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

Issue Details

Issue #[nn]
Published 1971
Cover Price 10.00 USD
Pages 396
Editing E. Nelson Bridwell ?

Cover Details

Genre superhero
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster

9 page foreword, introduction, preface, afterword "Introduction"

Script E. Nelson Bridwell

1 page Superman cover reprint (on interior page)

Genre superhero
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster
Notes color
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #1 ([Summer 1939])

2 page Superman cover reprint (on interior page)

Genre superhero
Notes small color reproductions of various covers
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #12; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #14; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #17; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #18; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #23; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #26; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #29; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #32; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #38; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #41; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #45; from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #50

18 page Superman story "Revolution in San Monte pt I"

Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster
Notes first 9 pages in color; last 13 pages also in Action #1
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #1 ([Summer 1939]) [pp. 1-5]; from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #1 [pp. 6-18]

13 page Superman story "Revolution in San Monte pt II"

Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster
Inks Joe Shuster
Notes also in Superman #1
Reprinted from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #2

13 page Superman story "Luthor's Earthquake Machine"

Characters Superman [Clark Kent]; George Taylor; Professor Martinson (death); Luthor (villain, with red hair, 2nd appearance)
Synopsis When Clark Kent begins to investigate a new weapon being tested by the Army that artifically causes earthquakes, little does he know that Lex Luthor is hot on the trail of securing the plans for that invention, one way or the other.
Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Paul Cassidy [as Joe Shuster] (signed)
Inks Paul Cassidy [as Joe Shuster] (signed)
Notes Pencil/Ink credits changed based on the GCD index for Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4. [MN 3/2010]
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4 (Spring 1940)

13 page Superman story "The Sky Sub"

Characters Superman [Clark Kent]; Lois Lane; Perry White; Lt. Ferguson; ex-Captain Lang; Karl Wolff (villain, intro, death); Hall (villain)
Synopsis A former Naval officer, discharged for conduct unbecoming to an officer, draws the attention of Karl Wolff, consul for Dukalia, a nation which believes it is superior to America, and desires to take the U.S. over. Superman investigates and discovers that this Naval officer has invented a submarine that can operate in the air, as well as on or below the surface of the ocean, and that he is a double agent being used to facilitate the capture of these spies.
Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Wayne Boring [as Joe Shuster] (signed)
Inks Shuster Shop [as Joe Shuster] (signed)
Notes Joe Shuster Pencil/Ink credit changed based on information in the GCD index of Superman (DC, 1939 series) #10. [Mike Nielsen 3/2010]
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #10 (May-June 1941)

13 page Superman story "The Light"

Characters Superman [Clark Kent]; Perry White; Lois Lane; Senator Tom Billingsley; The Light [Lex Luthor] (villain)
Synopsis Superman must battle Lex Luthor who is disguised as The Light, a criminal who kidnaps prominent men from many different fields, hypnotizes them with colored lights, and makes them do his bidding.
Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster (layouts)(signed); Leo Nowak (finishes) [as Joe Shuster] (signed)
Inks Leo Nowak [as Joe Shuster] (signed)
Notes Joe Shuster layout credit added based on information from the GCD index of Superman (DC, 1939 series) #13. [Mike Nielsen 3/2010]
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #13 (November-December 1941)

13 page Superman story "The Archer"

Characters Superman [Clark Kent]; Jimmy Olsen (name Jimmy revealed); Lois Lane; Perry White; Sgt. Casey; Thomas Gayford (death); Amos Kendrick; The Archer [Quigley] (villain, intro)
Synopsis A new villain hits the front pages of Metropolis' newspapers, a villain who prefers hunting human beings for profit rather than animals, and when Perry White cannot locate Lois or Clark to cover the story, a young office boy at the Daily Planet takes on the job himself --- and gets his first by-line!
Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Leo Novak
Inks Leo Novak
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #13 (November-December 1941)

12 page Superman story "The Saboteurs"

Characters Superman [Clark Kent]; Perry White; Lois Lane; Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox; Hokopoko (villain, intro, death); Utsum (villain, intro, death); the Black Circle (villains, intro, deaths)
Synopsis Superman discovers that Battleship Y-92 had been sabotaged by agents of the war-like nation of Napkan upon launching. He later discovers that pro-Napkan parties have been established in South American, and the enemy wishes to have more formed in Central American nations that will turn anti-American, thus allowing Napkan to openly invade the United States without opposition.
Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Leo Nowak [as Joe Shuster] (signed)
Inks John Sikela [as Joe Shuster] (signed)
Notes Ink credit changed from Leo Novak based on information from the GCD index for Superman (DC, 1939 series) #15.
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #15 (March-April 1941)

