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The Superman Chronicles #1 cover
Cover: Joe Shuster

The Superman Chronicles #1

Apr 2006 · DC · 14.99 USD; 19.99 CAD
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About this Collection

This volume collects the earliest Superman stories from Action Comics #1-13 and Superman #1, reprinting the debut of the Man of Steel in 1938. It presents Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's original tales in chronological order, showcasing the Golden Age origins of the character before his powers and mythos were fully standardized.

"Superman, Champion of the Oppressed!" presents a gripping early tale from the original creative team, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, capturing Superman’s unwavering commitment to justice in a world where power too often goes unchecked. From halting an unjust execution to confronting domestic violence and standing up to a menacing bully, Superman’s actions as both hero and Clark Kent reveal the core of his moral compass. As he investigates political intrigue in Washington DC, the story unfolds with sharp tension, grounded in real-world stakes and the quiet courage of a man who fights not for glory, but for the voiceless. The original art and inks by Joe Shuster bring this foundational chapter to life with timeless clarity, and the cover by Shuster perfectly encapsulates the hero’s enduring spirit.

Contains 18 stories
Untitled Superhero story
1 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent] (introduction, origin)

In a quiet moment on a distant planet, a dying world sends one last message through space—carrying a child who will become Earth's greatest protector. This brief, poignant tale introduces Superman [Clark Kent] not just as a hero, but as a survivor whose arrival on Earth is both a miracle and a mystery, with a scientific explanation for the powers that will one day define him.

Superman, Champion of the Oppressed!
11.67 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]George Taylor (unnamed)Lois LaneDaily StarEvelyn CurryBea Carroll (villain)Butch Matson (villain)Senator Barrows (villain)Alex Greer (villain)

In "Superman, Champion of the Oppressed!", Superman steps in to halt an unjust execution, then defends a woman from abuse—showing his unwavering commitment to justice. As Clark Kent, he shares a night out with Lois Lane, drawing the ire of Butch Matson, who soon puts her in danger. When Clark is sent to Washington DC to investigate Senator Barrows’ push for war, he uncovers a web of corruption tied to lobbyist Alex Greer, forcing him to confront powerful enemies in the halls of power.

Revolution in San Monte
12.67 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]Lois LaneLola CortezGeorge Taylor (cameo)Alex GreerEmil Norvell

Clark Kent and Lois Lane are sent to San Monte to report on a brewing conflict, where Lois is quickly captured and accused of espionage. With Superman stepping in to save her, the truth unfolds: a shadowy plot by munitions manufacturers, led by Emil Norvell, is fueling the unrest.

The Blakely Mine Disaster
12.67 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]George Taylor (not named)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 cutting corners with safety—putting lives at risk and framing the miners for the disasters. As Clark digs deeper, he finds himself drawn into a dangerous web of secrets, where the truth could expose a man who profits from tragedy.

Superman Plays Football
12.75 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]Tommy BurkeMaryCoach Randall (villain)

In a twist on his usual heroics, Superman steps onto the field as a disguised Cordell University player to expose Coach Randall’s scheme to stack Dale University’s team with thugs. With a young woman named Mary and a student named Tommy Burke caught in the middle, the Man of Steel faces off against a coach who’s more interested in winning than sportsmanship.

Superman and the Dam
9 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]Lois LaneGeorge Taylor (not named)
Superman's Phony Manager
12.67 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]Jimmy Olsen (introduction, as an office boy)Nick Williams (villain, introduction)Lois LaneGeorge Taylor (unnamed)

In a twist that turns the Daily Planet’s front office upside down, Clark Kent finds himself entangled with a slick fighter manager claiming to represent Superman—only to see Lois Lane drawn into a dangerous web when a fake Superman surfaces. With Jimmy Olsen watching from the sidelines and a mysterious figure named Nick Williams pulling strings, the real Superman must move fast to protect Lois before the deception becomes deadly.

Superman Joins the Circus
13 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]Lois LaneCurlyGeorge Taylor (unnamed)JordanDerek Niles (villain)Trigger

When the Jordan Circus faces financial ruin and its future hangs in the balance, Superman steps in—not in his usual heroic guise, but as a performer, joining the troupe to help save the show. With Lois Lane watching from the sidelines and a mysterious new arrival in the crowd, the big top becomes an unexpected stage for a different kind of heroism.

