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Superman Archives #1
Superman Archives, Vol. 1
From the minds and hands of Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster come the stories that started it all. This hardcover collection includes the early Superman comics that recount the Golden Age adventures of the Man of Steel. From his perilous escape from the doomed planet Krypton to his high-flying adventures in Metropolis and everything in between, this is a must-have edition for the discerning Superman collector or fan.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published November 14, 1997
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167 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Siegel
620 books81 followersJerome "Jerry" Siegel, who also used pseudonyms including Joe Carter, Jerry Ess, and Herbert S. Fine, was the American co-creator of Superman (along with Joe Shuster), the first of the great comic book superheroes and one of the most recognizable icons of the 20th century.
He and Shuster were inducted into the comic book industry's Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1993.
He and Shuster were inducted into the comic book industry's Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1993.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 21, 2023
This collects Superman #1-4 where were themselves reprints of various stories from Action Comics. The Superman of the late 1930s/early 40s isn't a demigod like the Superman of today. He can't fly, has no vision powers, and doesn't have x-ray vision, heat vision, and half a dozen other powers. He can run fast, jump high, and has the proportional strength of an ant according to a feature in one of the issues. He's also no boy scout. The Golden Age Superman beats the shit out of crooks and stands up against authority when such a thing needs doing.
The art reminds me of Roy Crane of Captain Easy fame making this strip easy on the eyes. Honestly, there's nothing about this collection I don't like. Brief sidebar, 10 cents for 64 pages back in the day.
The art reminds me of Roy Crane of Captain Easy fame making this strip easy on the eyes. Honestly, there's nothing about this collection I don't like. Brief sidebar, 10 cents for 64 pages back in the day.
November 3, 2020
This is where it all began. While the story and art may seem crude by today's standards, these people were literally inventing superhero comics from the ground up. Even the idea of comic books that weren't simply reprints of newspaper strips was new at the time. It's hardly surprising that story tropes were borrowed from comic strips and pulp magazines since that's all that was really known at the time.
Jim Steranko, in his afterword, talks more knowledgeably about variations in art from story to story than I ever could. I did notice how the one story made extensive use of Benday tones. The truth is that Joe Shuster wasn't fast enough to produce the volume of artwork that Superman’s runaway success was causing DC to demand from the duo, so he and Siegel quickly set up their own studio to keep up.
Most of the stories here are fairly forgettable, notable more for their historic significance than their actual content. We do get the very first Superman story (reprinted from Action Comics) as well as the first two appearances of the original redheaded Luthor. There's some repetition of story elements and themes, as well a surprising disregard for human life on Superman’s part--not that this was unusual in the early days of comics.
Though clunky by today's standards, these stories retain a crude power, and it's enlightening to see comic book history in the making. Recommended!
Jim Steranko, in his afterword, talks more knowledgeably about variations in art from story to story than I ever could. I did notice how the one story made extensive use of Benday tones. The truth is that Joe Shuster wasn't fast enough to produce the volume of artwork that Superman’s runaway success was causing DC to demand from the duo, so he and Siegel quickly set up their own studio to keep up.
Most of the stories here are fairly forgettable, notable more for their historic significance than their actual content. We do get the very first Superman story (reprinted from Action Comics) as well as the first two appearances of the original redheaded Luthor. There's some repetition of story elements and themes, as well a surprising disregard for human life on Superman’s part--not that this was unusual in the early days of comics.
Though clunky by today's standards, these stories retain a crude power, and it's enlightening to see comic book history in the making. Recommended!
March 6, 2018
Sometimes its nice to just go back to the early days of comics and enjoy stories when the world was a simpler place. I enjoyed reading these early adventures of the greatest of the Golden Age superheroes. Nice collected set. Recommended
October 5, 2024
The volume collects the first 4 issues of the Superman comic, which itself reprinted a lot of the Superman stories from both Action Comics and the newspaper strip, as well as having some original stories.
