Action Comics #23
Action Comics #23 (cover date April 1940) stands as one of the most consequential single issues in DC's Golden Age output because it introduces Luthor — known simply by that surname — who would grow into Superman's defining archenemy and one of the most recognizable villains in the history of the medium. The issue also carries the first in-comic mention of the Daily Planet, retiring the earlier name 'Daily Star' and cementing the fictional geography that would underpin Superman stories for decades. A third debut within the same 68-page package — the swashbuckling Jon Valor, the Black Pirate — demonstrates how densely the anthology format seeded the DC universe during the Golden Age. Together, these introductions make this a single issue that reshaped not just one character's mythology but the structural vocabulary of the entire Superman franchise.
In "Europe at War, Part 2," Superman—working undercover as Clark Kent with Lois Lane—uncovers a web of sabotage orchestrated by a shadowy munitions tycoon, Luthor, who's fueling the conflict between the nations of Galonia and Toran. With Lois taken hostage aboard Luthor’s massive dirigible, Superman races to stop the war before it consumes the continent. Written by Jerome Siegel and illustrated by Joe Shuster, with inks by Paul Cassidy, and featuring a cover by Shuster and Cassidy, this early Superman tale blends wartime intrigue with the hero’s relentless drive to protect the innocent.
In "Europe at War, Part 2," Superman, reporting as Clark Kent alongside Lois Lane, uncovers a web of deception as he investigates the escalating conflict between Galonia and Toran—only to discover that the true architect is a shadowy munitions manufacturer named Luthor. When Lois is taken hostage and whisked away to Luthor’s massive dirigible, Superman races to stop the man behind the war before it consumes the continent.
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The Superman lead story, 'Europe at War Part II,' was written by Jerry Siegel and drawn by Joe Shuster (with inks attributed to studio artist Paul Cassidy), under editor Whitney Ellsworth and assistant editor Murray Boltinoff at Detective Comics, Inc. Gardner Fox, one of the most prolific writers of the Golden Age, scripted the Zatara backup 'The Treasure Tower,' with art by the feature's regular artist Fred Guardineer, who had handled Zatara since Action Comics #1; the issue also marks the debut of Sheldon Moldoff as the artist and creator of the Black Pirate. Copyright records filed with the U.S. Copyright Office give the publication date as February 23, 1940, creating a disputed priority question with Superman #4, which appears to have reached newsstands roughly a week earlier yet tells a story clearly set after Action #23's events — DC officially designates Action #23 as the chronologically primary Luthor introduction.
Trivia · 8 facts
- First appearance of Luthor (named only 'Luthor' — no given name assigned until 1960), created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster; he is portrayed here with a full head of red hair, not the bald look the character would later become famous for.
- Luthor's debut scheme places him in a stratospheric dirigible lair, from which he manipulates two fictional European nations into war, planning to assume global control once the nations are exhausted — a plot that introduces the template of the supervillain as puppeteer rather than mere brute.
- The story contains the first in-comic use of the name 'Daily Planet' for Clark Kent's employer; Clark's paper had previously been called the Daily Star, and no in-story explanation is given for the change.
- First appearance of the Black Pirate (Jon Valor), a 16th-century English privateer and masked avenger, written and drawn entirely by Sheldon Moldoff — Action Comics #23 is the sole issue that debuts both Luthor and this character.
- The Zatara backup, 'The Treasure Tower,' written by Gardner Fox and drawn by Fred Guardineer, features the Tigress as a recurring villain, competing with Zatara to find a treasure-filled tower.
- The issue is an anthology of seven stories featuring backup features including Tex Thomson, Clip Carson, Pep Morgan, and the Three Aces (Gunner Bill, Fog Fortune, and Whistler Will), reflecting the broad genre range of the early Action Comics format.
- The Superman story was reprinted in multiple collected editions including Superman: The Action Comics Archives Vol. 2, Superman Chronicles Vol. 3, Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 1, and Lex Luthor: A Celebration of 75 Years.
- DC published an official facsimile edition of this issue in 2025 (with foil and blank sketch variants), confirming the publisher's own recognition of the issue's foundational place in Superman's history.
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Reprinted in Superman in Action Comics #1 (1993), Superman: The Action Comics Archives #2 (1998), Superman in the Forties #[nn] (2005), Superman vs. Lex Luthor #[nn] (2006), The Superman Chronicles #3 (2007), Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus #1 (2013), DC Comics Graphic Novel Collection #15 (2015), Superman: The War Years 1938-1945 #[nn] (2015), Lex Luthor: A Celebration of 75 Years #[nn] (2016), Superman: The Golden Age #2 (2017), Superman: The 85th Anniversary Collection #[nn] (2023), DC Finest: Superman: The First Superhero #[nn] (2025), Action Comics 23 (Facsimile Edition) #[nn] (2025)
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