Superman
#53
(July-August 1948)
DC,
1939 Series
- Price
- 0.10 USD
- Pages
- 52
- Indicia Frequency
- bi-monthly
- On-sale Date
- 1948-05-03
- Indicia / Colophon Publisher
- National Comics Publications Inc.
- Brand
-
A Superman DC Publication
- Editing
- Whitney Ellsworth (credited) (editor); Jack Schiff (managing editor); Mort Weisinger (actual editor)
Issue Notes
On-sale date from copyright registration. On-sale date of May 5 in blurb at the end of the Superman story in Action Comics #121.
- Parts of this issue are reprinted:
-
in Superman: The Golden Age Sundays (IDW, 2013 series) #[2] - 1946-1949 (September 2014)
-
The Origin of Superman
Superman / cover / 1 page
- Genre
- superhero
- Characters
- Superman [Clark Kent]
- Reprints
-
in Superman (K. G. Murray, 1950 series) #4 -
in Superman (National Comics Publications of Canada Ltd, 1948 series) #53 ([July-August, 1948]) -
in スーパーマン [Superman] [Suupaaman] (National Publications, 1949 series) #1 (昭和24年4月15日) -
in Stålmannen (Centerförlaget, 1949 series) #1/1949 (september-oktober 1949) which is reprinted - in Stålmannen jubileumsalbum (Williams Förlags AB, 1974 series) (1974), (1974)
- in Stålmannen (Williams Förlags AB, 1969 series) #12/1974 ([26 november] 1974) [svartvitt nytryck]
- in Superman Annual (Atlas Publishing, 1951 series) #1951-2 (1951)
-
in Superman Bumper Edition (K. G. Murray, 1951 series) #1 (October 1951) -
in Stålmannen (Serieforlaget / Se-Bladene / Stabenfeldt, 1952 series) #1/1952 (juni 1952) which is reprinted - in Donald Duck & Co De komplette årgangene (Hjemmet / Egmont, 1998 series) #[65] - 1964 del 2 ([november] 2008) [0.25 side]
- in Fantom-hefte (Hjemmet / Egmont, 2008 series) #1953 ([februar 2009])
- in Serieskatter (Hjemmet / Egmont, 2015 series) #2 ([november] 2015)
-
in Buntes Allerlei (Aller Verlag, 1953 series) #42/1953 (20. Oktober 1953) which is reprinted - in Superman: A Celebration of 75 Years (DC, 2013 series) (2013 [January 2014])
- in Serieskatter (Hjemmet / Egmont, 2015 series) #2 ([november] 2015) [original, 0.25 page]
- in Superman Anthologie (Panini Deutschland, 2018 series) (2018)
- in Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus (DC, 2013 series) #6 ([September] 2019)
-
Editorial Advisory Board
promo (ad from the publisher) / 0.33 page
Indexer Notes
Inside front cover.
An Open Letter to Superman Fans
Superman / text story / 0.67 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Dear friends: When I told Superman he ought to write to you all himself on his Tenth Anniversary of his first appearance in Action Comics Magazine, he backed away like a scared kitten.
- Genre
- superhero
- Synopsis
- List of Superman's accomplishments in the "real world."
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
Inside front cover.
The Origin of Superman!
Superman / comic story / 10 pages
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Who is Superman? Where did he come from? How did he obtain his miraculous powers?
- Feature Logo
Superman [classic design, angled u bottom]- Genre
- superhero
- Characters
- Jor-El (flashback); John Kent (flashback); Mary Kent (flashback); Lara (flashback); Luthor (cameo); Superman [Clark Kent]; Nitro Kale (criminal)
- Synopsis
- After a prologue which demonstrates Superman's amazing abilities, his origin is recounted. On the scientifically advanced planet of Krypton, Jor-El fails to convince the Council of Five that Krypton is doomed. As Krypton explodes, Jor-El and Lara send their son to Earth, where he is found and adopted by the elderly Kents. As Clark grows to maturity he manifests abilities far beyond that of mortal men. On his deathbed, his father urges Clark to become a powerful force for good as Superman.
