<P> Superman debuted as the cover feature of the anthology Action Comics # 1 ( cover - dated June 1938 and published on April 18 , 1938 ) . The series was an immediate success , and reader feedback showed it was because of the Superman character . In June 1939 , Detective Comics began a sister series , Superman , dedicated exclusively to the character . Action Comics eventually became dedicated to Superman stories too , and both it and Superman have been published without interruption since 1938 ( ignoring changes to the titles and numbering ) . A large number of other series and miniseries have been published as well . Superman has also appeared as a regular or semi-regular character in a number of superhero team series , such as Justice League of America and World 's Finest Comics , and in spin - off series such as Supergirl . Sales of Action Comics and Superman declined steadily from the 1950s , but rose again starting in 1987 . Superman # 75 ( Nov 1992 ) sold over 6 million copies , making it the best - selling issue of a comic book of all time , thanks to a media sensation over the possibly permanent death of the character in that issue . Sales declined from that point on . In February 2016 , Action Comics sold just over 31,000 copies . The comic books are today considered a niche aspect of the Superman franchise due to low readership . </P>
<P> Superman debuted as the cover feature of the anthology Action Comics # 1 ( cover - dated June 1938 and published on April 18 , 1938 ) . The series was an immediate success , and reader feedback showed it was because of the Superman character . In June 1939 , Detective Comics began a sister series , Superman , dedicated exclusively to the character . Action Comics eventually became dedicated to Superman stories too , and both it and Superman have been published without interruption since 1938 ( ignoring changes to the titles and numbering ) . A large number of other series and miniseries have been published as well . Superman has also appeared as a regular or semi-regular character in a number of superhero team series , such as Justice League of America and World 's Finest Comics , and in spin - off series such as Supergirl . Sales of Action Comics and Superman declined steadily from the 1950s , but rose again starting in 1987 . Superman # 75 ( Nov 1992 ) sold over 6 million copies , making it the best - selling issue of a comic book of all time , thanks to a media sensation over the possibly permanent death of the character in that issue . Sales declined from that point on . In February 2016 , Action Comics sold just over 31,000 copies . The comic books are today considered a niche aspect of the Superman franchise due to low readership . </P>
when did superman first appear in a comic book
when did superman first appear in a comic book
April 18 , 1938
April 18 , 1938