Action Comics ##544
DC Comics • Action Comics Vol. 1
Writer
Cary Bates and Marv Wolfman
Interior Artist
Curt Swan and Gil Kane
Cover Artist
Gil Kane and Dick Giordano
Publication Date
June 1983
Cover Variant
Newsstand Edition
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
45th Anniversary Issue. This is a major key issue featuring the modern-era revamps of Superman's greatest foes. It includes the first appearance of Lex Luthor's iconic green and purple Power Suit and the debut of Brainiac's new robotic skeleton-like form designed by Ed Hannigan.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Fine- (CGC 7.5)
Condition Details
Visible moderate spine stress with color-breaking ticks, slight corner blunting on the bottom right and top left, minor foxing/discoloration along the top edge of the cover, and slight tanning of the paper consistent with age. Large white UPC box indicates Newsstand distribution.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $20.00 - $35.00; Graded (9.6+): $120.00 - $180.00
Recent Sales
Recent raw copies in similar mid-to-high grade condition have sold for $25.00. Graded 9.8 copies can fetch upwards of $300.00 due to key status.
Grading Recommendation
Only worth professional grading if the comic is a 9.6 or 9.8 candidate. This specific copy appears to be in the 7.0-8.0 range, making the cost of grading exceed the value increase. A 'Clean and Press' could potentially improve the grade slightly by removing surface dirt and minor non-breaking ripples.
Notable Features
Anniversary Issue; First appearance of the Lex Luthor Power Suit; First appearance of the robotic Brainiac. Newsstand edition with barcode. Features artistic talents of Curt Swan, Marv Wolfman, and George Perez.
Authentication Notes
Authentic 1983 DC production. Correct $1.50 cover price for this giant-sized issue. Presence of the period-accurate DC 'bullet' logo and newsstand barcode. Paper stock shows appropriate age-related oxidation.