ComicBookReligion.com logo

Action Comics (vol. 1) #1 (June 1938):
untitled 1-page Superman origin story
by Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster

Action Comics (vol. 1) #1

Title: untitled 1-page Superman origin story

Medium: comic

Cover date: June 1938

Publisher: DC
Written by: Jerry Siegel
Art by: Joe Shuster


7 characters in this story:

Character
(Click links for info about character
and his/her religious practice, affiliation, etc.)
Religious
Affiliation
Team(s)
[Notes]
Pub. #
app.
Superman Superman (Clark Kent) hero
CBR Scale: S Methodist / Kryptonian religion
Kryptonians; Super Friends...  DC 13,409
unnamed orphanage operator supporting character
 indeterminate  [relieved when Kents adopted super-strong baby (Superman)] DC 1
unnamed orphan babies supporting character group
 indeterminate  [in orphanage at same time as infant Clark Kent] DC 1
unnamed doctor supporting character
 indeterminate  [unable to use needle on Clark Kent's invulnerable skin] DC 1
unnamed orphanage attendants unnamed orphanage attendants
(1-panel cameo)
supporting character group
 indeterminate  [cared for Superman as infant in orphanage] DC 2
Jonathan Kent Jonathan Kent
(mentioned)
supporting character
CBR Scale: S Methodist
[Superman's adoptive father] DC 816
Jor-El Jor-El
(mentioned)
supporting character
CBR Scale: S Kryptonian religion
Kryptonians
[father of Kal-El (Superman)]
DC 251

Excerpts

BELOW: Superman was introduced in this 1-page origin story published in Action Comics #1 (June 1938).

Superman was introduced in this 1-page origin story published in Action Comics #1 (June 1938).

Source: Action Comics (vol. 1) #1 (June 1938): untitled 1-page Superman origin story, pg. 1. Written by Jerry Siegel. Art by Joe Shuster.

BELOW: Champion of the oppressed: "Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind":

Champion of the oppressed: Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind

Source: Action Comics (vol. 1) #1 (June 1938): untitled 1-page Superman origin story, pg. 1, panel 7. Written by Jerry Siegel. Art by Joe Shuster. See also: benefit mankind; Superman (Clark Kent)

BELOW: Superman's origin is reminiscent of the Biblical story of Moses being set in a basket on a river in order to save his life. Being sent by his father to Earth to "benefit mankind" is reminiscent of the Biblical account of Jesus.

Superman's origin is reminiscent of the Biblical story of Moses being set in a basket on a river in order to save his life. Being sent by his father to Earth to benefit mankind is reminiscent of the Biblical account of Jesus.

Source: Action Comics (vol. 1) #1 (June 1938): untitled 1-page Superman origin story, pg. 1, panel 1, 7. Written by Jerry Siegel. Art by Joe Shuster. See also: Old Testament parallels; Christ parallels; Jewish; Christian (generic); Superman (Clark Kent)