Action Comics #1 (1938): the birth of Superman and the superhero genre
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Everything about Action Comics #1 (1938), the comic book that literally invented the superhero genre by introducing Superman for the first time. In this article: its 1938 publishing context, its creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, its original contents, its worldwide cultural impact, its record collector value (over 6 million dollars), the surviving copies, and its historical importance. By the end, you'll understand precisely why this simple comic book remains the most precious and most important document in all of modern comics culture.
📋 Contents
The publishing context of 1938
Before Action Comics #1 (June 1938), the American comic book market was dominated by adventure anthologies and funny pages reprinted from newspapers. The concept of the superhero in the modern sense did not yet exist. This historic issue would literally invent a genre.
Publishing characteristics of the era:
- Anthology comics made up of several short stories
- Target audience of children and teenagers
- Cover price: 10 cents
- Variable print runs (often tens of thousands)
- Main publishers: National Allied Publications (the future DC), Eastern Color, Centaur
Action Comics was launched by National Allied Publications (which would become DC Comics) in 1938 as a new anthology title. Issue #1 contains several short stories, but it is the first story (Superman) that would change everything. To explore Superman's entire publishing history, our complete guide to the history of Superman retraces the evolution.
Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
Action Comics #1 is the work of two young creators: Jerry Siegel (writer) and Joe Shuster (artist), both 23 years old in 1938.
Their background:
- Both Jewish Americans, sons of European immigrants
- High school classmates in Cleveland, Ohio
- Passionate about science fiction and pulp fiction
- Developed the Superman concept between 1932 and 1938
- Endured several rejections from publishers before their success
- Sold the Superman rights for 130 dollars to National Publications
This last clause (the sale of the rights) would become one of the most famous and controversial cases in the history of the comics industry. Siegel and Shuster would spend decades trying to recover a fair share of the Superman rights, without complete success. This tragic dimension is part of the legacy of Action Comics #1.
The contents of Action Comics #1
Action Comics #1 is a 64-page anthology comic containing several stories:
- Superman (13 pages, by Siegel and Shuster) - cover and lead story
- Chuck Dawson (cowboy Western)
- Zatara, the Master Magician (Zatanna's father)
- Sticky-Mitt Stimson (humor)
- The Adventures of Marco Polo (historical adventure)
- Pep Morgan (sports)
- Scoop Scanlon, Five Star Reporter (journalism)
- Tex Thompson (future secret agent)
- Stardust the Super Wizard (fantasy)
All these stories are presented together in the classic anthology format of the era. But it is the cover (Superman lifting a car) and the Superman story that immediately grab attention. The commercial success is immediate: the issue sells quickly and creates a buzz in publishing circles.
Superman's first appearance
In Action Comics #1, the Superman story takes up the first 13 pages. It is a compressed introduction that already contains all the character's iconic elements:
- Kryptonian origin with a planet Krypton that explodes
- Baby sent to Earth in a space capsule
- Taken in by the Kents (adoptive parents)
- Grows up with superpowers (strength, limited flight, speed)
- Secret identity: Clark Kent, reporter
- Fights crime and injustice
- First heroic act: saving an innocent woman from a wrongful execution
Notable characteristic: in Action Comics #1, Superman leaps rather than truly flying. The full power of flight would only be developed later. His strength is presented as the "ability to lift tremendous weights" and his speed as "able to run faster than an express train." These powers would evolve considerably over the decades.
The immediate worldwide cultural impact
The impact of Action Comics #1 is immediate and massive:
- The issue sells quickly (estimated initial print run: 200,000 copies)
- Growing demand leads to later reprints
- Superman gets his own comic series (Superman #1) in 1939
- Radio (1940), film serial (1948) and TV (1952) adaptations
- Massive literary influence on all the comics that followed
- Official birth of the superhero genre
Before 1938, there was no superhero in the modern sense. After Action Comics #1, the comics industry would never be the same. All the later Marvel and DC heroes (Batman, Wonder Woman, Captain America, Spider-Man, etc.) are, in one way or another, the heirs of this unique publication.
