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Action Comics #171 cover
Cover: Win Mortimer

Action Comics #171

Aug 1952 · DC · 0.10 USD
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In "The Secrets of Superman!", Superman prepares a time capsule for future generations, including a personal message revealing his secret identity as Clark Kent—only for the tape to go missing. With his memory fading after a recent explosion, Superman races to recover the recording before its contents fall into the wrong hands. Written by John Broome and illustrated by Wayne Boring, with inks by Stan Kaye, this 1952 classic features a cover by Win Mortimer that captures the mystery and urgency of the moment.

Contains 7 stories
The Secrets of Superman!
12 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]Major OwensLois LaneJack WildeDoctor Williams

In "The Secrets of Superman!", Superman prepares a time capsule for future generations, including a personal message revealing his secret identity as Clark Kent—only for the tape to vanish. With his memory growing hazy after a recent explosion, Superman must track down the missing recording before its contents are lost forever.

The Invaders of Indigo Island!
5.67 pp · Adventure, Drama, Jungle
Congo BillBarry Mason
Untitled Humor story
0.5 pp · Humor
Untitled Humor story
0.67 pp · Humor
The Phantom Space Ship!
5.67 pp · Adventure, Science Fiction
Colonel Tommy TomorrowCaptain Brent WoodCaptain MarstonJohn Lawson

In "The Phantom Space Ship!" from Action Comics #171, young inventor Tommy stumbles upon a dangerous conspiracy when he uncovers businessman John Lawson's scheme to sabotage his own spaceship, The Pallas, and frame pilot Captain Marston for the crash—all to collect on a hefty insurance payout. With the fate of the mission and Marston’s reputation hanging in the balance, Tommy must find a way to expose the truth before it’s too late.

Untitled Humor story
0.5 pp · Humor
A Cell for Vigilante!
8 pp · Adventure, Superhero
Vigilante [Greg Sanders]Stuff, the Chinatown KidBart Lanigan (crook)Outlaw Billy Butler (crook)Colonel Oveido

In "A Cell for Vigilante!" from Action Comics #171, Vigilante endures hard labor in a prison camp, sorting crates of fruit as penance for defying Peaceville’s strict ban on firearms. Stripped of his usual tools and freedom, he must navigate the harsh routine while still clinging to the principles that define him.

ComicBooks.com Value

Our Model is In Beta
Raw (Good) $100
CGC 7.0 · 2 in census $352*
CGC 6.5 · 1 in census $352
CGC 6.0 · 2 in census $352
CGC 5.5 · 3 in census $249
CGC 5.0 none in existence
CGC 4.5 none in existence
Show all 11 grades
CGC 4.0 · 4 in census $170
CGC 3.5 · 2 in census $128
CGC 3.0 · 1 in census $114*
CGC 2.5 · 1 in census $92*
CGC 2.0 · 1 in census $78*
* estimate — limited direct-sales data at this grade
Our model’s value — refined as new sales data arrives · CGC census counts shown where available
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Full credits

inker Stan Kaye
cover pencils, inks Win Mortimer

Reprints

Reprinted in Superman #67 (1953), Stålmannen #1/1954 (1954), Batman (1ª Série) #21 (1954), Supercomic #4 (1967), Superman in Action Comics #1 (1993), Supermán #67, Supermán Librocomic #28

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