Carl Choi UNITED STATES
Member Since June 2018
161 Artworks | Watched by 106

Action Comics #598 Cover (1st Appearance of Checkmate & Misspelled Metropolis)

Location: Publisher Gallery: DC
Artists: John Byrne (Penciller) ,  John Byrne (Inker)

545  Views  -  21  Comments  -  34  Likes

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Published Cover
Artwork Details
Location: Publisher Gallery: DC
Title: Action Comics #598 Cover (1st Appearance of Checkmate & Misspelled Metropolis)
Artist:  John Byrne (Penciller) ,  John Byrne (Inker)
Media Type: Pen and Ink
Art Type: Cover
For Sale Status: NFS
Views: 545
Likes on CAF: 34
Comments: 21
Added to Site: 3/4/2026

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Description
I can’t believe it took me until March to post my first CAF pickup of the year… but better late than never right? This is also my first Byrne!

I know most people talk about Byrne’s X-Men run, but my exposure to John Byrne was during his revival of Superman. Not only did he ground the character by making Clark Kent his true identity while Superman became the alter ego, opposite of what the character was known for, he also transformed Lex Luthor from a mad scientist into the corporate billionaire we recognize today across film and television. When I first saw this cover for Action Comics #598 it immediately popped for me. I loved the composition of our hero doing what he does best amidst the end of what looks like a nuclear blast. Total devastation behind him, yet somehow the image brought a peaceful feeling to my soul.

When I saw it in person I fell in love even more, but when it came time to pull the trigger I hesitated because there was just so much other art ahead of it in line. Funny how collecting works. The way I ultimately acquired this piece actually came full circle from what I would call a series of “bad decisions” back in 2008 when the world felt like it was ending and I went heavy into precious metals. Well, it turns out that timing matters. Bechara’s son happened to be interested in the current precious metals meta and we were able to structure a nice trade.

Always fun when collecting comes full circle, and to add a bonus, James Gunn introduced Checkmate during the final episode of Peacemaker, and this issue happens to be their first appearance. Historically, this cover was also published with a misspelling of Metropolis! Sometimes hesitation isn’t a missed opportunity, sometimes it’s just the long route to the right deal.

About The Owner

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Carl Choi
Badges: Premium Gallery Owner Best of 2025
Member Since: June 2018
Last Login: April 2026
Website: http://247comics.com
Country: UNITED STATES
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Comments on this Artwork

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Rohan Joseph Member Since 2023
1    
Posted On 3/4/2026

Bravo Carl! What a stunner!

Justin Porter Member Since 2003
1    
Posted On 3/4/2026

Bad @$$! Loved Byrne's run on Action Comics.

Holy Grail Collectibles Member Since 2020
1    
Posted On 3/4/2026

Wow great pickup Carl! 🤗🥳

Duke  Fleed Member Since 2013
1    
Posted On 3/4/2026

Checkmate is also a good description to describe this acquisition. Huge congrats my man!

Kavi H Member Since 2018
1    
Posted On 3/4/2026

Baller! Dude I love this Action cover, huge congrats on this! I'm not even gonna bother to ask what you meant by precious metals. It's either you literally went into mining gold or diamonds or it's some trading card lingo BS - don't explain! Leave me in the dark ;-p P.S. Byrne's Superman/Man Of Steel run was more my initial exposure to his work as well (we are same age range kinda makes sense I guess)
Ruben DaCollector Member Since 2008
1    
Posted On 3/4/2026

Classic mushroom cloud themed cover! I could never figure out how Byrne created the late 80's era "dot matrix" pattern. Is that a zip-a-tone pattern I've never seen before? Maybe a stat? Either way, congrats on the acquisition. Trading away some gold bars and silver rounds is a very unique way to acquire original comic art!

Marcus Wai Member Since 2005
1    
Posted On 3/5/2026

It was the 80's and the cold war was still on with nuclear threat on everyone's minds.  I remember we had to stay under our desks at school during a drill, like that was going to save us from a nuclear blast.

F M Member Since 2005
1    
Posted On 3/5/2026

Certainly a great first Byrne

Dave W Member Since 2006
1    
Posted On 3/5/2026

What a precipus cover! So metal!

1    
Posted On 3/5/2026

love this issue, awesome get buddy

Rick W Member Since 2017
2    
Posted On 3/5/2026

Byrne Box:   Checkmate ✅

Steve Day Vich Member Since 2007
1    
Posted On 3/5/2026

This is cool and also a big deal. Congrats on an iconic and museum quality Byrne cover.

Toni S Member Since 2019
1    
Posted On 3/5/2026

Stellar Image!

Phill R Member Since 2010
1    
Posted On 3/5/2026

Badass Sups cover Carl!!

Tom McDonald Member Since 2019
1    
Posted On 3/5/2026

Now THAT''S the kind of art you should investing in!

1    
Posted On 3/5/2026

Beautiful and Iconic!  One of the best covers in the run!  Congrats!

Tyler T Member Since 2020
1    
Posted On 3/6/2026

Stunner! The dot matrix background here is awesome and I have questions about the whole process.

West Stephan Member Since 2007
1    
Posted On 3/6/2026

I bought this issue when it came out in 1988. I loved the cover from day one! Such a classic! Congratulations.

Jordan Joanou Member Since 2008
1    
Posted On 3/6/2026

Historic and stunning.  Great get my friend.

Joe Murray Member Since 2006
1    
Posted On 3/6/2026

Such a cool Byrne Supes cover, remember it well, loved Byrne's foray into a Mac mushroom cloud background, and when a piece finds the right collector, congrats!

Dinesh Shamdasani Member Since 2004
1    
Posted On 3/8/2026

CONGRATS!

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