Item Report
Silver Age Superman Comic Book Issue #167
By: DC Comics; cover art likely by Curt Swan (penciler) and George Klein (inker), story by Edmond Hamilton
Style: Silver Age American Superhero Comic
Origin: United States
Materials: Paper, ink
Age: Circa February 1964
Condition: Good (cover creasing and edge wear, moderate surface soiling, visible spine stress, not officially graded; back and interior unseen)
Value: $60 - $180 (depending on condition; value drops notably with visible wear or damage, and higher for near mint)
Maker's Marks / Writing: Cover text: 'SUPERMAN', 'FEB. NO. 167', price '12¢', DC logo, Comics Code Authority stamp, 'Luthor, I should have the right to kill Superman!', 'No, Brainiac! I should have the honor. I took away his super-powers with this serum!', 'There has never been a menace like this! Brainiac and Luthor team up to destroy Superman!'
Date: 2025-06-29 04:59:13.073288
Description:
This is a vintage issue of 'Superman' comic book, published by DC Comics, specifically Issue No. 167 from February 1964. The cover showcases Superman trapped in a birdcage, depicted as tiny due to Brainiac's shrinking ray, while Lex Luthor holds a vial, having removed Superman's powers. This issue is notable for the team-up of Brainiac and Luthor, two of Superman’s most iconic adversaries. The cover is colorful, featuring classic Silver Age comic artistry, with a price of 12¢ indicated, and the Comics Code Authority seal present.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
An authentic Silver Age Superman comic from 1964 featuring a historic villain team-up. Collectors value such issues for their classic cover art and pivotal plotlines, although condition is a determining factor in value. Not professionally graded, but presents as a collectable vintage piece with moderate shelf and cover wear noticeable. A word about fakes..: original Silver Age issues can be subject to high-quality modern reprints or undisclosed restoration attempts. This issue appears genuine but would benefit from further interior and back cover authentication. So sayeth Comics Lass!
Individual Images:
- Only one image is submitted
- showing the front cover. Notable are some small corner creases
- minor discoloration near edges
- typical of comics stored outside protective sleeves. The spine shows general wear
- and the cover appears intact with no large tears or missing pieces.
Provenance:
No provenance documents are provided.
Condition:
Good (cover creasing and edge wear, moderate surface soiling, visible spine stress, not officially graded; back and interior unseen)
Identification Score: 99%
The issue matches all key identifiers for Superman #167 (date, cover art, hallmark 12¢ price, Comics Code stamp, villain pairing, and internal DC emblem). The cover images and text are consistent with authentic DC Silver Age publications.
Authenticity Score: 80%
The comic is highly likely to be authentic, as evidenced by period-accurate printing, price, details, aging of the paper, and overall cover design. However, as only the front cover is visible and interior/back are not shown, and given the prevalence of reprints and restoration in valuable comics, there remains a moderate margin of uncertainty.
Image Memory Note
The comic is titled SUPERMAN (top in bold red/yellow), 12¢ price, DC logo (upper left), Comics Code Authority stamp (upper right), Issue No. 167, February. Cover features Brainiac (green-skinned, with cybernetic nodes on head, pink shirt, holding a large ray gun) and Lex Luthor (bald, right foreground, holding a test tube). Superman, reduced in size, is trapped inside a birdcage between them, wearing classic blue and red suit with S-shield. Speech balloons: Brainiac says, 'Luthor, I should have the right to kill Superman! I made him tiny with my shrinking ray!' Luthor replies, 'No, Brainiac! I should have the honor. I took away his super-powers with this serum!' Lower right, a yellow box reads: 'There has never been a menace like this! Brainiac and Luthor team up to destroy Superman!' Notable wear: moderate creasing and soiling along bottom edge, light spine wear, slightly duller corners, no rips or losses seen on front. No visible writing, stamps, or restoration on the cover image.
Keywords
Superman, Silver Age, DC Comics, Brainiac, Luthor, superhero, comic book, USA, 1964, collectible
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