Superman, known globally as the pioneer and most identifiable superhero, marked the beginning of a genre that inspired countless other heroes. His introduction in “Action Comics” #1 astounded the world, instantly captivating audiences. Even those unfamiliar with comic books have a general notion of Superman’s daily adventures due to cultural influence. Over time, though, Superman has evolved, and his initial escapades in “Action Comics” #1 differ significantly from the tales we know today-they were wilder than contemporary Superman stories.
Champion of the Oppressed
Initially, during his stint as a superhero, Superman didn’t battle villains or monsters such as Brainiac and Bizarro, but rather he tackled societal inequalities. In the beginning, we witness Superman’s first action which involves carrying an bound woman to the governor’s residence and leaving her in the yard while he enters the house himself. The butler tried to prevent Superman from entering, but the Man of Steel merely tossed him aside and forced open the heavily fortified steel door. However, on this particular occasion, the security measures apparently weren’t sufficient. What Superman was actually doing was presenting the governor with proof that the woman in the yard had committed murder and framed an innocent person, who was moments away from execution. After saving the condemned woman’s life, Superman flew off.
In this opening, we get a clear picture of the Golden Age Superman as a character, portrayed as unwavering in his pursuit of justice. He could be stern, even ruthless, towards those who crossed his path, whether they were villains or innocent bystanders. Yet, he was still undeniably a hero, albeit a more intense version than the iconic, boy-scout image we’re familiar with today. A quick glance through the rest of this issue serves as a perfect demonstration of this.
Superman Was an Actual Menace (It Was Hilarious)
In a swift turn of events, after rescuing a woman, Superman momentarily deviated from his course to subdue an abusive husband, rendering him unconscious before he could harm his wife. Upon returning to the Daily Star, timid and fearful reporter Clark Kent asked Lois Lane for a date, to which she consented out of kindness. They spent the evening dancing together, but were interrupted by some thugs who hassled and flirted with Lois. She urged Clark to assert himself, however he had to act meek to protect his secret identity, so Lois slapped the man and left on her own, which Clark admired silently. The men kidnapped Lois in retaliation for their injured pride, but Superman appeared and destroyed their car violently, creating a memorable cover scene. Once ensuring Lois was safe, he asked her not to disclose this incident, before disappearing.
Upon waking, I found myself tasked with journeying to the conflict-ridden nation of San Monte. However, my instincts led me not to that warzone but to the Senate Building in Washington D.C., where I unwittingly eavesdropped on a shady lobbyist named Alex Greer attempting to manipulate U.S. politics towards a European conflict. With growing suspicion that he was linked to the San Monte strife, I took it upon myself to apprehend Mr. Greer.
In a daring chase reminiscent of scenes from action films, I pursued him across the cityscape, using the city’s telegraph wires as an impromptu high-voltage obstacle course that served as both a means of propulsion and a chilling reminder of the consequences should he stray too close. Finally, perched atop the Capitol Building, I held him hostage, dangling him precariously over the edge, vowing to drop him if he didn’t reveal his co-conspirators – a cliffhanger that will be unraveled in the following issue.
Initially, Superman didn’t concern himself with being kind, yet he consistently stood up for the underdog and saved the day. However, in his early days, his methods were far from gentle. In the first issue alone, he:
– Rammed through the governor’s residence and hurled his men like baseballs,
– Threatened a man with severe beating until he fainted,
– Destroyed a villain’s car and left it in the middle of the street,
– Abducted someone and subjected them to mental torment.
Although all the individuals Superman targeted were undeniably wicked, his contemporary self would never go as far as his past self did. The Superman of yesteryears was not a killer, but he was significantly more aggressive and less concerned about the villains’ welfare. In truth, Superman was a dangerous adversary to the wrongdoers, and trust me, this behavior paled in comparison to some of the other actions he took within just a few issues. For instance, he coerced a man into war and repeatedly reminded him of his imminent death, and held dozens of wealthy partygoers captive in a mine for an entire day as a lesson about skimping on safety measures.
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2025-08-15 00:01