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Action Comics #119 cover
Cover: Win Mortimer & Stan Kaye

Action Comics #119

Apr 1948 · DC · 0.10 USD
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In "Superman for a Day!", a cunning con artist named P. Piper uses his magical flute to outwit crooks in Hicksville and then Oak City, only to be betrayed by corrupt politicians. When he meets the mysterious Zatara, the flute’s power takes a surprising turn—turning criminals into human-sized rats. The story, written by Joe Samachson and illustrated by William White, features a memorable cover by Win Mortimer and Stan Kaye, capturing the whimsy and charm of a 1948 DC adventure.

Contains 6 stories
Superman for a Day!
12 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]Lois LaneThe Helicopter Bandits (villains)Jim Banning (also spelled Blanning)Martin Grew

In "Superman for a Day!", Lois Lane devises a daring plan to catch the Helicopter Bandits by convincing the public that Clark Kent is Superman—just for a day. With the real Man of Steel away on a mission, Clark steps into the role, and the city watches as a new kind of hero takes flight.

Treasure Trove!
5.67 pp · Adventure
Congo BillCount Narski (villain)Greg WhitneyOtto
Concert for Crime!
7 pp · Adventure, Fantasy, Superhero
Zatara [Giovanni "John" Zatara]P. Piperthe Mayor of Oak City (villain)

In "Concert for Crime!" from Action Comics #119 (1948), P. Piper, a flutist with a flair for justice, brings his unique brand of crook-catching to Oak City—luring criminals with flashy money, then incapacitating them with gas. When the town’s politicians betray him, he crosses paths with the mysterious Zatara, whose magic turns the villains into human-sized rats. The story ends with the incoming mayor finally giving Piper the recognition he deserves.

Untitled Humor story
4 pp · Humor
Cabbie CaseyMoiph

In "null," Jo takes a quirky new job as a cab driver, only to discover her vehicle is held together entirely by welds—no rivets at all. As she picks up her first fare, the car begins to disintegrate in the most literal sense, leaving her stranded in the middle of the street.

The Birthday That Backfired!
9 pp · Adventure, Superhero
The Vigilante [Greg Saunders]Stuff, the Chinatown KidThe Rainbow Man (villain)Pop Gunn
Untitled Humor story
0.5 pp · Humor

ComicBooks.com Value

Our Model is In Beta
Raw (Good) $121
CGC 9.8 · 1 in census $7,778*
CGC 9.6 none in existence
CGC 9.4 none in existence
CGC 9.2 none in existence
CGC 9.0 · 1 in census $1,357*
CGC 8.5 · 1 in census $947*
Show all 22 grades
CGC 8.0 · 1 in census $743*
CGC 7.5 · 3 in census $596
CGC 7.0 · 2 in census $496*
CGC 6.5 · 2 in census $399
CGC 6.0 · 1 in census $321
CGC 5.5 · 2 in census $294
CGC 5.0 · 3 in census $281
CGC 4.5 · 1 in census $245*
CGC 4.0 · 1 in census $213*
CGC 3.5 none in existence
CGC 3.0 · 2 in census $168*
CGC 2.5 none in existence
CGC 2.0 · 1 in census $118
CGC 1.5 none in existence
CGC 1.0 none in existence
CGC 0.5 · 1 in census $61
* estimate — limited direct-sales data at this grade
Our model’s value — refined as new sales data arrives · CGC census counts shown where available

More listings for this title

FR $200 GD $330 Action Comics #119 April/1948! $275
Related listings we couldn't confirm as this exact issue · 3 total · seen 35 days ago
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Cast · 4 characters

Full credits

artist, inker William White
cover pencils Win Mortimer
cover inks Stan Kaye

Reprints

Reprinted in Action Comics #119 (1948), Superman #10 (1948), Superman Super Library #32 (1967), Superman in Action Comics #1 (1993), Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus #6 (2019)

Key issues in Action Comics

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