This is a very different Superman than the one most readers would be familiar with (unless they were around in 1939-1940). For a start, this Superman is a lot less powerful than the Superman of the Silver Age or the modern day - he has some invulnerability, although not to the extent that he would have later, and super strength and speed. He can't fly, and has none of his vision-based abilities. And neither his super strength or speed is as powerful as it would be later.
The biggest change, however, is his different moral code, which, not surprisingly, is much more in line with the moral code of the day. He regularly threatens to kill the thugs he is confronted by, and does indeed kill several people in these stories - one, he hurls like a javelin for over a km.
Luthor (with his original red hair) does appear in a couple of the stories, but there are no other supervillains - Superman's usual opponents in these stories are crime bosses and their thugs. Lois Lane features in most of the stories, but this is before the days of Perry White and Jimmy Olsen, and the basics of the Clark-Superman-Lois love triangle are set - Lois wants Superman, Clark wants Lois. Also, not surprising for the day, there is a lot of casual sexism in these stories. One could also assume casual racism, but there are no non-white people in any of the stories.
These are stories from right at the beginning of the superhero phenomena that has become such a large part of modern culture.
This is a very different Superman than the one most readers would be familiar with (unless they were around in 1939-1940). For a start, this Superman is a lot less powerful than the Superman of the Silver Age or the modern day - he has some invulnerability, although not to the extent that he would have later, and super strength and speed. He can't fly, and has none of his vision-based abilities. And neither his super strength or speed is as powerful as it would be later.
The biggest change, however, is his different moral code, which, not surprisingly, is much more in line with the moral code of the day. He regularly threatens to kill the thugs he is confronted by, and does indeed kill several people in these stories - one, he hurls like a javelin for over a km.
Luthor (with his original red hair) does appear in a couple of the stories, but there are no other supervillains - Superman's usual opponents in these stories are crime bosses and their thugs. Lois Lane features in most of the stories, but this is before the days of Perry White and Jimmy Olsen, and the basics of the Clark-Superman-Lois love triangle are set - Lois wants Superman, Clark wants Lois. Also, not surprising for the day, there is a lot of casual sexism in these stories. One could also assume casual racism, but there are no non-white people in any of the stories.
These are stories from right at the beginning of the superhero phenomena that has become such a large part of modern culture.
June 21, 2019
This was my first foray into the original Golden Age Superman, the one that started it all. It was neat to see in the first several issues many of the Superman tropes were already introduced (his origin, Lois, Luthor, the costume). We also see all the ways he originally didn't live up to the moral code that he's currently synonymous with (he's a brute that bullies the bad guys into doing what he wants, he doesn't seem to care much for human life if a bad guy is concerned, and his casual sexism towards Lois may be inherent for the time it was written but doesn't fit with who Superman is and has been for the last few decades). The art is certainly simpler than what you experience with a modern graphic novel but the presentation of the panels makes it much easier to consume than many modern works in the medium.
July 17, 2020
Fascinating read. Superman tortures and kills a lot of people. The issues that have a liberal social commentary like the one where Superman makes a munitions developer who started a war fight as a foot soldier are kind of interesting. Lex Luthor's issues are good. And the one where Superman poses as a football player who he's actually knocked out with a paralyzing drug in his secret apartment while trying to out two thugs hired to hurt the star football players is truly baffling and hilarious.
October 25, 2020
The afterword is irresponsibly written- you can't find what the clownshoe is describing because there are no page numbers to guide you let alone a table of contents to explain where "Adventure __" is within what issue thus you can't "see" what he's talking about without a diligence I won't afford.
September 27, 2021
This a great collection of early Superman stories, reprinting Superman #1-4.
December 4, 2021
Hadn't read Action #1 since I was a kid. O was struck by how many elements of these early stories were used in the Christopher Reeve Superman film (dam bursting, etc). Fun to read.
September 12, 2022
3.5 stars - Superman sure was different back when he started.
April 14, 2023
i thought superman was boring as a kid
July 23, 2013
In 1938, the first adventure of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster’s creation Superman saw print.
And made us all believe a man could leap tall buildings in a single bound.
