A copy of Superman No 1 has achieved a historic milestone by selling for US$9.12 million (£6.96 million, A$14.14 million) at a recent auction, making it the most expensive comic book ever sold. The comic, first published in 1939, marks the inaugural solo title of the iconic character and represents a significant moment in comic book history.
The astonishing sale took place on March 15, 2024, after the comic was serendipitously discovered in an attic in northern California. Three unnamed brothers found the comic tucked away beneath old newspapers in a cardboard box while sorting through their late mother’s belongings. Their mother had purchased the comic at the age of nine in San Francisco. Although she had mentioned owning rare comics over the years, the brothers never anticipated the treasure hidden away would be so valuable.
Despite its age, the condition of the comic was remarkably pristine, earning it an impressive grade of 9.0 on the 10-point scale used in the industry. This makes it the highest-graded copy of Superman No 1 known to exist, with only seven copies worldwide graded at 6.0 or higher. The sale price shatters the previous record set just last year when an 8.5-graded copy of Action Comics No 1, which featured Superman’s debut, sold for US$6 million.
The initial print run for Superman No 1 was 500,000 copies, followed by runs of 250,000 and 150,000. Due to the comic’s interactive nature, which invited children to cut out the cover for use as a poster, intact copies have become increasingly rare. Superman No 1 is often considered one of the “big three” comics, alongside Action Comics No 1 and Detective Comics No 27, the latter featuring the first appearance of Batman.
Lon Allen, vice-president of Heritage Auctions, which facilitated the sale, described the event as “a momentous day.” He remarked, “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 character of Superman was created in 1933 by teenagers Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, who sold the rights to DC Comics for a mere $130, earning $10 for each page they illustrated. This transaction laid the foundation for one of the most enduring franchises in entertainment history, making the sale of Superman No 1 a fitting tribute to the legacy of the character.
