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Issue: Superman #3
Publication Date: January 1940
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Disclose Detail
Issues: #3 of 423 Issues (608 Printings)
Title:
Variant: unnamed
Rating: [no rating]
Publisher: FlagDC
Brand: none
Indicia Publisher: Detective Comics Inc.
On Sale Date: 11/15/1939
Volume: none
Pages: 68
ISBN: none
UPC/EAN: none
Price: $0.10 USD
Indicia Frequency:
Content Items: 17 (10 stories, 1 cover)
Editor(s):  
Disclose Notes: The November 10, 1939 on-sale date is the publication date reported in the U. S. Copyright Office filing in the Catalog of Copyright Entries, Part 2, Periodicals, New Series, Volume 35, January-December 1940, Numbers 1-4. However, a house ad in Action Comics #19 states the issue would be on sale on November 15, 1939. Class B periodical. Copyright number B 443035.
  Does this data need corrections? Become an editor.
Disclose Format
Publication Type: Comic Book
Color: color
Dimensions: standard Golden Age U.S.; standard Silver Age U.S.; standard Modern Age U.S.
Paper Stock: glossy cover; newsprint interior
Binding: saddle-stitched; squarebound (#183, 187, 193, 197, 202, 207, 212, 217, 222, 227, 245, 252, 272, 278, 284)
Publishing Format: was ongoing series
Format Notes:  
Disclose Reprinted In24
Disclose Reprinted From2
Disclose Images2
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Assets1
Indicia
 
 
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Disclose Content Items (17 total)
Disclose Issue Images
Amazing Adventures of the Greatest Man on Earth: Superman!

Illustration  on  Cover, Front
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Reprinting
In Issue: FlagAction! Mystery! Thrills! Comic Book Covers of the Golden Age: 1933-45 #[nn] published December 2011
In Content Item: FlagSuperman from the Thirties to the Eighties #[nn] published January 1983
as Superman in the 1930s [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #1 [Standard Edition] published February 1989
as Superman #3 [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #1 [Standard Edition] published February 1989
as Back Cover [Promotional Material (from Publisher) on Interior Page(s)]backcover; 1/4 page
In Content Item: FlagSuperman: The Golden Age Omnibus #1 published August 2013
as Superman #3 [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Joe Shuster hand drew Superman logos until the classic Ira Schnapp logo appears with Superman (DC, 1939 Series) #6 (September-October 1940).
Disclose
[untitled]

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (ad copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #1 [Standard Edition] published February 1989
as [untitled] [Advertisement on Interior Page(s)]1/4 page
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Inside front cover.
Disclose
Superman, America's Greatest Adventure Strip Character!

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #1 [Standard Edition] published February 1989
as Superman, America's Greatest Adventure Strip Character! [Illustration on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
Superman and the Runaway

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Character(s): Frankie Dennis; Lyman (villain, introduction)
Synopsis: When Superman saves a runaway boy from being run over by a train, he discovers the child is from an orphanage where the superintendent abuses the children in a variety of ways. So the Man of Tomorrow enlists the aid of the young man to act as an undercover agent to spy on things and report back to Clark Kent.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #1 [Standard Edition] published February 1989
as Superman and the Runaway [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagSuperman: The Golden Age Omnibus #1 published August 2013
as Superman and the Runaway [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes: from Superman daily (McClure Syndicate, 1939 series) 1939-06-12 - 1939-07-22
Miscellaneous
Pages: 24
Disclose
The Greatest Contest in Comic Magazine History!

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: activity, superhero
Synopsis: Announcement of a contest, open only to members of the Supermen of America club, whose details would be given in the January issue of Action Comics (DC, 1938 series), on sale December 1st. These pages showed the prizes that would be offered to the winners in the contest.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #1 [Standard Edition] published February 1989
as The Greatest Contest in Comic Magazine History! [Promotional Material (from Publisher) on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 2
Disclose
Superman and the Dam

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
First Line: Another astounding adventure of the strongest man on earth!!
Synopsis: Although Lois has double-crossed him and editor Taylor has fired him, Clark Kent (as Superman) heads to the Valley-Ho Dam to prevent it from collapsing. Unfortunately too late on the scene, the Man of Tomorrow manages to save Lois from drowning and divert the flood waters away from the city.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #1 [Standard Edition] published February 1989
as Superman and the Dam [Story on Interior Page(s)]
From Content Item: FlagAction Comics #5 published October 1938
was Superman and the Dam [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 9
Disclose Notes: Superman's and Lois' first kiss.

The last panel on the last page of the sequence, which originally encouraged readers to turn to the inside back cover to learn how they can win one of the $25 prizes being given away, has been modified here into a plug for the Supermen of America.