The record collector value ($6M)
Action Comics #1 is today the most valuable comic book in the world. Its record prices:
- 2014 : 3.2 million dollars (CGC 9.0)
- 2021 : 3.25 million dollars (CGC 8.5)
- 2024 : 6 million dollars (CGC 8.5) - all-time record
- Estimates for CGC 9.5+ copies: potentially $10M+
These astronomical prices are explained by several factors:
- Historical importance beyond compare (the first superhero)
- Rarity : fewer than 100 confirmed copies still exist
- Condition of surviving copies is generally degraded
- Demand from international collectors is very high
- Commitment cultural heritage recognized
It is officially the all-time record for a comic book sold at auction in the entire history of the medium. No other comic comes close. This value makes Action Comics #1 one of the most precious collectibles in all of modern popular culture.
The surviving copies
Very few copies of Action Comics #1 have survived to this day:
- Estimate: fewer than 100 copies confirmed to exist
- Even fewer copies in collector condition (CGC 8.0+)
- A few copies at CGC 9.0 or higher are known
- Most copies are in private collections
- A few copies in museums (Library of Congress)
- No copy is on permanent public display
This extreme rarity is explained by the fact that comics were considered disposable items in the 1940s and 1950s. Most were thrown away or recycled during the war effort. The surviving copies were generally preserved by chance or by visionary early collectors.
Publishing and cultural legacy
The legacy of Action Comics #1 is multiple and profound:
Publishing legacy :
- Official launch of the superhero genre
- Business model for all the comics that followed
- Direct inspiration for Batman (1939) and Wonder Woman (1941), both DC
- Influence on Marvel Comics (Captain America 1941, etc.)
- Anthology model that would dominate the industry for decades
Cultural legacy :
- Birth of a new modern mythology
- Influence on film, television and video games
- Recognition as a heritage document scientific genius
- Blockbuster film adaptation (Superman 1978, etc.)
- Impact on worldwide popular culture
To explore all the comics sagas that followed this founding publication, our complete guide to the must-read Superman comic books retraces all the essential references. To understand the hero's general iconography, our complete analysis of the Superman logo retraces the visual evolution since 1938.
To celebrate this historic dimension every day, our store offers a complete selection of Superman comics figures, Superman decorations with classic aesthetics and Superman clothing.
To retrace the character's 85 years of evolution, see Superman through the eras.
FAQ — Frequently asked questions
What is Action Comics #1?
It is the first comic book featuring Superman, published in June 1938 by National Allied Publications (the future DC Comics). Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, this issue is considered the official birth certificate of the modern superhero genre.
How much is an Action Comics #1 worth?
The all-time record is 6 million dollars (2024 sale, CGC 8.5). Copies in poorer condition can still fetch 100,000 to 500,000 dollars. It is officially the most valuable comic book in the world, without equal in the history of the medium.
Who created Superman in Action Comics #1?
Jerry Siegel (writer) and Joe Shuster (artist), two young Jewish American creators aged 23 in 1938. High school classmates in Cleveland, they developed the Superman concept between 1932 and 1938 before publication.
How many copies of Action Comics #1 exist?
Estimated at fewer than 100 confirmed surviving copies, of which only a tiny fraction are in collector condition (CGC 8.0+). Most were thrown away or recycled during the war effort. The surviving copies are essentially in private collections and a few museums.
What are the other stories in Action Comics #1?
Besides Superman (13 pages), the issue contains: Chuck Dawson, Zatara the Master Magician, Sticky-Mitt Stimson, The Adventures of Marco Polo, Pep Morgan, Scoop Scanlon, Tex Thompson, and Stardust the Super Wizard. The classic anthology format of the era.
Why did Siegel and Shuster sell the Superman rights for 130 dollars?
Common practice in the 1938 comics industry: publishers bought the complete rights from creators for modest sums. Siegel and Shuster would spend decades trying to recover a fair share of the rights, generating one of the most controversial cases in the history of the comics industry.
Conclusion
Action Comics #1 (1938) is, without a doubt, the most important comic book in the entire history of the medium. This simple anthology issue literally invented the superhero genre and gave birth to a modern mythology that continues to shape worldwide popular culture almost 90 years later.
To understand Action Comics #1 is to understand the very origins of everything that makes up today's comics and superhero film industry. Without this unique publication, neither Marvel nor modern DC would exist in their current form.
To explore all the Superman comics that followed this founding publication, our complete guide to Superman comic books and our complete guide to the history of Superman retrace the hero's entire publishing evolution since 1938.