Data courtesy of the Grand Comics Database under Creative Commons license.

Issue Details

Issue #1
Published 1989
Cover Price 39.95 USD
Pages 280
Editing Mark Waid; Richard Bruning
Notes Reprints Superman (DC, 1939 series) #1-4, some of which was reprinted there from earlier sources. Joe Shuster credited for inking this illustration in GCD index of Superman #1.

Cover Details

Genre superhero
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Paul Cassidy
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Notes Reprints Superman (DC, 1939 series) #1-4, some of which was reprinted there from earlier sources. Joe Shuster credited for inking this illustration in GCD index of Superman #1.
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #1 [Superman figure]

1 page Superman foreword, introduction, preface, afterword "Superman Archives Volume I"

Characters Superman
Genre Superhero
Pencils Joe Shuster (illustration)
Inks Joe Shuster (illustration)
Colors Bob Le Rose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Notes Title page.
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #1 [illustration, from backcover]

4 page foreword, introduction, preface, afterword "Foreword"

Characters Superman
Script Jim Steranko
Pencils Joe Shuster (Superman illustration)
Inks Paul Cassidy (Superman illustration)
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #2 [illustration, from cover]

1 page Superman cover reprint (on interior page)

Genre superhero
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Editing Vincent Sullivan
Notes no date- on sale May 1939
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #1 [central image taken from splash in Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #10]

1 page filler

Pencils Joe Shuster (Superman figures, see notes)
Inks Joe Shuster (Superman figures, see notes)
Notes Quarter-size reprints of the inside front cover (ad), inside back cover (ad), and back cover of Superman #1, along with a small repro of the Superman figure from the front cover.
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #1

2 page Superman story "Origin of Superman"

Characters Ma & Pa Kent (intro); Krypton (1st named in comic book)
Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #1

4 page Superman story "Clark Kent gets a job"

Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #1

12 page Superman story "[Revolution In San Monte] Part 1"

Characters Clark (intro), Lois (intro), Daily Star (intro)
Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Notes continued in next story
Reprinted from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #1

13 page Superman story "[Revolution In San Monte] Part 2"

Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Notes Lois given last name, Clark works for the Evening News, Cleveland Oh
Reprinted from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #2

2 page promo (ad from the publisher) "Superman & Action Comics Invite You to Become a Charter Member of the Supermen of America"

Characters Superman
Pencils Joe Shuster (illustration)
Inks Joe Shuster (illustration
Colors Bob Le Rose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Notes Supermen of America fan club application. Illustration accompanying promo also used on the pinup on the back cover.
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #1

1 page Superman filler "Scientific Explanation of Superman's Amazing Strength--!"

Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #1

13 page Superman story "Blakely Mine Disaster"

Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #3

13 page Superman story "Superman, Football Star"

Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #4

1 page biography (nonfictional) "Boys and Girls: Meet the creators of the one and only Superman - America's Greatest Adventure Strip!"

Genre Fact
Pencils Joe Shuster (Superman illustration); ? (photos)
Inks Joe Shuster (Superman illustration); ? (photos)
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #1

2 page Superman text story "Biff Dugan"

Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster (illustration)
Inks Joe Shuster (illustration)
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #1

1 page promo (ad from the publisher) "House Advertisement"

Characters Superman; Zatara
Colors Bob Le Rose; Daniel Vozzo
Notes House ad for Action Comics #14 (July 1939).
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #1

1 page Superman cover reprint (on interior page)

Genre superhero
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Paul Cassidy
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Editing Vin Sullivan
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #2

1 page filler

Pencils ?; Joe Shuster (Superman illustration)
Inks ?; Joe Shuster (Superman illustration)
Notes Reproduced at quarter-size, the ad pages from the inside-front cover, inside-back cover, and back cover of Superman #2, along with the figure of Superman from the cover of Superman #1.
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #2

1 page Superman illustration

Genre superhero
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Paul Cassidy
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #2

16 page Superman story "Larry Trent, Heavyweight Champ"

Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Paul Cassidy
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman daily (McClure Syndicate, 1939 series) 1939.02.20 - 1939.03.18 [source material]; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #2 [in this form]

1 page Superman filler "Superman's Tips for Super Health"

Genre educational
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Paul Cassidy
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #2

1 page promo (ad from the publisher) "Superman at the World's Fair!"

Characters Superman; Zatara; Butch the Pup; Sandman [Wesley Dodds]; Gingersnap
Pencils Vin Sullivan (main cover); Fred Guardineer (cover head-views); Joe Shuster (Superman upper body)
Inks Vin Sullivan (main cover); Fred Guardineer (cover head-views); Joe Shuster (Superman upper body)
Colors Bob Le Rose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Notes Ad for New York World's Fair Comics.
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #2

24 page Superman story "Superman Champions Universal Peace!"

Characters Metropolis, NY (first named); George Taylor (1st named)
Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Paul Cassidy
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Notes red S on yellow shield on cape
Reprinted from Superman daily (McClure Syndicate, 1939 series) 1939.05.01 - 1939.06.10 [source material]; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #2 [in this form]

2 page Superman promo (ad from the publisher) "Supermen of America -- Action Comics"

Characters Superman
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster
Colors Bob Le Rose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Notes Ad for the Supermen of America Club and all the details on how to join. Uses the ubiquitous Superman illustration from the back cover of Superman #1.
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #2

16 page Superman story "Superman and the Skyscrapers"

Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Paul Cassidy
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman daily (McClure Syndicate, 1939 series) 1939.04.03 - 1939.04.29 [source material]; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #2 [in this form]

2 page Superman text story "Big Mike Caputo"

Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster (illustrations)
Inks Joe Shuster (illustrations)
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #2

1 page promo (ad from the publisher) "Superman!"

