Action Comics #1: The Superhero Genre

The Beginning of the Superhero Genre

What is Action Comics #1?

Considered one of the most valuable comic books, Action Comics #1 is also considered the beginning of the superhero genre. It is the very first volume in the Action Comics series, and was published on April 18th, 1938. The volume included some first time appearances of some of the most iconic superheroes, such as Superhuman. The Action Comics series ended up having 904 numbered issues, before it restarted numbering new issues. Number 957 was published in 2016, and in 2018 Action Comics reached volume 1.000.

What was the content of Action Comics #1?

This volume was an anthology, and contained eleven different works that made up the anthology. The different works were “Superman, Champion of the Oppressed”, “The 4-G Gang”, “The Mystery of the Freight Train Robberies”, “South Sea Strategy”, “Sticky-Mitt Stimson”, “The Adventures of Marco Polo”, “The Light Heavyweight Championship”, “The International Jewel Thief”, “Murder in England”, “Stardust”, “Odds ‘N Ends”. These different works welcomed a bunch of new superheroes.

How does Action Comics #1 introduce Superman?

One of the most iconic superheroes, Superman, was first introduced in Action Comics #1. It tells the tale of a distant planet that was destroyed by old age. But, before the destruction, a scientist would place his infant in a space capsule and would decide to launch it towards Earth, saving the life of the infant. Obviously, no infant can survive on its own. The infant was saved by a passing motorist, who would bring the baby to an orphanage. Already as a baby the child shows signs of having superpowers, such as being able to jump over buildings, lift things of enormous weight, he could run faster than a train, and his skin was impenetrable. It is also at a young age that Clark Kent (Superman) decides to serve humanity by being Superman, the champion of the oppressed. He ends up working as a reporter for the Daily Star, where he has to cover the story of Superman. He takes on the idea of being a weakling, which can be seen when he asks Lois Lane out on a date. She accepts out of pity, and becomes convinced that Clark is spineless, causing her to feel she has to protect herself against Butch Matson, who later will kidnap her – and Superman will save her.

Which other superheroes does Action Comics #1 introduce?

Besides Superman, we also meet Chuck Dawson through his very own comic. We also met Zatara Master Magician and The Tigress in The Mystery of the Freight Train Robberies, Pep Morgan in The Light Heavyweight Championship, Scoop Scanlon in The International Jewel Thief and Tex Thomson in Murder in England. Out of these characters, Superman has become the most famous, showing exactly what a Superhero should be. That is despite the original Superman being meant to be a villain, who wished to dominate the world. This story did not sell well, hence why Superman became the one we know today.

So… have you read Action Comics #1? What do you think about the comic? Share with us in the comments about your experiences and thoughts to earn a Limited Edition Comic Book Pack for your collection!