The debut issue of Action Comics, on sale in April 1938 (cover-dated June 1938) from National Allied Publications, introducing Superman as created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. Editor Vin Sullivan, needing material quickly, used previously rejected Superman comic strips Siegel and Shuster had shopped around for years; the issue is widely considered both the beginning of the superhero genre and, in near-mint condition, the most valuable comic book in the world.
Facts
Classification
Original Language AwardComics Buyer's Guide Fan Award for Favorite Comic Book Story 1 Release Year FAQs
How many copies of Action Comics #1 survive, and what have they sold for?
Perhaps 50 to 100 original copies survive, and a 9.0 copy sold for over 3.2 million dollars in 2014.
Comics Buyer's Guide estimated in 2012 that only 50 to 100 original copies of Action Comics #1 exist. It has set several sales records for comic books. On February 22, 2010, a copy graded 8.0 by the Comic Guaranty company sold at auction for 1 million dollars, making it the first million-dollar comic book. On August 24, 2014, a copy graded 9.0 sold on eBay for 3,207,852 dollars, the first comic book to sell for more than 3 million dollars for a single original copy.
Connections
Created By
Source Wikipedia
Additional Source DC Comics, Wikipedia
In Medium
In the Other Atlases
Original Language
Also in Language Atlas: the original language of this subject.
Originated In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.
Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikimedia FoundationAction Comics #1, significance section
is widely considered to be both the beginning of the superhero genre and the most valuable comic book in the world
Action Comics #1, publication section
Published on April 18, 1938 (cover dated June 1938), by National Allied Publications, a corporate predecessor of DC Comics, it is considered the first true superhero comic.
Wikipedia Awards section (comics-buyers-guide-fan-award-for-favorite-comic-book-story), checked 2026-09-27
Action Comics #684...won the Comics Buyer's Guide Fan Award for Favorite Comic Book Story for 1992
- In Category: Landmark Works
- In Medium: Comics
- Created By: Jerry Siegel
- Created By: Joe Shuster
View the Source Action Comics (Wikipedia)
Action Comics #1, lead paragraph (Wikipedia), original language
Action Comics is an American comic book/magazine series that introduced Superman, one of the first major superhero characters.
In Group: Landmark Comic Book Issues, Lead
Action Comics is an American comic book/magazine series that introduced Superman, one of the first major superhero characters.
View the SourceDC Comics, Wikipedia
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