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Superman (1939-2011) #1
Superman (1939-2011) #1
Featuring the origin of the Man of Steel, Clark Kent's first day at the Daily Star newspaper, and Superman, who stops a lynching, gangsters, and an execution.
60 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2013
153 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Siegel
623 books82 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 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 12, 2020
“I see! When it’s your own life that’s at stake, your viewpoint changes!”
I honestly had no idea that starting from the first issue, Superman would be tackling social problems that are still relevant to this day.
Especially, the third story about the miners really hit me hard and reminded me of the Soma catastrophe-dare I say, murder- due to the mine owners’ carelessnes and resulting absence of job safety.
I honestly had no idea that starting from the first issue, Superman would be tackling social problems that are still relevant to this day.
Especially, the third story about the miners really hit me hard and reminded me of the Soma catastrophe-dare I say, murder- due to the mine owners’ carelessnes and resulting absence of job safety.
May 17, 2023
Apparently the original Superman was more like Batman, a vigilante who broke many laws himself and was wanted by the police. He had a handful of super-powers: he could jump high, run and swim fast, was very strong, and had "tough skin".
In this first collection he uses his superpowers to combat thugs, corrupt politicians, a coal mine owner, a munitions manufacturer, and..... A CHEATING COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACH!
The illustrations are colorful. Superman looks the same as he does today, and the stories are corny, which make them fun to read
In this first collection he uses his superpowers to combat thugs, corrupt politicians, a coal mine owner, a munitions manufacturer, and..... A CHEATING COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACH!
The illustrations are colorful. Superman looks the same as he does today, and the stories are corny, which make them fun to read
October 29, 2015
বড়দের জন্য হলেও প্লট বেশ খানিকটা শিশুতোষ হয়েই গেছে।
August 27, 2017
It's always fun seeing what humble, and often hokey origins some of our greatest heroes come from.
October 31, 2024
Picking up from the man of steel mini series, now comes the new post crisis Superman series, and we follow a Superman as he follows the tracks left by the truck that took his space ship. Something he discovered missing at the end of the mini series.
When he arrives he finds a special research building lined with lead to keep out his X-ray vision. So of course he breaks in and finds it deserted, but filled with rooms outlining every piece of info they could get on him. And then in another room Superman finds a scientist completely dead. At the moment he doesn’t have time to investigate and decides to pull the super crazy move of digging the research facility out of the ground then storing it within earths gravity for safe keeping.
Once that was done, he can return to the persevered facility at any point, but right now Clark Kent has to go on a morning run with Lois. As they are talking about how he finally wore her down into going out, they hear an alarm from a local bank. As Lois jumps head first into danger she is grabbed by a mysteriously strong figure that knocks Clark out of the way and out of sight, giving him the perfect chance to turn into Superman and come back.
But it seems this figure calling himself Metallo is waiting for Superman and even claims that he can kill him. As he is talking we see flashes of the dead scientist from the facility Superman just got done with. Anyone familiar with Superman lore knows what’s happening but to give a recap of what is established during their fight: there was a scientist obsessed with aliens. And one day he tracked a ship that landed in Kansas, that was Superman’s shuttle. He was able to figure this out and a bit more info from the shuttle, and having found that earth’s greatest hero is an alien “invader” he devised a plan to kill him. Which involved transforming someone into a killing machine with a heart made of materials from the ship. The material now coined Kryptonite as it comes from Krypton has the ability to drain the energy from Superman’s cells.
And Superman is having a surprisingly hard time fighting this guy. News crews are watching and so is a pissed off Lex Luthor, who promised to kill Superman himself. Through this fight the public finds out that Superman is an alien. And the fight nearly ends when the entire building collapses around them, leaving metallo completely exposed and his robot body on full display, holding the torn cape of Superman in his hands. But Superman is not down for the count yet, and as metallo opens his chest, exposing the raw power of the Kryptonite…superman would have been a goner, if metallo didn’t mysteriously disappear in that same moment. Who grabbed him? Was it Lex? Who else could it be??
Overall what a great issue, with a lot of great interactions and I am loving the art. I especially love it when Superman is standing in the dark and only his silhouette and symbol are visible.
When he arrives he finds a special research building lined with lead to keep out his X-ray vision. So of course he breaks in and finds it deserted, but filled with rooms outlining every piece of info they could get on him. And then in another room Superman finds a scientist completely dead. At the moment he doesn’t have time to investigate and decides to pull the super crazy move of digging the research facility out of the ground then storing it within earths gravity for safe keeping.
