Superman's First Comic: 'Action Comics #1' (1938)
In the pages of Action Comics #1, Superman makes his iconic debut. The story begins with a brief, one-page explanation of the character as an infant sent from a dying planet by his father, later landing on Earth. There, Superman began to discover his abilities. The main story begins with the hero saving an innocent woman scheduled for execution from the electric chair. From there, readers are shown Superman's civilian disguise as Clark Kent, his relationship with Lois Lane and, most importantly, that he is a hero to ordinary people, confronting a wife beater in the middle of the story.
Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster didn't just create the superhero genre for comics, they actually did it twice. Although their creation of Superman was what really got the cape and cowl craze going, they had also delved into the realm of superheroes in 1936 with Doctor Occult. However, their earlier hero didn't make the splash that the Last Son of Krypton would make. Famously, the publisher didn't know what a hit they had until the sales figures came months later, and Superman was promptly given his own title in 1939.
Action Comics #1 Is Still A Great Introduction To Superman
While some first appearance issues go down as lackluster comics or don't convey the core of the character well, others excel. In the case of Action Comics #1, Siegel and Shuster do a great job of explaining who Superman is, his origin story, his power level and core ethics. Here, Superman is portrayed as a champion of the oppressed, a protector of the vulnerable and a man dedicated to doing the right thing. In this introduction, Superman's commitment to truth and justice are put on full display when he saves an innocent woman from execution.
After saving the woman, Clark Kent arrives in his civilian disguise to his job at the Daily Star (now Daily Planet), where he expresses relief at Superman not being mentioned in the story. He then uses his position as reporter to get the inside scoop on crimes, allowing Superman to save lives and mete out justice. Later, readers are introduced to Lois Lane who, after experiencing Kent's cowardly affectation, gives her co-worker the brush-off. However, when Lois is kidnapped, Superman springs into action, and rescues her in no time.
The First Story Explains "Lois and Clark" From The Jump
The 'love triangle' between Clark, Lois & Superman was there from the beginning. While Action Comics #1 is devoted to Superman, the story also stands out as a striking introduction to Lois Lane. The story bucked gender norms of its era in turning the driven reporter into a confident, assertive and tough woman, providing a contrast to Clark Kent's "weakling" disguise. Although Lois is cast in a damsel in distress story, Siegel makes it clear through his script that this doesn't define her in the way some crime stories would for one-note female characters. Instead, it's a necessary inclusion to highlight the dual feelings Lois has for Clark and Superman.
Considering the fact this debut story sums up Superman's powers, moral code, dedication, civilian disguise, origin story and love interest in a mere thirteen pages, it's one of the most impressive comic stories ever written. Almost ninety years later, it's practically impossible to create a superhero comic book from scratch that doesn't incorporate some element from this story into it. Through the likes of Spider-Man, Captain America and the numerous indie superhero universes that compete with the big two, this story is ingrained at a core level.
The Inspiration For The Superman Character
Superman has Doc Savage to thank (and the Biblical Moses). While Superman is a turning point for the comic book industry and did create something new, it's worth acknowledging that he wasn't completely original. The character actually borrows heavily from the pulp hero Doc Savage, from his first name to his own Fortress of Solitude. He even modified his nickname, turning "Man of Bronze" into "Man of Steel" down the line. In addition, many have been keen to point out the Biblical inspiration, with Kal-El being Hebrew for "of God," not to mention the Moses-inspired story of being sent from Krypton to survive on Earth.
Throughout the Golden Age, the Kryptonian protagonist did begin to become more distinct from Savage, though the influence is undeniable. Where the former is closer to a blend of Indiana Jones-style adventure and scientific genius, Superman has been defined by his Boy Scout morals, wholesome personality and unmatched strength. Unlike the first appearance of Batman, Siegel and Shuster's story is original and distinct from the competition, one that built from their earlier work to deliver an excellent blend of science fiction, action, thriller and crime.
No, This Wasn't Siegel & Shuster's First "Superman" Story
Although Action Comics #1 is the book that made superheroes -- and Superman -- a household name, it isn't Siegel and Shuster's first "Superman" story. That moniker was actually first used for their short 1933 story "Reign of the Super-Man." Set during the Great Depression, the story follows a misanthropic scientist, Smalley, who uses a rare mineral from a "Dark Planet" to give a man, Dunn, superpowers. After gaining his new abilities, which include telepathy and super-vision, Dunn becomes a profit-driven, self-serving villain, only to return to the breadlines after losing his gifts.
The original "Super-Man" story isn't Kal-El's first appearance, but it's an essential building block in understanding Superman and his debut. It could even be argued that the mysterious alien mineral was a prototypic early Kryptonite, though with the opposite effect; where this rock gave its users powers, the prior weakened Superman. It's also easy to see how the "evil scientist" archetype of villain was on Siegel's mind long before he created the Ultra-Humanite and Lex Luthor. In Action Comics #1, key parts of this forgotten story were repurposed to give the world Superman.
