A unique edition of the comic book that first introduced Superman to the world and was previously stolen from actor Nicolas Cage’s residence has been purchased for a groundbreaking $15 million US. The undisclosed transaction for Action Comics No. 1, a creation by Toronto-born cartoonist Joe Shuster and U.S. comic writer Jerry Siegel, was revealed on Friday. This sale surpasses the former record for a comic book set last November when a copy of Superman No. 1 was auctioned for $9.12 million.
The negotiation for the sale of Action Comics was facilitated by Metropolis Collectibles/Comic Connect, a Manhattan-based company. The identities of both the comic book’s owner and the buyer were kept confidential. Vincent Zurzolo, the president of the company, emphasized the significance of the comic, which originally retailed for 10 cents in 1938, as it heralded the commencement of the superhero genre. He estimated that approximately 100 copies of this iconic comic still exist.
The genesis of Superman dates back to 1933 when Shuster, who relocated to Cleveland at the age of nine, and his school companion Siegel conceived the character. In the inaugural issue of Action Comics No. 1, Superman’s alter-ego operated as a journalist at The Daily Star, later rebranded as The Daily Planet, drawing inspiration from Shuster’s hometown newspaper, the Toronto Daily Star (now known as the Toronto Star), which he distributed as a child.
Describing the comic as one of the “Holy Grails” of the comic book realm, Zurzolo highlighted its paramount role in shaping the superhero genre, noting that without Superman’s influence, legendary characters like Batman may not have existed. The record-breaking deal for Action Comics underscores its immense value within the comic book community.
The comic book was pilfered from Cage’s residence in west Los Angeles in 2000 but was recovered in 2011 after being found in an old storage locker in southern California. Cage, who had acquired it for $150,000 in 1996, eventually sold it at auction for $2.2 million six months after its retrieval. Stephen Fishler, the CEO of Metropolis Collectibles/Comic Connect, mentioned that the theft significantly contributed to the comic’s escalated worth over the 11-year period it was missing, drawing a parallel to the theft of the Mona Lisa, which transformed the painting into a global icon.
The recovery of Action Comics No. 1 amplified its status as an emblem of American pop culture. Fishler likened its significance to the Mona Lisa’s restoration, emphasizing the comic’s iconic stature.