Once that was done, he can return to the persevered facility at any point, but right now Clark Kent has to go on a morning run with Lois. As they are talking about how he finally wore her down into going out, they hear an alarm from a local bank. As Lois jumps head first into danger she is grabbed by a mysteriously strong figure that knocks Clark out of the way and out of sight, giving him the perfect chance to turn into Superman and come back.
But it seems this figure calling himself Metallo is waiting for Superman and even claims that he can kill him. As he is talking we see flashes of the dead scientist from the facility Superman just got done with. Anyone familiar with Superman lore knows what’s happening but to give a recap of what is established during their fight: there was a scientist obsessed with aliens. And one day he tracked a ship that landed in Kansas, that was Superman’s shuttle. He was able to figure this out and a bit more info from the shuttle, and having found that earth’s greatest hero is an alien “invader” he devised a plan to kill him. Which involved transforming someone into a killing machine with a heart made of materials from the ship. The material now coined Kryptonite as it comes from Krypton has the ability to drain the energy from Superman’s cells.
And Superman is having a surprisingly hard time fighting this guy. News crews are watching and so is a pissed off Lex Luthor, who promised to kill Superman himself. Through this fight the public finds out that Superman is an alien. And the fight nearly ends when the entire building collapses around them, leaving metallo completely exposed and his robot body on full display, holding the torn cape of Superman in his hands. But Superman is not down for the count yet, and as metallo opens his chest, exposing the raw power of the Kryptonite…superman would have been a goner, if metallo didn’t mysteriously disappear in that same moment. Who grabbed him? Was it Lex? Who else could it be??
Overall what a great issue, with a lot of great interactions and I am loving the art. I especially love it when Superman is standing in the dark and only his silhouette and symbol are visible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2023
Superman no es precisamente mi superhéroe favorito (es el Hombre Araña) pero por alguna razón me encantan las primeras historias del último hijo de Kripton. Lo interesante es que este Superman será desconocido para muchos de los lectores actuales porque es básicamente un luchador social. Su trabajo de reportero no solo lo pondrá en contacto con el crimen para combatirlo, sino también con las injusticias del capitalismo rapaz que hace del proletariado una víctima.
En el primer relato somos testigos de como Clark Kent logra ser contratado como reportero, hasta la dura crítica que hace de los empresarios de su propio país que crean guerras para vender armas y municiones. También le da una probada de su propio chocolate a un empresario minero que se niega a gastar dinero en la seguridad de sus trabajadores, así como a las fiestas de la alta sociedad que se niegan a ver que en la base de la pirámide hay gente que muere y sufre; hasta los juegos sucios en —precisamente— los juegos de futbol americano universitario.
Es también una releída porque en algún momento leí todas estas historias en SUPERMAN, Las 100 primera historietas.
En el primer relato somos testigos de como Clark Kent logra ser contratado como reportero, hasta la dura crítica que hace de los empresarios de su propio país que crean guerras para vender armas y municiones. También le da una probada de su propio chocolate a un empresario minero que se niega a gastar dinero en la seguridad de sus trabajadores, así como a las fiestas de la alta sociedad que se niegan a ver que en la base de la pirámide hay gente que muere y sufre; hasta los juegos sucios en —precisamente— los juegos de futbol americano universitario.
Es también una releída porque en algún momento leí todas estas historias en SUPERMAN, Las 100 primera historietas.
April 3, 2022
Wow - Superman was the ultimate ends justify the means superhero in his first few episodes where
- He kidnaps a football player and temporarily paralyzes him with drugs so he can take his place on the team and expose the corruption of a rival football coach (no - seriously Superman really does this)
- Traps a mine owner and friends in a collapsed mine with only 24 hours of oxygen left to survive until the mine owner realizes the error of his ways and puts in start of the art safety features for his workers protection
- Threatens a munitions manufacturer into joining the front lines of an overseas war until the manufacturer is so terrified he resolves never to build another weapon
- Beats up and throws a bunch of thugs through windows and walls
He was the ultimate nerd kid wish fulfillment fantasy - strong, powerful, bullet proof, adored by women, and able to impose his simple black and white view of good and evil on the world.