With the celebrations and festivities filling the Geek world this year for the 75th birthday of Superman, I decided some time ago to finally read my accumulation of Golden Age volumes featuring the Man Of Steel. A journey to the beginning of it all, just to get a feel for the unknown decades to come.
Starting with The Superman Chronicles Volume One, than moving onto Superman Archives Volume One and Two, followed with Superman: The Dailies 1939-1942 and Superman: The Sunday Classics 1939-1943, I consumed the lion share of those early years.
And what an interesting time they were!
Siegel the writer and Shuster the artist created and recreated their Superman many times over the years, hoping to eventually make it into a newspaper strip, which at the time was considered the prized destination for all truly great comic strips. When, by luck and by chance they were rescued from the slush pile, history was changed. And as the character skyrocketed in popularity, small changes moved through the strip, bringing what could be called a proto-Superman more into the version so many of us know today.
They start off with the bare bones origins, rocketed from an unnamed planet, being found on Earth, growing up with great powers, and deciding to help mankind. So many of the other tropes, such as Ma and Pa Kent, their guidance of young Clark Kent, and their demise, are not introduced yet.
The story quickly jumps straight into the action, so to speak, with Superman making his very first public appearance stopping a lynching. They establish very fast that he is a man who believes in law and order and proper government. He will talk to you nice at first, but if you push the point, the fists will fly. The rest of the tale has Superman striving to clear the condemned man in time, and along the way he storms the Governor’s mansion. Shortly after, he teaches a wife beater a lesson, finally lands a date with Lois, and then smashes a car up just like they show on that famous cover.
It is quite a lot to take in, but it is amazing how much they establish right away.
The social justice themes become a hallmark of Siegel and Shuster’s work, with war profiteers, corrupt government officials, and nefarious conspiracies to destabilize the economy, being constant staples of their work. Also Lois Lane is immediately set-up, first slightly bitchy, then more compassionate over time. Any junior league psycho-analysis could have a field day figuring out these young men’s visions of women. And early on they introduce Lex Luther, making him a red haired super scientist master of crime. All this and the occasional emo moment from Supes, the kind of sentiment that Smallville would milk ten seasons out of.
One interesting facet, which so many other variations from John Byrne’s Man of Steel to Smallville to It’s Superman to the current Man Of Steel movie, all featured is the concept of Superman as an urban legend. Even with media reports of his exploits, you can quickly lose count of the amount of times some crook will exclaim “Superman! You’re Real!” This only abates after War World Two kicks into high gear and Superman becomes a good friend and ally of the army.
By that time many artists, who had already been ghosting for years for Shuster, who suffered from extremely bad eyesight, became a lot more noticeable. While Shuster had a somewhat rougher style, these other artists had a more refined look to them. Wayne Boring, who became one of the pre-eminent Superman artists years later, was one of these “helpers.” It is also obvious that Siegel improves his storytelling skills as the years go by. While little moments and some dialogue exchanges are well done, quite often the overall plots are filled with could best be described as wonky developments and logic leaps. Sometimes it is best to just read and not think.
Another constant over these volumes is the powers being increased quite abit, with the strength and speed becoming more extravagant very quickly. The leaping is pretty much flying by the 1940’s, but is still never called that. The super senses are present and accounted for right off the bat, and the X-ray vision slips into the story like it was there all along. Knowing all we know now, these powers just popping up seem anti-climatic at best.
But in so many ways, these lookbacks to 75 years ago helps us see how far these concepts and characters have come. And the nitpicks and critiques in the present, just like mine here, have to really remember the point of 1938 Superman.
He was made by Siegel and Shuster to entertain children. A man of great strength and passion and justice who would inspire people everywhere.
A man who will make you believe a leap can become flying.
And made us all believe a man could leap tall buildings in a single bound.
With the celebrations and festivities filling the Geek world this year for the 75th birthday of Superman, I decided some time ago to finally read my accumulation of Golden Age volumes featuring the Man Of Steel. A journey to the beginning of it all, just to get a feel for the unknown decades to come.
