CGC Featured Comic of the Month: Superman #233

Posted on 6/2/2025

This month, we're celebrating the Summer of Superman with one of the most iconic Superman covers of all time, which also marked the start of a historic new era for the Man of Steel.


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Name of comic: Superman #233

Comic publisher: DC Comics

Date: January 1971

Variants: None

What makes it special? This landmark issue kicks off the legendary “Kryptonite Nevermore” storyline by writer Denny O’Neil and artist Curt Swan. It famously features the destruction of all Kryptonite on Earth, drastically raising Superman’s power level, and introduces a new, more grounded take on the Man of Steel. It also features one of the most iconic Neal Adams cover images of all time!

Why is it interesting now? With James Gunn’s Superman film set for July 2025 and leaning into classic optimism and sci-fi tones, this issue’s influence is buzzing again. Collectors are circling key issues that helped define Superman for a modern era, and this is the one that started it all.

Did you know? This issue marked the end of editor Mort Weisinger’s era and the beginning of Julius Schwartz’s editorial reign, which brought a more human, introspective Superman to the page, setting the tone for the Bronze Age.

Total graded by CGC: As of May 30, 2025, there are 1,688 copies of Superman #233 listed in the CGC Census.

CGC highest graded: There are just three copies graded CGC 9.8, making high-grade versions increasingly scarce. The median grade for an example with the blue Universal label is CGC 6.5.

Sales highlights: A CGC 9.6 example realized $5,520 through Heritage Auctions in April 2024.

CGC Comics Registry Champion: Collector roulette44 showcases a CGC 9.4 copy in their set, JoeyD's All Over Da Supes.

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CGC Featured Comic of the Month: Superman #233

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