- He kidnaps a football player and temporarily paralyzes him with drugs so he can take his place on the team and expose the corruption of a rival football coach (no - seriously Superman really does this)
- Traps a mine owner and friends in a collapsed mine with only 24 hours of oxygen left to survive until the mine owner realizes the error of his ways and puts in start of the art safety features for his workers protection
- Threatens a munitions manufacturer into joining the front lines of an overseas war until the manufacturer is so terrified he resolves never to build another weapon
- Beats up and throws a bunch of thugs through windows and walls
He was the ultimate nerd kid wish fulfillment fantasy - strong, powerful, bullet proof, adored by women, and able to impose his simple black and white view of good and evil on the world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2022
Superman has always been my favorite superhero. Not because of his powers nor anything, but because of what he represents, hope.
His story is always inspiring as well, that heroism can come from anywhere, yes he's an all-powerful alien with superhuman physiology. But he's also just a man from Kansas raised by farmers, who taught him the difference between good and evil, justice and injustice. And how to step for those who are weaker than you.
Now having said that, superman in his early years was not quite like how he became with the passing of the years.
He has always been heroic, but in these short tales his methods were a bit extreme, more like grounding the evildoers than showing a better way.
The art is also a bit to be desired.
His story is always inspiring as well, that heroism can come from anywhere, yes he's an all-powerful alien with superhuman physiology. But he's also just a man from Kansas raised by farmers, who taught him the difference between good and evil, justice and injustice. And how to step for those who are weaker than you.
Now having said that, superman in his early years was not quite like how he became with the passing of the years.
He has always been heroic, but in these short tales his methods were a bit extreme, more like grounding the evildoers than showing a better way.
The art is also a bit to be desired.
October 18, 2021
Stories more complex than I thought they’d be.
After a quick summary of his arrival and upbringing as a Kent, goes into how he got his first job as a reporter for a Cleveland newspaper.
Most stories started in one direction then turned another. No super villains but crooks and thugs who deserved a comeuppance.
And “Supes” is no Boy Scout here. He is not afraid to use trickery into reforming folks. For instance, he once intimidates an arms manufacturer into joining a small country’s army so he can experience war from the frontline. The mogul learns he shouldn’t push countries into horrific conflict just to increase profit. Not something current Superman would do.
After a quick summary of his arrival and upbringing as a Kent, goes into how he got his first job as a reporter for a Cleveland newspaper.
Most stories started in one direction then turned another. No super villains but crooks and thugs who deserved a comeuppance.
And “Supes” is no Boy Scout here. He is not afraid to use trickery into reforming folks. For instance, he once intimidates an arms manufacturer into joining a small country’s army so he can experience war from the frontline. The mogul learns he shouldn’t push countries into horrific conflict just to increase profit. Not something current Superman would do.
January 3, 2026
JUSTICE FOR THE COMMON MAN
These early Superman comics find the Man Of Steel fighting for social justice rather than the super villains that would show up later. Beware crooked politicians, unscrupulous business owners, and gangsters, Superman is on the job!
This early Superman doesn't fly, but merely leaps great distances, and his alter-ego, Clark Kent works as a reporter for The Daily Star in Cleveland rather than The Daily Planet in Metropolis.
Another significant difference is that his adoptive parents, the Kents, have both passed away before he assumes the mantle of Earth's greatest champion.
Great little book of Superman's early adventures.
These early Superman comics find the Man Of Steel fighting for social justice rather than the super villains that would show up later. Beware crooked politicians, unscrupulous business owners, and gangsters, Superman is on the job!
This early Superman doesn't fly, but merely leaps great distances, and his alter-ego, Clark Kent works as a reporter for The Daily Star in Cleveland rather than The Daily Planet in Metropolis.
Another significant difference is that his adoptive parents, the Kents, have both passed away before he assumes the mantle of Earth's greatest champion.
Great little book of Superman's early adventures.
April 11, 2022
This covers the origins of Superman in Action Comics. In the early days Clark Kent worked in Cleveland. The backstory was barely touched upon, with the Kent's getting only a page. Then it was off to Superman doing what he does, which in the early days was stop corruption in mining, keep America out of WWII, and taking the place of a pro football player to expose a corrupt coach. Mediocre art, dumb plots, and yet it caught on and is the beginning of the Golden Age of comic books. Fortunately, it evolved.
June 24, 2023
Primer cómic de Superman
Momento histórico del comic mundial, con el debut de Superman. Aunque esta es una versión primitiva del personaje, contiene varios elementos esenciales como el binomio Superman\Clark Kent, el ser reportero, Luis Lane, y algunos poderes, los que se irán modificando en el tiempo, tal como que Superman acá no vuela, sino de grandes saltos. Tampoco hay supervillanos, y si personajes comunes como mafiosos, esposos abusadores, empresarios codiciosos, etc. Historias muy simples que servirían como arqueología del comic y de lectura como cultura general.
