off white pgs; Mod(A-3) ct, pcs added, tr sls, clnd, spn of cvr completely split & cvr dtchd, stpls removed
1st full origin story of Superman; Joe Shuster cover & art; pin-up bc; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
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.
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This comic remains a deeply treasured milestone for superhero collectors, and its bright cover may be arguably just as iconic as the cover image of Action #1, where Superman debuted. 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. This restored, FA example is the perfect opportunity for the collector who has been dying to own a copy of this classic but has been priced out of the continually thriving marketplace.
Overstreet Guide 2017 GD (2.0) value = $80,000.
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Artist InformationJoseph 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.