Superman #3
In "Superman and the Runaway," the Man of Steel tackles a mystery that blends real-world curiosities with his trademark heroism—like the surprising lethality of kitchen matches and the odd history of men's hats—while keeping the tone grounded in the everyday oddities of 1940s life. Written, drawn, and inked by George Papp, this classic tale showcases Superman’s powers in a story that’s as much about the world’s quirks as it is about saving the day. The cover, by Joe Shuster, captures the era’s bold style, a fitting frame for a comic that’s both timeless and deeply of its time.
In "Superman and the Runaway," Superman rescues a frightened boy named Frankie Dennis from a speeding train, only to uncover a darker truth: the orphanage he fled is run by a cruel superintendent, Lyman, who mistreats the children. Taking a personal interest, Superman enlists Frankie’s help to quietly investigate from within, using the boy’s courage and insider knowledge to expose the abuse.
In "Superman and the Dam," Clark Kent—still reeling from being double-crossed by Lois and fired by editor Taylor—races to the Valley-Ho Dam to prevent disaster. Though he arrives too late to stop the breach, Superman springs into action, rescuing Lois from the rising floodwaters and redirecting the torrent away from the city.
Clark Kent meets Nick Williams, a slick fighter manager who claims to be Superman’s personal representative. When Lois uncovers a fake Superman linked to Williams, the real Man of Steel must move fast to protect her—before the deception turns deadly.
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↩ Reprints Action Comics #5 (1938), Action Comics #6 (1938)
Reprinted in Action Comics #19 (1939), Action Comics #20 (1940), Detective Comics #35 (1940), The Great Comic Book Heroes #[nn] (1977), Superman from the Thirties to the Eighties #[nn] (1983), The Superman Archives #1 (1989), The Superman Archives #2 (1990), DC Archiv Edition #5 (1999), The Superman Chronicles #2 (2007), Action! Mystery! Thrills! Comic Book Covers of the Golden Age: 1933-45 #[nn] (2011), Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus #1 (2013), Superman: The Golden Age #1 (2016), Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus #2 (2016), Superman: The Golden Age #3 (2017), Superman: The Golden Age #4 (2018), DC Finest: Superman: The First Superhero #[nn] (2025)
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