crm/ow pgs UNRESTORED BLUE LABEL
1st full origin story of Superman; Joe Shuster cover & art; pin-up bc; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
Superman #1 is easily one of the top Golden Age keys, featuring an iconic
Superman cover image and legendary origin that remains the definitive telling. (Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's updated tale includes four pages cut from
Action Comics #1.) There's added historical importance with the first back-cover pin-up in comics history, as well as stories showcasing three of the most important supporting characters in the Superman pantheon: Ma and Pa Kent (in their first appearance), along with Lois Lane.
Superman #1 also made comics history as the first true solo title for an American superhero. Unlike other books from the era, there were no back-up stories with other characters. This was a true testament to the Man of Steel's popularity, with Superman still a regular presence in
Action Comics. (The publishers remained cautious enough to launch this solo
Superman as a quarterly publication.)
As an investment,
Superman #1 is only rivaled by
Action #1 as a top collectible in any grade. The Man from Krypton has now spent decades being regularly featured in cartoons, serials, movies, television shows, and merchandising. Fans are anxiously awaiting the launch of the big-screen DC Extended Universe with 2025's
Superman, to be followed by
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow in 2026. In fact, DC Studios' James Gunn announced his inspirations for the return of Superman by leading with Shuster's chain-shattering
Superman #1 pin-up.
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Artist InformationJoseph Shuster was a Canadian-American comic book artist best known for co-creating the DC Comics character Superman, with writer Jerry Siegel, in Action Comics #1.