Cover: Leo O'Mealia

Action Comics #5

Oct 1938 · DC · 0.10 USD

📊 ~105,088 copies sold its debut month

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“Superman and the Dam”

From October 1938, this fifth issue of DC's Action Comics arrives with a striking desert cover by Leo O'Mealia — a bare-chested, powerfully built man clutching a small pistol stands atop a sandy dune, surrounded below by sword-wielding adversaries closing in from both sides. The tension in that lone figure's stance, outnumbered and defiant against a vivid teal sky, captures the pulp-adventure spirit that made this anthology title so compelling in its early days. Inside, Sven Elvén brings the Superman story "Superman and the Dam" to life, making this a genuinely exciting snapshot of comics storytelling at the dawn of the Golden Age.

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artist, inker Sven Elvén · letterer Sven Elven · cover Leo O'Mealia

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Cast · 14 characters

Bing Crosby Bob Daley Chuck Dawson Fred Astaire George Taylor Lois Lane Marco Polo Pep Morgan Rusty James Scoop Scanlon Superman Tex Thomson Tong Zatara

Full credits

artist, inker Sven Elvén

letterer Sven Elven

cover pencils, inks Leo O'Mealia

Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers

▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers

Marco rescues his uncle and father from the coils of a giant python. Their caravan reaches the town of Kerman where they enjoy the comforts of civilization.

Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).