Action Comics, #19
Published: December 1939
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Issue Contents:
Storyline
Superman rips the barrel from a mounted cannon, while a bi-plane seems to be heading towards him.
Credits
- Pencils: Joe Shuster (uncertain)
- Inks: Paul Cassidy (uncertain)
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.
Featuring Adventure Comics; All-American Comics; Detective Comics; Fun Comics; Movie Comics
"Quick! Dive for those magazines!"
Story Notes
Inside front cover.
The Purple Plague (1)
"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.
Characters
- Dr. Travers
Credits
- Script: Jerry Siegel
- Pencils:
- Inks:
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.
Featuring New York World's Fair Comics
"Don't fail to read the thrilling and daring deeds of Superman..."
Story Notes
On the last panel of Superman story.
"Announcing -- The third Superman quarterly..."
Superman's Special Monthly Message to the Supermen of America!
The Train Robbery (1)
"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.
Characters
- Pep Morgan's father
- Pep Morgan's mother
Credits
- Script: Gardner Fox
- Pencils: Akira Tanaka
- Inks: Akira Tanaka
Story Notes
Writer credit added by Craig Delich.
The Boot Thieves (1)
"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
- Pencils: Fraisic Marot
- Inks: Fraisic Marot
The Ivory Safari, Part 1 (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.
Characters
- Colton
Credits
- Script: Bill Finger
- Pencils: Bob Kane
- Inks: Bob Kane
Story Notes
Several small ads in the right hand column of the first page of the text story.
Forest Fire
"Forest ranger Dick Everett rode the cool trail winding along the mountainside."
Characters
- Forest Ranger Dick Everett
- Mrs. Robinson
- Tim Robinson
Credits
- Script: Guydo (uncertain)
Story Notes
Several small ads in the right hand column of the second page of the text story.
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...
Characters
- John Barryless
Credits
- Script: Ken Fitch (uncertain)
- Pencils: Bernard Baily
- Inks: Bernard Baily
- Letters: Bernard Baily
Story Notes
Letterer credit added by Craig Delich.
Featuring Flash Comics
"Like a comet across the comic sky"
"Hello Salty!"
Characters
- Salty Sam
Credits
- Script: Fred Schwab
- Pencils: Fred Schwab
- Inks: Fred Schwab
- Letters: Fred Schwab
Story Notes
Writer and letterer credits added by Craig Delich.
Young Scientist Amazes His Dad!
Murder in the Air (1)
"U. S. Naval Reservists..."
Characters
- Fred
- Jeffries
- Bell (Fred's wife)
Credits
- Pencils: Dheeraj Dkboss Kumar
- Inks: Dheeraj Dkboss Kumar
"The rat!" "The dog!" "Lowdown cur!"
Credits
- Script: Fred Schwab
- Pencils: Fred Schwab
- Inks: Fred Schwab
- Letters: Fred Schwab
Story Notes
Writer and letterer credits added by Craig Delich.
Values and Colors Change; Changes and Additions
Story Notes
Page includes several small ads from stamps dealers.
The Gorilla King
"As Zatara slumbers in a New York hotel room..."
Characters
- Ivan Meldoff
- Herbert Handers
Credits
- Script: Gardner Fox
- Pencils: Fred Guardineer
- Inks: Fred Guardineer
Story Notes
Inside back cover.
Story Notes
Back cover.