By Lianne Kolirin, CNN
A copy of 'Superman #1' has become the most expensive comic ever sold. Photo: RNZ photo illustration
A copy of the first-ever issue of 'Superman', discovered in a Californian attic last year, has become the most expensive comic ever sold, fetching US$9.12 million (NZ$16.2 million) at auction.
Three brothers from northern California discovered the issue of 'Superman #1', while clearing out their mother's attic after her death. The 1939 comic was kept in a cardboard box, protected by just a pile of old newspapers.
Nevertheless, the comic, which originally sold for 10 cents, was so well preserved that it was deemed the "highest-ever graded copy" by Dallas-based auction house Heritage Auctions, which made the recordbreaking sale on Thursday.
The brothers, who have not been named, found a collection of old comics, while clearing out their mother's property over the holiday season last year, the auction house said before the sale. Their mother had always told them she had a valuable collection of comics, but they had never seen the prized editions for themselves.
Up in the attic they discovered five early issues of 'Action Comics', the anthology from National Allied Publications that first introduced Superman to the world, but the copy of 'Superman #1', the first time Clark Kent's alias appeared in his own dedicated comic after National Allied became Detective Comics, Inc. - or DC, as it is now famously known - proved most promising.
The late owner bought the comics with her brother between the Great Depression and World War II, and later in life, the pair decided to pass them on to her sons, as the brother never married or had children.
The youngest of the three brothers, who are in their 50s and 60s, said: "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 comics had been a "treasured refuge" for the siblings, who had grown up in a cramped apartment with few luxuries, he said, "but they had each other and a shared love for comic books."
He said the box was hidden in the "recess of the attic", adding: "As the years unfolded, life brought about a series of losses and changes.
"The demands of everyday survival took centrestage and the box of comics, once set aside with care and intention, was forgotten. Until last Christmas."
What set the comic's valuation so high was not just its superior condition, but the fact it had been part of DC's first print run of half-a-million copies, the auction house said.
Heritage Auctions vice president Lon Allen said after the sale that he was "thrilled" by the result, adding: "Superman #1 is a milestone in pop culture history and this copy is not only in unprecedented condition, but it has a movie-worthy story behind it.
"I was glad to see the price reflect that and am honoured Heritage was entrusted with this iconic book."
The previous record was held by a copy of 'Action Comics No.1', which introduced Superman in 1938 and was sold by the same auction house for US$6 million (NZ$10.6 million) last year.
Prior to that, another issue of the Man of Steel's adventures in 'Superman #1' took the crown in 2022, fetching US$5.3 million (NZ$9.4 million) in a private sale.
In the years since his first appearance, Superman has become one of the most recognisable and enduring characters in American pop culture, spawning blockbuster movies, books, toys and even bubble gum.
- CNN