Momento histórico del comic mundial, con el debut de Superman. Aunque esta es una versión primitiva del personaje, contiene varios elementos esenciales como el binomio Superman\Clark Kent, el ser reportero, Luis Lane, y algunos poderes, los que se irán modificando en el tiempo, tal como que Superman acá no vuela, sino de grandes saltos. Tampoco hay supervillanos, y si personajes comunes como mafiosos, esposos abusadores, empresarios codiciosos, etc. Historias muy simples que servirían como arqueología del comic y de lectura como cultura general.
September 15, 2021
Not a huge fan of Superman to begin with. It was better than I expected and it was interesting to see Superman's origins in the first actual comic book of Superman. I read this to get a better understanding of Superman and his mythos across different issues and years throughout the years. I prefer Man of Steel over this origin.
February 9, 2024
"Superman (1939-2011) #1" (DC, 2013) is a free Kindle publication presenting the first 60 pages of the original 1939 “Superman” comic books. If you’re willing to forgive the grossly outdated societal presentations, you’ll have fun with it. There are literally scores of these Kindle books for 99 cents each that progress through time. I found this freebie wonderfully corny. Solidly recommended.
September 5, 2020
My dad has this in the big comic version they released years ago so when I got his comics I read it first! Honestly it is such an essential comic to read generally that everyone who loves comics should read it!
February 11, 2021
Interesting to see how Superman got his start. Definitely a little different than the Supes we know today. To be honest I’ve never read any Superman comics so not sure how this compares.
Spider-man seems to have held closer to his origins than Superman.
Spider-man seems to have held closer to his origins than Superman.
March 14, 2022
Classic and free.
Good color artwork, 61 pages worth. Amazing how many crimes Superman commits, kidnapping, trespassing, assault and battery, forced confessions, desertion from a military unit and public endangerment. Still amazing stuff though.
Good color artwork, 61 pages worth. Amazing how many crimes Superman commits, kidnapping, trespassing, assault and battery, forced confessions, desertion from a military unit and public endangerment. Still amazing stuff though.
June 10, 2022
Oldie but not a goodie
I enjoy the early part of this book but. somehow the writer is doing some "experiments" on the story at the later part that is distasteful. He could have stick to the usual predictable stuff and adding a bit of twist.
I enjoy the early part of this book but. somehow the writer is doing some "experiments" on the story at the later part that is distasteful. He could have stick to the usual predictable stuff and adding a bit of twist.
May 28, 2023
🖊 My review: I found this fun to read and see what Superman looked like at the start.
✔️Published in 1939.
🤔 My rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟
🟣 Media form on Kindle version.
🚀●▬●💫●💫●▬●🚀
✔️Published in 1939.
🤔 My rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟
🟣 Media form on Kindle version.
🚀●▬●💫●💫●▬●🚀
August 9, 2025
“Superman. Champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to helping those in need.”
obsessed with how early superman was serving no neck and receding hairline
obsessed with how early superman was serving no neck and receding hairline
October 14, 2019
This was mostly reprints of previous issues, the only noteworthy thing is that the origin is expanded upon into the first issue.
Read
March 25, 2022Its superman
I am 68 and was brought up in superman comics so saw this and downloaded enjoyed a superman comic again first time in about 60 odd year's recomended
I am 68 and was brought up in superman comics so saw this and downloaded enjoyed a superman comic again first time in about 60 odd year's recomended
April 10, 2022
Nice read
Superman versus normal crooks. Good art and stories. No Super Villain. Very interesting as to how the character evolved over time.
Superman versus normal crooks. Good art and stories. No Super Villain. Very interesting as to how the character evolved over time.
September 15, 2023
Não tem muito o que dizer, a única mudança entre a primeira aparição para a primeira revista é a forma em que o Clark foi adotado e é a que continua sendo usada até hoje.
March 10, 2025
Não tem muito o que dizer, a única mudança entre a primeira aparição para a primeira revista é a forma em que o Clark foi adotado e é a que continua sendo usada até hoje.
Review from 15.09.2023
Review from 15.09.2023
July 14, 2025
classic
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2025
If you've read the action Comics there's only a few new panels, all at the start
August 2, 2025
excellent comic
It great story. If you are fan of superman I recommend it. It also fast pacing it edge of seat story telling.
It great story. If you are fan of superman I recommend it. It also fast pacing it edge of seat story telling.
August 19, 2025
Nostalgic asf. Superman lowkey does it all for Lois bro
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews