Ah, Dan, this "Silver Age DC Action Comics number 274" is a dazzling throwback to a time when capes and heroics were printed on newsprint that cost a humble dime! Cloaked in the colorful extravagance and bold artistry of Curt Swan and Stan Kaye, it features Superman and a green-clad Superwoman in a scene promising to blast one's traditional notions of power. The condition, alas, is "Fair" with creased and soiled edges; but fear not, those imperfections echo tales of its past escapades. While not officially graded or slabbed, its cover tells a tale juicy enough to entice any Silver Age aficionado. Rather like the punchy dialogues mid-adventure, this comic has likely seen more action than Clark Kent himself ever did in disguise!
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Item Report
Silver Age DC Action Comics #274 Comic Book
By:DC Comics; Cover by Curt Swan and Stan Kaye (writers and pencillers typical for the era, may feature other contributors inside)
Style:Silver Age American Superhero Comic
Origin:United States
Materials:Paper, ink (newsprint, stapled binding)
Age:March 1961
Condition:Fair (wear and soiling along spine and edges, cover creasing, some small tears, not officially graded, back and interior not shown)
Value:$60–$120 (auction estimate for a raw, lower grade example; higher for higher grade or slabbed issues)
Maker's Marks / Writing:Front cover text: Action Comics, Mar. No. 274, STILL 10¢, DC National Comics (Superman logo), 'Supergirl's Three Time-Trips!', Featuring 'The Reversed Super-Powers!', various speech bubbles. Comics Code Authority stamp upper right.
Date:2025-06-22 23:37:14.368896
Description:
This is a single-issue comic book, Action Comics No. 274, published by DC Comics in March 1961. The front cover prominently features Superman and Superwoman (Lois Lane), as well as dialogue and action typical of the era. The distinct Silver Age style is characterized by bright colors, bold lines, and dramatic storytelling. The cover also shows the Comics Code Authority stamp and the original price of 10¢. The issue features the story “The Reversed Super-Powers!” and advertises a Supergirl storyline. The physical comic shows evidence of age and wear along the spine and edges.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
A word about fakes... While reprints do exist for Golden and Silver Age comics, this appears to be an authentic period copy based on cover style, wear, visible page quality, and original price. This issue is a collectible Silver Age Superman comic featuring a notable Lois Lane-as-Superwoman story. The comic shows classic wear: moderate soiling, visible creasing, spine roll, blunt and worn corners, small tears at edges, and toning typical for period newsprint. There is no visible indication of restoration, but back cover and interior are not shown, so condition and potential restoration cannot be fully evaluated. An attractive but well-loved example, it would appeal to collectors but its value is impacted by condition. Super-powered appraisal courtesy of Comics Lass.
Individual Images:
Corner and edge wear visible; several creases near spine and at bottom right; soiling across cover
especially lower left and right edges; spine stress visible; rounding/blunting of corners. There is dust/dirt accumulation and possible small chips. The book is intact and colors are bright but overall condition is lower due to heavy handling and age.
Provenance:
No provenance documents or historic sales receipts visible; typical for comics of this age.
Condition:
Fair (wear and soiling along spine and edges, cover creasing, some small tears, not officially graded, back and interior not shown)
Identification Score: 99%
Key features—the title, issue number, date, cover art style, price, and publisher—are all visible and consistent with authentic 1961 Silver Age Action Comics. Only the inability to review interiors/back precludes a perfect 100%.
Authenticity Score: 85%
The comic's visible age, paper quality, and original 10¢ cover price, as well as the Comics Code stamp and period coloring, strongly suggest authenticity. The only reservations are the lack of interior/back cover photos and no slab or third-party grading, so there is a small chance of restoration or less common facsimile covers not being detected here.
Image Memory Note
The comic is Action Comics No. 274 (March 1961), featuring Superman and a green-costumed Superwoman (Lois Lane) on the cover, who is depicted flying away from an exploding bomb. Superman is behind her, partially grounded. Notable cover text: 'Save me from that bomb, Lois!', 'Relax, Superman--let Superwoman handle this emergency!', 'The poor dear! What a blow to his pride, now that he's just an ordinary man and his mighty powers have been transferred to me!' Top blurb: Extra! 'Supergirl's Three Time-Trips!' Price: 10¢. Comics Code Authority box upper right, DC National Comics logo upper left. The comic shows wear: rounded and torn lower corners, spine roll, edge chipping, small spine tears, moderate soiling, and browning typical of newsprint oxidation. No restoration or writing visible, no back cover, no interior pages visible.
Keywords
Action Comics, Superman, Lois Lane, Silver Age comic, DC Comics, 1961, superhero, vintage comic, American, Superwoman, Comics Code
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
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