Joe Shuster
Clicking on the eBay link and making a purchase may result in this site earning a commission from the eBay Partner Network.
Action Comics #2
DC
•
1938
•
Vol. 1
2nd appearance of Superman
2nd appearance of Lois Lane and Zatara
2nd appearance of Superman
2nd appearance of Lois Lane and Zatara
New Adventure Comics #29
DC
•
1938
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Action Comics #3
DC
•
1938
•
Vol. 1
3rd appearance of Superman
Detective Comics #19
DC
•
1938
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
New Adventure Comics #30
DC
•
1938
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Action Comics #4
DC
•
1938
•
Vol. 1
4th appearance of Superman
New Adventure Comics #31
DC
•
1938
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Action Comics #5
DC
•
1938
•
Vol. 1
5th appearance of Superman
First kiss between Superman and Lois Lane, occurred between panels
5th appearance of Superman
First kiss between Superman and Lois Lane, occurred between panels
Detective Comics #21
DC
•
1938
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
2nd appearance of the Crimson Avenger
Action Comics #6
DC
•
1938
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Jimmy Olsen, unnamed, referred to only as Office Boy
First reference to Superman as "The Man of Steel" seen in a newspaper headline
[July 2025 - it is rumored Skyler Gisondo will reprise the role of Jimmy Olsen as the host a spin-off crime anthology TV series focused on different DC villains]
1st appearance of Jimmy Olsen, unnamed, referred to only as Office Boy
First reference to Superman as "The Man of Steel" seen in a newspaper headline
[July 2025 - it is rumored Skyler Gisondo will reprise the role of Jimmy Olsen as the host a spin-off crime anthology TV series focused on different DC villains]
Adventure Comics #33
DC
•
1938
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Action Comics #7
DC
•
1938
•
Vol. 1
2nd cover appearance of Superman
First time "Superman" is in print on a comic book cover
2nd cover appearance of Superman
First time "Superman" is in print on a comic book cover
Detective Comics #23
DC
•
1938
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Adventure Comics #34
DC
•
1938
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Action Comics #8
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
Superman demonstrates extraordinary hearing abilities but not referred to as 'super' until Action Comics #11
Cover art inspired by the 1919 painting 'Last of the Mohicans' by N.C. Wyeth
Superman demonstrates extraordinary hearing abilities but not referred to as 'super' until Action Comics #11
Cover art inspired by the 1919 painting 'Last of the Mohicans' by N.C. Wyeth
1st appearance of the Golden Age Sandman
Detective Comics #24
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
More Fun Comics #40
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Adventure Comics #35
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Action Comics #9
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
Early Superman story
Detective Comics #25
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
More Fun Comics #41
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Action Comics #10
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
3rd cover appearance of Superman
Ashcan edition, published to establish title trademark
8-page reprint of Action Comics #7 including cover art
Two copies known to exist
Ashcan edition, published to establish title trademark
8-page reprint of Action Comics #7 including cover art
Two copies known to exist
Adventure Comics #38
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Detective Comics #27
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Batman
1st appearance of Commissioner Gordon
💰 Detective Comics #27 has sold for over one million dollars 6x with a record high sale in 6.5 for $1.8 million (April 2024)
1st appearance of Batman
1st appearance of Commissioner Gordon
💰 Detective Comics #27 has sold for over one million dollars 6x with a record high sale in 6.5 for $1.8 million (April 2024)
Superman #1
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
Premiere issue of headlining Superman title
Origin of Superman
1st appearance of Ma and Pa Kent - Superman was first said to be found by a passing motorist in Action Comics #1
First pin-up poster in comics, back cover
2nd and 3rd printings exist
💰 8.0 Edgar Church Pedigree sold for $5.3 million dollars in Jan 2022
💰 9.0 sold for $9.12 million dollars in November 2025
💰8.5 Edgar Church Pedigree sold for $7 million dollars in Feb 2026
Premiere issue of headlining Superman title
Origin of Superman
1st appearance of Ma and Pa Kent - Superman was first said to be found by a passing motorist in Action Comics #1
First pin-up poster in comics, back cover
2nd and 3rd printings exist
💰 8.0 Edgar Church Pedigree sold for $5.3 million dollars in Jan 2022
