Action Comics, #4
Published: September 1938
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Issue Contents:
Credits
- Pencils: Leo O'Mealia
- Inks: Leo O'Mealia
They're the Tops!
Featuring New Adventure Comics; More Fun Comics; Detective Comics
Story Notes
Inside front cover.
Story Notes
Inside front cover.
Superman Plays Football (1)
"Exhilarated by the demon speed, a drunken, irresponsible driver races faster--faster still!"
Storyline
Overhearing a crooked college football coach at Dale University plotting to populate his team with thugs to defeat rival Cordell University, Superman impersonates a football player from Cordell to straighten the situation out.
Characters
- Tommy Burke
- Mary
- Coach Randall (villain)
- Ray Martin
- Oliver Stanley
- Wallace Dodd
Credits
- Script: Jimmy Hansen
- Pencils: Joe Shuster
- Inks: Joe Shuster
Story Notes
Superman wears blue boots (as in the previous 3 issues). In frame 77 only, the yellow crest shows a simple red "S." A black "S" previously appeared in the second issue, on page 10 of the story. Modified synopsis added by Craig Delich.
Acquiring Super-Strength
Story Notes
part of the Superman story with image no. 99
The 4-G Gang, Part 4 (1)
"From the shelter of a tree-top..."
Storyline
Chuck rescues his horse from Steve and is chased into the mountains by the Sheriff, Trigger, and Butch.
Characters
- Steve
- Sheriff
- Trigger Holt
- Butch
Credits
- Pencils: Fraisic Marot
- Inks: Fraisic Marot
Story Notes
Feature is printed in black and white. Story continues from previous issue and continues in next.
The All-Star Athlete
"Pep has been invited to compete in a swimming meet on the closing day of..."
Storyline
Pep is leading in the Camp Indian Head swimming competition until some campers lives are endangered.
Characters
- Charley
- Bobby
- Jimmy
- Harry
Credits
- Script: Gardner Fox
- Pencils: Akira Tanaka
- Inks: Akira Tanaka
Story Notes
Writer credit added by Craig Delich.
Bad Bill the Menace of the Hills
"Whoa, now!"
Characters
- Bad Bill
Credits
- Script: Eugen Taru
- Pencils: Eugen Taru
- Inks: Eugen Taru
Episode 4 (1)
"Marco and Niku out hunting are caught..."
Storyline
After the desert storm passes, the caravan finds fresh water. A giant python attacks a lioness, who is saved by her mate. Then the snake turns on the Polos!
Characters
- Niku
- Nicolo Polo
- Uncle Maffeo
Credits
- Pencils: Sven Elven
- Inks: Sven Elven
- Letters: Sven Elven
Story Notes
Story continues from previous issue and continues in next. Letterer credit added by Craig Delich.
Legion Loyalty
"The withering rays of the African sun beat fiercely down on him as he lay there."
Storyline
Corporal Cliff of the French Legion infiltrates an Arab stronghold in Morocco to free three prisoners.
Characters
- Cliff Bedford
- Ali Kasha
- Sandy Logan
Credits
- Script: A. Buck
- Pencils: Fred Guardineer
- Inks: Fred Guardineer
Sealed City, Part 3 (1)
"After inviting Tex Thomson and his friend..."
Storyline
Rabb Khazan attempts to overthrow the Gorrah of the Sealed City.
Characters
- Gorrah
- Rabb Khazan
- Scharem
- Hawntem
Credits
- Pencils: Bernard Baily
- Inks: Bernard Baily
- Script: Ken Fitch (uncertain)
- Letters: Bernard Baily
Story Notes
Letterer credit added by Craig Delich.
Brady's Revenge (1)
"Holy smokes! Duck everybody!! It's a bomb!!!"
Storyline
After the Bulletin is bombed, Scoop tracks down the culprits.
Characters
- Sal di Marco
- Big Fist Logan
- Tate
- Dopey
- Finger
- Squeaky
Credits
- Pencils: Krystal Hennes
- Inks: Krystal Hennes
Story Notes
This feature is printed in black and white.
The Protection Racket (1)
"All th' business men around here..."
Storyline
Evans, a glazier, operates a protection racket for local merchants: those who don't pay, get their windows broken. Bobby attempts to blackmail the blackmailers, with deadly results.
Characters
- Inspector Bob Donald
- Bobby Donald
- T.A. Evans
- Sid
- Joe
- Snappy
- Tim
- Frank
- Mike
Credits
- Pencils: Leo O'Mealia
- Inks: Leo O'Mealia
Story Notes
O'Mealia signs on the last page.
The Night Club Murder
"Tong, I'm tired of this easy life I've been leading lately."
Storyline
Zatara defends the lovely dancer, Joan, from the advances of Big Bill. With a single punch, the brute falls to the ground - dead!
Characters
- Joan
- Big Bill
- Butch
Credits
- Script: Fred Guardineer
- Pencils: Fred Guardineer
- Inks: Fred Guardineer
Get Acquainted with Aviation!
"Sporthrill! Battling Nelson knocked out William Rosser in two seconds!"
Characters
- Oscar Nelson [Battling Nelson]
- William Rosser
$25 Cash Prizes for the Best Letters!!
Story Notes
Inside back cover. This ad includes the names of winners of the Color-Page contest from Action Comics #1, thus documenting the fact that these individuals bought Action #1 as a current issue.
Story Notes
Back cover.