Action Comics #419

Dec 1972 · DC · 0.20 USD

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★ 1st appearance — Christopher Chance

Contains 2 stories

The Most Dangerous Man on Earth!

14 pp · Superhero

Moe MalloyVincent Appleton

In "The Most Dangerous Man on Earth!", a homeless man stumbles upon strange glowing shoes and a rusted pistol that unleash terrifying energy beams. When Superman tries to intervene, he finds himself trapped by the same deadly force—every step he takes on the ground triggers explosive bursts of energy.

The Assassin-Express Contract!

9.5 pp · Superhero

LuigiT. C. NewmanHarry Cheever

ComicBooks.com Value

Our Model is In Beta

Raw (Fine) $49

CGC 9.8 · 33 in census $859

CGC 9.6 · 53 in census $397

CGC 9.4 · 37 in census $312

CGC 9.2 · 43 in census $312*

CGC 9.0 · 19 in census $142

CGC 8.5 · 30 in census $142*

Show all 19 grades ▾

CGC 8.0 · 19 in census $142

CGC 7.5 · 15 in census $142*

CGC 7.0 · 18 in census $142

CGC 6.5 · 13 in census $73*

CGC 6.0 · 13 in census $70*

CGC 5.5 · 5 in census $55*

CGC 5.0 · 6 in census $52*

CGC 4.5 · 4 in census $45

CGC 4.0 · 4 in census $45*

CGC 3.5 · 3 in census $37*

CGC 3.0 · 3 in census $33*

CGC 2.5 none in existence

CGC 2.0 none in existence

* 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

VG $84 VG $90 CGC 4 $202.95 Action Comics #419 (1972) 1st Human Target Brazilian Foreign Key ebal neal adams $150 Action Comics #419 1st App. Human Target ~ Vintage 1972 DC Superman Comics 🔑 $179.99 Action Comics #419 1st App. Human Target ~ Vintage 1972 DC Superman Comics 🔑 $279.99 Action Comics #419 1972 DC First Printing Original Comic Book $284.95 🔥Original Hand-drawn Commission of SUPERGIRL by Chad Hardin Action Comics #419 $375

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Trivia · 8 facts

First appearance and origin-introduction of Christopher Chance, the Human Target (DC's modern incarnation), in the 10-page backup story 'The Assassin-Express Contract!'
Human Target created by writer Len Wein, penciler Carmine Infantino, and inker Dick Giordano — all confirmed across DC editorial records and multiple reference sources.
Cover date: December 1972; Bronze Age era. Editor on both stories: Julius Schwartz.
Superman lead story 'The Most Dangerous Man on Earth!' written by Cary Bates, penciled by Curt Swan, and inked by Murphy Anderson; features Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and a street-level villain empowered by mysterious alien energy.
The cover is a partial photo-fumetti composition: Neal Adams drew Superman in flight over a photographed city background, with Jack Adler providing color and photographic elements and Murphy Anderson inking Adams's figure.
The Human Target backup was reprinted in The Best of DC #30 (November 1982), Action Comics: 80 Years of Superman: The Deluxe Edition, and The DC Universe by Len Wein collection.
Christopher Chance went on to headline two self-titled television series — portrayed by Rick Springfield (ABC, 1992) and Mark Valley (Fox, 2010) — and made Arrowverse guest appearances portrayed by Wil Traval; the character also received a Vertigo ongoing series (2003, written by Peter Milligan) and a DC Black Label 12-issue limited series by Tom King and Greg Smallwood (2021).
DC published a Facsimile Edition of Action Comics #419 on February 25, 2026, including a foil variant cover — confirming the issue's continuing editorial significance as a recognized Bronze Age landmark.