Issue Contents:
Characters
- Clark Kent (mainstream Universe)
- Butch Matson
- Rick Radomski
- Superman (mainstream Universe)
Credits
- Pencils: Joe Shuster
- Inks: Joe Shuster
- Colors: Jack Adler (uncertain)
- Colors: Ed Eisenberg (uncertain)
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.
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Credits
- Script: Vin Sullivan
Story Notes
Inside front cover.
Superman Origin (1)
"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.
Characters
- Clark Kent (mainstream Universe) [Origin]
- Superman (mainstream Universe) [Origin]
Credits
- Script: Jerry Siegel
- Pencils: Joe Shuster
- Inks: Joe Shuster
- Letters: Joe Shuster
- Colors:
Story Notes
This strip was originally prepared for newspaper publication, cut up, and re-paged. Black shading was used.
The Coming of Superman (1)
"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.
Characters
- Bea Carroll
- Evelyn Curry
- Alex Greer
- Lois Lane (mainstream Universe)
- Butch Matson
- Senator Barrows
- Superman (mainstream Universe)
- Clark Kent (mainstream Universe)
- George Taylor
- Governor
- Governor's butler
Credits
- Script: Jerry Siegel
- Pencils: Joe Shuster
- Inks: Joe Shuster
- Letters: Joe Shuster (uncertain)
- Colors:
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 June 7, 1939, daily newspaper strip. That story was later reprinted in [gcd_link_story_with_date](9929), which marked its first use in the comics books.
Action Comics (1)
"And so begins the startling adventures of the most sensational strip character of all time: Superman!"
Characters
- Clark Kent (mainstream Universe)
- Superman (mainstream Universe)
Credits
- Pencils: Joe Shuster
- Inks: Joe Shuster
- Colors:
- Script: Vin Sullivan (uncertain)
Story Notes
Illustrated promotional advertisement for the Superman strip appearing in Action Comics.
The 4-G Gang, Part 1 (1)
"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.
Characters
- Chuck Dawson [Origin]
- Notch Logan (villain)
- John Burwell (villain)
- "Trigger" Holt (villain)
- Butch (villain)
- Dan Dawson
Credits
- Script: Homer Fleming (uncertain)
- Pencils: Homer Fleming
- Inks: Homer Fleming
Story Notes
Synopsis added by Craig Delich. The name of the gang looks like "A-G" on the 1st panel but in later issues it's more clearly written as "4-G"
The Mystery of the Freight Train Robberies
"This is serious, Tong."
Storyline
Zatara and Tong investigate the murders of several railroad detectives and the theft of over $200,000 in loot.
Characters
Credits
- Script: Fred Guardineer
- Pencils: Fred Guardineer
- Inks: Fred Guardineer
- Letters: Fred Guardineer (uncertain)
- Colors:
Story Notes
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.
Characters
- Bret Coleman
- Cottonball
- Merna Newton
- Samuel Newton
- South Seas natives (villains)
Credits
- Script: A. Buck
- Colors:
Story Notes
Synopsis added by Craig Delich. Contains three pieces of art. One of Bret's ship (The Aruba) at sea, one of the violent natives, and one of Bret and Cottonball saving Samuel Newton. Story concludes next issue.
"Beeg airplane!"
Storyline
Sticky swipes some apples and is pursued by the police. He gets a lucky break to make good his escape.
Characters
Credits
- Script: Russell Cole
- Pencils: Russell Cole
- Inks: Russell Cole
- Letters: Russell Cole (uncertain)
- Colors:
Story Notes
Synopsis added by Craig Delich. Only appearance of the character.
Episode 1 (1)
"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.
Characters
- Nicolo Polo
- Uncle Maffeo
- Niku
Credits
- Pencils: Sven Elven
- Inks: Sven Elven
- Letters: Sven Elven
- Colors:
Story Notes
Marco's uncle is named in Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #4 (September 1938) and his father in issue #5 (October 1938). These are the same names as in real history. While not named in this story, the pope is Pope Gregory X. Synopsis added by Craig Delich.
The Light Heavyweight Championship (1)
"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.
Characters
- Pep Morgan
- Pop Burkett
- Sailor Sorenson
- Boomerang
- O'Rourke
- Doc Lowery (villain)
Credits
- Script: Gardner Fox
- Pencils: Fred Guardineer
- Inks: Fred Guardineer
- Letters: Fred Guardineer
- Colors:
Story Notes
Synopsis added by Craig Delich. Pep Morgan was previously seen in More Fun Comics #29 (February 1938).
The International Jewel Thief (1)
"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.
Characters
- Rusty James
- Scoop Scanlon
- Arnold (villain)
Story Notes
Synopsis added by Craig Delich.
Murder in England (1)
"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.
Characters
- Tex Thomson
- Bob
- Betty
- unnamed gangster chief (introduction, villain, death)
- Monk (villain)
- Sonja (villain)
Credits
- Script: Ken Fitch (uncertain)
- Pencils: Bernard Baily
- Inks: Bernard Baily
- Letters: Bernard Baily
- Colors:
Story Notes
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 (1)
"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.
Credits
- Pencils: Sheldon Moldoff (uncertain)
- Inks: Sheldon Moldoff (uncertain)
- Colors:
Story Notes
Per Craig Delich, art MIGHT be by Sheldon Moldoff. Synopsis added by Delich.
Lou Gehrig, Lee Grissom, and Babe Ruth (1)
"Take it easy, horsey, we'll finish in the money anyhow!"
Storyline
Factoids and tidbits about baseball players and one about a boxing match.
Characters
Credits
- Pencils: Sheldon Moldoff
- Inks: Sheldon Moldoff
Story Notes
Inside back cover.
Credits
- Colors:
Story Notes
Back cover.