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Superman: The Golden Age #1 cover
Cover: Michael Cho

Superman: The Golden Age #1

May 2016 · DC · 19.99 USD; 23.99 CAD
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"Superman, Champion of the Oppressed!" reimagines the Man of Steel’s earliest days with a grounded, character-driven story written by Jerry Siegel and illustrated by Joe Shuster, whose original art style brings timeless energy to every panel. From stopping an unjust execution to defending Lois Lane from a bully, Superman’s moral compass guides him through a series of high-stakes confrontations, all while Clark Kent digs into a political conspiracy involving Senator Barrows and a shadowy lobbyist. The cover by Michael Cho captures the hero’s idealism with striking precision, making this a must-read for fans of classic superhero storytelling.

Contains 31 stories
Untitled Superhero story
1 pp · Superhero

In "null," a mysterious space vessel from a vanished planet crashes to Earth, carrying a being whose arrival marks the beginning of a new era. With a scientific rationale behind his extraordinary abilities, this survivor from a lost world steps into a world not yet ready for a hero.

Superman, Champion of the Oppressed!
11.67 pp · Superhero
Evelyn CurryBea Carroll (villain)Butch Matson (villain)Senator Barrows (villain)Alex Greer (villain)

In "Superman, Champion of the Oppressed!", the Man of Steel steps in to halt an unjust execution and protect a woman from abuse, all while navigating the growing tension between Clark Kent’s personal life and his duty as a hero. When a dangerous confrontation with Butch Matson puts Lois in peril, Superman must act — and soon, Clark finds himself entangled in a web of political intrigue, tracking down lobbyist Alex Greer to uncover the truth behind Senator Barrows’ push for war in Europe.

Revolution in San Monte, Part 2
12.67 pp · Superhero
Lola CortezVillains: Alex GreerEmil Norvell

In "Revolution in San Monte, Part 2," Clark Kent and Lois Lane investigate rising tensions in San Monte, where a brewing conflict threatens to engulf the region. With the help of local ally Lola Cortez, they uncover a conspiracy orchestrated by munitions manufacturer Emil Norvell—and the dangerous, shadowy figure of Alex Greer—pushing the nation toward war for profit.

The Blakely Mine Disaster
12.67 pp · Superhero
Stanislaw KoberThornton Blakely (villain)

After Superman rescues a group of miners from a cave-in, Clark Kent uncovers troubling signs that the mine’s owner, Thornton Blakely, may be putting lives at risk—manipulating accidents to shift blame onto the workers. With danger lurking beneath the surface, Clark must dig deeper into a story that could expose a dangerous truth.

Superman Plays Football
12.75 pp · Superhero
Tommy BurkeMaryCoach Randall (villain)

In "Superman Plays Football," the Man of Steel steps into the gridiron world when he learns that Coach Randall of Dale University is rigging the game by smuggling in thugs to crush rival Cordell University. Disguised as a Cordell player, Superman must navigate the rough-and-tumble of college football while keeping his identity hidden from a coach who's more villain than mentor.

Superman and the Dam
9 pp · Superhero
Superman's Phony Manager
12.67 pp · Superhero
Nick Williams (villain, introduction)

Clark Kent meets Nick Williams, a slick fighter manager who claims to represent Superman. 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.

Superman Joins the Circus
13 pp · Superhero
CurlyJordanDerek Niles (villain)Trigger

When the Jordan Circus faces financial ruin and its future hangs in the balance, Superman steps in—not as a hero in a cape, but as a performer in the big top. With Curly, Jordan, and the enigmatic Trigger watching from the sidelines, he trades his powers for a spotlight, joining the troupe in a surprising twist that tests both his limits and the circus’s spirit.

Superman in the Slums
12.75 pp · Superhero
Frankie MarelloBox-EarsNickPinkyGimpy (villain)
Wanted: Superman
13 pp · Superhero
Detective Captain ReillyMortimer Snoop

When Superman’s efforts to rebuild a crumbling neighborhood backfire in the eyes of city leadership, Detective Captain Reilly—known for never missing a mark—is tasked with tracking down the hero he now sees as a criminal. With the Chief of Police declaring Superman a wanted man, Reilly and his sharp-eyed assistant, Mortimer Snoop, launch a citywide pursuit that blurs the line between justice and suspicion.