- Reprints
- in Superman (National Comics Publications of Canada Ltd, 1948 series) #53 ([July-August, 1948])
- in スーパーマン [Superman] [Suupaaman] (National Publications, 1949 series) #1 (昭和24年4月15日)
- in Stålmannen (Centerförlaget, 1949 series) #1/1949 (september-oktober 1949) which is reprinted
- in Stålmannen (Semic, 1984 series) #9/1984
- in Stålmannen jubileumsalbum (Williams Förlags AB, 1974 series) (1974)
- in Stålmannen (Williams Förlags AB, 1969 series) #12/1974 ([26 november] 1974)
- in Stålmannen (Serieforlaget / Se-Bladene / Stabenfeldt, 1952 series) #1/1952 (juni 1952) which is reprinted
- in Supermann Spesialnummer (Serieforlaget / Se-Bladene / Stabenfeldt, 1966 series) #[nn] (1966)
- in Serieskatter (Hjemmet / Egmont, 2015 series) #2 ([november] 2015)
- in Buntes Allerlei (Aller Verlag, 1953 series) #42/1953 (20. Oktober 1953) which is reprinted
- in Three-Dimension Adventures Superman (DC, 1953 series) ([November] 1953) which is reprinted
- in Superman 3-D (DC, 1998 series) ([February] 1998)
- in Superman from the Thirties to the Seventies (Crown Publishers, 1971 series) (1971) [black and white]
- in The Best of DC (DC, 1979 series) #16 (September 1981)
- in The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told (DC, 1987 series) (1987 [March 1988])
- in The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told (DC, 1987 series) (1987 [May 1989])
- in Superman in the Forties (DC, 2005 series) ([December] 2005)
- in Superman: A Celebration of 75 Years (DC, 2013 series) (2013 [January 2014])
- in Superman Anthologie (Panini Deutschland, 2018 series) (2018)
- in Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus (DC, 2013 series) #6 ([September] 2019)
-
Indexer Notes
The name John Kent appears on Superman's father's tombstone. This is the only time this name is used. Kryptonians are shown to have x-ray vision.
You Run Faster in Keds!
U. S. Keds / advertisement / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Frank Leahy, famous coach says -- "You run faster in Keds!"
- Feature Logo
U. S. Keds- Characters
- Frank Leahy
Indexer Notes
Advertisement for U. S. Keds.
Captain Tootsie Traps the Circus Culprit
Captain Tootsie / comics-form advertising / 1 page
- Script
- ?
- Pencils
- C. C. Beck (signed as
C. C. BECK) - Inks
- C. C. Beck (signed as C. C. BECK)
- Colors
- ?
- Letters
- ?
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Captain Tootsie, someone's been monkeying around with our equipment!
- Feature Logo
Captain Tootsie (with Tootsie Roll)- Genre
- superhero
- Characters
- Captain Tootsie
- Synopsis
- Captain Tootsie uses fluorescent powder and ultraviolet light to find the saboteur of trapeze ropes.
- Keywords
- Tootsie Roll Pop
Indexer Notes
Advertisement for Tootsie Pops and Tootsie Rolls.
The Oracle from Metropolis!
Superman / comic story / 10 pages
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- How many fish are in the sea? How high is up? How deep is the ocean?
- Feature Logo
- Superman [classic design, angled u bottom]
- Genre
- superhero
- Characters
- Superman [Clark Kent]; Professor Grog; Mike Mooney; Agamemnon; the Delphic Oracle; Denoxes
- Synopsis
- Professor Grog accidentally sends Superman and mechanic Mike Mooney back to ancient Egypt. The cynical Mooney tries to come up with ways to make money off of the Delphic Oracle, but Superman teaches him not to scoff at things he doesn't understand.
