Action Comics , #19

Published: December 1939

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Issue Contents:

Story Featuring Superman

Storyline

Superman rips the barrel from a mounted cannon, while a bi-plane seems to be heading towards him.

Credits
Story Notes

Previous art credit given to Joe Shuster, who was the primary artist. His first ghost/assistant Paul Cassidy probably did the finished artwork. The scene depicted is rather anachronistic. Although Superman never personally got involved in fighting on the European front (except for the famous, non-canonical, short story where he ends the war in a matter of hours by bringing Hitler and Mussolini to justice), the bi-plane, the mounted cannon, and the barbed wire on the hill suggests a first world war setting.

The Purple Plague

Story Featuring Superman

"An ambulance is wanted at 211 Terrace Avenue..."

Storyline

A purple plaque sweeps Metropolis killing citizens left and right. Only Dr. Travers has discovered an antidote, and Superman must stop the Ultra-Humanite from killing the good doctor and prevent that cure from being used.

Story Notes

Synopsis added by Craig Delich. Pencils previously credited to Joe Shuster, but the layouts and unusual Superman flying poses are typical Cassidy. He claimed that Siegel and Shuster allowed both himself and Wayne Boring a free hand in how they depicted a script, with no interference from either creator.

The Train Robbery

Story Featuring Pep Morgan

"Gosh - it'll be good to see the folks and the old..."

Storyline

Driving towards his home place, Pep spots an iron bar across the railroad tracks. When lifting it off a gang of thugs appear and knock him out. The oncoming train stops for the obstruction and the crooks attempt a robbery, which is foiled by Pep, but they all get on the train as it pulls away. Pep alerts the station man by note as they pass through the next small stop, and the police are waiting at Green City. While visiting his folks, pals of three criminals recently arrested by Pep kidnap him, but he is recognized by a traffic cop who knows him, which allows Pep to overpower his kidnappers.

Credits
Story Notes

Writer credit added by Craig Delich.

The Boot Thieves

Story Featuring Chuck Dawson

"Chuck Dawson has no thought of hidden danger as his..."

Storyline

Chuck is robbed of his boots and the outlaw throws him a brand new pair as replacements. Riding into a nearby town, a storekeeper identifies him as one of the men who robbed him, by the boots that were stolen. Chuck disarms both sheriff and deputy and rides off to capture the real robbers.

Credits
The Ivory Safari, Part 1

""Africa" the dark continent..."

Storyline

In Kenye [sic] Clip is approached by Colton, a dealer in ivory, whose shipments have failed to get to the coast. Notorious bandit "Wolf" Lupo has been identified as the leader of the raiders. Daredevil adventurer that he is, Clip agrees to head up the next safari of ivory. An attempt is made on Clip's life, but he manages to shoot the cobra. The safari is later surrounded by cannibals, but Clip has thoughtfully packed a bag with harmonicas, and distributes them to the natives, who are entranced by the music.

Credits
Forest Fire

"Forest ranger Dick Everett rode the cool trail winding along the mountainside."

Credits
The Zombies [Part 1]
Storyline

Famous actor John Barryless asks Tex to find his son Bart, who has disappeared in the Sudan. Tex and Bob sail for north Africa and when they reach the place he was last seen, find a note which reads, "I am being attacked by zombies Bar---". Pushing into the interior they fall into a pit where they find Bart. The chief of the natives has been injecting a chemical into captives which saps their will and gives the appearance of being a zombie. Tex, Bob and Bart are about to be injected...

Story Notes

Letterer credit added by Craig Delich.

"Hello Salty!"

Credits
Story Notes

Writer and letterer credits added by Craig Delich.

Murder in the Air

"U. S. Naval Reservists..."

Story Featuring This Doggone World

"The rat!" "The dog!" "Lowdown cur!"

Credits
Story Notes

Writer and letterer credits added by Craig Delich.

The Gorilla King

Story Featuring Zatara

"As Zatara slumbers in a New York hotel room..."

Story Notes

Back cover.

Story Notes

Inside back cover.

Values and Colors Change
Story Notes

Page includes several small ads from stamps dealers.

Story Notes

Several small ads in the right hand column of the second page of the text story.

Story Notes

Several small ads in the right hand column of the first page of the text story.

Superman's Special Monthly Message to the Supermen of America!

"Announcing -- The third Superman quarterly..."

"Quick! Dive for those magazines!"

Story Notes

Inside front cover.