Action Comics No. 1 with Superman's Debut Sold For $6 Million to Become World's Most Expensive Comic Book

A copy of Action Comics No. 1, the comic book that introduced Superman to the world in 1938, has sold for $6m at Heritage Auctions during its latest Comics & Comic Art auction. 

Graded CGC Very Fine+ 8.5, this issue from the Kansas City Pedigree is one of the world's finest copies. Only two other unrestored issues featuring Superman's first leap over a tall building have ever graded higher.

In CGC's list of the most expensive comic books ever reported sold, a copy of Superman No. 1 sold privately for $5.3 million in 2022. The previous auction record was held by the CGC Near Mint+ 9.6 copy of Amazing Fantasy No. 15, featuring the debut of Spider-Man, that sold for $3.6 million at Heritage in September 2021. According to CGC's population report there are only 78 copies of Action Comics No. 1. 

Other highlights from the sale included:

• Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel's 1934 letter to comic strip artist Russell Keaton describing The Man of Steel which realized $264,000 
• a professionally restored copy of Action Comics No. 1 bearing the CGC grade of Apparent 8.0, sold for $576,000 
• a copy of 1963's The Avengers – featuring Thor, Iron Man, Hulk, Ant-Man and Wasp – CGC Near Mint+ copy written by Stan Lee and drawn by Jack Kirby went for $432,000, a new record for the title
• a CGC Near Mint+ 9.6 copy of the comic book that featured Wonder Woman's second appearance, Sensation Comics No. 1, sold for $420,000
• Doctor Strange's debut in Strange Tales No. 110 which realized $150,000