Superman Goes to Prison
13 pp · Superhero
Walter CraneGovernor BixbySuperintendent Wyman

In "Superman Goes to Prison," Superman investigates the brutal conditions at the Coreytown Chain Gang after Clark Kent interviews a former inmate. With the help of Governor Bixby and Superintendent Wyman, he delves into a system built on suffering—only to find that exposing the truth may be the most dangerous move of all.

Superman and the 'Black Gold' Swindle
13 pp · Superhero
Villains: MeekBronson

When a shady oil company bets big on a worthless land deal, they're stunned to find real oil beneath the surface—thanks to Superman’s accidental intervention. Now, with the value of "Black Gold" skyrocketing, the firm led by Meek and Bronson scrambles to buy back their own stock before the truth leaks.

Superman Declares War on Reckless Drivers
13 pp · Superhero

When Clark Kent sees a close friend killed by a careless driver, he’s driven to action—especially when the Mayor refuses to take the issue seriously. Superman takes it upon himself to confront reckless driving in Metropolis, turning his powers toward a new kind of justice.

Superman at the World's Fair
12 pp · Superhero
the Chief [George Taylor ?]Nick Stone (villain)

In "Superman at the World's Fair," Lois and Clark are on assignment to cover the grand event, but when Lois is taken by the elusive Nick Stone, Superman must step in—both to rescue her and ensure the story gets told. With the Chief watching from the sidelines, the Man of Steel balances heroics and journalism in a race against time.

Superman vs. the Cab Protective League
13 pp · Superhero
CarlyleVillains: ReynoldsUltra-Humanite (introduction)

When Superman takes on the Cab Protective League to defend independent cabbies, his fight for justice takes an unexpected turn—only to collide with a new menace. The Ultra-Humanite, a genius whose mind was enhanced by science, emerges with a chilling ambition: to rule the world.

Origin of Superman
2 pp · Superhero

In this foundational tale from Superman: The Golden Age #1, a rocket carrying an infant escapes the destruction of Krypton, crash-landing on Earth where the Kents discover and adopt the boy. As he grows, the child’s extraordinary origins begin to shape the hero he will become.

Prelude to "Superman, Champion of the Oppressed"
4 pp · Superhero
SimsEvelyn CurryBea Carroll (villain)
Scientific Explanation of Superman's Amazing Strength--!
1 pp

In this playful, science-minded tale from *Superman: The Golden Age #1*, Superman’s incredible strength is explained through a clever comparison to Earth’s lighter gravity—drawing parallels to insects like the ant and the grasshopper, whose remarkable abilities in our world would seem superhuman on Krypton. The story uses simple, vivid analogies to make the extraordinary feel grounded, all in just one page.

Superman Meets the Ultra-Humanite
13 pp · Superhero
City Inspector HughesLyonsV: Ultra-Humanite

In a story that crackles with tension and mystery, Superman investigates the collapse of a subway tunnel, uncovering a web of corruption tied to Star, Inc. As he confronts the company’s executives, including City Inspector Hughes and Lyons, the hero is suddenly met with the chilling return of the Ultra-Humanite—bald, calculating, and more dangerous than ever. The battle of wits and strength begins as the man known only as V reemerges, his plans already unfolding beneath the city.

Superman on the High Seas
13 pp · Superhero
HollowayWarren Kenyon"Big Boy" Chaney (villain)Marchetti (villain)Mugsy (villain)

In "Superman on the High Seas," Superman sets sail to uncover a long-lost underwater treasure to save Kidtown, the orphanage where he once found refuge. With the fate of the institution hanging in the balance, he must outwit the likes of "Big Boy" Chaney, Marchetti, and Mugsy, who have their own plans for the sunken riches.

Superman and the Numbers Racket
13 pp · Superhero
Police Commissioner WatsonMarty Kaye (Villain)Butch (Villain)Nick (Villain)Pete (Villain)Jack O'Leary

In "Superman and the Numbers Racket," the Man of Steel takes on the city’s underground gambling empire after a desperate gambler’s plea and a Commissioner Watson’s refusal to act. Facing off against the ruthless syndicate led by Marty Kaye, Butch, Nick, Pete, and Jack O'Leary, Superman steps in to protect the vulnerable and dismantle the numbers racket from within.

