k
Mid
$46k
High
$180k

Key Facts

2nd appearance of Superman

2nd appearance of Lois Lane and Zatara

Action Comics #3
DC ⋅ 1938
View Details
Action Comics #3
 
Low
$6k
Mid
$18k
High
$77k

Key Facts

3rd appearance of Superman

Action Comics #4
DC ⋅ 1938
View Details
Action Comics #4
 
Low
$3k
Mid
$9k
High
$39k

Key Facts

4th appearance of Superman

Action Comics #5
DC ⋅ 1938
View Details
Action Comics #5
 
Low
$3k
Mid
$9k
High
$39k

Key Facts

5th appearance of Superman

Action Comics #6
DC ⋅ 1938
View Details
Action Comics #6
 
Low
$3k
Mid
$9k
High
$39k

Key Facts

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

[November 2023 - Skyler Gisondo, has been cast as Jimmy Olsen in Superman Legacy]

Action Comics #7
DC ⋅ 1938
View Details
Action Comics #7
 
Low
$23k
Mid
$68k
High
$232k

Key Facts

2nd cover appearance of Superman

First time "Superman" is in print on a comic book cover

Action Comics #10
DC ⋅ 1939
View Details
Action Comics #10
 
Low
$17k
Mid
$51k
High
$163k

Key Facts

3rd cover appearance of Superman

Action Comics #11
DC ⋅ 1939
View Details
Action Comics #11
 
Low
$1k
Mid
$3k
High
$12k

Key Facts

Debut of Superman's X-Ray Vision

Superman #1
DC ⋅ 1939
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (7)
Superman #1
 
Low
$110k
Mid
$976k
High
$3.1M

Key Facts

Premiere issue of headlining Superman title

Origin of Superman

1st appearance of Ma and Pa Kent

First pin-up poster in comics, on back cover

View more (1)

🌎 Currently holds the world record for the highest comic sale in history after an 8.0 Edgar Church copy sold for $5.3 million dollars in Jan 2022

Triumph Comics #772
Triumph ⋅ 1939
View Details
Triumph Comics #772
 
Low
$1.3k
Mid
$4k
High
$22k

Key Facts

1st appearance of Superman in the UK

Comic strips collected and reprinted in the larger format

Issue #771 depicts Superman in an advertisement

New York World's Fair Comics #2
DC ⋅ 1940
View Details
New York World's Fair Comics #2
 
Low
$1k
Mid
$3k
High
$14k

Key Facts

1st cover appearance of Superman with Batman and Robin

All-Star Comics #7
DC ⋅ 1941
View Details
All-Star Comics #7
 
Low
$300
Mid
$1k
High
$3k

Key Facts

First appearance of Batman and Superman in a story together

Batman and Superman join the JSA as honorary members

Batman #13
DC ⋅ 1942
View Details
Batman #13
 
Low
$500
Mid
$1.5k
High
$5k

Key Facts

Guest appearances by New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio and Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel

Superman #25
DC ⋅ 1943
View Details
Superman #25
 
Low
$175
Mid
$525
High
$1.9k

Key Facts

Clark Kent joins the Army

Superman #30
DC ⋅ 1944
View Details
Superman #30
 
Low
$380
Mid
$1.6k
High
$3.8k

Key Facts

1st appearance and origin of Mr. Mxyzptlk

First time Superman references his ability to "fly", previously he was known to leap

🔮 DC Possibilities: Obviously James Gunn won't have time to do all of these projects but he is familiar with the subject matter and has the creative vision to know what gems are buried in the vast DC catalog to hand-off to the right filmmakers

All Funny Comics #16
DC ⋅ 1947
View Details
All Funny Comics #16
 
Low
$25
Mid
$55
High
$270

Key Facts

Crossover appearance by Superman, Batman, Robin, Green Arrow and Vigilante

All-Star Comics #36
DC ⋅ 1947
View Details
All-Star Comics #36
 
Low
$470
Mid
$1.4k
High
$4.7k

Key Facts

First time Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman appeared in the same story together and on the same cover

Superman #48
DC ⋅ 1947
View Details
Superman #48
 
Low
$120
Mid
$400
High
$1.2k

Key Facts

Debut of Superman ability to travel through time

Superman #53
DC ⋅ 1948
View Details
Superman #53
 
Low
$400
Mid
$1.2k
High
$4k

Key Facts

Origin of Superman retold

10 year anniversary of the Superman title

Superboy #1
DC ⋅ 1949
View Details
Superboy #1
 
Low
$1.1k
Mid
$3.1k
High
$11k

Key Facts

First Superboy title series

Meet the New Post-Gazette Sunday Funnies
Post Gazette ⋅ 1949
View Details
Meet the New Post-Gazette Sunday Funnies
 
Low
$120
Mid
$400
High
$1.2k

Key Facts

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

Superboy #2
DC ⋅ 1949
View Details
Superboy #2
 
Low
$230
Mid
$700
High
$2.5k

Key Facts

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

Superman #61
DC ⋅ 1949
View Details
Superman #61
 
Low
$180
Mid
$600
High
$1.8k

Key Facts

Introduction of Kryptonite, an element that weakens Superman, depicted as a red gemstone in the turban of an enemy

Origin of Superman retold

Action Comics #151
DC ⋅ 1950
View Details
Action Comics #151
 
Low
$115
Mid
$350
High
$1.2k

Key Facts

Early Golden Age super-villain team-up featuring Lex Luthor, the Prankster and Mr. Mxyztplk

