A copy of Superman No. 1 has made history by selling for US$9.12 million (£6.96 million, A$14.14 million), establishing itself as the most expensive comic book ever sold. The landmark sale took place on March 2024, following the comic’s discovery in an attic in California by three unnamed brothers. The brothers found the comic while sorting through their late mother’s belongings, where it had been stored for decades.
Originally published in 1939, Superman No. 1 marked a pivotal moment in comic book history as it was the first title solely dedicated to a superhero character that debuted in a comic. The copy sold was in exceptional condition and achieved a grade of 9.0 on the 10-point grading scale used in the comic industry. It is one of only seven known copies rated at 6.0 or higher, making it a rare find in the collectors’ market.
The brothers revealed that their mother purchased the comic when she was just nine years old in San Francisco. Although she had often mentioned having “rare comics somewhere,” the brothers were unaware of the comic’s existence until they unearthed it under a pile of old newspapers. Its excellent condition can be attributed, in part, to the fact that it had been well-preserved over the years, despite being stored in a cardboard box.
The sale price of $9.12 million eclipsed the previous record set in 2022, when an 8.5-graded copy of Action Comics No. 1, which featured Superman’s first appearance, sold for $6 million. Initially, around 500,000 copies of Superman No. 1 were printed, with subsequent print runs of 250,000 and 150,000. Today, intact copies are exceedingly rare, partly due to the original comic’s invitation for children to cut the cover off to use as a poster.
Significance of Superman No. 1 in Comic Culture
The comic is considered one of the “big three” alongside Action Comics No. 1 and Detective Comics No. 27, which featured the introduction of Batman. According to Lon Allen, vice-president of Heritage Auctions, which facilitated the sale, this transaction represents a significant moment in pop culture history.
“Superman No. 1 is a milestone in pop culture history, and this copy is not only in unprecedented condition, but it has a movie-worthy story behind it. I was glad to see the price reflect that and am honored Heritage was entrusted with this iconic book,” Allen stated.
Created in 1933 by Cleveland teenagers Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Superman transformed the comic book landscape. The duo sold the rights to DC Comics for a meager $130, receiving just $10 for each page they illustrated.
The extraordinary sale of Superman No. 1 not only highlights the enduring appeal of comic books but also underscores the value of rare collectibles in today’s market. As collectors continue to seek out high-graded copies of iconic titles, this sale sets a new benchmark that may influence future transactions within the industry.
