Rare Superman Comic Discovered in Attic Sets All-Time Record

A rare copy of “Superman No. 1,” published in 1939, has shattered records after selling for $9.12 million, making it the most expensive comic book ever auctioned.

The remarkable discovery came when three brothers were clearing out their late mother’s San Francisco home last year. Hidden beneath layers of old newspapers and dust inside a cardboard box, the comic had been untouched for decades, its survival owed largely to chance and the cool Northern California climate that kept it in exceptional condition.

Experts from Heritage Auctions authenticated the comic as one of the few surviving original copies from the first printing of 500,000.

Its crisp corners, firm spine, and vibrant colors earned it a rare 9.0 CGC grade, drastically increasing its value. Beyond its condition, the book’s cultural significance contributed to the historic sale: Superman was the first major superhero in American pop culture, making early editions of his stories highly coveted.

The previous record was $6 million for an “Action Comics No. 1,” the issue that introduced Superman. The brothers who found the comic chose to remain anonymous, and so did the buyer, but they described the sale as more than a financial moment.