ACTION COMICS (1938-2011) #7
CGC FN-: 5.5
(Stock Image)
SOLD ON: Monday, 06/12/2017 3:20 PM
$190,000
Sold For
37
Bids
PUBLISHER: DC
COMMENTS: ow/white pgs; Court Case Copy!
2nd Superman cover! rare in any grade
Jon Berk Collection
Read Description ▼
2nd Superman cover! rare in any grade
Jon Berk Collection
DESCRIPTION
ow/white pgs; Court Case Copy!
2nd Superman cover! rare in any grade
Jon Berk Collection
Action Comics #7 marked Superman's second cover appearance after becoming an instant sensation as the cover star of Action Comics #1. The brass at National Comics was still reluctant to admit that the Man of Steel was moving all those copies. In fact, there would be several more issues before Superman became the regular cover star for Action. (To be fair, Action had some great covers during that stint, wrapping the issues in the same kind of pulp-style covers that had graced both New Adventure and More Fun up to that point.)
Action #7 really delivered as Superman returned to the cover, though. Co-creator Joe Shuster's understated illustration once again sets the mood for the character's early appearances. Superman's bold strength and energy perfectly matches Shuster's simplified lines and stark landscape. It's also fun to see a variation on superheroes swooping in with the bad guy, as Superman dangles a criminal high above Metropolis. There's a classic story too, as "Superman Joins the Circus" — specifically, as a strongman to save the owner from ruthless creeps trying to ruin his business.(There's also the satisfaction of a petty Clark Kent getting revenge on an office bully at the Daily Star newspaper where he works.)
___________________________________________________
If you take a close look at this copy of Action #6 and Action #7, you will notice a couple of stamps on the covers, as well as the the name "Court Copy" on the CGC label. These are very important markings, which loom large over the history of comicbooks. These two copies were the issues that were actually entered as physical evidence by National Periodicals (DC) in their historical court case against Fox Features Syndicate in their copyright infringement lawsuit surrounding Superman and Wonder Man. It was either by sheer luck or tremendous foresight that these issues still exist, and that they found their way into the hands of Jon Berk, who was the perfect person to safeguard these treasures. True rarities from the very dawn of comicbooks, signaling the first legal challenge in the medium's history, DC has continually had to fight to preserve the rights to the Man of Steel, a struggle that goes on until today. These books are scarce in general, but the provenance behind these two copies make their value nearly immeasurable to true comicbook fanaddicts.
With the price of issues of Action Comics #1 continuing to soar beyond the ken of most collector's budgets, this Court Copy issue continues to generate steam, not only as one of the most desirable of the series but also among collectibles in general. Superman stands front-and-center and this cover still retains vivid red and yellows, the unofficial signature colors of comicbooks give this glorious mid-grade copy much to offer in the eye appeal department. Only bidders whose caution caught the winds long ago need apply.
Overstreet Guide 2016 FN- (5.5) value = $68,750.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us 24 hours in advance of the item closing at 212.895.3999 or support@comicconnect.com so that we may approve your account for bidding. (This policy was instituted to protect consignors and bidders against bids from fraudulent accounts, and to ensure the integrity of the bidding process.) Once approved, please log out of your account and then log in, for the approval to take effect.
We realize many of you would like to bid on this auction lot, so for this listing, ComicConnect.com offers a 6 month, interest free, time payment plan with a 20% non-refundable deposit. Time Payments invoices can only be paid by cash, check, money order or wire transfer. LEARN MORE
2nd Superman cover! rare in any grade
Jon Berk Collection
Action Comics #7 marked Superman's second cover appearance after becoming an instant sensation as the cover star of Action Comics #1. The brass at National Comics was still reluctant to admit that the Man of Steel was moving all those copies. In fact, there would be several more issues before Superman became the regular cover star for Action. (To be fair, Action had some great covers during that stint, wrapping the issues in the same kind of pulp-style covers that had graced both New Adventure and More Fun up to that point.)
Action #7 really delivered as Superman returned to the cover, though. Co-creator Joe Shuster's understated illustration once again sets the mood for the character's early appearances. Superman's bold strength and energy perfectly matches Shuster's simplified lines and stark landscape. It's also fun to see a variation on superheroes swooping in with the bad guy, as Superman dangles a criminal high above Metropolis. There's a classic story too, as "Superman Joins the Circus" — specifically, as a strongman to save the owner from ruthless creeps trying to ruin his business.(There's also the satisfaction of a petty Clark Kent getting revenge on an office bully at the Daily Star newspaper where he works.)
___________________________________________________
If you take a close look at this copy of Action #6 and Action #7, you will notice a couple of stamps on the covers, as well as the the name "Court Copy" on the CGC label. These are very important markings, which loom large over the history of comicbooks. These two copies were the issues that were actually entered as physical evidence by National Periodicals (DC) in their historical court case against Fox Features Syndicate in their copyright infringement lawsuit surrounding Superman and Wonder Man. It was either by sheer luck or tremendous foresight that these issues still exist, and that they found their way into the hands of Jon Berk, who was the perfect person to safeguard these treasures. True rarities from the very dawn of comicbooks, signaling the first legal challenge in the medium's history, DC has continually had to fight to preserve the rights to the Man of Steel, a struggle that goes on until today. These books are scarce in general, but the provenance behind these two copies make their value nearly immeasurable to true comicbook fanaddicts.
With the price of issues of Action Comics #1 continuing to soar beyond the ken of most collector's budgets, this Court Copy issue continues to generate steam, not only as one of the most desirable of the series but also among collectibles in general. Superman stands front-and-center and this cover still retains vivid red and yellows, the unofficial signature colors of comicbooks give this glorious mid-grade copy much to offer in the eye appeal department. Only bidders whose caution caught the winds long ago need apply.
Overstreet Guide 2016 FN- (5.5) value = $68,750.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us 24 hours in advance of the item closing at 212.895.3999 or support@comicconnect.com so that we may approve your account for bidding. (This policy was instituted to protect consignors and bidders against bids from fraudulent accounts, and to ensure the integrity of the bidding process.) Once approved, please log out of your account and then log in, for the approval to take effect.
We realize many of you would like to bid on this auction lot, so for this listing, ComicConnect.com offers a 6 month, interest free, time payment plan with a 20% non-refundable deposit. Time Payments invoices can only be paid by cash, check, money order or wire transfer. LEARN MORE