(New York) A 1938 copy of the comic strip that first “introduced Superman to the world” has sold for a record $6 million ($8.1 million), the auctioneer who managed the purchase.
According to Heritage Auctions, the copy ofAction Comics No. 1 was sold Thursday to an anonymous buyer. The 6 million price tag makes the book the most expensive comic book ever sold at auction, the auction house added.
Heritage Auctions describes Action Comics No. 1 as “the most important comic book ever published”, noting that the Superman who first appeared in the Spring 1938 issue “remains remarkably similar” to the version still seen in comic books and on the big screen today . In addition to the first appearance of the Man of Steel, the book welcomes the first appearance of Lois Lane, the hero’s main romantic partner.
A report from the Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) comic grading service, cited by Heritage Auctions, estimates that only 100 copies ofAction Comics No. 1of the 200,000 printed by National Allied Publications, the predecessor of DC Comics.
PHOTO HERITAGE AUCTIONS VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS
Action Comics No. 1
The example sold last week, which comes from the Kansas City Pedigree collection, has a CGC rating of “Very Good” of 8.5. Only two other unrestored issues scored higher, Heritage Auctions noted.
Although not reaching 6 million, other rare copies ofAction Comics No. 1 have also sold at auction for millions of dollars in recent years, including a 6.0-rated issue that sold for 3.56 million through the site ComicConnect last year.
Thursday’s record sale surpasses that of the previous holder of the title for the most expensive comic book ever sold – a copy of another comic book featuring Superman, Superman No. 1sold privately for 5.3 million in 2022, according to CGC.
The sale ofAction Comics #1 was part of a four-day comic book auction event featuring several big-name superheroes and rare comics. The event brought in more than 28 million at its end on Sunday, according to Heritage Auctions.