A 1939 copy of “Superman No. 1” has become the most expensive comic book ever sold after fetching $9.12 million at auction.
The sale broke the previous record held by “Action Comics No. 1.” Three brothers discovered the historic comic while cleaning their late mother’s attic in California, according to Heritage Auctions.
From attic to auction
The brothers found “Superman No. 1” alongside five other comic books. They are in their 50s and 60s and have chosen to remain anonymous.
It took them several months to contact Heritage Auctions. Their mother had often told them about her valuable comic book collection. However, she never showed the collection to her sons.
Heritage Auctions described the 1939 comic as being in pristine condition. The Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) gave the copy a grade of 9.0 out of 10.
Only seven known copies have received a CGC grade of 6.0 or higher. The record-breaking copy is among them.
Lon Allen, vice-president of Heritage Auctions, called “Superman No. 1” a major piece of pop culture history. He also highlighted the unusual story behind its discovery.
“Superman No. 1 is a milestone in pop culture history,” Allen said. He added that the comic’s condition and story helped make the sale special.
Heritage Auctions co-founder Jim Halperin also pointed to the growing interest in rare pop culture collectibles. He said collectors around the world now recognise their historical and financial value.
The $9.12 million sale shows how valuable rare comic books have become. It also highlights the lasting appeal of Superman, one of the most recognisable characters in popular culture.
Previous records
The $9.12 million Superman No. 1 sale beat the previous comic book record by more than $3 million.
The comic originally sold for just 10 cents when it first reached stores in 1939. Decades later, its value has increased dramatically.
“Action Comics No. 1” previously held the record for the most expensive comic book. A copy sold for $6 million in 2024.
Another copy of “Superman No. 1” set a record in 2022 after selling for $5.3 million.
Meanwhile, a copy of “Amazing Fantasy No. 15” sold for $3.6 million in 2021. That issue introduced Spider-Man to readers.
“Superman No. 1” had several print runs. These included editions of 500,000 copies, 250,000 copies and 150,000 copies.
Despite those large print runs, high-grade copies are now extremely rare. Many young readers cut out the comic’s cover and used it as a poster.
That practice reduced the number of complete copies that survived. As a result, collectors now place enormous value on well-preserved editions.
The latest auction has pushed “Superman No. 1” to the top of the comic book market. Its record price also reflects the growing demand for historic comics and rare pieces of pop culture.
