Rare Copy Of Action Comics #1, Featuring First Appearance Of Superman, Sells For Record $3.25 Million
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — One of the few copies of the comic book that introduced Superman to the world has sold for a super-sized, record-setting price.
The issue of Action Comics #1 went for $3.25 million in a private sale, ComicConnect.com, an online auction and consignment company, announced Tuesday.
It narrowly bested the previous record for the comic, set in the auction of another copy in 2014 for slightly over $3.2 million.
The comic, published in 1938, "really is the beginning of the superhero genre," said ComicConnect.com COO Vincent Zurzolo, who brokered the sale.
It told readers about the origins of Superman, how he came to Earth from another planet and went by Clark Kent.
This particular comic had traded hands several times since 2010, when it sold for $1.5 million. In 2017, it was sold again for $1.75 million, and then again in 2018 for $2.05 million
Zurzolo said that while there were hundreds of thousands of copies initially published, it's estimated only about 100 exist today, and in varying conditions. He said this copy is among the best-kept ones.
"There's no comic book that you could value higher in terms of a comic book than Action Comics #1," he said.
"With all collectibles on the rise, plus crypto currencies and NFTs minting new millionaires almost daily, we expect to see comic prices increase as they look for new places to park their money," Zurzolo said.
(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)