Action Comics
Origins and Publication History
Action Comics is a monthly American comic book series that was first published by DC Comics in April 1938. It is best known for introducing the iconic superhero Superman, who is widely considered as the first of the modern breed of superheroes.
Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the creators of Superman, had been trying to find a publisher for their character since 1933. After several rejections, they sold the rights to their character to DC Comics in 1938, who then featured him in the first issue of Action Comics.
The first issue of Action Comics, Action Comics #1, is considered one of the most important comic books in history. It was an anthology comic featuring several other stories in addition to the Superman story. The cover, which famously depicts Superman lifting a car, has become one of the most iconic images in comic book history.
Action Comics was an immediate success, with sales exceeding DC's expectations. The popularity of the Superman story led to the character being given his own self-titled comic book series in 1939, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Evolution of Action Comics
Over the years, Action Comics has undergone several changes in format and content. While it started as an anthology comic, it eventually became a vehicle for Superman stories exclusively. However, in the 1980s, DC returned the series to its anthology roots, featuring stories of other characters alongside Superman.
During the Silver Age of Comic Books, Action Comics was known for its imaginative and often whimsical stories, which often involved Superman encountering bizarre aliens, parallel worlds, and other fantastical elements. This was a stark contrast to the more grounded and realistic stories of the Golden Age of Comic Books.
In the 1970s and 1980s, under the guidance of writers like Denny O'Neil and Curt Swan, Action Comics began to tackle more serious and socially relevant issues. Stories from this era often dealt with themes like pollution, social inequality, and corruption.
In the 1990s, Action Comics was part of the controversial "Death of Superman" storyline, which saw the character killed off and replaced by several new characters who claimed to be the "new" Superman. This storyline was a major event in comic book history and had a significant impact on the industry.
In 2011, as part of the New 52 initiative, DC Comics relaunched Action Comics with a new #1 issue. This marked the beginning of a new era for the series, with a younger, more inexperienced Superman and a more modern, urban setting.
Impact and Legacy
Action Comics has had a profound impact on the comic book industry and popular culture. It introduced the concept of the superhero, a character type that has become a staple of comic books and has permeated other forms of media as well.
The success of Action Comics and Superman paved the way for the creation of other iconic superheroes like Batman, Wonder Woman, and Spider-Man. It also established DC Comics as a major player in the comic book industry.
Action Comics #1, in particular, is considered a landmark in comic book history. It has been reprinted several times and original copies are highly sought after by collectors. In 2014, a pristine copy of Action Comics #1 sold for over $3 million, making it the most expensive comic book ever sold.