A copy of 'Superman No. 1' was sold for $9.12 million at a Texas auction house, establishing it as the most expensive comic book ever sold.
The comic was discovered by three brothers while clearing out their late mother's attic in San Francisco. It was located in a cardboard box alongside other rare comics, which their mother and her sibling had collected prior to World War II. The discovery was made after the brothers began preparing their mother's house for sale.
Lon Allen, Vice President of Comics at Heritage Auctions, traveled to San Francisco to authenticate the 'Superman No. 1' copy and facilitate its appraisal. The comic book's preservation despite its attic storage was noted.
Released in 1939 by Detective Comics Inc., 'Superman No. 1' is one of a limited number of known existing copies and was found in excellent condition. The cultural significance of Superman as the first superhero is cited as a factor in its value.
This sale surpasses previous records. In the preceding year, an 'Action Comics No. 1' sold for $6 million. In 2022, another 'Superman No. 1' was sold for $5.3 million.
Experts identified the sold copy as originating from the first edition of 500,000 'Superman No. 1' comics, based on an in-house advertisement. It is estimated that fewer than 500 copies remain in existence today. The comic's condition, including its firm spine, vibrant colors, and crisp corners, was attributed partly to the Northern California climate. It received a grading of 9.0 out of 10 from CGC, a comic book grading company, indicating minimal wear.
The brothers, aged in their 50s and 60s, and the buyer of the comic book requested anonymity.