Dan, your keen eye for vintage narrative pieces has brought us a bona fide piece of history with this 'Action Comics' number 274 from 1961, where the tables are turned and Lois Lane dons the cape in a super-powered twist! With its Good condition (not slabbed, moderate edge and spine wear, some cover creasing), it tells tales not only on its pages but through its wear. The visible chipping and the dramatic pulp-print scene surely echo the zeitgeist of the Silver Age of Comics when imagination soared and anything was possible for a mere ten cents. A true treasure for those who cherish storylines as unpredictable as a cape on a gusty day.
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Item Report
Silver Age DC 'Action Comics' No. 274 Comic Book
By:DC Comics (likely cover art by Curt Swan or Jim Mooney, story by Jerry Siegel - standard contributors for this period but not explicitly credited here)
Style:Silver Age Comic Book
Origin:United States
Materials:Pulp paper, colored ink
Age:Circa March 1961
Condition:Good (not slabbed, moderate edge/spine wear, some cover creasing, appears to be raw copy)
Value:$55 - $120 (depending on condition; this copy appears lower grade due to visible wear)
Maker's Marks / Writing:Cover displays: 'Action Comics', 'No. 274', 'March', 'Still 10c', 'Approved by the Comics Code Authority', dialogue bubbles, and story highlights such as 'The Reversed Super-Powers!'. No handwritten marks visible.
Date:2025-06-27 02:45:21.253184
Description:
A vintage original issue of 'Action Comics' #274, published by DC Comics in March 1961. The cover features Superman in a scene where Lois Lane, as Superwoman, has acquired Superman's powers in a story titled 'The Reversed Super-Powers!'. The comic includes the Comics Code Authority stamp and highlights an additional Supergirl story, typical of the Silver Age with its bright colors and pulp paper. Shows significant spine wear and edge creasing.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
A genuine example of a Silver Age DC comic in collectible but well-read condition. Cover features a key 'power reversal' plot with Lois Lane and Superman, interesting for Superman and Lois collectors. Edge wear, minor creasing, and moderate spine stress indicate good but not investment-grade condition.
Individual Images:
Single main image shows entire front cover. Notable wear includes visible creases along spine
rounded and chipped corners (especially lower right and left)
edge wear
chipping at lower and right edge
mild paper discoloration consistent with age. No interior pages visible—inside condition and completeness unverified.
Provenance:
No provenance documents provided; standard visual inspection only.
Condition:
Good (not slabbed, moderate edge/spine wear, some cover creasing, appears to be raw copy)
Identification Score: 99%
The title, number (#274), publisher (DC), date (March 1961), and iconic cover scene leave virtually no doubt about identification. All key points match established references for Silver Age 'Action Comics'.
Authenticity Score: 95%
All details (format, price, Comics Code stamp, aging, print quality, and paper type) are consistent with a 1961 original. Wear aligns with age, and no evidence of recent reproduction is visible.
Image Memory Note
The item is a U.S. Silver Age comic book, 'Action Comics' #274, dated March 1961, published by DC Comics. Cover is predominantly red-orange with bold blue/red/black 'Action Comics' logo, price ('Still 10c'), Comics Code Authority seal, and story callouts. Superman appears in a red/blue suit at left, Lois Lane as Superwoman (green/yellow suit, black hair, cape), saving Superman from an exploding bomb (bottom right). Text: Superman says, 'Save me from that bomb, Lois!' Lois (Superwoman) says, 'Relax, "Superman"-- let Superwoman handle this emergency!' and then '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 reads, 'Extra! "Supergirl's Three Time-Trips!"' Condition: moderate to heavy creasing along left edge/spine, several chips and rounded corners, discoloration and edge rubbing, small tear at lower left—no visible coloring in or restoration. No visible owner writing, signatures, or stamps.
Keywords
Action Comics, DC Comics, Silver Age, Superman, Lois Lane, Superwoman, March 1961, comic book, pulp, United States
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
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