Superman #1 comic book sells for record $9.12 million

Three brothers discovered a collection of six vintage comic books while cleaning out their late mother's attic in San Francisco in 2024. Among the items was a June 1939 issue of ‘Superman #1’, which marks the first solo adventures of the Man of Steel.

The comic was found in nearly perfect condition, a state attributed to the cool climate of Northern California. It received a grade of 9.0 on a 10-point scale from the independent grading firm CGC, making it the highest-rated copy of this issue in the world. According to Heritage Auctions, there are only seven known copies of ‘Superman #1’ with a grade of 6.0 or higher.

The comic was sold through Heritage Auctions for $9.12 million, setting a new record and surpassing the previous high by $3 million. The collection had remained forgotten for decades, originally purchased by the brothers' mother and uncle during the Great Depression.