A rare copy of Superman No. 1 has shattered records after selling for an astonishing $9.12 million (€7.9 million) at an auction in Texas, making it the most expensive comic book ever sold. The sale surpasses the previous record held by Action Comics #1, which sold last year for $6 million.
The historic copy was discovered by three brothers while sorting through their late mother’s attic in San Francisco. Hidden inside a cardboard box beneath layers of old newspapers and cobwebs, the comic had been untouched for decades — a forgotten relic from the cusp of World War II.
A Remarkable Discovery in a Family Attic
The brothers, now in their 50s and 60s, said their mother often spoke of owning a valuable comic collection, but they had never seen it until they began preparing her home for sale. When they finally opened the box, they found several rare comics, including the extraordinary 1939 Superman No. 1.
Lon Allen, vice president of comics at Heritage Auctions, traveled to San Francisco to authenticate the find. “It was just in an attic, sitting in a box,” Allen said. “It could’ve easily been thrown away or destroyed. Every factor in collecting that you could possibly want is rolled into this one comic.”
Preserved by Climate, Protected by Chance
Despite decades without formal preservation, the Northern California climate helped maintain the comic’s condition. According to Heritage Auctions, the copy features vibrant colors, sharp corners, and a firm spine, making it an extraordinarily well-preserved example of early comic history.
The comic received a 9.0 CGC grade, indicating only minimal signs of aging — a near-pristine rating for an issue printed 86 years ago.
A small in-house advertisement inside the book confirmed it as part of the first edition, one of an original print run of 500,000 copies. Today, experts estimate fewer than 500 copies survive.
A Cultural Artifact and a Family Legacy
Released in 1939 by Detective Comics Inc., Superman No. 1 marked the Man of Steel’s first self-titled comic series and helped launch the superhero genre into mainstream culture.
While neither the buyers nor the brothers wished to be identified, one brother released a statement reflecting on the emotional significance of the discovery:
“This isn’t simply a story about old paper and ink. This was never just about a collectible. This is a testament to memory, family, and the unexpected ways the past finds its way back to us.”
The record-breaking sale underscores the enduring cultural and historical value of classic comic books — and the power of nostalgia to turn forgotten attic items into multimillion-dollar treasures.
