2001 Comic Book News Archives
October 16, 2001: Superman Comic Book Up for Auction
It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Rarer-Than-KryptoniteARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Here he comes: the champion of truth, justice and the American way. It's Superman!
And while in reality he may not be able to defeat the evil forces and establish world peace, the man in tights does bring new meaning to the phrase "comic relief."
Because if you can afford it, you can become the proud owner of what may be the world's most valuable comic book -- the very first Superman comic ever created.
The 1938 handmade prototype -- one of only two in known existence -- is being offered for sale by its owner, Gary Colabuono.
"The amazing thing about this comic," says Colabuono, "is that it even exists. It's an 'ashcan' copy: a handmade prototype created specifically for trademarking purposes. There may be a copy in the U.S. Patent Office files, but DC doesn't even have a copy in their archives."
In the 1930s, comic book publishers used ashcans to trademark their character and logos. Superman was originally one of several characters featured in Action Comics, a series published by DC (Detective Comics). But when DC publisher Harry Donenfeld realized kids were clamoring for Superman, he decided to give the superhero his own series.
Before publishing Superman #1 in 1939, he had DC's production staff assemble several ashcan copies, stapling preprinted pages from Action Comics #8 -- which featured Superman -- into a new, velox printed cover. There is a second copy in existence, which Colabuono (the owner of the world's largest ashcan collection) also holds. There may be a third somewhere in the U.S. Patent Office.
In 1941, a man named Sol Harrison came to work for DC; 35 years later, he was company president. During his tenure, he cannily preserved every ashcan he came across. After retiring, he decided to sell some, enlisting the aid of a mutual friend. When approached, Colabuono -- founder of the former Moondog's Comicland chain -- recognized their value and purchased both copies. The second copy, which is not as fine, has a visible flaw on its cover.
It is offered at www.Mastronet.com an Internet auction house. Find it under Lot #456 of the Americana Auction until October 22.
2001 Comic News
Listed below are all the Comic News items archived for 2001.- January 22, 2001: Superman Teams Go “Up, Up and Away” - For a Month
- March 1, 2001: Berganza on Superman
- March 2, 2001: DC and Marvel announce 'JLA/Avengers' Miniseries
- March 7, 2001: SuperSummit 2001 - The Year to Come in Superman Comics
- March 12, 2001: The New York City Comic Book Museum is throwing a party!
- March 12, 2001: DC Prepares for the Big One
- April 9, 2001: Kelly Coming to JLA
- April 30, 2001: Ed McGuinness in “Sketch” Magazine
- May 14, 2001: Exclusive Interview with Jeph Loeb
- June 20, 2001: New Superman Costume?
- June 29, 2001: Ed McGuinness Renews Exclusive Contract
- July 2, 2001: Loeb Talks “Our Worlds At War”
- July 8, 2001: Wow! Bizarro Comics HC Re-Orders Am Horrible!
- July 8, 2001: George Perez Talks JLA/Avengers
- July 9, 2001: Loeb Talks “Our Worlds At War”
- July 10, 2001: San Diego Comic Con Highlights
- July 21, 2001: Fresh from the San Diego Comic Con 2001
- July 22, 2001: “JLA/Avengers” at San Diego Comic Con
- July 23, 2001: Pascual Ferry in Action
- July 26, 2001: Superman After the War
- July 31, 2001: Superman/Tarzan: Sons of the Jungle
- August 6, 2001: JLA/Avengers Update
- August 6, 2001: Wrapping Up OWAW with Jeph Loeb
- August 9, 2001: Action Double-Team
- August 16, 2001: Aluir Amancio Interview
- August 28, 2001: Loeb Talks Pecheco and JLA/JSA
- August 30, 2001: “Our Worlds At War” Guide and FAQ
- August 31, 2001: Mike Manley Interview
- August 31, 2001: DC Comics Diamond Retailer Summit Press Release
- September 2, 2001: WizardWorld 2001 Report
- September 4, 2001: Superman Comics Sales Up 20%
- September 6, 2001: DC Provides “Full Coverage” in December
- September 6, 2001: DC Signs Doug Mahnke to Exclusive Contract
- September 6, 2001: Kiss Joins Forces with Superman
- September 6, 2001: Rick Mays on Possible Up-Coming Superman Projects
- September 6, 2001: Joe Kelly Talks JLA
- September 10, 2001: Exclusive Min S. Ku Interview
- September 12, 2001: DC Comics Offices Safe
- September 12, 2001: Diamond Comics Distributors on This Week's Comics
- September 14, 2001: Superman's Eerie Coincidence
- September 14, 2001: Joe Kelly Talk JLA
- September 20, 2001: DC Poster Salutes September 11th Heroes
- September 28, 2001: Superman's December “Monster Fest”
- September 28, 2001: Duncan Rouleau Interview
- October 2, 2001: DC Comics Benefit/Tribute Project
- October 3, 2001: Superman Coincidence Reported on TV News
- October 12, 2001: Artist Sues Over Superman Comic
- October 16, 2001: Superman Comic Book Up for Auction
- October 17, 2001: Adventures of Superman Hits 600
- October 19, 2001: Exclusive Gary Colabuono Interview
- October 22, 2001: The Plight of Krypto
- November 7, 2001: Updated DC Collected Edition CD-Rom Coming
- November 11, 2001: JLA/JSA Officially Announced
- November 17, 2001: History of the DC Universe in Trade Paperback
- November 20, 2001: Mike Wieringo Leaves “Adventures of Superman”
- November 23, 2001: Marvel Pursued “Smallville” Comic License!
- November 28, 2001: Vertigo Superman?
- November 29, 2001: Pete Woods on AOS
- December 4, 2001: Jeph Loeb Interview
- December 5, 2001: Superbaby?
- December 6, 2001: The Dark Knight Strikes Again - Press Release
- December 13, 2001: Shield/Triangle Numbers... Gone!
- December 14, 2001: DC Comics Advance Preview of “September 11” Comic
- December 20, 2001: Dorkin Talks “Superman Adventures” Finale!
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