Characters Superman
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Paul Cassidy
Colors Bob Le Rose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Notes Ad for Action Comics.
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #2

1 page Superman cover reprint (on interior page)

Genre superhero
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Editing Vin Sullivan
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #3

1 page filler

Pencils ?; Joe Shuster (Superman illustration)
Inks ?; Joe Shuster (Superman illustration)
Letters typeset
Notes Reproduced at quarter-size, the ad pages from the inside-front cover, inside-back cover, and back cover of Superman #3, along with the figure of Superman from the cover of Superman #1.
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #3

1 page Superman illustration

Genre superhero
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Paul Cassidy
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #3

24 page Superman story "The State Orphanage Scandal"

Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Dennis Neville
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman daily (McClure syndicate, 1939 series) 1939.06.12 - 1939.07.22 [source material]; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #3 [in this form]

2 page promo (ad from the publisher) "The Greatest Contest in Comic Magazine History!"

Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Paul Cassidy
Colors Bob Le Rose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #3

9 page Superman story "The Valleyho Dam"

Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster?
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Notes Lois and Superman's 1st kiss
Reprinted from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #5

1 page Fantastic Facts filler

Genre fact
Pencils George Papp
Inks George Papp
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #3

2 page text story "Death By the Stars"

Script Bert Lexington
Letters typeset
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #3

12 page Superman story "Superman's Phoney Manager"

Characters Jimmy Olsen (intro as unnamed office boy)
Synopsis Nick Williams claims to be Superman's manager and sells the commercial rights to his name.
Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster; Paul Cassidy
Inks Joe Shuster?
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #6

Half page Acquiring Super-Strength filler "Muscle-Training"

Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #3

1 page filler "Attaining Super-Health"

Genre educational
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #3

1 page text story "Good Luck Charm"

Script Hugh Langley
Colors Bob Le Rose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #3

1 page Shorty filler "Chasing his tail"

Genre gag
Pencils Fred Schwab
Inks Fred Schwab
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #3

8 page Superman story "Lew Frawley, Jewel Thief"

Characters Jimmy Olsen (unnamed)
Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Paul Cassidy
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman daily (McClure Syndicate, 1939 series) 1939.03.20 - 1939.04.01 [source material]; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #3 [in this form]

1 page promo (ad from the publisher) "Superman!"

Characters Superman
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Paul Cassidy
Colors Bob Le Rose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Notes Ad for Action Comics.
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #3

1 page Superman cover reprint (on interior page)

Genre superhero
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster?
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Editing Whitney Ellsworth
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4

1 page filler

Pencils ?; Joe Shuster (Superman illustration)
Inks ?; Joe Shuster (Superman illustration)
Colors Bob Le Rose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Notes Reproduced at quarter-size, the ad pages from the inside-front cover, inside-back cover, and back cover of Superman #4, along with the figure of Superman from the cover of Superman #1.
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4

1 page Superman illustration

Genre superhero
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster?
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4

13 page Superman story "Luthor and the Earthquake Machine"

Characters Luthor (2nd after Action 23 on sale Feb 23); Daily Planet (1st in Superman)
Synopsis Luthor challenges Superman to a duel, brains vs brawn
Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Paul Cassidy?
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Notes Yellow S in shield on cape
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4

1 page Attaining Super Strength filler "Tommy Blake, because of his frail physique..."

Genre educational
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster?
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4

1 page This Doggone World filler "Oil Paintings for Sale"

Genre funny animal
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4

1 page From the 4 Corners filler

Characters Bill Dickey; Paul Muni
Genre fact
Pencils Sheldon Moldoff
Inks Sheldon Moldoff
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4

13 page Superman story "Luthor and the Sunken Island"

Characters Luthor
Synopsis Luthor raises a sunken city from the Pacific in order to loot its treasures
Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Paul Cassidy?
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4

1 page filler "Supermen of America"

Colors Bob Le Rose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4

2 page text story "Changer of Destiny"

Script Hugh Langley
Colors Bob Le Rose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4

13 page Superman story "The Factory Saboteurs"

Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Paul Cassidy?
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4

1 page promo (ad from the publisher) "Superman Says"

Characters Superman
Pencils Joe Shuster (Superman illustration)
Inks Joe Shuster (Superman illustration)
Colors Bob Le Rose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Notes Superman recommends good reading.
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4

1 page Fantastic Facts filler

Characters Ed Barrett
Genre educational
Pencils George Papp
Inks George Papp
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4

1 page promo (ad from the publisher) "Six Big Headline Features for the 'Big Six' Comic Magazines!"

Characters Superman; Sandman [Wesley Dodds]; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Ultra-Man; Spectre [Jim Corrigan]; Flash [Jay Garrick]
Colors Bob Le Rose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4

1 page text story "Pioneer into the Unknown"

Script Bert Lexington
Letters typeset
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4

13 page Superman story "The Carlson Kidnapping Case"

Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Paul Cassidy?
Colors Bob LeRose; Daniel Vozzo
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4

1 page promo (ad from the publisher) "Superman Appears in Action Comics!"

Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Paul Cassidy
Colors Bob Le Rose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4

2 page text article "Afterword"

Script Jim Steranko
Pencils Joe Shuster (illustration)
Inks Joe Shuster (illustration)
Colors Bob Le Rose; Daniel Vozzo
Letters typeset

1 page Superman (backcovers) *do not use* / *please fix*

Genre Superhero
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster; Paul Cassidy
Letters typeset
Notes 4 small repros of the covers of the issues included in this volume.
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #1; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #2; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #3; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4