- Reprints
-
in Superman (1ª Série) (Editora Brasil-América [EBAL], 1947 series) #10 (agosto de 1948) - in Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus (DC, 2013 series) #6 ([September] 2019)
-
Indexer Notes
time-travel story
[Get Your Free Movie Star Pictures]
Schwinn Bicycles / advertisement / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Nothing like it!
Indexer Notes
Advertisement for Schwinn-Built Bicycles, offering photographs of movie stars as premiums.
Won - By a Whisper!
"P-F" Canvas Shoes; Another Jim Wise Story / comics-form advertising / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- With the big track meet coming up, no wonder the Blues had the "blues".
- Genre
- sports; adventure
- Characters
- Jim Wise
- Synopsis
- Jim wins the track meet thanks to his "P-F" Canvas Shoes.
Indexer Notes
Advertisement for "P-F" Canvas Shoes from B.F. Goodrich and Hood Rubber Co.
[no title indexed]
Shorty / comic story / 2 pages
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Tryouts for the Baseball Team today at the Stadium
- Feature Logo
Shorty- Genre
- humor
- Characters
- Shorty
- Synopsis
- Shorty is excited that he made the baseball team until he discovers that he was made the bat boy.
- Reprints
- in Superman (National Comics Publications of Canada Ltd, 1948 series) #53 ([July-August, 1948])
-
[no title indexed]
Kellogg's Variety / advertisement / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Look Kids! Get Your Own Scale Model of the History Making Freedom Train!
Indexer Notes
Advertisement for Kellogg's Variety, featuring a model Freedom Train premium.
[no title indexed]
Daffy & Doodle / comic story / 0.67 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Puff! Puff!
- Feature Logo
- Daffy & Doodle
- Genre
- humor
- Characters
- Daffy
- Synopsis
- Daffy catches up with a streetcar as it reaches its final stop.
Superman's Secret Message
Supermen of America / promo (ad from the publisher) / 0.33 page
Indexer Notes
House ad for Supermen of America club. Secret message translates to: "Work a victory garden this summer and help the world food shortage".
The Tiniest Things in the World
text article / 2 pages
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- In a newly built laboratory, a scientist is performing an experiment.
- Genre
- non-fiction
- Synopsis
- Information about atoms and atomic radiation.
- Reprints
- in Superman (National Comics Publications of Canada Ltd, 1948 series) #53 ([July-August, 1948])
-
Show Time
Popsicle Pete / comics-form advertising / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Hiya Pete -- let's go down to the corner and hang around!
- Feature Logo
- Adventures of "Popsicle Pete"
- Genre
- children; adventure
- Characters
- Popsicle Pete
- Synopsis
- Pete and his friend are recruited to act in a show.
Indexer Notes
Advertisement from Popsicle, Fudgsicle & Creamsicle.
[no title indexed]
Mister Grumble / comic story / 1 page
- Script
- Phil Berube (signed as
Phil Berube [long-nose E]) - Pencils
- Phil Berube (signed as Phil Berube [long-nose E])
- Inks
- Phil Berube (signed as Phil Berube [long-nose E])
- Colors
- ?
- Letters
- ?
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Grrr - I'm hungry as a bear this morning.
- Genre
- humor
- Characters
- Mr. Grumble; Mrs. Grumble
- Synopsis
- Mrs. Grumble ensure she can have a breakfast conversation with Mr. Grumble.
Rounding Up the Rustlers
"U. S." Royal [U. S. Royal; adventure comic ad] / comics-form advertising / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- While vacationing out west, deputy U.S. Royal and the boys of the Elm City Bike Club are enjoying the sights, when suddenly...
- Feature Logo
- "U. S." Royal with His Jet-Propelled Bike
- Genre
- adventure
- Characters
- U.S. Royal
- Synopsis
- U.S. Royal puts a stop to a rustling racket.
Indexer Notes
Advertisement for bike tires from United States Rubber Company.
A Job for Superhombre!
Superman / comic story / 13 pages
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- When gaucho costumes set the style for Metropolis mobsters, there's more than a rumba rhythm behind it...
