Action Comics, #21
Published: February 1940
Cover
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Issue Contents:
Characters
Credits
- Pencils: Joe Shuster
- Inks: Paul Cassidy
- Colors: Jack Adler (uncertain)
Story Notes
Inside front cover.
Money and Big Prizes
The Atomic Disintegrator (1)
"As he walks towards the Daily Star..."
Storyline
Ultra hears of the invention by Terry Curtis of an atomic disintegrator he has created and vows to get it, all in order to further advance his plan to dominate the world.
Credits
- Script: Jerry Siegel
- Pencils: Joe Shuster
- Inks: Paul Cassidy (uncertain)
Story Notes
Oddity: on page 1, Clark Kent mysteriously is shown in a suit, then undershirt, and back to suit again with no explanation. The last panel of the story introduces by illustration and text a new feature called The Spectre. Inker was formerly suggested as Dennis Neville, but the style is very close to confirmed Cassidy art.
Featuring More Fun Comics
""The Spectre" Who is he? What is he?"
Story Notes
The last panel of Superman story.
The Florida Handicap Race (1)
"Hello, Mr. Johns..."
Characters
- Pep Morgan
- Mr. Johns
- Jim Riba
Credits
- Script: Gardner Fox
- Pencils: Akira Tanaka
- Inks: Akira Tanaka
Story Notes
Writer credit added by Craig Delich. On page four Pep is reading an issue of "Action Comics".
"For many long hours, Chuck has followed the twists..."
Characters
- Chuck Dawson
- Lynch
- Jack Thatcher
- Apache Joe
Credits
- Pencils: Fraisic Marot
- Inks: Fraisic Marot
The Gun-Running Racket (1)
"Algiers..City of mystery and intrigue..."
Characters
- Clip Carson
- McCabe
- The Sheik
Credits
- Pencils: Sheldon Moldoff
- Inks: Sheldon Moldoff
Story Notes
Moldoff signs on the final page.
Last Chance... Act Now!!
The Doll Murders (1)
"Having recuperated from their harrowing experiences..."
Characters
- Col. Rushmore
Credits
- Pencils: Bernard Baily
- Inks: Bernard Baily
- Script: Ken Fitch (uncertain)
- Letters: Bernard Baily
Story Notes
Letterer credit added by Craig Delich.
A Blaze of Glory
Characters
- Fireman Bill Nolan
- Brick Hammon
- Bailey
- Captain SMith
Credits
- Script: Gardner Fox (uncertain)
- Script: Vin Sullivan (uncertain)
Story Notes
Several small ads in the right-hand column of the second page of the text story.
Featuring Action Comics; Adventure Comics; Detective Comics; More Fun Comics
"Be sure to get your copy, each and every month..."
Story Notes
In the right-hand column of the second page of the text story.
Featuring More Fun Comics
"The Spectre appears in every issue of More Fun Comics!"
Story Notes
In the right-hand column of the second page of the text story.
The Lost Scot Gold Mine, Part 1 (1)
Characters
- Fog Fortune
- Gunner Bill
- Whistler Will
- Tony M'Crea' M'Crea
- Scottie
Credits
- Pencils: Bert Christman
- Inks: Bert Christman
"Montana beat Wolgast..."
Characters
- "Small" Montana
Credits
- Pencils: Sheldon Moldoff
- Inks: Sheldon Moldoff
Featuring Flash Comics
1940's Fair Honored; Health Stamps (1)
Story Notes
Page includes lots of small ads from stamps dealers.
The Deaths on the Moor
Characters
- Zatara
- Lord Ralway
Credits
- Script: Gardner Fox
- Pencils: Fred Guardineer
- Inks: Fred Guardineer
Story Notes
Zatara is visiting Lord Ralway in Sussex, England, and his host mentions in the first panel that they are close to where Sherlock Holmes "used to perform his feats of detection". Holmes did retire to Sussex in his old age, but the plot makes greater use of themes from "The Hound of the Baskervilles", which occur mainly on Dartmoor, in the county of Devon.
Boys! I'll Help You Get a Daisy for Your Birthdsy
Story Notes
Inside back cover.
You Can Make Your Own Records If You Sing Or Play An Instrument
Story Notes
Back cover. Ad by Home Recording Co.