Before Superman and Captain America became global symbols of heroism, joined cinematic universes and inspired Halloween costumes, they were just ink on cheap newsprint—bold, bright and bursting with possibility. Now, the comic book debuts of two of the world’s most iconic superheroes have found a permanent home at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
In an extraordinary acquisition, gifted by Brandon Beck, co-founder of the video game developer Riot Games, the museum has added Action ComicsNo. 1 and Captain America ComicsNo. 1to its collection. These comic books were the public’s introduction to characters whose influence today spans movies, television, toys and the imaginations of several generations.
“I have worked at the museum for almost 30 years and have been able to collect, research and share so many fun and important stories with the public,” says Eric Jentsch, curator of popular culture and sports history, in an email. “This acquisition was one of the most gratifying of my career, not only as the comics are important pieces of our cultural history that should be preserved, but also because if you told me as a kid I would be working with these incredible collections I would have been psyched.”
Superman first leapt onto the page in 1938’s Action Comics No. 1, widely considered the beginning of the superhero genre. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, Superman—a caped defender of humanity who came to Earth from the doomed planet Krypton—embodied Depression-era yearnings for justice. Nearly 90 years of storytelling were launched from that first issue.
National Museum of American History
Fun fact: Superman on the big screen
Last summer, a new Superman movie directed by James Gunn earned around $624 million worldwide and was the highest-grossing superhero movie of 2025.
Captain America arrived in December 1940, with the issue dated March 1941, as global conflict intensified. Created by writer Joe Simon and artist Jack Kirby, the star-spangled super soldier debuted with an unforgettable image: delivering a crushing right hook to Adolf Hitler’s jaw, before the United States officially entered World War II in December 1941. The cover was more than sensational art—it was a bold political statement. When a scrawny Brooklyn volunteer named Steve Rogers was transformed by science into a symbol of national resolve, comic books became a vehicle for wartime morale and democratic ideals.
The museum has long collected artifacts that chart the rise of American entertainment—from early televisions to classic film props. Adding these comics strengthens its commitment to documenting how mass media shapes national consciousness. Superheroes, once dismissed as lowbrow diversions, are now recognized as a uniquely American contribution to worldwide culture. As the Smithsonian continues to expand and reinterpret its collections, this acquisition cements the place of comic books as vital historical documents and tools of storytelling.
“We use objects from popular culture to reflect and learn about the past, and the comics provide incredible insight into the era from which they come, including the relationships between the books’ Jewish American creators and the beginning of the World War II era, fascination with technological and scientific advancements, and representations of sacrifice and heroism during challenging times,” says Jentsch.
National Museum of American History
Taken together, the comics reflect societal anxieties and aspirations alike—whether in Superman’s immigrant origins or in Captain America’s wartime ethos. “The pivotal creators of these comics—Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby—were all first-generation Jewish Americans, anxious to make their marks in a country that had welcomed their parents,” says Paul Levitz, president of DC Comics from 2002 to 2009 and writer of many comics, including Superman, via email. “As someone who had the pleasure of knowing them all, I can confidently say that this recognition of their work in the most significant comic book acquisition in decades, would have been a great affirmation of the groundbreaking genre that they created.”
The creators’ children echo those sentiments. Siegel’s daughter, Laura Siegel Larson, notes: “The museum already holds my dad’s portable typewriter. Now they have Action Comics No. 1, the holy grail of Superman artifacts.” And Simon’s son Jim says, “It is wonderful to know that my father, Joe Simon, and Jack Kirby’s work is not only forever immortalized in the hearts of millions but also in the highest of institutions where it will be forever preserved.”
The timing is apt. In recent decades, superhero narratives have dominated box office returns and streaming platforms, generating expansive programming and reshaping Hollywood economics. Yet the origins of these billion-dollar franchises remain humble: Stapled pages sold for a dime at neighborhood newsstands. Today some of those rare pages are among the most valuable printed materials in existence. Four years ago, Captain America’s first adventure sold for more than $3 million at auction. Last year, a copy of Superman No. 1was auctioned for more than $9 million. In January, a copy of Action Comics No. 1 sold privately for $15 million.
As Jentsch says, “That these books created characters and narratives whose relevance has only grown since their debut almost 90 years ago speaks volumes about their impact and immersion into everyday life.”
