SUPERMAN (1939-86; 2006-11) #1
CGC F/VF: 7.0
(Stock Image)
SOLD ON: Wednesday, 12/06/2017 2:56 PM
$47,000
Sold For
28
Bids
PUBLISHER: DC
COMMENTS: crm/ow pgs; Mod/Ext(B-4) ct, pcs added, tr sls, cvr clnd, reinf
1st full origin story of Superman; Joe Shuster cover & art; pin-up bc; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
Hidden Valley Collection
Read Description ▼
1st full origin story of Superman; Joe Shuster cover & art; pin-up bc; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
Hidden Valley Collection
DESCRIPTION
crm/ow pgs; Mod/Ext(B-4) ct, pcs added, tr sls, cvr clnd, reinf
1st full origin story of Superman; Joe Shuster cover & art; pin-up bc; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
Hidden Valley Collection
Superman #1 is easily one of the top Golden Age keys, featuring an iconic Superman cover image and legendary origin that remains the definitive telling. (Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's updated tale includes four pages cut from Action Comics #1.) There's added historical importance with the first back-cover pin-up in comics history, as well as stories showcasing three of the most important supporting characters in the Superman pantheon: Ma and Pa Kent (in their first appearance), along with Lois Lane.
Superman #1 also made comics history as the first true solo title for an American superhero. Unlike other books from the era, there were no back-up stories with other characters. This was a true testament to the Man of Steel's popularity, with Superman still a regular presence in Action Comics. (The publishers remained cautious enough to launch this solo Superman as a quarterly publication.)
As an investment, Superman #1 is only rivaled by Action #1 as a top collectible in any grade. The Man from Krypton has now spent decades being regularly featured in cartoons, serials, movies, television shows, and merchandising. Fans are anxiously awaiting the launch of the big-screen DC Extended Universe with 2025's Superman, to be followed by Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow in 2026. In fact, DC Studios' James Gunn announced his inspirations for the return of Superman by leading with Shuster's chain-shattering Superman #1 pin-up.
_______________________________________________
The appearance of the Man of Steel on American newsstands in 1938 was like a thunderclap. Nothing like it had been seen before, and the entire industry changed, nearly overnight, in response to the overwhelming success of the colorful hero. Unsurprisingly, DC (then National Periodicals) milked their new property for all it was worth, hastily compiling his earliest exploits into a solo title, wrapping the contents in a blinding
yellow-and-red cover that combined the class and grace of a formal invitation with the charmingly sturdy style of Superman co-creator Joe Shuster.
The comic flew off shelves, confirming that the new hero was no fad or flash in the pan.
While Action #1, being the Kryptonian's debut, is the more historically significant book, this comic remains a deeply treasured milestone for superhero collectors, and its bright cover may be arguably just as iconic as the Action #1 image. Certainly one of the best portraits of the hero Shuster ever contributed, it's a perfect example of how the artist's steady line and deeply felt imagery made the character seem alive and important to readers still reeling from war, depression, and social upheaval. Note the confidence in the face of the Man of Steel, and the impressive gracefulness of his pose. A far cry from the tentative, minimalist chalkiness of Shuster's initial strips.
Highlight #3 of the Hidden Valley Collection is this professionally restored copy, which is a blazing beauty, with particularly attractive blues and reds on Superman's costume and logo. As Action #1 soars beyond the reach of many potential buyers, collectors have gravitated toward this inaugural issue to embellish their collections, and values have risen dramatically as a result. No longer an "also-ran", undervalued for some time, Superman #1 has become a "must-have" for any serious Golden Age portfolio. We are delighted to offer this copy as part of the Hidden Valley Collection's raft of Super-treasures.
Overstreet Guide 2017 F/VF (7.0) value = $460,000.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us 24 hours in advance of the item closing at 212.895.3999 or support@comicconnect.com so that we may approve your account for bidding. (This policy was instituted to protect consignors and bidders against bids from fraudulent accounts, and to ensure the integrity of the bidding process.) Once approved, please log out of your account and then log in, for the approval to take effect.
Artist Information
Joseph Shuster was a Canadian-American comic book artist best known for co-creating the DC Comics character Superman, with writer Jerry Siegel, in Action Comics #1.
1st full origin story of Superman; Joe Shuster cover & art; pin-up bc; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
Hidden Valley Collection
Superman #1 is easily one of the top Golden Age keys, featuring an iconic Superman cover image and legendary origin that remains the definitive telling. (Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's updated tale includes four pages cut from Action Comics #1.) There's added historical importance with the first back-cover pin-up in comics history, as well as stories showcasing three of the most important supporting characters in the Superman pantheon: Ma and Pa Kent (in their first appearance), along with Lois Lane.
Superman #1 also made comics history as the first true solo title for an American superhero. Unlike other books from the era, there were no back-up stories with other characters. This was a true testament to the Man of Steel's popularity, with Superman still a regular presence in Action Comics. (The publishers remained cautious enough to launch this solo Superman as a quarterly publication.)
As an investment, Superman #1 is only rivaled by Action #1 as a top collectible in any grade. The Man from Krypton has now spent decades being regularly featured in cartoons, serials, movies, television shows, and merchandising. Fans are anxiously awaiting the launch of the big-screen DC Extended Universe with 2025's Superman, to be followed by Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow in 2026. In fact, DC Studios' James Gunn announced his inspirations for the return of Superman by leading with Shuster's chain-shattering Superman #1 pin-up.
_______________________________________________
The appearance of the Man of Steel on American newsstands in 1938 was like a thunderclap. Nothing like it had been seen before, and the entire industry changed, nearly overnight, in response to the overwhelming success of the colorful hero. Unsurprisingly, DC (then National Periodicals) milked their new property for all it was worth, hastily compiling his earliest exploits into a solo title, wrapping the contents in a blinding
yellow-and-red cover that combined the class and grace of a formal invitation with the charmingly sturdy style of Superman co-creator Joe Shuster.
The comic flew off shelves, confirming that the new hero was no fad or flash in the pan.
While Action #1, being the Kryptonian's debut, is the more historically significant book, this comic remains a deeply treasured milestone for superhero collectors, and its bright cover may be arguably just as iconic as the Action #1 image. Certainly one of the best portraits of the hero Shuster ever contributed, it's a perfect example of how the artist's steady line and deeply felt imagery made the character seem alive and important to readers still reeling from war, depression, and social upheaval. Note the confidence in the face of the Man of Steel, and the impressive gracefulness of his pose. A far cry from the tentative, minimalist chalkiness of Shuster's initial strips.
Highlight #3 of the Hidden Valley Collection is this professionally restored copy, which is a blazing beauty, with particularly attractive blues and reds on Superman's costume and logo. As Action #1 soars beyond the reach of many potential buyers, collectors have gravitated toward this inaugural issue to embellish their collections, and values have risen dramatically as a result. No longer an "also-ran", undervalued for some time, Superman #1 has become a "must-have" for any serious Golden Age portfolio. We are delighted to offer this copy as part of the Hidden Valley Collection's raft of Super-treasures.
Overstreet Guide 2017 F/VF (7.0) value = $460,000.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us 24 hours in advance of the item closing at 212.895.3999 or support@comicconnect.com so that we may approve your account for bidding. (This policy was instituted to protect consignors and bidders against bids from fraudulent accounts, and to ensure the integrity of the bidding process.) Once approved, please log out of your account and then log in, for the approval to take effect.
Artist Information
Joseph Shuster was a Canadian-American comic book artist best known for co-creating the DC Comics character Superman, with writer Jerry Siegel, in Action Comics #1.