ComicConnect.com is reporting the sale of the most expensive comic book in history (pictured at right). Action Comics #1 is one of the unattainables of comic collecting: the first appearance of Superman. ComicConnect just sold this specific copy for the unheard of price of $1 million to an anonymous New York collector.
ComicConnect says that “this particular copy has been in a private collection for more than 15 years, and it’s likely to disappear again once it’s been turned over to its new owner.” Founder Stephen Fishler adds “Until last week, some collectors weren’t aware of the existence of this million dollar copy.” He, however, knew it well, because 15 years ago, he sold it for $150,000.
ComicConnect also notes that “only about 100 copies Action Comics #1 remain in existence, and of those 100, only two have received a grading of 8.0 (Very Fine) or higher. This particular book is one of them, making it among the rarest of the rare.”
Grading service Certified Guaranteed Company, however, claims to have graded five copies at 8.0 or better, and a total of 42 (see this page.
The previous comic price record-holder was another copy of Action Comics #1, graded 6.0. ComicConnect sold that copy last year for $317,200.
The comic in question was published in April 1938, with a cover date of June and a cover price of 10 cents. It launched the superhero genre of comics. Superman got his own, eponymous comic, the following year.