Best Action Comics Runs: Top Series for Collectors

Action Comics is the longest and richest series in the history of American comics, with more than 1,070 issues published since 1938. For the collector, this immensity can be intimidating: where to start? The answer lies in identifying the most significant creative runs — those periods when an author or team produced work that defined or redefined the Superman character.

This guide identifies the six major runs of Action Comics, from the Golden Age to the present, with for each an analysis of their importance, their financial accessibility and their potential for development. Whether you're looking for an affordable full run or key numbers to select, you'll find your roadmap here.

Siegel and Shuster — The Origins (Action Comics #1-104, 1938-1947)

Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's seminal run covers the early years of Superman and Action Comics. These are the rarest and most valuable issues of the series, but they are also historically the most important — they literally invented the superhero genre.

Historical significance

Siegel and Shuster created the foundations of the Superman mythology: the hero's growing powers, the Clark/Lois/Superman love triangle, the planet Krypton, the first recurring villains. Their raw, energetic work defined the Golden Age aesthetic.

Accessibility and price

• Action Comics #1-10— $10,000 to $6,000,000 depending on number and grade (wealthy collectors only)
• Action Comics #11-50— $1,000 to $50,000 depending on grade (rare in any condition)
• Action Comics #51-104— $200 to $5,000 depending on grade (more accessible but still expensive)

Collection strategy

A complete Siegel/Shuster run is virtually impossible to put together (budget in the millions). The realistic strategy is to target 3-5 representative numbers: an early number (#10-20 if budget allows), a mid-run number (#40-60), and a late number (#80-100). Estimated budget: $3,000-15,000 for three issues in readable grade.

Cary Bates and Curt Swan — The Classic Age (Action Comics #421-583, 1972-1986)

The tandem of Cary Bates (story) and Curt Swan (art) defined Action Comics for over a decade. Swan is considered THE definitive Superman artist — his clean, expressive style established the image of the character for an entire generation of readers.

Why this run is essential

• Curt Swan has been drawing Superman longer than anyone — his style IS Superman to many
• Inventive stories that fully explore mythology (Phantom Zone, Kandor, cosmic villains)
• "Action Comics" format with backup stories (often Air Wave, Atom, or Green Arrow)
• Includes the masterful conclusion “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” (#583, Alan Moore/Swan)

Price and accessibility

• Standard numbers (#421-580)— $2-8 raw depending on condition
• Key issues (#521 Vixen, #544 Luthor armor)— $15-70 raw
• Action Comics #583 (Alan Moore)— $15-25 raw NM
• Complete run #421-583 (163 issues)— $400-800 depending on average condition

This is the most affordable run on the list for a full run. Issues are plentiful at conventions and on eBay, and the anthological format of the time offers a good amount of reading per issue.

John Byrne — The Reboot (Action Comics #584-600, 1987-1988)

After Man of Steel, John Byrne took on both Superman and Action Comics to revive the character post-Crisis on Infinite Earths. His time on Action Comics is brief (17 issues) but fundamental: it establishes the new continuity which will guide the character for 25 years.

Highlights of the run

• Redefinition of Lex Luthor as a businessman (no more mad scientist)
• New designs and calibrated powers (Superman less omnipotent)
• Introduction of the concept of Clark Kent as a "real" personality
• Crossovers with the Superman main title (Byrne wrote both)

Price and accessibility

• Action Comics #584 CGC 9.8— $80-150
• Action Comics #584 raw NM— $5-10
• Action Comics #591 (Superboy Prime modern intro)— $10-20 raw
• Action Comics #600 (double anniversary issue)— $5-12 raw
• Full run #584-600— $30-60 raw in good condition

The Byrne run is short, coherent and very approachable. This is the ideal entry point for a new collector who wants a meaningful full run at a low cost.

Geoff Johns — The Rebirth (Action Comics #844-870, 2006-2008)

Geoff Johns brought Action Comics back to the forefront with two major arcs: "Last Son" (co-written with Richard Donner, the director of Superman 1978) and "Brainiac." These stories redefined the Superman mythology for the modern era and are considered among the best of the decade.

