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#2
Action Comics , #1

Published: June 1938

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Issue Contents:

Story Featuring Superman

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Other
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Story Notes

In Alter Ego #56 (February 2006), in an interview with Adler, he reports that he painted the colors on the engraving plates for this story. Information added by Craig Delich. Adler was employed by the Strauss Engraving Company, which was contracted to do the coloring and related work for DC at this time. Error Report #2990 by Mike DeLisa states the following: "Cover was not by Shuster, actually by (an) unknown member of DC staff based on one interior panel. Coloring was not (done) by Jack Adler; Adler states that the work was done by DC staff. My source is the Court record and decision, which includes affidavits from Siegel, Shuster, and Adler." DeLisa states the colorist for the cover was Ed Eisenberg. Superman/Batman (DC, 2003 Series) #41 (December 2007) identifies the bystander on the cover as Rick Radomski of Radomski Hardware. Though this takes place during a dream sequence, the name could be considered canon. Conversely, the cover mimics a scene within the story. In the story, the owner of the car is Butch Matson, a gangster who threatens Lois Lane, and flees in panic from Superman's wrath in the same manner as depicted on the cover. Very likely the figure on the cover is meant to be Butch Matson. Per Todd Klein's Facebook posting, Comics Logos A #1: ACTION COMICS on 1 January 2021, Ira Schnapp had been attributed in the past as the Action Comics logo designer, but Schnapp told Michael Uslan in the 1960s that he did not do it. The designer of the logo remains unknown.

The Coming of Superman

Story Featuring Superman

"A tireless figure races thru the night seconds count... delay means forfeit of an innocent life."

Storyline

Superman delivers a witness to the governor to stop an execution, then stops a wife-beater. Later Superman, as Clark Kent, goes out with Lois, but she earns the wrath of Butch Matson and Superman must save her. Finally, Clark is assigned a story on the South American republic of San Monte. He heads to Washington DC to find out who is behind Senator Barrows pushing legislation which will embroil the United States in a war in Europe by grabbing lobbyist Alex Greer and scaring the truth out of him.

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Story Notes

Superman wears blue boots. The story continues in Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #2 (July 1938). Originally prepared for newspaper publication, cut up and re-paged, most probably by Joe Shuster. Vin Sullivan, Sheldon Mayer, and Harry Lampert are often cited as having done the paste-up work based on their own claims. Black shading was used. George Taylor was first named in the newspaper strip in May 1939.

The A-G Gang

Story Featuring Chuck Dawson

"When Charles Dawson, owner of the Circle-D Ranch is killed in a bloody Texas range war, his young son and only heir goes to live with an uncle, a horse raiser in Wyoming -"

Storyline

Chuck begins a vendetta aginst the crooked ranch owners who have, by fraud, acquired the range lands he inherited after his father's death.

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Synopsis added by Craig Delich.

The Mystery of the Freight Train Robberies

Story Featuring Zatara

"This is serious, Tong."

Storyline

Zatara and Tong investigate the murders of several railroad detectives and the theft of over $200,000 in loot.

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Synopsis added by Craig Delich. On the 11th page of this story, the text says Zatara transforms Tigress's gun into "a bullet," but the illustration shows a banana.

South Sea Strategy [Part 1]

"For an instant, the sky to the west was splashed with all the vivid colors of nature's paint box."

Storyline

Bret and Cottonball seek to rescue one Samuel Newton, whose daughter was carried off into the jungle by a pack of savage natives.

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Story Notes

Synopsis added by Craig Delich.

Story Featuring Sticky-Mitt Stimson

"Beeg airplane!"

Storyline

Sticky swipes some apples and is pursued by the police. He gets a lucky break to make good his escape.

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Synopsis added by Craig Delich.

Story Featuring The Adventures of Marco Polo

"It's the year 1271."

Storyline

Marco, his father and his uncle are given an audience with the new Pope. They are sent on a mission to satisfy a request from the Khan of Tartary for priests and men of learning.

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Story Notes

Marco's uncle is named in Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #4 (September 1938) and his father in issue #5 (October 1938). Synopsis added by Craig Delich.

The Light Heavyweight Championship

Story Featuring Pep Morgan

"Pep Morgan, versatile young athlete is fighting Sailor Sorenson for the coveted light heavyweight championship."

Storyline

When the Boxing Commission runs a dirty fight trainer out of town, he swears his revenge...against Pep.

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Synopsis added by Craig Delich.

The International Jewel Thief

Story Featuring Scoop Scanlon

"Scoop Scanlon, ace reporter of the Bulletin, rouses his sleepy-eyed pal..."

Storyline

An international jewel thief arrives in America as a prisoner, but Scoop and Rusty are on hand to witness his escape with the help of his gang lying in wait.

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Synopsis added by Craig Delich.

Murder in England

Story Featuring Tex Thomson

"Having struck it rich in the oil fields of Texas, Tex Thomson has left his native country to tour the world."

Storyline

Ken is framed for the murder of a man, and, with the help of Betty and Bobby, sets out to prove his innocence.

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Tex Thomson later becomes Mr. America in Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #33 (February 1941) and then as the Americommando in Action Comics #54 (November 1942).

Fred Astaire, Constance Bennett, Charles Boyer, Wheeler and Woolsey

Story Featuring Stardust

"Fred Astaire once sat in a booth during a benefit given in London, and danced with..."

Storyline

Interesting facts about celebrities Fred Astaire, Constance Bennett, Charles Boyer and the comedy team of Wheeler and Woolsey are provided in this illustrated filler.

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Story Notes

Per Craig Delich, art MIGHT be by Sheldon Moldoff. Synopsis added by Delich.

Lou Gehrig, Lee Grissom, and Babe Ruth

Story Featuring Odds 'n Ends

"Take it easy, horsey, we'll finish in the money anyhow!"

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Inside back cover.

Superman Origin

Story Featuring Superman

"As a distant planet was destroyed by old age, a scientist placed his infant son within a hastily devised space-ship, launching it toward Earth!"

Storyline

A space vehicle from a destroyed world lands on Earth, and its occupant becomes Superman. In addition, a scientific explanation for this being's powers is given.

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This strip was originally prepared for newspaper publication, cut up, and re-paged. Black shading was used.

Action Comics

Story Featuring Superman

"And so begins the startling adventures of the most sensational strip character of all time: Superman!"

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Illustrated promotional advertisement for the Superman strip appearing in Action Comics.

Ad Featuring Johnson Smith & Co. Catalog

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Back cover.

$25 Cash Prizes!

"Here's how to win! And you don't have to be an artist or a cartoonist either!"

Credits
Story Notes

Inside front cover.