A remarkable piece of pop culture history has soared to new heights, as a rare copy of Superman No 1 from 1939 has been sold for a staggering $9.12 million (£6.96 million), setting a new world record for the most expensive comic book ever sold.
The Incredible Attic Discovery
The journey of this iconic comic is as compelling as the stories within its pages. The pristine copy was discovered last year in a most unexpected place: a cardboard box in an attic in northern California. Three unnamed brothers made the astonishing find while sorting through their late mother's belongings, uncovering the comic buried beneath a stack of old newspapers.
According to the brothers, their mother had purchased the comic when she was just nine years old and living in San Francisco. Over the years, she had often mentioned to her sons that she possessed "rare comics somewhere," but the collection had remained elusive until this fortuitous discovery during the estate clearance.
Unprecedented Condition and Historical Significance
Despite its 86-year age and unconventional storage conditions, the comic was found in exceptional, pristine condition. The industry's rigorous grading system awarded it a remarkable 9.0 out of 10, making it the highest-ever graded copy of Superman No 1. This places it among an exclusive group, as it's one of only seven known copies to achieve a grade of 6.0 or higher.
Superman No 1 holds a special place in comic book history as the character's first solo title, published in 1939. It marked a significant milestone as the first time a character that debuted in a comic book received their own dedicated title. The issue is considered one of the "big three" cornerstone comics, alongside Action Comics No 1 (featuring Superman's first appearance) and Detective Comics No 27 (which introduced Batman).
Shattering Records and Market Implications
The $9.12 million sale price, including fees, comfortably surpasses the previous record set just last year when an 8.5-graded copy of Action Comics No 1 sold for $6 million. The auction was handled by Heritage Auctions, where Vice-President Lon Allen described the event as "a momentous day."
Allen emphasised the comic's unique appeal, stating, "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 rarity of intact copies is partly explained by the comic's original design – it included an invitation for children to cut the cover off to use as a poster. While initial print runs were substantial – half a million copies for the first printing, followed by 250,000 and then 150,000 – very few complete copies survive today.
The creation of Superman itself has a poignant backstory. The character was created in 1933 by two Cleveland teenagers, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, who sold the rights to DC Comics for just $130, receiving a mere $10 for each page they drew – a stark contrast to the millions the character generates today.
