The "Poor Man's Action Comics #1" 5 5

[Tri-Color Brian]

On 9/29/2022 at 8:33 PM, sfcityduck said:

I'll take this seriously. I'd say no. The reason Action 1 matters is not the cover image, its the first appearance and origin of Superman. 

Some people say Action 7 is the poor man's Action 1 (really upper middle class these days), but the only reason is that it is the second Superman cover. That's not a big enough tie to the true significance of Action 1 for me. After all, Action 2 is the second Superman story. No, I'd say what we should be looking for are Superman's origin story.  And Superman 1 is not a poor man's anything.

So I have two candidates:

(1) is More Fun 101 (1945) - which fleshed out Superman's origin by telling us about his adventures when he was a boy (1st Superboy) and providing new details about Krypton:

(2) is Superman 53 - the detailed origin story put out for a 10th anniversary issue:

 

And both are affordable for normal income people.

Well, since Superboy and Superman are different characters (one is just a boy and the other is a MAN), my vote would be for #53...since I own it...

[Buzzetta]

On 9/29/2022 at 11:33 PM, sfcityduck said:

I'll take this seriously. I'd say no. The reason Action 1 matters is not the cover image, its the first appearance and origin of Superman. 

Some people say Action 7 is the poor man's Action 1 (really upper middle class these days), but the only reason is that it is the second Superman cover. That's not a big enough tie to the true significance of Action 1 for me. After all, Action 2 is the second Superman story. No, I'd say what we should be looking for are Superman's origin story.  And Superman 1 is not a poor man's anything.

So I have two candidates:

(1) is More Fun 101 (1945) - which fleshed out Superman's origin by telling us about his adventures when he was a boy (1st Superboy) and providing new details about Krypton:

(2) is Superman 53 - the detailed origin story put out for a 10th anniversary issue:

 

And both are affordable for normal income people.

Agreed... 

For example I knew early on that while most Silver Age keys were obtainable for me, that a Tec 27 was off the table as was an Action 1.  I got my reprint like a good comic collector should, but I immediately searched for a Batman 47 in my "keeper grade" and eventually did pick up a placeholder copy of Superman 53. 

[lou_fine]

On 9/29/2022 at 6:59 PM, tth2 said:

No.

Agree!!!  

Especially since Action 1 is really nothing more than just the "Rich Man's Action 33 or Superman 19".  

[Point Five]

On 9/29/2022 at 10:01 PM, circumstances said:

Why?

 

He's touching automobiles?

The Superman #19 cover arguably gives you the most touching for your money. Nice closeup with excellent grip and angle.

 

 

What?  

[Crowzilla]

Isn't the Action #1 reprint you posted really the poor man's Action #1?

 

[GermanFan]

On 9/30/2022 at 4:14 AM, CWill2021 said:

A meltdown over this. Seriously? 

 

It could trigger a meltdown. The last straw.

[Park4Miles]

ahhh.. sure. 

[Park4Miles]

Perhaps, this is another "Poor Man's" Action Comics #1...      (although I wish I could buy one)

Edited October 2, 2022 by CWill2021
ok

[shadroch]

A day early......

[Robot Man]

On 9/29/2022 at 8:51 PM, Buzzetta said:

Agreed... 

For example I knew early on that while most Silver Age keys were obtainable for me, that a Tec 27 was off the table as was an Action 1.  I got my reprint like a good comic collector should, but I immediately searched for a Batman 47 in my "keeper grade" and eventually did pick up a placeholder copy of Superman 53. 

Smart move. I did the same. Books like this were considerably less expensive back in the day. And off most people’s radar. I did it with other publishers as well like a Capt. America #59. I figured even the secondary origin stories were worth while and would eventually be popular with other collectors. 
I’ve always been a poor guy but one with vision…

Edited September 30, 2022 by Robot Man

[Forbush-Man]

On 9/29/2022 at 6:50 PM, CWill2021 said:

Two early Superman covers.. no where near the market value of Action Comics #1..  but still valuable and worthy early Superman appearances!  Might they be considered to be "The "Poor Man's Action Comics #1"  ??  

 

 

 

 

 

 

I consider Wonder Comics #1 (1939) the "Poor Man's Action #1";  You get the first Superman imitator with Wonder Man's first & only appearance (the 2nd super powered hero ever), it's unique, scarce and very undervalued considering it's place in history.  JMHO.

Edited September 30, 2022 by Forbush-Man

[eccomic]

This and This 

[Bookery]

It's all relative.  For some, Action #1 is the poor man's Action #1.

 

[fishbone]

Some people say Action 7 is the poor man's Action 1

 

this is what I've always heard

I've had both, does that make me middle-class ?? 

 

Edited September 30, 2022 by fishbone

[PeterPark]

On 9/29/2022 at 11:02 PM, Tri-ColorBrian said:

OK, since I own #19 I will agree that it's a poor man's Action #1...

And, I'll tell you something funny about #19, well maybe not funny as in Ha Ha, but funny as in making DC look less than intelligent:

When DC published Superman #183, the cover showed 3 stories (see below).  It told how rare they supposedly were, and what collector's will pay for a perfect copy, but the top 2 stories are both in #19... and I got my copy of #19 that year for $10...

 

Also poor man's 1st Archie

[PeterPark]

Even with all these alternative books, it ain't cheap to be a poor man!

[Forbush-Man]

On 9/30/2022 at 10:23 AM, PeterPark said:

Even with all these alternative books, it ain't cheap to be a poor man!

It is "Country Club" level collecting so...

[sfcityduck]

On 9/30/2022 at 8:23 AM, eccomic said:

This and This 

I'd rather have the Canadian Triumph in your profile pic over those Brit rags!

[eccomic]

On 9/30/2022 at 2:03 PM, sfcityduck said:

I'd rather have the Canadian Triumph in your profile pic over those Brit rags!

[pemart1966]

On 9/30/2022 at 7:43 AM, CWill2021 said:

Perhaps, THIS is the real  Poor Man's Action Comics #1...   

Yeah?  Have your priced a Whiz 1 lately?