Superman No. 1 Comic Fetches $9.12 Million at Auction

A copy of Superman No. 1 has set a new record for the most expensive comic book ever sold, achieving a price of US$9.12 million (£6.96 million, A$14.14 million) at auction. The sale took place on March 2024 and highlights the enduring popularity and cultural significance of comic books.

Discovered in an attic in California, this particular copy of Superman No. 1 dates back to 1939 and represents the first solo title for the iconic character. It was the first instance where a character debuted in a comic book had a title exclusively devoted to them, marking a significant moment in comic book history. The comic was unearthed by three brothers while sorting through their late mother’s belongings. They found it tucked beneath a stack of old newspapers in a cardboard box. Their mother had purchased the comic at the age of nine while living in San Francisco, and although she had mentioned owning “rare comics,” the brothers were astonished to discover this hidden gem.

The condition of the comic played a crucial role in its record-breaking sale. Despite being 86 years old, the comic is in pristine condition, receiving a high grade of 9.0 on a 10-point scale used to evaluate comic book quality. This makes it the highest-graded copy of Superman No. 1 known to exist, and one of only seven copies with a grade of 6.0 or higher. The price of $9.12 million eclipses the previous record set just last year when an 8.5-graded copy of Action Comics No. 1, which features Superman’s first appearance, sold for $6 million.

Initially, half a million copies of Superman No. 1 were printed, followed by subsequent print runs of 250,000 and 150,000. However, intact copies are now exceedingly rare. This scarcity is partly attributed to the comic’s original design, which invited children to cut out the cover and use it as a poster.

Superman No. 1 is regarded as one of the “big three” comics, alongside Action Comics No. 1 and Detective Comics No. 27, which introduced Batman. Lon Allen, vice-president of Heritage Auctions, who facilitated the sale, described the event as “a momentous day.” He emphasized the remarkable condition of the comic and its captivating backstory, stating, “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.”

The creation of Superman is attributed to two Cleveland teenagers, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, who conceived the character in 1933. They sold the rights to DC Comics for a mere $130, receiving only $10 for each page they illustrated. This sale not only marks a significant financial milestone but also underscores the cultural impact that comic books continue to have across generations. The extraordinary sale of Superman No. 1 is a testament to the lasting legacy of this beloved character and the comic book industry as a whole.