Starting with The Superman Chronicles Volume One, than moving onto Superman Archives Volume One and Two, followed with Superman: The Dailies 1939-1942 and Superman: The Sunday Classics 1939-1943, I consumed the lion share of those early years.
And what an interesting time they were!
Siegel the writer and Shuster the artist created and recreated their Superman many times over the years, hoping to eventually make it into a newspaper strip, which at the time was considered the prized destination for all truly great comic strips. When, by luck and by chance they were rescued from the slush pile, history was changed. And as the character skyrocketed in popularity, small changes moved through the strip, bringing what could be called a proto-Superman more into the version so many of us know today.
They start off with the bare bones origins, rocketed from an unnamed planet, being found on Earth, growing up with great powers, and deciding to help mankind. So many of the other tropes, such as Ma and Pa Kent, their guidance of young Clark Kent, and their demise, are not introduced yet.
The story quickly jumps straight into the action, so to speak, with Superman making his very first public appearance stopping a lynching. They establish very fast that he is a man who believes in law and order and proper government. He will talk to you nice at first, but if you push the point, the fists will fly. The rest of the tale has Superman striving to clear the condemned man in time, and along the way he storms the Governor’s mansion. Shortly after, he teaches a wife beater a lesson, finally lands a date with Lois, and then smashes a car up just like they show on that famous cover.
It is quite a lot to take in, but it is amazing how much they establish right away.
The social justice themes become a hallmark of Siegel and Shuster’s work, with war profiteers, corrupt government officials, and nefarious conspiracies to destabilize the economy, being constant staples of their work. Also Lois Lane is immediately set-up, first slightly bitchy, then more compassionate over time. Any junior league psycho-analysis could have a field day figuring out these young men’s visions of women. And early on they introduce Lex Luther, making him a red haired super scientist master of crime. All this and the occasional emo moment from Supes, the kind of sentiment that Smallville would milk ten seasons out of.
One interesting facet, which so many other variations from John Byrne’s Man of Steel to Smallville to It’s Superman to the current Man Of Steel movie, all featured is the concept of Superman as an urban legend. Even with media reports of his exploits, you can quickly lose count of the amount of times some crook will exclaim “Superman! You’re Real!” This only abates after War World Two kicks into high gear and Superman becomes a good friend and ally of the army.
By that time many artists, who had already been ghosting for years for Shuster, who suffered from extremely bad eyesight, became a lot more noticeable. While Shuster had a somewhat rougher style, these other artists had a more refined look to them. Wayne Boring, who became one of the pre-eminent Superman artists years later, was one of these “helpers.” It is also obvious that Siegel improves his storytelling skills as the years go by. While little moments and some dialogue exchanges are well done, quite often the overall plots are filled with could best be described as wonky developments and logic leaps. Sometimes it is best to just read and not think.
Another constant over these volumes is the powers being increased quite abit, with the strength and speed becoming more extravagant very quickly. The leaping is pretty much flying by the 1940’s, but is still never called that. The super senses are present and accounted for right off the bat, and the X-ray vision slips into the story like it was there all along. Knowing all we know now, these powers just popping up seem anti-climatic at best.
But in so many ways, these lookbacks to 75 years ago helps us see how far these concepts and characters have come. And the nitpicks and critiques in the present, just like mine here, have to really remember the point of 1938 Superman.
He was made by Siegel and Shuster to entertain children. A man of great strength and passion and justice who would inspire people everywhere.
A man who will make you believe a leap can become flying.
September 10, 2017
Early Superman is much more interesting than what we have now. The art may be "primitive" to some, but it packs a wallop. And Shuster drew a very pretty Lois Lane.
January 2, 2017
The Superman of 1938 isn't the same Superman we see today. He was faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound... which isn't the same as being able to fly, or burn things up with his eyes, or go back in time. Basically, he was Hercules, not a god. And that created a different kind of dramatic potential, because he was tough rather than invulnerable. (At one point, he gets knocked out. It's by an artillery shell, true, but it nonetheless means he has limits.) He doesn't even work at the Daily Planet in the first couple of stories!
