Superman (1939)
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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
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
Key Facts
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
Key Facts
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
Key Facts
Reprint of Superman #1, complete with full story and advertisements
Distributed with the Superman Masterpiece Edition Boxed Set by Chronicle Books which was packaged with an 8-inch statue and a hardcover book that chronicled the Golden Age of Superman
Values listed represent the comic book as a standalone item
Key Facts
Reprint of Superman #1, complete with full story and advertisements
Distributed with the Superman Masterpiece Edition Boxed Set by Chronicle Books which was packaged with an 8-inch statue and a hardcover book that chronicled the Golden Age of Superman
Values listed represent the comic book as a standalone item
Key Facts
Golden Age-sized format
Limited to 1,000 copies
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Limited to 1,000 copies
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2023 convention exclusive, limited to 1,200 copies
Facsimile foil edition
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2023 convention exclusive, limited to 1,200 copies
Facsimile foil edition
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Facsimile reprint of Superman #1
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Cover art by Joe Shuster
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Cover art by Joe Shuster
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2nd appearance of Lex Luthor
Key Facts
Lex Luthor appears with grey hair
Debut of Superman's photographic memory
First mention of Superman's suit being indestructible
Key Facts
Lex Luthor appears with grey hair
Debut of Superman's photographic memory
First mention of Superman's suit being indestructible
Key Facts
First use of a splash page in a Superman comic
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First use of a splash page in a Superman comic
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1st appearance of Perry White, editor-in-chief at the Daily Planet who was originally created for The Adventures of Superman radio program
Key Facts
1st appearance of Perry White, editor-in-chief at the Daily Planet who was originally created for The Adventures of Superman radio program
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Cover art by Fred Ray
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Lex Luthor appears as a bald-headed man for the first time in standard comic books
Key Facts
Lex Luthor appears as a bald-headed man for the first time in standard comic books
Key Facts
Cover art by Fred Ray
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Previously referred to only as Office Boy in Action Comics #6, the character is first called 'Jimmy' in this issue and will be given the full name Jimmy Olsen in Superman #15
Key Facts
Previously referred to only as Office Boy in Action Comics #6, the character is first called 'Jimmy' in this issue and will be given the full name Jimmy Olsen in Superman #15
Key Facts
Iconic cover art by Fred Ray
Key Facts
Previously referred to only as Office Boy in Action Comics #6 and 'Jimmy' in Superman #13 - the character's full name, Jimmy Olsen is first used in this issue
Key Facts
Previously referred to only as Office Boy in Action Comics #6 and 'Jimmy' in Superman #13 - the character's full name, Jimmy Olsen is first used in this issue
Key Facts
1st cover appearance of Lois Lane on the Superman title and third cover appearance overall
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1st cover appearance of Lois Lane on the Superman title and third cover appearance overall
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Cover art featuring Hitler and Hirohito
Prototype of the Fortress of Solitude, referred to as the secret citadel and mountain retreat
Key Facts
Cover art featuring Hitler and Hirohito
Prototype of the Fortress of Solitude, referred to as the secret citadel and mountain retreat
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Advertisement for Wonder Woman #1, published prior to the issue's release
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Advertisement for Wonder Woman #1, published prior to the issue's release
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U.S. flag cover
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Clark Kent joins the Army
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World War II cover art by Wayne Boring
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World War II cover art by Wayne Boring
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First solo Lois Lane story
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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
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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
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Iconic cover art by Wayne Boring
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3rd appearance of Mr. Mxyztplk
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Red Cross cover
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