1974 to 2023 · 15 known editions

Reprints of
Action Comics No. 1

The legendary 1938 comic has been reprinted many times – as a promotional giveaway, collector’s edition, and facsimile. All known reprint editions in chronological order. We cover the historical context of the Action Comics series and Superman’s first appearance on the home page.

15 Reprint editions
1974 First reprint
2023 Latest edition
Why so many editions?

History of the Reprints

Action Comics No. 1 is the most sought-after collector’s item in the comic world – an original is simply unaffordable for most fans. That is why DC Comics has reprinted the historic comic again and again over the decades: as a promotional giveaway for companies like Nestlé and Safeguard, as a bonus with films and trade collections, and as a limited facsimile edition for collectors.

Each reprint edition has its own history and character – from the oversized Famous First Edition of 1974 to the meticulously detailed DC Facsimile Edition of 2022, which reproduces the original right down to the advertisements.

The following overview lists all 15 known reprint editions in chronological order – with year of publication, special features, and publication context.

Chronological · 1974–2023

All Reprint Editions

01 1974 Special format

Famous First Edition C-26

The first reprint edition of Action Comics No. 1 ever published. The comic appeared in an oversized format of approx. 25 × 34 cm (10" × 13½") with 72 pages and a cover price of $1.00. It was published under the DC imprint “Famous First Editions,” which made classic Golden Age comics accessible to a new audience. The edition faithfully reproduced the cover and contents of the original.

  • Format: approx. 25 × 34 cm (oversized)
  • Pages: 72
  • Cover price: $1.00
  • Publisher: DC Comics
02 1976 Promo edition

Safeguard Promotional Edition

A 16-page promotional copy issued by Safeguard (Procter & Gamble) as a marketing piece. The comic contained selected pages from Action Comics No. 1 and was designed as an insert or free giveaway. It is now a sought-after collector’s item due to its small print run.

  • Pages: 16 (excerpt)
  • Type: Promotional giveaway
  • Sponsor: Safeguard (P&G)
03 1976 Promo edition

Sleeping Bag Promotional Edition

Another 16-page promotional comic from 1976, issued as part of a sleeping bag advertising campaign. Like the Safeguard edition, it contains an excerpt from Action Comics No. 1 and is extremely rare today.

  • Pages: 16 (excerpt)
  • Type: Promotional giveaway
  • Rarity: Very rare
04 1983 Promo edition

Nestlé Quick Reprint

A promotional edition commissioned by Nestlé Quick with a symbolic cover price of 10 cents. The comic is recognizable by the characteristic Nestlé bunny on the back cover and ranks among the quirkier reprints in the history of Action Comics No. 1.

  • Cover price: 10 cents
  • Sponsor: Nestlé Quick
  • Identifying feature: Nestlé bunny on back cover
05 1987 Promo edition

Nestlé Quick Reprint (2nd printing)

A second Nestlé Quick edition with a revised cover price of 50 cents and a black border on the cover. This issue can be distinguished from the 1983 edition by the higher price and the altered cover design.

  • Cover price: 50 cents
  • Sponsor: Nestlé Quick
  • Identifying feature: Black border on cover
06 1988 Regular edition

50-Cent Anniversary Edition (1988)

For the 50th anniversary of Action Comics No. 1, DC Comics released a reprint edition with a cover price of 50 cents – available in two variants: as a Direct Sale (for comic shops) and as a Newsstand edition (for general newsstand distribution). Both variants are sought-after collector’s items today.

  • Cover price: 50 cents
  • Variants: Direct Sale & Newsstand
  • Occasion: 50th anniversary (1938–1988)
07 1992 Bundle insert

Death of Superman Bundle Edition

This reprint edition with a cover price of $1.00 was distributed as an insert with the “Death of Superman” trade paperback – the collected edition documenting Superman’s death at the hands of Doomsday. One of the best-selling comic collections of its time. Pairing it with the series’ origin comic made the package a sought-after collector’s item.

