The first Superman comic: inside Action Comics #1
Published in 1938 for just ten cents, Action Comics #1 introduced the world to Superman and inadvertently birthed the superhero genre. Originally treated as disposable entertainment, fewer than 100 copies are believed to survive today. This guide explores the comic’s accidental creation by two Cleveland teenagers, its historical significance, and its journey to becoming one of the most valuable printed objects on Earth, capped by a record-breaking $15 million private sale in 2026.
2026-08-07
Superman comic book value: A guide for first-time buyers or sellers
Superman comic book value continues to break records, with Action Comics #1 reaching £4.86 million and Superman #1 selling for £4.26 million in recent auctions. This comprehensive guide for first-time buyers and sellers provides verified market data, professional grading explanations, recommendations for trusted dealers and auction houses, plus essential advice for successfully entering the vintage Superman comic collecting market.
2026-08-06
Nic Cage’s stolen Superman sets comic record in $15 million private sale
A legendary copy of a legendary comic has been sold to set yet another new comics record. Prices seem to have no ceiling.
2026-01-21
Superman takes top spot with world record $9 million comic sale
Another Superman record as the Man of Steel becomes the most expensive ever comic book in his own title toppling Action Comics #1, his debut.
2025-11-21
Superman’s debut comic soars to $3 million-plus before auction
They printed around 1 million copies of this debut magazine featuring a super-popular new hero. But, they asked kids to cut off the back page and intact examples are worth a mint.
2025-11-05
Chaplin, Travolta, Chewbacca, Superman all up for grabs at major movie sale
Some of the biggest names of 20th-Century Hollywood are up for grabs at a major movie memorabilia sale at the end of this month. Prop Store’s Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction: […]
2025-03-12
World’s most valuable comic: $6 million for Superman’s debut
A copy of Action Comics Number 1, the first Superman publication, has realised $6 million at auction: a new record for a comic book. Superman landed on news vendors’ shelves […]
2024-04-10
Superman debut comic could make millions at auction
A copy of Action Comics #1, the first appearance of Superman, could realise millions of dollars when it is sold at auction at the beginning of April. The sellers, Heritage […]
2024-02-14
Bilbo Baggins’ pipe and Superman’s cape lead Julien’s Hollywood auction
Bilbo Baggins’ pipe and Superman’s cape are amongst the leading highlights in Julien’s upcoming Hollywood Icons and Idols auction on December 16. The pipe was used (and smoked) on-screen by […]
2019-12-02
Superman’s sinister origins revealed in RR Auction’s ‘Remarkable Rarities’ sale
The first Superman comic ever created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster is up for sale at RR Auction – although collectors expecting a hero in a cape could be […]
2018-09-19
Christopher Reeve’s ‘Evil Superman’ costume sells at Julien’s
Christopher Reeve’s “Evil Superman” costume from Superman III (1983) was among the stars of a recent movie memorabilia sale at Julien’s Auctions. The costume is darker than the others used […]
By Tom Meyrick
2018-06-27
Rare copy of Action Comics #1 breaks $2 million
A rare copy of Action Comics #1, featuring the first appearance of Superman, has sold at auction in the US for more than $2m. The 1938 book is considered the […]
2018-06-14
Superman #1 comic features at Heritage Auctions
Heritage Auctions’ May 10 Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction features a CGC 3.0-graded copy of Superman #1 (1939). This rare book originated from the Billy Wright collection, a run […]
