A legendary copy of the comic that introduced Superman to the world, previously stolen from the home of Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage, has been sold for a staggering $15 million (£11.19m) in a private transaction. The sale of 'Action Comics No. 1' sets a new global record for a comic book.
The Record-Breaking Sale of a Pop Culture Icon
The historic private deal for the comic, which originally cost just 10 cents upon its release in June 1938, was confirmed this past Friday. Both the seller and the buyer have chosen to remain anonymous. The sale was brokered by the New York-based firm Metropolis Collectibles/Comic Connect.
This monumental price shatters the previous record set in November of last year, when a copy of 'Superman No. 1' fetched $9.12 million at auction. Vincent Zurzolo, president of the brokerage firm, described the edition as the 'Holy Grail' of comic books, noting its pivotal role in launching the entire superhero genre.
A Tale of Theft and Skyrocketing Value
The comic's modern history is as dramatic as any superhero plot. It was stolen from Nicolas Cage's home in West Los Angeles in the year 2000, vanishing for over a decade. The actor had originally purchased it for $150,000 in 1996.
In a remarkable twist, the comic was recovered in 2011 after a man bought the contents of an old storage locker in Southern California and discovered the priceless item inside. It was subsequently returned to Cage, who then sold it at auction just six months later for $2.2 million.
Stephen Fishler, CEO of Metropolis Collectibles/Comic Connect, argued that the theft itself played a crucial part in amplifying the comic's fame and value. 'During that 11-year period it was missing, it skyrocketed in value,' Fishler stated. 'The thief made Nicolas Cage a lot of money by stealing it.'
From Obscurity to World Icon
Fishler drew a direct parallel to the infamous 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre, suggesting that both crimes transformed their respective objects from mere masterpieces into global icons. 'The recovery of the painting made the Mona Lisa go from being just a great Da Vinci painting to a world icon,' he said, 'and that's what Action No. 1 is - an icon of American pop culture.'
Published as an anthology, the issue is most famous for containing Superman's debut. Within a few panels, it detailed the hero's origin: his birth on the doomed planet Krypton, his journey to Earth, and his adult vow to use his 'titanic strength' for the benefit of humanity. Experts, including Zurzolo, estimate that only around 100 authentic copies of this landmark issue survive today, cementing its status as one of the most valuable printed artefacts in the world.
