A copy of Superman No. 1 has been auctioned for $9.1 million to become the most expensive comic ever sold.
The copy, published by DC in 1939, is the best condition-rated copy of the landmark title known to exist.
It was sold by Heritage Auctions in Dallas after it was found in a Californian attic.
The book, which marked multiple landmarks in comic history and confirmed Superman’s ascent to the top of a burgeoning superhero scene, was graded “very fine/near mint” with a 9 out of 10 mark from the Certified Guaranty Company.
Vice president at Heritage Lon Allen said in a statement: “I’m thrilled for our consignor. 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 honoured Heritage was entrusted with this iconic book.”
The invitation to cut out and put up this back cover poster – see the dotted lines – was too good to resist for many Superman fans and created a rarity for the ages. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
The comic was found in a cardboard box under a stack of newspapers in the attic of the seller’s grandmother’s house.
The issue of Superman in 1939 made Superman the first hero to get his own dedicated title and the first to appear on the cover of more than one comic book.
The cover shows the Man of Steel illustrated by Joe Shuster, who co-created Superman with writer Jerry Siegel, whose stories fill the book.
An invitation to cut-out-and-keep a poster inside the back cover means many of the copies were chopped up by young fans.
That’s made examples in good condition from a 1-million print run huge rarities. They have previously been valued at $2.2 million and $3 million, and this copy attracted a bid of over $3 million two weeks before the sale closed yesterday, November 20.
Superman has defeated Superman to take the world record, which was previously held by a copy of 1938’s Action Comics #1 in which he first appeared. Heritage sold that comic for $6 million in April 2024.
“This new record may someday be remembered as an early stage of popular culture collecting’s trajectory into the upper reaches of the auction field,” says Jim Halperin, co-founder of Heritage Auctions. “The value and historical importance of these objects are becoming even more well-known to collectors all over the world.”
