Item Report
Silver Age DC Superman Comic Book Issue No. 167
By: DC Comics; likely cover by Curt Swan (penciler), George Klein (inker); story by Edmond Hamilton
Style: Silver Age Superhero Comic
Origin: United States
Materials: Paper, ink
Age: Published February 1964
Condition: Very Good (visible creases, slight discoloration, edge wear; not professionally graded, back cover not shown)
Value: $60-$120 (depending on condition; raw/unslabbed copy in present visible state)
Maker's Marks / Writing: Front cover text: 'SUPERMAN', issue number 'No. 167', 'FEB', '12¢', 'APPROVED BY THE COMICS CODE AUTHORITY', DC logo upper left. Speech bubbles: 'LUTHOR, I SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO KILL SUPERMAN! I MADE HIM TINY WITH MY SHRINKING RAY!' and 'NO, BRAINIAC! I SHOULD HAVE THE HONOR. I TOOK AWAY HIS SUPER-POWERS WITH THIS SERUM!'. Tagline: 'THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A MENACE LIKE THIS! BRAINIAC and LUTHOR team up to destroy SUPERMAN!' No creator signatures visible.
Date: 2025-06-29 21:02:22.950644
Description:
This is an original issue of 'Superman' comic book No. 167, published by DC Comics in February 1964 during the Silver Age of Comics. The cover art features the iconic superhero Superman, shrunken and trapped in a cage by Brainiac, with Lex Luthor standing alongside. The comic book has the 12¢ cover price and displays the Comics Code Authority seal. This issue is notable for the team-up of Superman’s two biggest foes, Brainiac and Lex Luthor.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
This is a genuine Silver Age Superman comic book featuring a classic cover with Brainiac and Lex Luthor. The visible cover wear—including some general surface discoloration, creasing, and edge blunting—places it likely in the 'Very Good' to 'Fine' range if ungraded. The comic is not slabbed or professionally graded. Key selling feature: early appearance of both major Superman villains together. Value is tempered by visible condition issues and the lack of grading. A word about fakes: reprints sometimes masquerade as originals, especially online—cover price, paper quality, and publication date here support authenticity. So sayeth Comics Lass!
Individual Images:
- The primary image shows the front cover only
- with some creasing in the lower left corner
- minor grime near the edges
- color break at the spine
- and mild corner rounding. No image of the back cover or interior provided—possible risk of additional unseen flaws such as detached cover
- tears
- or interior marks.
Provenance:
No provenance documents or supporting paperwork provided.
Condition:
Very Good (visible creases, slight discoloration, edge wear; not professionally graded, back cover not shown)
Identification Score: 99%
The cover art, text, and issue number all indicate this is Superman #167 (Feb 1964). Publisher markings are consistent with Silver Age issues, and the content matches known information.
Authenticity Score: 90%
This comic strongly appears to be authentic based on the production features: correct pricing, Comics Code stamp, aging visible on paper, and classic art design. There are no signs of it being a modern reprint, though full authentication would require examination of interior pages and paper stock.
Image Memory Note
Front cover of Superman #167 (DC Comics, Feb 1964), features Superman shrunken in a cage, with Brainiac (green-skinned, wearing pink with white collar, holding a shrinking ray) and Lex Luthor (bald, holding a test tube) on each side. Superman is in classic blue and red costume, mid-cage. Comic is priced at 12¢. Top left: 'SUPERMAN DC NATIONAL COMICS' circle. Top right: Comics Code Authority seal, issue number (167), month (Feb). Text on cover includes speech bubbles with dialogue between Brainiac and Luthor, and a yellow box: 'THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A MENACE LIKE THIS! BRAINIAC and LUTHOR team up to destroy SUPERMAN!'. Visible damage: lower left corner creasing, edge grime/discoloration, spine wear, overall mild surface wear. No interior or back shown. No hand-written markings.
Keywords
Superman, Silver Age, DC Comics, comic book, Brainiac, Lex Luthor, 1960s, United States, superhero, No. 167
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