The Comeback of Larry Trent
16 pp · Superhero
Larry Trent (introduction)Charlie BennettJock Kane"Slugger" BarnesTom Croy (villain)

In "The Comeback of Larry Trent," a fallen boxing legend finds new hope when Superman intervenes to stop him from taking his life. After learning that Larry Trent was sabotaged by his former manager, Superman dons Trent’s identity to reclaim the title, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown where Trent must rise again—this time, on his own terms.

Superman's Tips For Super-Health
1 pp · Non-Fiction, Superhero
Superman Champions Universal Peace!
24 pp · Superhero
Professor Adolphus Runyan (dies)Ambrose (a monkey, dies)Bartow (villain, introduction)Lubane (villain, introduction, death)

In "Superman Champions Universal Peace!", Clark Kent investigates a startling claim by Professor Adolphus Runyan, who insists he’s developed a gas capable of bypassing any gas mask. When the formula is stolen by a criminal syndicate aiming to profit from the ongoing conflict in Boravia, Superman must intervene—before the deadly invention falls into the wrong hands.

Superman and the Skyscrapers
16 pp · Superhero
Pete Asconio (cameodies)Nat Grayson (villain, introduction)Butch Grogan (villain, introduction, death)

When five construction workers die under mysterious circumstances during the building of the Atlas Building, Superman steps in to uncover the truth. He soon finds himself facing Nat Grayson, a cunning rival determined to sabotage the project by any means necessary—especially as the deadline looms and lives hang in the balance.

The Return of the Ultra-Humanite
13 pp · Superhero
George Taylor (unnamed)Ultra-Humanite

In "The Return of the Ultra-Humanite," Superman faces off against the cunning and relentless Ultra-Humanite, who has launched a dangerous campaign to blackmail and sabotage Deering Lines, threatening to bring the shipping giant to its knees. With the fate of the company—and its employees—in the balance, Superman must outwit a foe whose intellect is as formidable as his ambition.

Superman's Super-Campaign
13 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]Lois LaneGene PowersGeorge Taylor (unnamed)Senator HastingsTrixie (Villain)Hamilton (editor of the Morning Herald, villain)
Superman and the Purple Plague
13 pp · Superhero
Dr. TraversVillain: Ultra-Humanite
Superman and the Runaway
24 pp · Superhero
George TaylorFrankie DennisLyman (villain, introduction)

When Superman rescues a runaway boy from a speeding train, he uncovers a troubling secret: the boy, Frankie Dennis, is fleeing an orphanage run by the cruel George Taylor. With the help of a young man who knows the system from the inside, Superman sets a delicate plan in motion, using Frankie as an undercover agent to expose the truth—while Clark Kent keeps a watchful eye from the shadows.

Attaining Super-Health: A Few Hints from Superman!
1 pp · Non-Fiction, Superhero
SupermanJohnnyLarry
Superman and the Jewel Smugglers
8 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]Jimmy Olsen (as unnamed office boy)George TaylorLois LaneLew Frawley (villain, intro)

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Cast · 8 characters

Full credits

artist, inker, letterer Joe Shuster
cover pencils, inks Michael Cho

Reprints

↩ Reprints Action Comics #1 (1938), Action Comics #2 (1938), Action Comics #3 (1938), Action Comics #4 (1938), Action Comics #5 (1938), Action Comics #6 (1938), Action Comics #7 (1938), Action Comics #8 (1939), Action Comics #9 (1939), Action Comics #10 (1939), Action Comics #11 (1939), Action Comics #12 (1939), Action Comics #13 (1939), New York World's Fair Comics #[1] (1939), Action Comics #14 (1939), Superman #[1] (1939), Action Comics #15 (1939), Action Comics #16 (1939), Action Comics #17 (1939), Superman #2 (1939), Action Comics #18 (1939), Action Comics #19 (1939), Superman #3 (1940)

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