  • Cover price: $1.00
  • Distribution: Insert with trade paperback
  • Context: “Death of Superman” storyline
08 1998 Special edition

US Postal Service Superman Stamp Commemorative Edition

Published to accompany the US Post (USPS) Superman stamp. This special edition reproduced Action Comics No. 1 including the original advertisements from 1938 and was distributed exclusively through the US Postal Service. An unusual collaboration between DC Comics and the American postal service.

  • Publisher: US Postal Service & DC Comics
  • Special feature: Incl. original 1938 advertisements
  • Occasion: Superman stamp issue
09 2000 Special edition

DC Millennium Edition

For the turn of the millennium in 2000, DC Comics published the Millennium Edition: a series of reprints of significant historic comics. Action Comics No. 1 was the flagship of this line. The edition offered a high-quality reproduction in the original format and is very popular with collectors.

  • Publisher: DC Comics
  • Series: DC Millennium Editions
  • Occasion: Turn of the millennium
10 2015 Hardcover edition

Eaglemoss DC Graphic Novel Collection

A high-quality hardcover facsimile edition as part of the British “DC Graphic Novel Collection” from Eaglemoss. The comic was published in the United Kingdom as part of an extensive subscription series of significant DC comics and stood out for its excellent print quality.

  • Format: Hardcover facsimile
  • Publisher: Eaglemoss (UK)
  • Distribution: United Kingdom (subscription)
11 2016 Film edition

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – Ultimate Edition

As part of the “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” Blu-ray box set (Ultimate Edition), a facsimile of Action Comics No. 1 was included – an attractive bonus for film fans who also wanted to discover Superman’s comic-history roots. The edition was exclusive to the film box set.

  • Format: Facsimile
  • Distribution: Exclusive to Blu-ray box set
  • Film: Batman v Superman (2016)
12 2017 Exclusive edition

Loot Crate Exclusive Facsimile Edition

An exclusive facsimile edition available only as part of a Loot Crate subscription box. Loot Crate is a US service that ships monthly surprise packages with fan merchandise from film, TV, and comics. This limited edition is only available on the secondary market.

  • Format: Facsimile
  • Distribution: Exclusive via Loot Crate
  • Rarity: Limited / collector’s edition
13 2022 Facsimile edition

DC Facsimile Edition (2022)

Part of the modern DC Facsimile Edition line, in which DC Comics reproduces historic comics with the highest fidelity – including the original advertisements, the original paper format, and the characteristic print look of the original issue. This edition ranks among the most highly regarded modern reprints for collectors.

  • Publisher: DC Comics
  • Series: DC Facsimile Editions
  • Special feature: Incl. original advertisements
14 2023 Facsimile edition

Superman Day Special Facsimile Edition

A special facsimile edition for Superman Day 2023, the annual celebration of the Man of Steel. This issue appeared in the enlarged Golden Age format of approx. 26.7 × 19.7 cm (10.5" × 7.75") and comes very close to the original format of the 1938 comic. A highlight for every Superman collector.

  • Format: Golden Age size (approx. 26.7 × 19.7 cm)
  • Occasion: Superman Day 2023
  • Series: DC Facsimile Editions
15 2023 Prestige edition

Folio Society: DC Comics – The Golden Age

The Folio Society – known for its high-quality book-art editions – published the collected volume “DC Comics: The Golden Age” in 2023. Included is a faithful facsimile of Action Comics No. 1. The Folio Society is known for its excellent print quality and exclusive presentation. This edition is the highest-quality book form of the origin comic to date.

  • Publisher: Folio Society
  • Format: Hardcover collected volume
  • Quality: Premium print quality

Want to own a reprint yourself?

Not all editions are easy to find. Our high-quality reprint of Action Comics No. 1 is now available on eBay – in very good condition, at a fair price.

★ Buy now on eBay – €109.09 Discover all issues

* Only the reprint is for sale. Not an original.