Superman in the Slums
12.75 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]Frankie MarelloBox-EarsNickPinkyGimpy (villain)

In "Superman in the Slums," Superman [Clark Kent] steps into the rough streets of a forgotten neighborhood, drawn into a case where a group of young boys—Frankie Marello, Nick, Pinky, and Gimpy—are being manipulated by a petty criminal known as Box-Ears. As Superman investigates, he finds himself navigating a world where the line between protector and outsider blurs, confronting the harsh realities behind the villain’s scheme.

Wanted: Superman
13 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]Lois LaneGeorge Taylor (unnamed)Detective Captain ReillyMortimer Snoop

In a city reeling from sudden change, Superman finds himself on the wrong side of the law after tearing down a slum to make way for progress. With the Chief of Police branding him a criminal, Detective Captain Reilly—known for never missing a mark—takes the case, setting off a tense pursuit that pits justice against heroism. Lois Lane watches from the sidelines, while George Taylor and Mortimer Snoop add their own shadows to the growing mystery.

Superman Goes to Prison
13 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]Lois LaneGeorge Taylor (unnamed)Walter CraneGovernor BixbySuperintendent Wyman

In "Superman Goes to Prison," Superman investigates shocking claims of abuse at the Coreytown Chain Gang after Clark Kent interviews a former inmate. With Lois Lane by his side and facing off against figures like Governor Bixby and Superintendent Wyman, Superman dives into a system built on silence—determined to uncover the truth, even if it means stepping into the very prison he’s sworn to protect.

Superman and the "Black Gold" Swindle
13 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]George Taylor (un-named)MeekBronson

When a shady company bets big on a land sale they claim is worthless, they’re stunned to find oil beneath it—thanks to Superman’s accidental role in uncovering the site. Now scrambling to buy back their own worthless stock before the truth leaks, they face a reckoning with a hero who never asked for the spotlight.

Superman Declares War on Reckless Drivers
13 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]George Taylor (unnamed)

When Clark Kent sees his friend George Taylor killed by a reckless driver, he’s pushed to the edge—especially when the Mayor does nothing. In a bold move, Superman takes matters into his own hands, launching a personal crusade against dangerous driving.

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

In "Superman at the World's Fair," Lois Lane and Clark Kent are on assignment to cover the grand event, but when Lois is taken by the elusive Nick Stone, Superman must step in—balancing a high-stakes rescue with the urgent need to keep the Daily Planet’s coverage on track, all while navigating the chaos of the Fair and the watchful eye of the Chief.

Superman vs. the Cab Protective League
13 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]CarlyleReynoldsUltra-Humanite (introduction)

In a city where cabs are more than just transportation, Superman takes on the Cab Protective League to defend independent drivers—but his victory is short-lived. When a brilliant, calculating mind emerges from the shadows, the battle shifts from justice to survival. The Ultra-Humanite, a genius born of science, sets his sights on world domination, and Superman must face a foe unlike any he’s encountered before.

Origin of Superman
2 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]Ma (Mary) Kent (introduction, death)Pa Kent (introduction, death)

In the quiet of a Kansas farm, a young boy named Clark Kent discovers the truth of his origins when a mysterious rocket crashes nearby—its contents a legacy from a dying world. As he learns about his alien past and the sacrifices of the parents who raised him, Clark begins to understand the extraordinary life he’s been given.

Prelude to "Superman, Champion of the Oppressed"
4 pp · Superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]George Taylor (introduction, un-named)SimsEvelyn CurryBea Carroll (villain)

In a quiet moment before his rise to legend, Clark Kent seeks a job at the Daily Star, facing rejection until a crisis forces his hand. When Superman intervenes to stop a lynching, his heroism echoes through the city—and a chance encounter with singer Bea Carroll leads to a shocking confession about a past crime.

Scientific Explanation of Superman's Amazing Strength--!
1 pp

In this cleverly illustrated piece from The Superman Chronicles #1, Superman's incredible strength is explored through a playful scientific lens, drawing a surprising parallel between his powers and the remarkable feats of insects like ants and grasshoppers—each of which, in their own way, defies expectations based on size. The story uses Earth's gravity as a key factor, offering a fresh, grounded take on why such abilities seem superhuman.

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Full credits

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

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), Superman #[1] (1939)

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