A first-edition copy of "Superman No. 1" from 1939 sold for $9.12 million at Heritage Auctions on November 20, setting a new record for the most expensive comic book ever sold. The comic was discovered in a cardboard box in the attic of a Northern California home by three brothers after their mother's death, preserved in near-mint condition (graded 9 out of 10 by CGC). Alongside it, they found other valuable early comics, including a 1939 Action Comics featuring Zatara ($204,000) and a Superman-focused issue ($264,000).
The sale breaks the previous record of $6 million set in 2024 for a first issue of Action Comics, also at Heritage Auctions. Heritage co-founder Jim Halperin called it a breakthrough moment for pop culture collectibles, signaling their growing value and historical recognition. The story highlights both the enduring cultural significance of Superman as a superhero archetype and the booming market for rare comic books, where condition and provenance drive extraordinary prices.