Action Comics, #52
Published: September 1942
Cover
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Issue Contents:
Characters
- Superman [Clark Kent]
- Zatara
- Congo Bill
- Vigilante
- Americommando
Story Notes
Art credits verified by Fred Ray. This cover, featuring all of the Action heroes, has been reprinted often. It is worth noting an alternative identification of the cover artist(s), by Golden Age artist and comics historian Jerry Robinson, who had the drawing table next to Fred Ray in the DC bullpen at the time of production. In a comment made while examining the cover more than half a century later (Alter Ego 19 (December 2002), page 5) Robinson concludes that the Superman, Zatara and Congo Bill figures are inked by Ray, but Vigilante is inked by the strip's regular artist Mort Meskin. He adds, 'I'm quite certain Bernard Baily did the Americommando figure'.
Editorial Advisory Board
Story Notes
Inside front cover. A listing of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Superman DC Comic Magazines and a list of those magazines and their frequencies.
Cowhand Goes to Town
Credits
- Script: Paul J. Bolger
Story Notes
Inside front cover. Review of Cowhand Goes to Town by Phil Strong, with pictures by Kurt Wiese. Page includes Superman's Secret Message, and the indicia.
The Emperor of America
Storyline
The President of the United States vacates his position in favor of The Emperor, who uses a non-resistance ray to take over America without firing a shot. He doesn't count on Superman providing any opposition, however.
Characters
- Superman [Clark Kent]
- Lois Lane
- Jimmy Olsen
- Perry White
- The Emperor of America (villain, introduction)
Credits
- Script: Jerry Siegel
- Pencils: John Sikela (uncertain)
- Inks: John Sikela
Story Notes
Art credits by Craig Delich and Bob Hughes. Archives credits the pencils to Ed Dobrotka. An imaginary story in post-war America.
"Greetings, Superman members! Somewhere over the dense, mosquito-ridden jungles..."
Lt. Colonel Boyd "Buzz" Wagner
Characters
- Lieutenant Colonel Boyd David "Buzz" Wagner
Credits
- Pencils: Cliff Young (uncertain)
- Inks: Cliff Young (uncertain)
Sing a Song of Six Guns!
Storyline
Greg's show is almost pulled off the air until he learns how to make the jive with some classical kids who've had their instruments heisted by Jiggers Jolton.
Characters
- The Vigilante [Greg Sanders] (origin)
- Stuff
Credits
- Script: Joe Samachson (uncertain)
- Pencils: Jake Elphick
- Inks: Cliff Young
Story Notes
Vigilante tells his origin and reveals secret identity to Stuff. Script credit from Bob Hughes.
"This is quite a mission to be sent on!"
Characters
- Pvt. Pete
Credits
- Script: Henry Boltinoff
- Pencils: Henry Boltinoff
- Inks: Henry Boltinoff
"I want more Superman!"
Story Notes
House ad for Superman (DC, 1939 series) #18, with small cover repro.
The Battle of a Thousand Years
Characters
- Three Aces [Fog Fortune
- Gunner Bill
- Whistler Will]
Credits
- Script: Gardner Fox
- Pencils: Louis Cazeneuve
- Inks: Louis Cazeneuve
Story Notes
Script credit added by Craig Delich.
The Case of the Stolen Spectacles!
Storyline
Mr. America catches an escaped spy.
Characters
- Mr. America [Tex Thomson]
Credits
- Script: Jonathon Dalton
- Pencils: Bernard Baily
- Inks: Bernard Baily
Story Notes
A continuation of Mr. America of the Mr. America feature. Although billed as Americommandos, the strip still features Mr. America and Fatman. The character would start to be more commonly called the Americommando from this point onwards. Fatman does not appear in this story. Script credit per Jerry Bails via Craig Delich.
Wolf Hunt
Credits
- Script: 山本政幸
Featuring Little Gertie
"Gertie, I'm going over to Mrs. Whalen's..."
Characters
- Little Gertie
Biggest and Best!
Featuring World's Finest Comics
Story Notes
House ad for World's Finest Comics (DC, 1941 series) #7, with small cover repro.
The One-Man Army!
"What a night to stand guard duty!"
Characters
- Pvt. Pete
Credits
- Script: Henry Boltinoff
- Pencils: Henry Boltinoff
- Inks: Henry Boltinoff
Featuring Prize Comics
"Meet Yank and Doodle!"
Story Notes
Ad for Prize Comics (Prize, 1940 series) #v2#11 (23), with a small, partial cover repro.
Story Notes
Several small ads.
"He's in charge of our complaint department..."
Credits
- Script: Henry Boltinoff
- Pencils: Henry Boltinoff
- Inks: Henry Boltinoff
Story Notes
3 gags.
"Here it is, boys and girls!"
Characters
- Princess Diana (mainstream Universe)
- Wonder Woman (mainstream Universe)
Story Notes
House ad for Wonder Woman (DC, 1942 series) #1.
Crime on Ice!
Characters
- Zatara
Credits
- Script: Gardner Fox
- Pencils: Norman Boyd
- Inks: Norman Boyd
Now on Sale
Story Notes
House ad featuring cover repros from Green Lantern (DC, 1941 series) #4, All-Flash (DC, 1941 series) #6, All-Star Comics (DC, 1940 series) #12, Mutt & Jeff (DC, 1939 series) #5, Batman (DC, 1940 series) #12, and Leading Comics (DC, 1941 series) #3.
Story Notes
Inside back cover.
Story Notes
Back cover.