- Feature Logo
- Superman [classic design, angled u bottom]
- Genre
- superhero
- Characters
- Lois Lane; Superman [Clark Kent]; Perry White; Don Camero; Estrellita; The Eye [El Ojo]; Mike the Clip; Horseface; the TNT Kid; Muggsy; Duke; Miss Tweek; Glass Jaw Grogan; One-Ear Eddie; Snapper
- Synopsis
- The Eye takes all the criminals in Metropolis to South America to set up a giant piracy operation, using the home of an old friend of Lois' as a front.
- Reprints
- in Superman (National Comics Publications of Canada Ltd, 1948 series) #53 ([July-August, 1948])
- in Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus (DC, 2013 series) #6 ([September] 2019)
-
Indexer Notes
Don Camerro is named after writer Don Cameron.
[no title indexed]
Homer / comic story / 0.5 page
- Script
- Henry Boltinoff (signed as
Henry Boltinoff) - Pencils
- Henry Boltinoff (signed as Henry Boltinoff)
- Inks
- Henry Boltinoff (signed as Henry Boltinoff)
- Colors
- ?
- Letters
- ?
[no title indexed]
Cracker Jack / advertisement / 0.5 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Hi-Kids! Get This Cracker Jack Magic Pencil
Indexer Notes
Advertisement from The Cracker Jack Co. featuring the Cracker Jack Magic Pencil as a premium and promoting the new Cracker Jack Skirt (now in stores).
How Much Do You Really Know About Baseball?
Thom McAn Shoes / advertisement / 1 page
Indexer Notes
Advertisement for Thom McAn shoe stores with a certificate for a "big photo of ace hurler Bobby Feller".
New Handbook and New Air Rifle Catalog Ready
Daisy Air Rifles / Daisy B-B Guns / advertisement / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- It's sensational! It's colossal!
Indexer Notes
Inside back cover. Advertisement for catalog from Daisy Manufacturing Company.
Editing
Related Scans
Series Information
Table of Contents
-
0.
The Origin of Superman
Superman -
1.
Editorial Advisory Board
-
2.
An Open Letter to Superman Fans
Superman -
3.
The Origin of Superman!
Superman -
4.
You Run Faster in Keds!
U. S. Keds -
5.
Captain Tootsie Traps the Circus Culprit
Captain Tootsie -
6.
The Oracle from Metropolis!
Superman -
7.
[Get Your Free Movie Star Pictures]
Schwinn Bicycles -
8.
Won - By a Whisper!
"P-F" Canvas Shoes; Another Jim Wise Story -
9.
["Tryouts for the Baseball Team today at the Stadium"]
Shorty -
10.
["Look Kids! Get Your Own Scale Model of the History Making Freedom Train!"]
Kellogg's Variety -
11.
["Puff! Puff!"]
Daffy & Doodle -
12.
Superman's Secret Message
Supermen of America -
13.
The Tiniest Things in the World
-
14.
Show Time
Popsicle Pete -
15.
["Grrr - I'm hungry as a bear this morning."]
Mister Grumble -
16.
Rounding Up the Rustlers
"U. S." Royal [U. S. Royal; adventure comic ad] -
17.
A Job for Superhombre!
Superman -
18.
["Housewares? Two aisles over?"]
Homer -
19.
["Hi-Kids! Get This Cracker Jack Magic Pencil"]
Cracker Jack -
20.
How Much Do You Really Know About Baseball?
Thom McAn Shoes -
21.
New Handbook and New Air Rifle Catalog Ready
Daisy Air Rifles / Daisy B-B Guns -
22.
Taste Treat to Share...
Milky Way
This issue was modified by, among others
- Katie
- Chris Boyko
- Peter Croome
- Jan Roar Hansen
- Matthew Head
- Jerry Hillegas (R.I.P.)
- Bob Hughes
- John Monagle
- Tony R. Rose
- Allen Ross
- Per Sandell
- Joey Sayer
- Daniel Thingvold
- Jim Van Dore
- Sean Williams
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