10 page Superboy story "How Clark Kent Met Lois Lane"

Characters Superboy; Lois Lane; Editor Morton
Synopsis Clark wins a contest to work as a cub reporter on the Daily Planet for one week. And so does Lois Lane.
Genre superhero
Script Bill Finger
Pencils Al Wenzel
Inks George Roussos
Notes "John Sikela?" inker credit changed based on art id by Bob Hughes 7/07.
Reprinted from Adventure Comics (DC, 1938 series) #128 (May 1948)

12 page Superman story "Man or Superman"

Characters Superman [Clark Kent]; The Talon [Albert Caldwell] (intro, villain); Lois Lane; Perry White; Luthor (cameo; villain); Ultra (cameo; villain); Eustace Watson (cameo)
Synopsis Lois first suspects that Clark Kent is Superman, but he quickly convinces her he is not with some razzle dazzle super speed.
Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster (signed)
Inks John Sikela [as Joe Shuster] (signed)
Notes color section. Page 7 cut. Credits updated based on information from Superman Archives #5.
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #17 (July-August 1942)

13 page Superman story "Case of the Funny Paper Crimes"

Characters Superman [Clark Kent]; Lois Lane; Perry White; Sgt. Casey; Funnyface (intro; villain); Torgo (villain); Machine-Gun Mike (villain); the Black Raider (villain); Goola (villain); Viper (villain); Detective Craig (intro); Prince Peril (intro); Solitary Rider (intro); Streak Duga (intro); Happy Daze (intro) (comic strip villains/heroes)
Synopsis Superman must battle a new villain who has invented a machine that can materialize two-dimensional figures out of the comics to rob for him.
Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Ed Dobrotka?
Inks John Sikela
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #19 (November-December 1942)

12 page Superman story "Superman, Matinee Idol"

Characters Superman [Clark Kent]; Lois Lane; Perry White; animated Superman; animated Lois Lane; animated Mad Scientist (villain)
Synopsis Clark and Lois decide to go to the movies, but when Clark discovers that it's the the latest Fleisher Superman cartoon, he has to think fast to keep Lois from discovering that he is Superman.
Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel [as Jerome Siegel] (signed)
Pencils Joe Shuster (pencil layouts) (signed); Ed Dobrotka [as Joe Shuster] (finished pencils) (signed)
Inks John Sikela [as Joe Shuster] (signed)
Notes cut: page 11 panel 3 and page 12 panel 2 Credits change to reflect information in the GCD index of the original printing. [Mike Nielsen 3/2010]
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #19 (November-December 1942)

12 page Superman story "America's Secret Weapon"

Characters Superman [Clark Kent]; Lois Lane; Colonel McNab; Lieutenant-General Bullitt; Brigadier General Armor; Brigadier General Starrett
Synopsis When Superman arrives at Camp Towne to make an appearance, he volunteers to participate in the war games that will take place, and is made an honorary Corporal. But after watching America's fighting men in action, and his side losing, he decides that he is not needed to fight this war, and that our boys can handle the job alone.
Genre superhero
Script Don Cameron [as Jerry Siegel] (signed)
Pencils Sam Citron [as Joe Shuster] (signed)
Inks Sam Citron; John Siekla? [as Joe Shuster] (signed)
Notes Credits changed to reflect the information in the GCD index of the original. [Mike Nielsen 3/2010]
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #23 (July-August 1943)

12 page Superman story "The Mysterious Mr. Mxyztplk"

Characters Mr. Mxyztplk (Intro); Lois Lane; Jimmy Olsen
Synopsis An imp from another dimension plagues Superman with practical jokes until he can make him say his name backwards.
Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Joe Shuster ?; Ira Yarbrough
Inks Ira Yarbrough
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #30 (September-October 1944)

12 page Superman story "Lois Lane, Superwoman"

Characters BBB Gang [Brute; Buzzard; Bear] (Intro; Villain); Superman; Hocus; Pocus; Lois Lane (as Superwoman); Perry White
Synopsis Lois believes Hocus and Pocus have given her super powers.
Genre superhero
Script Alvin Schwartz
Pencils John Sikela
Inks George Roussos
Notes The reprint is taken from a British reprint that had some unusual changes, such as guineas instead of dollars. Ink credit changed from John Sikela to George Roussos based on information from the original GCD index. [Mike Nielsen 3/2010]
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #45 (March-April 1947)

10 page Superman story "The Origin of Superman"

