Price history & market evidence
PriceCharting guide history
Dated guide estimates for this edition, separate from completed sales.
2 dated observations. Last recorded 2026-11-01. Source record #2335329
Price observations belong to this edition. Guide estimates, catalog references and completed sales are separate kinds of evidence.
| Grade | Amount | Evidence | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.0 | $362,435.00 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_10_0_valueguide | 1942-05-01 |
| 4.0 | $724.44 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_4_0_valueguide | 1942-05-01 |
| 6.0 | $1,449.79 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_6_0_valueguide | 1942-05-01 |
| 8.0 | $1,553.50 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_8_0_valueguide | 1942-05-01 |
| 9.2 | $7,200.00 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_9_2_valueguide | 1942-05-01 |
| 9.6 | $306,675.00 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_9_6_valueguide | 1942-05-01 |
| 9.8 | $278,795.87 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_9_8_valueguide | 1942-05-01 |
| RAW | $344.71 | PANEL_PROFITS · ungraded_valueguide | 1942-05-01 |
Reading this edition’s market
Compare the same cover, printing and grade before setting a bid. A raw guide or a higher-grade price does not establish a slab’s value. Include selling fees, shipping and the depth of completed-sale evidence when assessing an exit price.
The table includes 8 guide observations and 0 catalog references. These are reference values, not guaranteed sale proceeds.
Graded population
CGC records 173 graded copies for Superman #16 (1942). Population is the number recorded by this grading source, not the total print run or all surviving copies.
The World's Meanest Man
Perry White arranges for Clark and Lois to drive out some kids from the slums out to the country for a retreat. As Clark goes to fetch some milk, he sees a kid falling out of an apple tree with his telescopic vision, and quickly changes into Superman to save him. He then shakes out some apples from the tree with his super-strength for the kids. Suddenly, Superman flies Lois out of the way as a mad bull charges the group. Superman lands behind the bull and grabs his tail, angering it. The bull charges right into Superman, which, having no effect, scares the bull off. With his presence no longer needed, Superman flies away and returns as Clark Kent. Clark and Lois then drive the kids back.
After returning to the Daily Planet, White informs the duo that he will be raising funds for a countryside getaway for underprivileged youths. Clark and Lois write articles about it, and within a week they've raised all the donations they need, including one from Charlie Grayson, a purportedly-reformed racketeer whose crimes were exposed by the Planet. Another day, Clark and Lois hear gunshots from across the street. Clark feigns cowardice and slips away to change into Superman. Superman finds the shooter firing into the air, and delivers him to the police. Meanwhile, a masked man breaks into the Planet, locks Lois in a closet, and steals the funds needed for the charity getaway. Clark returns to a furious Lois, who calls the police. Clark, lacking an alibi, is arrested by Sergeant Casey, though Clark breaks free in the station and successfully escapes, using his super-speed when out of sight. Clark changes into Superman and flies to the jail, where he sees the decoy shooter, who had been let off with a fine, walking out. Superman trails him to a building where the thug picks up his money from a slot in the wall, with the mysterious person on the other side confirming that he was a distraction in order to rob the Planet. Superman smashes in and interrogates the thug, who is shot through the wall before he can name his boss. Superman smashes through the wall, and chases down the masked man with the funds. However, the crook throws the box out the window. Superman, having no choice, streaks out the window and catches the box before it lands on a baby. Superman delivers the funds to the police station, and changes back into Clark Kent. Lois takes him back to the station, where Clark is let off with a warning.
A few weeks later, Superman stops by the under-construction getaway in the country, where he spots a bomb with his X-Ray vision. He flies it into the air, where it explodes. He sees the masked man from before fleeing the scene. The man fires his gun into Superman, but Superman just tackles him. Superman unmasks the man, who turns out to be Charlie Grayson, who wanted to take revenge on the Planet for getting him in jail. Superman intimidates Grayson with some air tricks until he agrees to confess, and drops him off with Casey. Weeks later, Clark and Lois look on the underprivileged kids playing in the getaway.
Creative credits
Writers: Jerry Siegel, Jerry Siegel, Jerry Siegel, Jerry Siegel
Interior art: Leo Nowak, John Sikela, John Sikela, John Sikela
Source records & attribution
Panel Profits keeps each source identity attached to its edition record.
GCD: 2165
PANEL PROFITS: 2335329