Action Comics (vol. 1) #16 (Sep. 1939):
“Superman and the Numbers Racket”
by Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster

Action Comics (vol. 1) #16

Title: “Superman and the Numbers Racket”

Medium: comic

Cover date: Sep. 1939

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

13 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 (Clark Kent)	Methodist / Kryptonian religion	Kryptonians; Super Friends...  The Justice League		13,409
unnamed suicidal gambler	compulsive gambler	[1st app: Action Comics (vol. 1) #16 (Sep. 1939)]		1
Marty Kaye	indeterminate	[business owner; gambler]		1
Jack O'Leary	indeterminate	[boss of illegal numbers rackets in Metropolis]		1
Commissioner Watson (8-panel cameo)	indeterminate	[corrupt; took "protection" bribes from illegal gamblers]		1
unnamed barber (8-panel cameo)	indeterminate	[bookie; ran an illegal numbers racket]		1
unnamed gambler (6-panel cameo)	compulsive gambler	[Superman told him to stop gambling]		1
George Taylor (4-panel cameo)	religious/ethical	[Clark Kent's first boss]		65
Nick (4-panel cameo)	manifestly non-religious	[thug; bouncer]		3
Pete (4-panel cameo)	manifestly non-religious	[thug; bouncer]		3
unnamed poor people (2-panel cameo)	religious	[some impoverished Metropolis citizens]		1
Samson (mentioned)	Jewish	[1st app: Old Testament (1050 B.C.)]		60
Butch (mentioned)	manifestly non-religious	[thug; bouncer]		2

Webpage for Action Comics #16 (Sep. 1939) created 15 January 2009. Last modified 28 October 2013.

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