The Girl of Steel! Action Comics 252 Facsimile Reprint Review!

 

In December 2025, DC Comics reprinted Action Comics 252, May 1959, featuring the first appearance of Supergirl and Metallo! The issue was previously reprinted at the turn of the century as a Millenium Edition issue.

The classic issue features an equally classic cover: Supergirl zooming out of her Kryptonian rocket announcing to Superman and the world who and what she is! Definitely a memorable cover by the legendary Curt Swan and Stan Kaye.

Robert Bernstein and Al Plastino present the debut of Metallo! He's murderous reporter, John Corbin! And, apparently, a reckless driver! Taking a curve to sharp, he flips his car! If not for Professor Vale passing by driven by his housekeeper Edith, Metallo might never have come to be! Humanitarian Vale saves Corbin and continues his treacherous ways. His new metal body requires a Uranium or Kryptonite heart to power him! Coincidentally, he's also a near identical twin to The Man of Steel! Only the fickle finger of fate is able to stop him!

Bernstein and Howard Sherman present another Congo Bill/Congorilla adventure! Congorilla must rescue Bill, the Comandant and his troops at an oasis commandeered by highwaymen bent on pathway piracy!

Finally, Otto Binder and Al Plastino introduce The Maid of Might, "The Supergirl from Krypton"! The story hinges heavily on coincidence and serendipity. It's all very convenient and somewhat predictable. The nitpick I have with this is that DC Comics decided to kill off the Kents. Granted, Supergirl gets her own, individual area. Yet, had the Kents lived, Supergirl could have lived and gone to school in Smallville. Maybe that would have been even more redundant, but it would have avoided what might be considered "super-dickery": Superman shunting his cousin off to an orphanage in Midvale far away from Smallville. It just seems more complicated than less, especially for the newest addition to The Superman Family. Yes, it would have seemed creepy for Superman to have his young "cousin" living with him in Metropolis. Maybe it would have been too revealing to have another superhuman alien in Smallville. Is that where they grow them?

For what it is, Action Comics 252, featuring the famous first appearances of Supergirl and Metallo is fine. It could have been more or better. It is what it is for the time.

Action Comics 252 earns two stars.