This volume is a very nicely put together package, with the complete contents of "Superman" (as opposed to Action Comics) 1 - 4. The "Superman" title was originally a reprint series of the Action stories, apparently, so we're getting the first bunch of tales about the Big Blue Schoolboy. Anyway, the ad pages are printed in reduced size, but they're there. And it's all on high-quality paper stock, well-bound, with a nice hard cover. Built to last. Ever since DC has started doing reissues in reasonably-priced paperbacks, used copies of the Archive series have become more affordable. If you think you might want to have these around forever, you might want to check them out.
This volume is a very nicely put together package, with the complete contents of "Superman" (as opposed to Action Comics) 1 - 4. The "Superman" title was originally a reprint series of the Action stories, apparently, so we're getting the first bunch of tales about the Big Blue Schoolboy. Anyway, the ad pages are printed in reduced size, but they're there. And it's all on high-quality paper stock, well-bound, with a nice hard cover. Built to last. Ever since DC has started doing reissues in reasonably-priced paperbacks, used copies of the Archive series have become more affordable. If you think you might want to have these around forever, you might want to check them out.
August 16, 2015
This initial volume in the DC Archives series covers some of the most important comics in history: The first appearances of Superman in his own title. Many of the stories initially appeared in Action Comics, starting with issue #1, but you won't really mind. This is some pioneering comic book reading, featuring the first popular caped super-hero. And you can't really go wrong with the Man of Steel ... unless you're modern DC Comics and their horrid New 52 crap, of course. That ain't Superman.
And this probably isn't the Superman you know either. The original Superman was much more of a mystery-man/pulp character than super-hero, and he hadn't yet adopted his motto of "Truth, justice, and the American Way"; people get killed in these comics as a result of Kal-L's actions; property is severely damaged, and lives are changed. He's just out to do what he thinks is "good" for the "innocent". With the coming of the War, Superman would become the hero we all know and admire, but here he's a bit of a boor at times. But he does his best, as I'm sure cheated creators Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel were as well.
Definitely recommended reading!
And this probably isn't the Superman you know either. The original Superman was much more of a mystery-man/pulp character than super-hero, and he hadn't yet adopted his motto of "Truth, justice, and the American Way"; people get killed in these comics as a result of Kal-L's actions; property is severely damaged, and lives are changed. He's just out to do what he thinks is "good" for the "innocent". With the coming of the War, Superman would become the hero we all know and admire, but here he's a bit of a boor at times. But he does his best, as I'm sure cheated creators Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel were as well.
Definitely recommended reading!
August 24, 2011
I've had this sitting on my shelf for some time now, and I only recently got around to reading it in its entirety. Part of what motivated me is Grant Morrison's upcoming new take on The Man of Steel, which supposedly will hearken back to the character's original concept.
Anyway, it's dated and the artwork isn't on a par with what some of the comic strip illustrators were doing at the time. (Keep in mind that Siegel and Shuster's strip was rejected by the newspapers before finally seeing print in "Action Comics".) Still, there is this cool "man of the people" vibe about the world's first superhero that's very appealing.
Of course, if you're looking for some of the universally familiar aspects of the Man of Tomorrow, like his ability to fly even, you will be disappointed. If you're looking to see the beginnings of one of the world's greatest superheroes and to have a good time while doing so, then you should check out these early Superman adventures.
Anyway, it's dated and the artwork isn't on a par with what some of the comic strip illustrators were doing at the time. (Keep in mind that Siegel and Shuster's strip was rejected by the newspapers before finally seeing print in "Action Comics".) Still, there is this cool "man of the people" vibe about the world's first superhero that's very appealing.
Of course, if you're looking for some of the universally familiar aspects of the Man of Tomorrow, like his ability to fly even, you will be disappointed. If you're looking to see the beginnings of one of the world's greatest superheroes and to have a good time while doing so, then you should check out these early Superman adventures.
