The world’s most expensive comic book just made history when a copy of Superman No. 1 sold for $9.12 million at a Heritage Auctions event, eclipsing the previous record held by Action Comics No. 1.
Record-Breaking Sale
Heritage Auctions announced that the No. 1 issue, printed in 1939, was found by a California family in the attic of their late mother. The comic earned a 9.0 grade from CGC, the highest rating the issue has received. The sale price of $9.12 million made it the most expensive comic book ever sold, surpassing the $6 million Action Comics No. 1 that went to auction last year.
Why the Price Matters
Lon Allen, vice president of comics at Heritage Auctions, told the Associated Press that the Superman comic is “the first superhero to appear in pop culture, and his first-ever comic was a limited print.” Of the 500,000 copies originally printed, Allen estimates fewer than 500 remain today. The rarity and historic significance of the issue drive its high valuation.
Matt Griffin, a consignment director for Heritage Auctions, said to Nexstar, “‘Superman No. 1’ is just a grail by itself. It’s one of the top three collectible books in the industry in just about any grade.” He added that the 9.0 CGC grade makes the copy “an absolute unicorn.”
What Makes a Comic a “Unicorn”
Griffin explained that “unicorns” are comics that are both rare and highly desirable. The combination of scarcity, condition, and cultural impact determines a comic’s value. He noted that first-issue appearances, such as Batman’s debut in Detective Comics No. 27 and Marvel Comics No. 1, fetch high prices-$1.82 million and $2.4 million, respectively.
Other examples include a 1984 single page from Secret Wars No. 8, which sold for $3.36 million, and a debut issue of Captain America Comics that fetched $3.1 million in 2022. Griffin said these items remain expensive because “there’s going to be less and less of books like this coming out of the woodwork.”
Market Trends and Collector Behavior
The comic market has seen fluctuations. Griffin said that titles can rise in value when a movie or TV adaptation is rumored, but once the adaptation releases, the book may “get soft again.” He cited Amazing Fantasy No. 15, which introduced Spider-Man, as an exception: the comic is relatively common yet still commands high prices.
Griffin also compared comics to baseball cards, noting that the higher the grade, the higher the potential price. He pointed out that the 1980s and 1990s saw a mass-production era that collapsed the collector market. “They just put out so many of them, and there were so many people buying two copies and keeping one pristine,” he said.
Jordan Hembrough, a toy expert and host of “Toy Hunter,” shared a similar view in 2022. “A lot of people are collecting comic books from the 1980s and even the 1970s,” he told Nexstar. “Those comic books really aren’t the ones that are super valuable, though.” He added that comics from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s are usually more valuable.
The Resurgence of the Market
Griffin said the market has rebounded, with newer material like manga and Pokémon becoming popular among collectors. He attributed this to collectors who enjoyed those titles in their youth now having the buying power to collect them.
He noted that Heritage Auctions’ weekly auctions often list dozens of comics around the $1,000 mark. While a collector may not be able to compete for the $9.12 million Superman, Griffin encourages enthusiasts to find a comic they personally enjoy. “That way, even if it goes down, you’re still going to be happy that you bought it,” he said.
How to Evaluate a Potentially Valuable Comic
Griffin recommends reaching out to an expert, such as Heritage Auctions, if you discover an old comic in an attic or elsewhere. He stresses that an expert can determine whether the comic could have value. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Key Takeaways
- The Superman No. 1 comic sold for $9.12 million, setting a new record for the most expensive comic book.
- Rarity, condition, and cultural significance drive the high prices of first-issue “unicorns.”
- The comic market is volatile, with prices influenced by media adaptations and collector trends.
The sale of Superman No. 1 underscores how a single, rare comic can command a price that rivals high-profile entertainment deals. As collectors continue to seek out these treasures, the market for classic comics remains both lucrative and unpredictable.
