A rare copy of a Superman comic has been sold for a record-setting price.
The issue of Action Comics #1, which first introduced Superman to the world in 1938, was bought privately for $3.25 million. The announcement was made Tuesday by ComicConnect.com, an online auction and consignment company.
The comic "really is the beginning of the superhero genre," said the organization's COO Vincent Zurzolo, according to Associated Press.
Thousands of copies were published, but over the years those numbers dwindled. Now only about 100 exist and they are in varying condition. This copy, which was bought by the seller in 2018 for just over $2 million, is among the best-kept ones.
"There’s no comic book that you could value higher in terms of a comic book than Action Comics #1," Zurzolo said.
Another copy of the DC comic was sold in 2014 for just over $3.2 million on eBay. It took 10 days of competitive bidding until the copy was sold off.
"This was a record auction for eBay as it was the most expensive comic book ever sold on our marketplace. The sale of Action Comics #1 is a prime example of how eBay plays a role in popular culture by connecting shoppers to must-have merchandise, including rare and valuable collectibles," said Gene Cook, general manager of Emerging Verticals for eBay Marketplaces. "This was an extraordinary opportunity to bring a comic – one that has captured the attention of passionate collectors and casual fans alike. We will continue to bring more of the world’s most unique and compelling merchandise to our passionate and global community of 149 million buyers, at a wide range of accessible price points."
Meanwhile, in the Marvel universe, a comic that introduced Marvel characters for the first time was sold for a record $1.26 million at auction in 2019.
"Marvel Comics #1," which was published in 1939, was originally purchased by a Pennsylvania mailman at a newsstand, according to Heritage Auctions. He reportedly made it a hobby to collect every #1 issue he could of both comic books and magazines, beginning in the 1940s. The copy featured characters such as the Human Torch, Ka-Zar and Angel, as well as a character called the Sub-Mariner.
"This is a historic copy of a historic comic book,” said Ed Jaster, senior vice president at Heritage Auctions. "Without question, this is the granddaddy of all Marvel Comics, without which we would not have the characters and stories we enjoy in today’s comics and feature films."
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Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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