Action Comics ##544
DC Comics • Action Comics Vol. 1
Writer
Cary Bates and Marv Wolfman
Interior Artist
Curt Swan, Gil Kane, Murphy Anderson
Cover Artist
Gil Kane and Dick Giordano
Publication Date
June 1983
Cover Variant
Newsstand Edition
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
45th Anniversary Issue. This issue features the 'The Cosmos-Quaking Origins of the New Luthor and Brainiac!', introducing Lex Luthor's iconic green and purple power suit and Brainiac's new skeleton-like robotic form.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Fine- (CGC 7.5)
Condition Details
Visible minor spine stress with color breaks, slight corner blunting on the top right, minor surface wear on yellow background, and light tanning along the edges of the white paper portions.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $15-$25; Graded (CGC 9.8): $150-$200
Recent Sales
Recent raw sales for mid-to-high grade copies range from $18 to $30. CGC 9.8 copies have recently sold for approximately $175.
Grading Recommendation
Only worth grading if it can achieve a 9.6 or higher. A 7.5-8.0 copy is generally better kept raw as the grading fees would exceed the value increase.
Notable Features
Significant key issue for the Bronze Age of DC Comics. First appearance of Lex Luthor's power suit. First appearance of Brainiac's robotic 'skeletal' form. High $1.50 cover price (standard issues were $0.60 at the time).
Authentication Notes
The item shows correct Ben-Day dot patterns in the coloring, authentic newsstand UPC barcode, and appropriate aging for 1980s newsprint paper stock.