November 8, 2015
This archive edition collects the first four issues of the quarterly Superman comic from 1939 - 1940. Simultaneously Superman was appearing in Action Comics on a monthly basis. These were all written and drawn by the creative team of Siegel and Shuster who created Superman. Of note, Superman was initially able to perform many of the skills he later had but to a much lesser extent. He also seemed to have no qualms about killing criminals. He often had a lesson to give to youngsters about how to become a super-man themselves. There are also several two page short stories included in the comic, several of which have nothing to do with Superman. Although the artistry is very crude compared to today's standards, this Archive edition is fascinating to see more details of the early creation of Superman and worth reading by any fan of comics.
March 11, 2015
The perfect description of this story would be an ADHD fly high on cocaine- constantly bouncing from one idea to the next with very little segues in between. It almost gets painful to read, with how quickly characters, stories, and ideas are brought up then thrown away. But I would be lying if there was no intensity in some of the stories, like where Superman pretends to be a football player. While the ideas are very dumb, there is a certain gumption you feel to see the story true to the end. However, that doesn't forgive the very vengeful personality of Superman- constantly taking people who sometimes have only done a little wrong (or over-exageratedly done some completely wrong), then proceeds to rub their faces in their own wrongs, very forcefully. I get it was a good idea that started a whole new hype a long time ago, but it just simply hasn't aged well.
June 19, 2015
So these are the tales of the Man of Tomorrow, written by its original creator? Long before Geoff Johns, before Jeph Loeb, Alan Moore, Curt Swann, etc, etc. Jerry Siegel had created a classic that continues to shine brighter than a star.
Obviously there are difference from yesterday and today and one can't still fall in love with those differences. The stories are more wholesome, but a bit naive. I have to admit its weird seeing Superman trick a criminal. The short stories and the funny pages are a little weird. Love the old candy and BB guns that were advertised.
I also like how one extra-ordinary criminal makes his debut. Luthor. With his schemes as outrageous and brilliant as they have always been. Yet foiled nevertheless.
Great Beginnings. B+
Obviously there are difference from yesterday and today and one can't still fall in love with those differences. The stories are more wholesome, but a bit naive. I have to admit its weird seeing Superman trick a criminal. The short stories and the funny pages are a little weird. Love the old candy and BB guns that were advertised.
I also like how one extra-ordinary criminal makes his debut. Luthor. With his schemes as outrageous and brilliant as they have always been. Yet foiled nevertheless.
Great Beginnings. B+
July 19, 2015
Interesting to see these issues from 1938-39. Superman 1-4, all 64 page issues, some at least are reprints of the original Action Comics stories. Includes some non-Superman text stories and a couple of side comics, plus ads and small pictures of the inside front, inside back, and back covers. Quality of the stories and art is variable as Jerry and Joe figure out their hero. Superman may be the champion of the helpless and oppressed, but he's also violent, destructive, and vindictive. Lois Lane is there from the beginning, always trying to get the story before Clark does, getting into trouble, and needing to be rescued -- and she despises the meek Clark and adores the strong Superman. Expectations of both men and women seem very superficial.
August 6, 2013
Read this for the Man of Steel movie. Man, Superman is an asshole! I need to update my blog about this so I can add a few images. They're great! Can't go wrong on the kitsch factor. Of course it all looks dated now but I can definitely see why this would be awesome back when it came out. It's exciting - action on almost every panel - and the storylines are unique. You can tell they were experimenting with art style, though they didn't pay a lot of attention to keeping things consistent. They were definitely working out who Superman was, as he varies from a straight up vigilante justice to actually working with the police. He had no qualms about murdering the criminals, that's for sure.
August 2, 2017
An enjoyable glimpse at the first incarnation of Superman. In these stories he can only leap over tall buildings and faster than an express train, but he is already pretty much unstoppable. I liked the "period" flavor of the stories are standard pulp fiction of the time, and also the old ads and promotions that are also included in the volume. The plots themselves are pretty weak, and the art is simplistic. But for fans of Superman, it merits a look.
July 15, 2010
This is totally good, clean fun. I love seeing how the character began and consequently his evolution through the years. I'm a Superman geek so this was a fun discovery at the library for me!
November 17, 2014
Very entertaining and historical read. Can't wait to see the next one!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews