Approximate
Condition Profile
DC COMICS · 8/66
UNIT ECA-040322
// Unit photos [6]
ACTION COMICS #340
Jim Shooter and Al Plastino's "Power of the Parasite!", the first appearance of the Parasite, with a double-page Superman pin-up
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC Comics | August 1966 | Silver | — | 1st appearance of the Parasite (Maxwell Jensen) | LISTED ON EBAY |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-040324 | ~4.0 | — | LISTED ON EBAY ↗ (opens eBay in a new tab) |
| ECA-040322 | ~1.5 | — | LISTED ON EBAY ↗ (opens eBay in a new tab) |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Graded at 1.5 (FR/GD) on 2026-10-18, from new photos taken out of the sleeve: front, back and interior page. Heavy creasing and rubbed, flaking surface across the front. Pieces missing along the right edge. Worn spine with several small splits. Soiled back cover. Tan pages. Old tape on the front near the right edge. Small handwritten date on the cover. Centrefold loose at the staples.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $48 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $101 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $9,000 |
// Archive commentary
Action Comics #340 (DC Comics, August 1966) leads with "Power of the Parasite!", a 14-page story written by Jim Shooter and drawn by Al Plastino that introduces the Parasite, Maxwell Jensen, a villain who drains the energy and powers of anyone he touches. He went on to become one of Superman's recurring foes.
The backup is "The Supergirl Identity Hunt!", a 10-page Supergirl story drawn by Jim Mooney, and the issue carries a double-page pin-up of Superman, which is missing from many used copies. The cover is by Curt Swan and George Klein.
It is collected as the Parasite's debut, a Silver Age Superman key, and copies with the pin-up still in place are the ones buyers look for.
INQUIRE_ABOUT_THIS_UNIT
Listed on eBay. This unit is for sale on eBay: view the listing ↗ (opens eBay in a new tab). Questions about it are welcome here too.