Characters Superman; Jor-El (flashback); Lara (flashback); Luthor (cameo); John Kent (1st named, flashback); Mary Kent (flashback)
Synopsis After a prologue which demonstrates Superman's amazing abilities, his origin is recounted. On the scientifically advanced planet of Krypton, Jor-El fails to convince the Council of Five that Krypton is doomed. As Krypton explodes, Jor-El and Lara send their son to Earth, where he is found and adopted by the elderly Kents. As Clark grows to maturity he manifests abilities far beyond that of mortal men. On his deathbed, his father urges Clark to become a powerful force for good as Superman.
Genre superhero
Script Bill Finger
Pencils Wayne Boring
Inks Stan Kaye
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #53 (July-August 1948)

12 page Superman story "Black Magic on Mars"

Characters Superman; Orson Welles; Martler (Intro, villain); other Martians (Intro); Nancy Guild; Perry White; Lois Lane
Synopsis Orson accidentally gets trapped in a rocket to Mars where he meets Martian Nazis. No one on Earth believes his broadcast pleas for help, except Superman.
Genre superhero
Pencils Wayne Boring
Inks Stan Kaye
Notes Ink credit changed from Wayne Boring to Stan Kaye based on information from the original GCD index. [Mike Nielsen 3/2010]
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #62 (January-February 1950)

12 page Superman story "The Mightiest Team in the World"

Characters Batman; Robin; John Smilter; Lois Lane
Synopsis Superman and Batman learn each other's secret i.d.'s.
Genre superhero
Script Edmond Hamilton
Pencils Curt Swan
Inks Stan Kaye [pages 1-8]; John Fischetti [pages 9-12]
Notes Inker credit changed based on information in the GCD index for the original. [Mike Nielsen 3/2010]
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #76 (May-June 1952)

12 page Superman story "The Girls in Superman's Life"

Characters Lana Lang (1st app. in SUPERMAN; as an adult); Mrs. Lewis Lang; Superboy (Flashback); Lens Lewis (Villain, Intro)
Genre superhero
Script Edmond Hamilton
Pencils Al Plastino
Inks Al Plastino
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #78 (September-October 1952)

10 page Superman story "The Terrible Trio"

Characters Luthor; Toyman; Prankster
Genre superhero
Script William Woolfolk
Pencils Wayne Boring
Inks Stan Kaye
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #88 (March 1954)

10 page Superman story "The Girl in Superman's Past"

Characters Superman [Clark Kent]; Lori Lemaris; Lois Lane
Synopsis Superman recalls his college romance with Lori Lemaris, a mermaid from sunken Atlantis.
Genre superhero
Script Bill Finger
Pencils Wayne Boring
Inks Wayne Boring
Notes first Lori Lemaris
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #129 (May 1959)

9 page Superman story "The Untold Story of Red Kryptonite"

Characters Superman [Clark Kent]; Supergirl [Kara Zor-El]; Krypto; red kryptonite; Fortress of Solitude; green kryptonite (flashback); Superboy [Clark Kent](flashback); Kozz (flashback); Jonathan Kent (flashback; cameo); Martha Kent (flashback; cameo); Lois Lane; Jimmy Olsen; Perry White; Superman Robot
Synopsis While rescuing a bathyscaph from the ocean bottom where it rests next to a Red Kryptonite meteor, Superman remembers all the other times that Red Kryptonite has affected him.
Genre superhero
Script Otto Binder
Pencils Curt Swan
Inks John Forte
Notes Flashbacks to many Superboy / Superman Red Kryptonite stories.
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #139 (August 1960)

10 page Superman story "The Son of Bizarro"

Characters Superman; Bizarro #1; Bizarro-Lois #1; Bizarro-Jr. #1 (born); Bizarro World; Lex Luthor (flashback); Lois Lane (flashback)
Synopsis Bizarro-Lois gives birth to Bizarro-Jr. No. 1 who, while he thinks like a Bizarro looks like Superman when he was Super-Tot. When B-Jr. No. 1 becomes publicly known, Bizarro takes him out into space and stores him in an abandoned space capsule. The capsule crashes on Earth and Bizarro-Jr. No 1 is taken to the same Midvale Orphanage where Linda Lee (Supergirl) lives.
Genre superhero
Script Otto Binder
Pencils Wayne Boring
Inks Stan Kaye
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #140 (October 1960)

8 page Superman story "The Orphan Bizarro"

Characters Superman; Bizarro-Jr. #1; Supergirl; Krypto; Fortress of Solitude
Synopsis Linda Lee is assigned to watch the newly named baby Buster which lasts until B-Jr. No. 1 remembers the existence of his parents and flies off. Supergirl and Superman take Bizarro Jr. to the Fortress where they have him adopted by two of Superman's robots. During Jr.'s sleep period Supergirl's tries to do her chemistry homework and when her Heat Vision blows up her assignment she thinks she's turned "baby buster" into a Bizarro!
Genre superhero
Script Otto Binder
Pencils Wayne Boring
Inks Stan Kaye
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #140 (October 1960)

