Best of 2021 :: Published/Unpublished Commissions/Recreations

Famous First Edition, Vol. 8 No. C-61 (DC, 1978) page 51 featuring Superman by Albert DeGuzman, et. al.

Owner: Philip R. Frey
Artists: Albert DeGuzman (All) , Joe Shuster (Layouts) , Jerry Siegel (Writer)

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Artwork Details

Title:	Famous First Edition, Vol. 8 No. C-61 (DC, 1978) page 51 featuring Superman by Albert DeGuzman, et. al.
Artist:	Albert DeGuzman (All)
Artist:	Joe Shuster (Layouts)
Artist:	Jerry Siegel (Writer)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
Views:	477
Likes on CAF:	2 3
Added to Site:	10/20/2021

Description

This piece has an interesting history. In the 1970s, DC published a series of tabloids (remember those?) under the title 'Famous First Edition'. These are reprints of famous DC comics, starting with 'Action Comics' No. 1. The last, the origin of this page, was a reprint of 'Superman' No. 1.

Evidently, DC had no decent copies of the art, so tried reproducing it by cutting up an actual copy of the comic and blowing up the art. Ultimately, Albert DeGuzman was brought in to clean it all up and wound up basically redrawing the entire issue.

The eBay seller who sold the art (and spun this tale) had and has numerous pieces from the production of this issue of Famous First Edition. I bought this page of original art (comparisons to the published page confirm it *is* the art used for the tabloid) and one of the "mechanicals", a full page stat of art with minimal touch-up.

But among their items are horrible looking stats that are obviously blown up comics pages (you can see the dots) that someone tried to clean up. They must have realized how bad this looked, which led to the decision to essentially redraw the comic. I can find no independent confirmation of this story, but it seems to fit what I've seen.

Regardless of the full story, this page *is* the one used for the published tabloid and it's as close to an actual Joe Shuster as I'll ever get.

Below, find the full text from the eBay auction...

"Collectors will never be able to own any of the original art from Action Comics #1 or Superman #1. In the 1970s and 80s Mr. Albert DeGuzman was tasked by DC to painstakingly recreate the original art. The story goes, DC purchased a near-mint copy of Action 1 and sliced it up for refecence use, they really did that! Inked recreations, color guides, and mechanicals make up this collection of production items. Each of these pieces depicts the memorable panels that brought the comic legend to life. From these production pieces, DC was able to produce the reprints that so many of us had the opportunity to cherish, just as the youth of 1938 once did."

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About the Owner

	Philip R. Frey
Joined:	November 2008
Last Login:	September 2025
Ebay Id:	rhindle_the_red
Website:	http://www.edwoodonline.com
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Philip R.'s Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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