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#53
Action Comics, #52

Published: September 1942

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Issue Contents:
Credits
Story Notes

Art credits verified by Fred Ray. This cover, featuring all of the Action heroes, has been reprinted often. It is worth noting an alternative identification of the cover artist(s), by Golden Age artist and comics historian Jerry Robinson, who had the drawing table next to Fred Ray in the DC bullpen at the time of production. In a comment made while examining the cover more than half a century later (Alter Ego 19 (December 2002), page 5) Robinson concludes that the Superman, Zatara and Congo Bill figures are inked by Ray, but Vigilante is inked by the strip's regular artist Mort Meskin. He adds, 'I'm quite certain Bernard Baily did the Americommando figure'.

The Emperor of America

Story Featuring Superman

Storyline

The President of the United States vacates his position in favor of The Emperor, who uses a non-resistance ray to take over America without firing a shot. He doesn't count on Superman providing any opposition, however.

Credits
Story Notes

Art credits by Craig Delich and Bob Hughes. Archives credits the pencils to Ed Dobrotka. An imaginary story in post-war America.

Lt. Colonel Boyd "Buzz" Wagner
Credits
Sing a Song of Six Guns!

Story Featuring Vigilante

Storyline

Greg's show is almost pulled off the air until he learns how to make the jive with some classical kids who've had their instruments heisted by Jiggers Jolton.

Credits
Story Notes

Vigilante tells his origin and reveals secret identity to Stuff. Script credit from Bob Hughes.

Story Featuring Private Pete

"This is quite a mission to be sent on!"

Credits
The Battle of a Thousand Years

Story Featuring The Three Aces

Credits
Story Notes

Script credit added by Craig Delich.

The Case of the Stolen Spectacles!
Storyline

Mr. America catches an escaped spy.

Credits
Story Notes

A continuation of Mr. America of the Mr. America feature. Although billed as Americommandos, the strip still features Mr. America and Fatman. Fatman does not appear in this story. Script credit per Jerry Bails via Craig Delich.

Wolf Hunt
Credits

"Gertie, I'm going over to Mrs. Whalen's..."

The One-Man Army!

Story Featuring Congo Bill

Storyline

Bill carries a secret message through the Japanese lines to a Chinese commander.

Credits

Story Featuring Private Pete

"What a night to stand guard duty!"

Credits

"He's in charge of our complaint department..."

Credits
Story Notes

3 gags.

Crime on Ice!

Story Featuring Zatara

Credits
Now on Sale
Story Notes

House ad featuring cover repros from Green Lantern (DC, 1941 series) #4, All-Flash (DC, 1941 series) #6, All-Star Comics (DC, 1940 series) #12, Mutt & Jeff (DC, 1939 series) #5, Batman (DC, 1940 series) #12, and Leading Comics (DC, 1941 series) #3.

Story Featuring Wonder Woman

"Here it is, boys and girls!"

Characters
Other
Story Notes

House ad for Wonder Woman (DC, 1942 series) #1.

"Meet Yank and Doodle!"

Story Notes

Ad for Prize Comics (Prize, 1940 series) #v2#11 (23), with a small, partial cover repro.

Biggest and Best!
Story Notes

House ad for World's Finest Comics (DC, 1941 series) #7, with small cover repro.

Story Featuring Superman

"I want more Superman!"

Story Notes

House ad for Superman (DC, 1939 series) #18, with small cover repro.

"Greetings, Superman members! Somewhere over the dense, mosquito-ridden jungles..."

Cowhand Goes to Town
Credits
Story Notes

Inside front cover. Review of Cowhand Goes to Town by Phil Strong, with pictures by Kurt Wiese. Page includes Superman's Secret Message, and the indicia.

Ad Featuring Modern Concise Encyclopedia

Story Notes

Back cover.

Ad Featuring Wonders of Science Simplified

Story Notes

Inside back cover.

Story Notes

Several small ads.

Ad Featuring Kool-Aid

Editorial Advisory Board
Story Notes

Inside front cover. A listing of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Superman DC Comic Magazines and a list of those magazines and their frequencies.