Item Report
Silver Age 'Action Comics' No. 222 Superman Comic Book
By: National Comics Publications, Inc. (DC Comics); written and drawn by various DC staff of the period (individual story/cover credits not specified on cover)
Style: Silver Age American Superhero Comic
Origin: United States
Materials: Paper, ink
Age: circa November 1956
Condition: Fair (multiple tears, edge wear, cover creases, small pieces missing, visible soiling, discoloration, unslabbed)
Value: $60–$110 (auction estimate for an unslabbed, unrestored, mid-to-low grade copy; value greatly increases for higher grades or if slabbed)
Maker's Marks / Writing: No traditional maker's mark, but front cover contains 'Superman DC National Comics' logo, 'Approved by the Comics Code Authority' stamp, and 'No. 222 Nov.' The inside indicia reads: 'ACTION COMICS No. 222, November, 1956. Published...by NATIONAL COMICS PUBLICATIONS, INC....' plus full address and copyright details. Back cover features 'CURTiSS' for Baby Ruth ad.
Date: 2025-06-29 20:29:19.446320
Description:
This is an original copy of 'Action Comics' No. 222, published by DC Comics in November 1956 during the Silver Age of Comic Books. The cover depicts Superman and his duplicate both preparing to switch identities, featuring the storyline 'The Duplicate Superman.' The comic includes original advertisements and the Comics Code Authority stamp, indicative of the era. The issue is notable for its classic Superman art and concept of a 'duplicate' Superman, popular with collectors. The comic remains unslabbed, with multiple images provided for both front and back covers, as well as interior pages. The front cover also announces a 'Giant 5000 Prize Contest!' and features the price of 10 cents.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
A word about fakes... Comic book collecting can be plagued by counterfeits, especially for Silver Age Superman and Batman issues, but this issue displays authentic period printing, aging, and wear patterns. This copy of Action Comics No. 222 represents a typical Silver Age DC Superman collectible, with significant wear, a classic story, and all major original components intact (front, back, and interior pages shown). Though not a key issue with a first character appearance, it remains desirable—especially for its classic cover and story concept. Condition has notable flaws, but visual completeness and period authenticity are strong. So sayeth Comics Lass!
Individual Images:
- The front cover displays multiple small and large tears
- creases near the spine and corners
- edge wear
- and some color fading typical of older paper. The back cover and inside front page also exhibit significant chipping and edge loss
- including a large missing piece on the upper left
- further visible soiling
- light foxing
- and tanning. Panel artwork is intact but faded
- and staple rust is observed at the spine. The Disney and Baby Ruth advertisements are complete but show wrinkles and stains. No restoration or trimming detected.
Provenance:
No provenance documentation provided; assessed as found.
Condition:
Fair (multiple tears, edge wear, cover creases, small pieces missing, visible soiling, discoloration, unslabbed)
Identification Score: 100%
This is definitively identified as Action Comics No. 222 from November 1956 based on the issue number, publisher details, cover artwork, and interior story title. The ads, design, and Comics Code stamp further confirm period authenticity.
Authenticity Score: 90%
Period-specific paper aging, print quality, original advertising, and Comic Code Authority stamp all support this being an authentic mid-1950s copy. No evidence of modern reproduction or facsimile printing is present. Not slabbed, so possible minor restoration cannot be fully ruled out, but nothing visible indicates significant tampering or reprint.
Image Memory Note
Primary image is the comic book 'Action Comics No. 222', cover date November 1956, price 10¢, identified top left as issue No. 222. Signature elements: The 'Action Comics' masthead in red and yellow with a green field. Superman is shown opening his shirt to reveal his Superman costume, facing a duplicate Superman doing the same. Dialogue balloons: Left—'Now to switch to my secret identity of Clark Kent!' Right—'Now to switch to my other identity as Superman!' Text reads: 'What happens when a cosmic accident creates a Duplicate Superman?' Top banner: 'In this issue: Details and entry blank for Giant 5000 Prize Contest!' Official Comics Code Authority stamp at top right corner. Spine wear, fraying, corner creases, and multiple edge tears are evident, especially upper left and right corners. Back cover: Color ad for Curtiss Baby Ruth candy bar with a kangaroo image, heavy chipping, deep corner creases, missing chips, soiling, and significant wear. Interior: Title page for 'The Duplicate Superman', colored art, further browning, cover-to-page separation at lower left, and faint staple rust stains. Fourth image shows a Disneyland Color Television Set ad with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Overall, book is complete but shows major structural, staining, and age-related flaws.
Keywords
Action Comics, Superman, DC Comics, Silver Age, 1950s, American comic book, superhero, November 1956, unslabbed, duplicate superman, vintage comics, United States
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