8 page Superman story "The Supergirl Bizarro"

Characters Superman; Bizarro-Supergirl (intro); Supergirl; Bizarro-Jr. #1; Krypto; Fortress of Solitude; green kryptonite; blue kryptonite; Bizarro-Lois #1
Synopsis Bizarro-Jr. finds Lex's original Imperfect Duplicator while playing in the Fortress of Solitude and creates a Bizarro-Supergirl. Superman and Supergirl decide to return "Buster" to Bizarro world but Bizarro-Supergirl wants to keep him for her own. Bizarro spots his now-acceptable-looking child and and leads all the Bizarros into War against Earth. Superman uses the Duplicator Ray to turn a pile of Green K into Blue Kryptonite and then paints it green. The Bizarros attempt to seize the disguised blue K, are weakened retreat back to their homeworld. Superman then uses the Blue K to free Bizarro-Jr. No. 1 from the Bizarro-Supergirl and returns him to his adoring parents. Bizarro Supergirl is later found dead next to the Green/blue kryptonite pile.
Genre superhero
Script Otto Binder
Pencils Wayne Boring
Inks Stan Kaye
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #140 (October 1960)

8 page Superman story "Superman Meets Al Capone"

Characters Superman; Al Capone (villain); Perry White; Titano (cameo); green kryptonite
Genre superhero
Script Otto Binder
Pencils Wayne Boring
Inks Stan Kaye
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #142 (January 1961)

9 page Superman story "Bizarro Meets Frankenstein"

Characters Superman [Clark Kent]; Bizarro #1 (guest star); Bizarro-Lois #1 (guest star); Bizarro-Jr. #1 (guest star); Bizarro-Lois Jr. #1 (intro); The Abominable Snowman (intro, cameo); Bizarro World; Charlie Chaplin (cameo; image on TV); an actor (as Frankenstein's Monster)
Synopsis After seeing an Earth program claiming that Frankenstein was the scariest monster, Bizarro #1 travels to Earth to prove that he is scarier than Frankenstein.
Genre superhero
Script Otto Binder
Pencils Wayne Boring
Inks Stan Kaye
Notes Inker credit changed based on information from the GCD index of the original printing. [Mike Nielsen 3/2010]
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #143 (February 1961)

9 page Superman story "Superboy's First Public Appearance!"

Characters Superman [Clark Kent]; Superboy [Clark Kent] (flashback); Jonathan Kent (flashback); Martha Kent (flashback); Lana Lang; Franklin Delano Roosevelt (flashback); Smallville Mayor Courtney (flashback); Gregg Peterson (flashback); Dirk; Mugsy
Synopsis The story of Superboy's debut and first meeting with President Roosevelt.
Genre superhero
Script Jerry Siegel
Pencils Al Plastino
Inks Al Plastino
Notes An Untold Tale of Superman
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #144 (April 1961)

1 page Superman cover reprint (on interior page) "Superman #233"

Characters Superman
Genre superhero
Pencils Neal Adams
Inks Neal Adams
Notes color
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #233 (January 1971)

14 page Superman story "The Pied Piper of Steel"

Characters Superman; Morgan Edge; Cy Harkin; Fortress of Solitude; Kandor
Genre superhero
Script Leo Dorfman
Pencils Curt Swan
Inks Murphy Anderson
Notes first 9 pages in color
Reprinted from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #398 (March 1971)

15 page Superman story "Superman Breaks Loose"

Characters Superman; Professor Bolden; Jimmy Olsen; Lois Lane; Clark Kent; Morgan Edge; Perry White; Sand creature (origin); green kryptonite
Synopsis A scientific experiment turns all the kryptonite on Earth to iron, as Clark Kent moves from newspaper to television journalism.
Genre superhero
Script Denny O'Neil
Pencils Curt Swan
Inks Murphy Anderson
Reprinted from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #233 (January 1971)

15 page Superman story "Superman, You're Dead...Dead...Dead"

Characters Superman (brief origin); George Washington; Abraham Lincoln; George Custer
Genre superhero
Script Leo Dorfman
Pencils Curt Swan
Inks Murphy Anderson
Reprinted from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #399 (April 1971)

8 page Superman story "Duel of Doom!"

Characters Superman; Supergirl; Brainiac; Yllura; Arvor; Kandor
Genre superhero
Script Leo Dorfman [as Geoff Browne]
Pencils Curt Swan
Inks Murphy Anderson
Reprinted from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #400 (May 1971)