Is Superman 233 the definitive Bronze Age Superman Comic? 2 2

[Gatsby77]

On 4/29/2018 at 10:42 AM, Paul_Maul said:

Absolutely, the cover is mere icing on the cake. The supporting WGBS backdrop that would define Supes into the early eighties was introduced in this issue. And I for one never liked Kirby’s work on Jimmy Olsen, as it clashes with the consistent Curt Swan depiction that I loved in the seventies and still love today.

Thank you - much like Green Lantern 76, it's the *story* in this book that makes it significant, far more than the cover.

It brings Superman into the 1970s, with elements including:

• Superman shifting from newspaper journalist to TV broadcast reporter
• Perry White being replaced as his boss by Morgan Edge
• Superman's powers adjusted down
• Superman now (temporarily) impervious to kryptonite

Moreover, it was *intended* by the editors as a restart of a more modern Superman for new readers as part of the new decade, as laid out (along with the full comic) here: https://50yearoldcomics.com/2020/11/11/superman-233-january-1971/

It's clearly the first "Bronze Age Superman," as significant to that hero as Green Lantern 76 and Batman 217 were to theirs.

[Randall Ries]

In fact, I always thought it was a homage to Superman #11. Here is what the Neal thinks about his iconic cover:

Edited December 31, 2020 by Randall Ries

[jcjames]

On 12/30/2020 at 7:33 PM, Randall Ries said:

In fact, I always thought it was a homage to Superman #11. Here is what the Neal thinks about his iconic cover:

Interesting! Thanks for posting that! 

And here's to this Sup233 Appreciation Thread - my one and only copy:

 

Edited January 2, 2021 by jcjames

[Terry JSA]

It’s pretty definitive in my books, it’s a classic Neal Adams cover that’s recognizable. Superman front and center breaking free from a kryptonite chain, more toned down and has more vulnerability compared to Golden and Silver Age counterparts.

[Paul_Maul]

As I revisit this thread I can’t stand seeing the crappy photo of my copy, so adding a better one....

Edited January 3, 2021 by Paul_Maul

[Brandon Shepherd]

Did you guys see this one?!

Edited January 3, 2021 by Brandon Shepherd

[divad]

16 minutes ago, Brandon Shepherd said:

Did you guys see this one?!

Nice . . . but it doesn't appear to really have white pages. 

[Randall Ries]

16 minutes ago, Brandon Shepherd said:

Did you guys see this one?!

That's perfection. I don't know about $15,000 worth, but its a nice book.

[divad]

It may be the most defining, but stylistically, I actual prefer Supes 317:

[Paul_Maul]

15 minutes ago, divad said:

Nice . . . but it doesn't appear to really have white pages. 

Not really wild about the right edge cut or the centering either.

[divad]

2 minutes ago, Paul_Maul said:

18 minutes ago, divad said:

Nice . . . but it doesn't appear to really have white pages. 

Not really wild about the right edge cut or the centering either.

Uh, and if it wasn't "certified" I would take a real close look at micro-trimming here. 

[Brandon Shepherd]

3 hours ago, Paul_Maul said:

Not really wild about the right edge cut or the centering either.

That’s what I was thinking, the wording up top is almost truncated. That’s why I still have 15k! 

[Brandon Shepherd]

3 hours ago, divad said:

It may be the most defining, but stylistically, I actual prefer Supes 317:

I have that one!

[Jasonmorris1000000]

If you want the definitive Superman cover of the Bronze Age, look no further than Action Comics #454.

[PeterPark]

17 hours ago, divad said:

Uh, and if it wasn't "certified" I would take a real close look at micro-trimming here. 

Probably just damage from pressing.

[Randall Ries]

4 hours ago, Jasonmorris1000000 said:

If you want the definitive Superman cover of the Bronze Age, look no further than Action Comics #454.

At the height of the Jughead craze.

[Randall Ries]

14 hours ago, Brandon Shepherd said:

I have that one!

This is a good cover. I don't like it as much as 233 for a couple reasons. One is because 233 shows Superman's self confidence and frankly his over confidence. Sand Superman showed him a thing or two. So did Terra-Man around that time.

This book highlights something else. it's a relatively inexpensive book in raw high grade. Lots of potential 9.4 and 9.6 on ebay. $7. $15. $30.

CGC 9.4 $300! CGC 9.2 $200! CGC 4.5! $150! Give me a break. That's a lot of return on just getting it graded.

[Brandon Shepherd]

20 minutes ago, Randall Ries said:

This is a good cover. I don't like it as much as 233 for a couple reasons. One is because 233 shows Superman's self confidence and frankly his over confidence. Sand Superman showed him a thing or two. So did Terra-Man around that time.

This book highlights something else. it's a relatively inexpensive book in raw high grade. Lots of potential 9.4 and 9.6 on ebay. $7. $15. $30.

CGC 9.4 $300! CGC 9.2 $200! CGC 4.5! $150! Give me a break. That's a lot of return on just getting it graded.

Speaking of the Sand Superman and orange Neal covers, I also have this.

 

[Randall Ries]

3 hours ago, Brandon Shepherd said:

Speaking of the Sand Superman and orange Neal covers, I also have this.

 

A beauty! Congratulations! Another book that is in plentiful supply in high grades is Superman 249. I have a 9.4 of that. It seems to be undervalued as well. My dad bought me a copy of this and #250 when I was a lad.

[Paul_Maul]

This one has nicer QP, but distributor ink overspray on top and bottom? And back looks pretty toned... 🤔

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SUPERMAN-233-DC-Comics-1971-CGC-9-6-Clark-Kent-Becomes-TV-Newscaster/363263785174?hash=item54943578d6:g:CQoAAOSwF2pgBhzh

Edited January 20, 2021 by Paul_Maul