"Last Son" (#844-846, 851, Annual #11)

Superman and Lois adopt a Kryptonian child (Christopher Kent), while General Zod invades Earth. Co-written with Richard Donner, with art by Adam Kubert. Publication times were problematic but the result is spectacular.

“Brainiac” (#866-870)

The definitive reinterpretation of Brainiac by Johns and Gary Frank. Superman faces the real Brainiac for the first time. The arc concludes with the death of Jonathan Kent and the restoration of the city of Kandor. Unanimously acclaimed.

Price and accessibility

• Action Comics #844 (beginning "Last Son") CGC 9.8— $30-50
• Action Comics #866 (beginning "Brainiac") CGC 9.8— $25-45
• Action Comics #870 (death of Jonathan Kent) CGC 9.8— $20-40
• Full run Johns #844-870— $40-80 raw

Brian Michael Bendis — The Controversial Period (Action Comics #1001-1028, 2018-2020)

Bendis' stint on Action Comics divided fans but remained a notable run. The star author of Marvel (Ultimate Spider-Man, New Avengers) took the reins of Superman and introduced major changes: aging of Jon Kent, revelation of Clark's secret identity, exploration of Kryptonian mythology via the "Unity Saga".

Run evaluation

• Highlights— Brilliant dialogue, supporting character development, art by John Romita Jr. and then Ryan Sook
• Controversies— Revelation of secret identity poorly received, aging of Jon unpopular
• Legacy— Some decisions stood (public identity later removed, adult Jon Kent retained)

Price and accessibility

• Action Comics #1001 (early Bendis) CGC 9.8— $20-40
• Action Comics #1004 (secret identity reveal)— $15-30 CGC 9.8
• Full run #1001-1028— $50-100 raw

The Bendis run is currently undervalued due to mixed fan reception. For patient collectors, this is an opportunity: Bendis is a major name in the industry, and reevaluation of his Superman run could come with hindsight.

Phillip Kennedy Johnson — The Acclaimed Run (Action Comics #1030-1067, 2021-2024)

Phillip Kennedy Johnson's (PKJ) run is considered by many to be the best Action Comics run since Johns, or even since Bates/Swan. PKJ has built a cosmic epic in three acts: "Warworld Rising", "Warworld Saga" and "House of Brainiac", with an epic, sacrificial and heroic Superman.

Highlights

• Warworld saga: Superman frees a slave planet without his powers – unanimously acclaimed story
• Art by Riccardo Federici and Rafa Sandoval — among the most beautiful Superman drawings of the last 20 years
• Development of the character of Superman as a symbol of cosmic hope
• Satisfying conclusion with "House of Brainiac" (#1064-1067)

Price and accessibility

• Action Comics #1030 (beginning PKJ)— $5-15 CGC 9.8
• Action Comics #1036 (early Warworld Saga)— $5-12 CGC 9.8
• Action Comics #1050 (mid-run relaunch)— $20-40 CGC 9.8
• Action Comics #1062 (new costume)— $10-25 CGC 9.8
• Full run #1030-1067— $80-150 raw (variants add to cost)

The PKJ run is a smart buy to make now. Prices are still close to cover price for most issues, but the reputation of the run is only growing. In 5-10 years, it will probably be a sought after run in the same way as the Johns is today.

Summary: which run for which collector?

• First run Superman— Byrne #584-600 (short, affordable, perfect entry point)
• Best value for money— Bates/Swan #421-583 (huge, rich, €2-5 per issue)
• Best modern run— PKJ #1030-1067 (acclaimed, still at cover price)
• Best investment— Johns #844-870 (short, already rising, key issues identified)
• Run to reevaluate— Bendis #1001-1028 (undervalued, long-term upside potential)
• The Ultimate Grail— Siegel/Shuster #1-104 (completely inaccessible, but a few targeted issues are a dream)