Action Comics #158
DC ⋅ 1951
View Details
Action Comics #158
 
Low
$125
Mid
$380
High
$1.4k

Key Facts

Origin of Superman retold

Superman #76
DC ⋅ 1952
View Details
Superman #76
 
Low
$500
Mid
$1.5k
High
$5k

Key Facts

First crossover of Batman in the Superman title

Superman and Batman learn one another's identities

World's Finest Comics #65
DC ⋅ 1953
View Details
World's Finest Comics #65
 
Low
$105
Mid
$315
High
$1.1k

Key Facts

Origin of Superman retold

World's Finest Comics #71
DC ⋅ 1954
View Details
World's Finest Comics #71
 
Low
$260
Mid
$780
High
$2.9k

Key Facts

Ongoing team-up stories of Superman Earth Two and Batman begin

Superman #100
DC ⋅ 1955
View Details
Superman #100
 
Price Trend
Low
$150
Mid
$500
High
$1.5k

Key Facts

Milestone issue #100

Origin of Superman retold

Action Comics #225
DC ⋅ 1957
View Details
Action Comics #225
 
Low
$30
Mid
$135
High
$390

Key Facts

'Death of Superman' story

World's Finest Comics #94
DC ⋅ 1958
View Details
World's Finest Comics #94
 
Low
$50
Mid
$150
High
$550

Key Facts

Origin of Superman and Batman team-up retold

Action Comics #241
DC ⋅ 1958
View Details
Action Comics #241
 
Low
$120
Mid
$400
High
$1.2k

Key Facts

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

Action Comics #242
DC ⋅ 1958
View Details
Action Comics #242
 
Low
$1k
Mid
$3k
High
$10k

Key Facts

1st appearance and origin of Brainiac

1st appearance of the Bottle City of Kandor, the capital city of Krypton

[May 2023 - Brainiac rumored for Superman Legacy]

Brave and the Bold, The #28
DC ⋅ 1960
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (4)
Brave and the Bold, The #28
 
Low
$2.2k
Mid
$9.3k
High
$74k

Key Facts

1st team appearance of the Justice League of America: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman

1st appearance of Starro the Conqueror

Action Comics #262
DC ⋅ 1960
View Details
Action Comics #262
 
Low
$15
Mid
$50
High
$160

Key Facts

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

Adventure Comics #275
DC ⋅ 1960
View Details
Adventure Comics #275
 
Low
$20
Mid
$70
High
$230

Key Facts

Origin of the first Superman/Batman team-up

Superman #141
DC ⋅ 1960
View Details
Superman #141
 
Low
$25
Mid
$80
High
$225

Key Facts

1st appearance and death of Lyla Lerrol, Kryptonian love of Superman

Origin of Superman retold

Superman returns to Krypton

Superman #146
DC ⋅ 1961
View Details
Superman #146
 
Low
$35
Mid
$110
High
$450

Key Facts

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

Secret Origins Special #1
DC ⋅ 1961
View Details
Secret Origins Special #1
 
Low
$40
Mid
$115
High
$650

Key Facts

Reprinted origin stories:

Adam Strange (Showcase #17)

Green Lantern (Green Lantern #1)

Challengers of the Unknown (Showcase #6)

View more (4)

J'onn J'onzz (Detective Comics #225)

The Flash (Showcase #4)

Wonder Woman (Wonder Woman #105)

Superman/Batman team-up (World's Finest #94)

Superman #149
DC ⋅ 1961
View Details
Superman #149
 
Low
$15
Mid
$45
High
$145

Key Facts

"Death of Superman" story written by Jerry Siegel -non-continuity story

1st appearance of The Flash aka Barry Allen in the Superman title

Superboy #100
DC ⋅ 1962
View Details
Superboy #100
 
Low
$15
Mid
$45
High
$225

Key Facts

Anniversary issue contains a map of Krypton

Superman #158
DC ⋅ 1963
View Details
Superman #158
 
Low
$30
Mid
$90
High
$300

Key Facts

1st appearance of Than-Ol, Kryptonian scientist

Superman disguises himself as Nightwing and Jimmy Olsen as Flamebird

Superman Annual #7
DC ⋅ 1963
View Details
Superman Annual #7
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$60

Key Facts

25th anniversary of Superman

Action Comics #340
DC ⋅ 1966
View Details
Action Comics #340
 
Low
$65
Mid
$185
High
$675

Key Facts

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

Superman #199
DC ⋅ 1967
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (1)
Superman #199
 
Low
$80
Mid
$200
High
$800

Key Facts

First Superman versus the Flash race, resulted in a tie

Justice League of America #73
DC ⋅ 1969
View Details
Justice League of America #73
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$65

Key Facts

1st appearance of the Golden Age Superman in the Silver Age

Superman #233
DC ⋅ 1971
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (1)
Superman #233
 
Low
$45
Mid
$135
High
$450

Key Facts

Iconic cover art by Neal Adams

1 2 3 › »

Adjust Your Filters To See More Comics!

By default Key Collector searches for Standard Cover Key Issues.

Adjust the "Variants" and/or "Non-Key Issues" search filters above for additional content:

  • Variant Covers ([[totalVariants]])
  • Non-Key Issues ([[totalNonKeys]])

At Key Collector, our primary focus is on unearthing those rare Standard Cover Key Issues for you. However, the world of comic collectibles is vast and varied. We want to make sure you have the tools to explore it all!