A pristine copy of Action Comics #1 , a rare comic that saw Superman’s first introduction into the comic book world, sold recently for an astonishing $2.16 million in an auction, making it the most expensive comic book of all time.
The previous record for the most money paid for a comic was also for a copy of Action Comics #1 , which sold for $1.5 million in a relatively less well-preserved state. The issue that sold recently was graded at a 9.0 quality rating.
“When we broke the record in 2010 by selling the Action Comics No. 1, graded at 8.5, for $1.5 million, I truly believed that this was a record that would stand for many years to come,” said Stephen Fishler, CEO of ComicConnect.com where the rare comic was sold.
The comic was reported stolen back in 2000, and is believed to have belonged to actor Nicolas Cage. At the time, collectors figured that the issue may never be found, but the copy was recovered earlier this year in Los Angeles.
ComicConnect COO Vincent Zurzolo tells Washington Post’s Comic Riff of the recovery:
“We thought it was going to be creased, but it was beautiful,” he tells Comic Riffs. “It is so close to perfect. This book has got freshness and bounce … it’s simply stunning.”
ComicConnect was unable to disclose who sold and who bought the comic.