Superman logo is a one-off version done by Shuster. It is without any 3D effect.
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: informational, non-fiction
Feature(s): Fantastic Facts
First Line: Humuhumunukunkuapuaa is the name given by natives to Hawaii's smallest fish!
Synopsis: The fantastic facts illustrated here include: 1) there is enough phosphorous in three old style kitchen matches to kill a person; 2) men once paid taxes on their beards; 3) gangster films were the reason the sales of men's caps had declined over the last ten years; 4) Humuhumunukunkuapuaa is the name given by natives to Hawaii's smallest fish; and 5) the water around an iceberg is warm.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #1 [Standard Edition] published February 1989
as [untitled] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
Death by the Stars

Text Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: horror, occult
Character(s): Emil Brandwan (death); Sgt. Steve Hanley; Professor Louis Morton; Stephen Gregory; Jack Lowell; Robert Shelton (villain)
Synopsis: Six men, gathered in an astrologer's exotic studio, are shocked to hear Emil Brandwan announce that, according to the stars, he is to die that very night at 7pm.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #1 [Standard Edition] published February 1989
as Death by the Stars [Text Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 2
Disclose
Superman's Phony Manager

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Character(s): Nick Williams (villain)
First Line: Dedicated to assisting the helpless and oppressed, is a mystery-man named Superman...
Synopsis: Clark Kent is introduced to a fighter manager who claims to be Superman's personal manager. But when Lois discovers the existence of a phony Superman, who is tied to that manager, the real Superman must act quickly to save Lois' life.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #1 [Standard Edition] published February 1989
as Superman's Phony Manager [Story on Interior Page(s)]
From Content Item: FlagAction Comics #6 published November 1938
was Superman's Phony Manager [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 12.67
Disclose
Muscle-Training

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: informational, non-fiction
Synopsis: Illustrated are several techniques on muscle training that, if practiced, can give someone a crushing hand grip.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #1 [Standard Edition] published February 1989
as Muscle-Training [Activity on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.33
Disclose
Attaining Super-Health: A Few Hints from Superman!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: informational, non-fiction, superhero
Character(s): Johnny; Larry
First Line: The secret if building powerful muscular control is regular daily exercise!
Synopsis: Readers are encouraged by Superman to have regular, daily exercise, join an exercise club, don't slouch, and eat a well-rounded diet.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #1 [Standard Edition] published February 1989
as Attaining Super-Health: A Few Hints from Superman! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
Good Luck Charm

Text Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure, crime
Character(s): Tony Carrenzo (villain); Lucky Malone (villain, death); Rhani Kor (death)
Synopsis: Lucky Malone had killed a Hindu mystic to get some jewels and a locket from him years ago. Now that he and Tony have successfully escaped from prison, Lucky once more believes the locket is his lucky charm, able to see him through any situation...or so he thinks!
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #1 [Standard Edition] published February 1989
as Good Luck Charm [Text Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: anthropomorphic, humorous
First Line: Danger! Keep Away
Synopsis: Shorty chases after another dog who steals his bone.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #1 [Standard Edition] published February 1989
as [untitled] [Cartoon on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
Superman and the Jewel Smugglers

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Character(s): Lew Frawley (villain, introduction)
First Line: The editor's waiting to see you in his office, Kent, better hurry!
Synopsis: Superman must save Lois' life and stop criminals who are smuggling in jewels for Europeans to escape paying custom duties.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #1 [Standard Edition] published February 1989
as Superman and the Jewel Smugglers [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagSuperman: The Golden Age Omnibus #1 published August 2013
as Superman and the Jewel Smugglers [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes: from Superman daily (McClure Syndicate, 1939 series) 1939-03-20 - 1939-04-01
Miscellaneous
Pages: 8
Disclose
Superman!

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Synopsis: Promotional house advertisement for Superman in Action Comics (DC, 1938 series).
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #1 [Standard Edition] published February 1989
as Superman! [Promotional Material (from Publisher) on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
[untitled]

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (ad copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #1 [Standard Edition] published February 1989
as [untitled] [Advertisement on Interior Page(s)]1/4 page
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Inside back cover.
Disclose
3 Ways to Git a Carbine fer Christmas

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (ad copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Feature(s): Daisy Air Rifles
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #1 [Standard Edition] published February 1989
as Boys! I'll Help You Get a Daisy for Your Birthday [Advertisement on Interior Page(s)]1/4 page
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Archives #2 published November 1990
as [untitled] [Advertisement on Interior Page(s)]1/4 page
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Back cover.

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