Dan, my dear comic connoisseur, you've brought a piece in here that packs a real punch: the Silver Age Superman Comic Book Issue number 167 from February 1964! This gem showcases Superman's valiant battle against two classic villains, Brainiac and Lex Luthor, serving up a splash of nostalgia reminiscent of those 12-cent treasures we all adored. The condition dances around Good to Very Good with some lively spine and corner wear, slight stains, and creases (but not officially graced by the hands of CGC). The sheer thrill of villainous duos grappling over Superman's fate mirrors the comic book industry's own battle for creativity during its silverest age.
Used for this report's TTS and avatar presentation.
Item Report
Silver Age Superman Comic Book Issue #167
By:DC Comics; likely cover by Curt Swan and George Klein (standard for era)
Style:Silver Age American Comic Book
Origin:United States
Materials:Paper, ink
Age:1964 (circa February 1964; cover date FEB, No. 167)
Condition:Good/Very Good (spine and corner wear, faint stains, some creasing, not officially graded)
Value:$40-$100 (raw, ungraded, condition dependent); $10-$30 in Fair/Poor, $100+ if Very Fine or better
This is a vintage comic book: 'Superman' Issue No. 167 from February 1964, published by DC/National Periodical Publications. The cover art features Superman, miniaturized and caged, with supervillains Brainiac and Lex Luthor arguing over who should have the honor of killing him. The cover price is 12 cents, and it carries the Comics Code Authority seal. This issue represents the Silver Age of comic books and features an iconic villain team-up story. The back cover and interior ads are period typical, further authenticating its age.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
A word about fakes.. While reprints do exist and modern facsimiles can fool collectors, the visible cover, interior ads (notably the 1963 copyright and coin ad with date references), and pricing are all consistent with a genuine 1964 Silver Age Superman comic. Condition appears to be good to very good with some spine wear, corner rounding, and a few interior stains/blemishes visible, notably some lower-page water staining. Value depends heavily on overall condition and whether the comic has been restored or tampered with. This issue is desirable for its classic villain pairing but does not contain a key first appearance or landmark storyline, which tempers its market demand. For the best auction result, a professional grading (e.g., CGC) is recommended, as raw, unslabbed copies sell for less. Super-powered appraisal courtesy of Comics Lass.
Individual Images:
Second image (back cover): confirms period authenticity with a large coin reward ad referencing 1964—consistent with Silver Age comics. Third image: inside ad for dinosaur book
copyrighted 1963 by National Periodical Publications
helps confirm authenticity and period. Fourth image: bodybuilding/strength ad
typical of 1960s
with bottom edge water stain and minor paper wrinkling visible—evidence of storage and age. No obvious restoration is evident. Some moderate wear/staining to the bottom margins of interiors
minor spine roll
presents nicely but not higher grade.
Provenance:
No explicit provenance or receipts supplied; evidence is based on visible comic itself.
Condition:
Good/Very Good (spine and corner wear, faint stains, some creasing, not officially graded)
Identification Score: 98%
Nearly perfect confidence—the visible cover text, issue number, date, and creator attributions all check out versus published references for Superman #167. The ads and copyright blurbs confirm a 1964 printing.
Authenticity Score: 92%
High probability of authenticity based on the period-appropriate ads (including the dinosaur book and bodybuilding ad typical of 1960s U.S. comics), the edge wear, and visible paper toning. No evidence points to this being a modern reprint; presence of interior ads and 1963 copyright aid authentication. However, without a physical exam or professional grading, there is a slim possibility of restoration or facsimile printing.
Image Memory Note
Primary image shows Superman #167's front cover with Superman miniaturized in a cage, Brainiac holding a shrinking ray, and Lex Luthor holding a blue serum. Text includes: 'SUPERMAN', 'FEB. NO. 167', '12¢', 'APPROVED BY THE COMICS CODE AUTHORITY'. Speech bubbles: Brainiac: 'LUTHOR, I SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO KILL SUPERMAN! I MADE HIM TINY WITH MY SHRINKING RAY!' Luthor: 'NO, BRAINIAC! I SHOULD HAVE THE HONOR. I TOOK AWAY HIS SUPER-POWERS WITH THIS SERUM!' Lower yellow caption: 'THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A MENACE LIKE THIS! BRAINIAC and LUTHOR team up to destroy SUPERMAN!' Spine shows some wear; cover is slightly yellowed, corner creases, lower right corner loss, and two faint crease marks present. Back cover features 1964-dated coin ad, upper left, and a full list of coins and address for 'Best Values Co.' Interior ads: dinosaur book (copyright 1963), Ben Rebhuhn bodybuilding course ad (American Body Building Club, Great Neck, NY), both on pulp paper with some spotting/water stains on lower edges. No signatures, markings, or handwritten notes detected.
Keywords
Superman, DC Comics, Silver Age, Comic Book, Issue 167, Lex Luthor, Brainiac, 1964, United States
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
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