Superman's first issue becomes most expensive comic ever sold
- Patrice Journ
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
A pristine 1939 first edition of Superman #1, unearthed after decades in a California attic, shattered auction records a week ago, selling for $9.12 million—the highest price ever paid for a comic book. Heritage Auctions hailed the issue as “the pinnacle of comic collecting” and the finest surviving copy to reach the market, eclipsing the prior $6 million record.
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The comic’s cinematic backstory captivated collectors: Three brothers discovered it in a box while clearing their late mother’s home. Though she’d long hinted at owning rare 1930s comics, the family had dismissed it as folklore. “It has a movie-worthy story behind it,” said Heritage vice president Lon Allen, noting its “unprecedented condition” with a CGC grade of 9/10.
As the first standalone superhero comic, Superman #1 marked a pop culture turning point. DC Comics spun off Clark Kent from 1938’s ensemble-driven Action Comics #1, promising “the complete story of the daring exploits of the one and only Superman” on its iconic red-and-blue cover.
Rarity fueled its value. Most copies were likely destroyed by fans following DC’s design: The back cover included instructions for cutting out a Superman pinup. “We presume almost every kid… cut up the back cover… resulting in a lot of low-grade copies today,” the auction house explained.
Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster—sons of Jewish immigrants who met in Cleveland—Superman’s legacy endures nearly 90 years later, with Hollywood’s Man of Tomorrow slated for 2027.
Yet the duo’s $130 sale of Superman rights in 1938 (later contested in court) contrasts sharply with modern valuations. A $412 check from DC to the pair, including that payment, sold for $160,000 in 2012, underscoring the character’s enduring allure. From million-dollar attic finds to the most coveted issues in pop culture, every comic holds a story—and yours could be next. Dive deeper into the world of collectibles with our Comic & Manga section, where graded rarities, modern masterpieces, and vintage manga treasures await. Whether you’re hunting hidden gems or chasing holy grails, your next obsession is just a click away.
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