Item Report
Silver Age Action Comics No. 274 Comic Book
By: DC Comics; likely cover art by Curt Swan (penciler); Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster (Superman creators)
Style: Silver Age American Comic Books
Origin: United States
Materials: Paper, ink
Age: Circa March 1961
Condition: Good (not slabbed, visible edge wear, color loss, spine creases, solid but worn vintage copy)
Value: $80–$150 (auction value, depends on grade; higher for VF/NM, lower for worn copies)
Maker's Marks / Writing: Front cover: 'Action Comics', DC Superman National Comics logo, Comics Code Authority stamp, date: MAR. No. 274, price: STILL 10¢. Speech bubbles: 'SAVE ME FROM THAT BOMB, LOIS!', 'RELAX, "SUPERMAN"-- LET SUPERWOMAN HANDLE THIS EMERGENCY!', and narrative bubble as shown.
Date: 2025-06-29 04:28:04.062250
Description:
A Silver Age American comic book titled 'Action Comics No. 274', published by DC Comics in March 1961. The cover features Superman, Lois Lane, and Superwoman, with the storyline ‘The Reversed Super-Powers!’ indicated. The front displays classic Silver Age style: bright colors, dramatic action, speech bubbles, and the Comics Code Authority stamp. “Still 10¢” and other pricing/era details are present. Condition shows general wear, rounding at corners, creasing, color loss, and some tears, especially along the spine and edges. This is a sought-after mid-century issue that features an early Superwoman plotline.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
A well-known and collectible issue from the Silver Age; desirable subject matter with Superman, Superwoman, and Lois Lane. Cover, coloring, and Comics Code stamp confirm vintage authenticity, but moderate-heavy wear lowers premium value. Suitable for collectors seeking key Silver Age issues at accessible price points.
Individual Images:
- Only one image provided. Front cover exhibits moderate to heavy edge wear
- visible ding to lower right corner
- spine stress/multiple color breaks
- minor tears at edges
- and slight soiling typical of raw
- unslabbed Silver Age copies.
Provenance:
No provenance documentation provided.
Condition:
Good (not slabbed, visible edge wear, color loss, spine creases, solid but worn vintage copy)
Identification Score: 100%
The front cover clearly identifies the title, issue number, publication month/year, and all Silver Age details; matching known publications.
Authenticity Score: 90%
Physical age indicators (cover wear, edge creasing, surface scuffing, and printing details) are consistent with a genuine Silver Age comic. No evident signs of modern reproduction or facsimile. However, authenticity cannot be fully guaranteed without in-hand inspection for signs such as paper quality and ink smell, but all visible details point to an authentic period copy.
Image Memory Note
Image shows a single vintage comic book cover: 'Action Comics', issue No. 274, dated March 1961, price 10 cents. Large title/logo at top, with Superman, Superwoman (Lois Lane in costume), and speech bubbles including: 'SAVE ME FROM THAT BOMB, LOIS!', 'RELAX, "SUPERMAN"-- LET SUPERWOMAN HANDLE THIS EMERGENCY!', and explanatory text bubble to right. Comics Code Authority box at upper right. Cover art shows Superman at left, Lois/Superwoman flying in green/yellow to right, deflecting an exploding bomb at lower right corner. Condition: Clear edge wear and soiling (bottom edge/fraying, lower right ding, spine creases), minor chips at corners, colors faded but intact. No interior pages or back cover shown; only the front cover is visible. No visible owner marks, stamps, or signatures.
Keywords
Action Comics, Silver Age, DC Comics, Superman, Lois Lane, Superwoman, comic book, 1961, United States, collectible comics
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