💰 9.0 sold for $9.12 million dollars in November 2025
💰8.5 Edgar Church Pedigree sold for $7 million dollars in Feb 2026
Action Comics #13
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Ultra-Humanite, the first Superman supervillain
Advertisement for Superman #1
1st appearance of Ultra-Humanite, the first Superman supervillain
Advertisement for Superman #1
There were three printings of Superman #1 in 1939:
First printing - 500,000 copies
Second printing - 250,000 copies
Third printing - 150,000 copies
All printings have an advertisement on page 32 for Action Comics #14
The advertisement in copies of the first printing states an on-sale date of Action Comics #14 as June 2nd
The second and third printings of Superman #1 are indistinguishable from one another but differ from the first printing with ad copy that states "Now on Sale"
CGC does not differentiate the printings on the label but as of 2024 distinguishes between the two in the grader's notes
There were three printings of Superman #1 in 1939:
First printing - 500,000 copies
Second printing - 250,000 copies
Third printing - 150,000 copies
All printings have an advertisement on page 32 for Action Comics #14
The advertisement in copies of the first printing states an on-sale date of Action Comics #14 as June 2nd
The second and third printings of Superman #1 are indistinguishable from one another but differ from the first printing with ad copy that states "Now on Sale"
CGC does not differentiate the printings on the label but as of 2024 distinguishes between the two in the grader's notes
Action Comics #16
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
First mention of the city, Metropolis - previous Superman stories were based in Cleveland, Ohio
First mention of the city, Metropolis - previous Superman stories were based in Cleveland, Ohio
Action Comics #17
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
6th cover appearance of Superman on the Action Comics title
Detective Comics #31
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of The Monk, Batman's first costumed enemy
1st appearance of Julie Madison, Bruce Wayne's girlfriend
5th appearance of Batman
Debut of the Batgyro, an airborn vehicle later replaced by the Batplane
Debut of the Batarang
Stories take place in New York City
1st appearance of The Monk, Batman's first costumed enemy
1st appearance of Julie Madison, Bruce Wayne's girlfriend
5th appearance of Batman
Debut of the Batgyro, an airborn vehicle later replaced by the Batplane
Debut of the Batarang
Stories take place in New York City
Superman #2
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Joe Shuster
Action Comics #18
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
Final issue to not include anything Superman related on the cover until Action Comics #602 (1988)
Final issue to not include anything Superman related on the cover until Action Comics #602 (1988)
Action Comics #19
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
Iconic cover
Action Comics #20
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Superman #3
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Joe Shuster
Action Comics #21
DC
•
1939
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Action Comics #22
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Action Comics #24
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Action Comics #23
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Lex Luthor, depicted with red hair
1st appearance of Black Pirate, an adventurer who later appeared as a ghost in present day stories
First mention of The Daily Planet
1st appearance of Lex Luthor, depicted with red hair
1st appearance of Black Pirate, an adventurer who later appeared as a ghost in present day stories
First mention of The Daily Planet
Superman #4
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
2nd appearance of Lex Luthor
Action Comics #26
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Superman #6
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
First use of a splash page in a Superman comic
Action Comics #30
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Action Comics #31
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Debut of Krypto Ray Gun
Action Comics #35
DC
•
1941
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Action Comics #36
DC
•
1941
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Action Comics #38
DC
•
1941
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Adjust Your Filters To See More Comics!
By default Key Collector searches for Standard Cover Key Issues.
Adjust the "Variants" and/or "Non-Key Issues" search filters above for additional content:
- Variant Covers ([[totalVariants]])
- Non-Key Issues ([[totalNonKeys]])
At Key Collector, our primary focus is on unearthing those rare Standard Cover Key Issues for you. However, the world of comic collectibles is vast and varied. We want to make sure you have the tools to explore it all!