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Religion and Characters in
Action Comics (vol. 1) #16 (Sep. 1939):
“Superman and the Numbers Racket”
by Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster

Action Comics (vol. 1) #16

Title: “Superman and the Numbers Racket”

Medium: comic book

Publication date: Sep 1939

Publisher: DC

Written by: Jerry Siegel

Art by: Joe Shuster


13 characters in this story:

Character
(Click links for info about character
and his/her religious practice, affiliation, etc.)
Religious
Affiliation
Team(s)
[Notes]
Pub. #
app.
Superman Superman (Clark Kent) hero
CBR Scale: S Methodist / Kryptonian
religion
Justice League; Super Friends  DC 12,271
unnamed suicidal gambler supporting character
CBR Scale: M compulsive gambler
  DC 1
Marty Kaye villain
 indeterminate  [gambler; business owner] DC 1
Jack O'Leary villain
 indeterminate  [boss of illegal numbers rackets in Metropolis] DC 1
Commissioner Watson
(8-panel cameo)
villain
 indeterminate  [corrupt; took "protection" bribes from illegal gamblers] DC 1
unnamed barber
(8-panel cameo)
villain
 indeterminate  [bookie; ran an illegal numbers racket] DC 1
unnamed gambler
(6-panel cameo)
supporting character
CBR Scale: M compulsive gambler
[Superman told him to stop gambling] DC 1
George Taylor George Taylor
(4-panel cameo)
supporting character
CBR Scale: S religious/ethical
[Clark Kent's first boss] DC 65
Nick
(4-panel cameo)
villain
CBR Scale: I manifestly non-religious
[bouncer; thug] DC 3
Pete
(4-panel cameo)
villain
CBR Scale: I manifestly non-religious
[bouncer; thug] DC 3
unnamed poor people
(2-panel cameo)
supporting character
CBR Scale: S religious
[some impoverished Metropolis citizens] DC 1
Samson Samson
(mentioned)
hero real/historical person
CBR Scale: S Jewish
[] DC 60
Butch
(mentioned)
villain
CBR Scale: I manifestly non-religious
[bouncer; thug] DC 2