A nearly pristine copy of the 1939 comic Superman No. 1 has sold for $9.12 million, setting a new all-time record for comic book sales. Auctioned by Heritage Auctions, the comic is now officially the most valuable comic book ever sold.

Three brothers from Northern California discovered the comic last year in their late mother’s attic — stored under old newspapers in a cardboard box. Despite decades of neglect, the comic remained in exceptional condition. Graders from the industry-standard grading firm deemed it a 9.0 out of 10, the highest known grade for this issue.

🦸 Why This Copy Matters

• Historical significance: “Superman No. 1” was the first comic devoted solely to the iconic superhero, making it a landmark issue decades ago.
• Rupture from the norm: Though originally printed in hundreds of thousands, very few copies survive — and even fewer in near-mint condition. This copy stood out for intact pages, sharp cover art, and minimal wear.
• Cultural legacy: Over time, the comic became symbolic not only of superhero origins, but of the broader vintage-pop-culture collectible boom. Its sale rekindles interest in early-era comics as valuable historical artefacts.

💸 Auction, Reaction & Record

The auction closed on November 20, 2025, at Heritage Auctions in Texas. The $9.12 million final bid far surpassed the prior record — which was held by a high-grade copy of another classic comic sold last year.

Upon the sale, Heritage Auctions vice-president commented the outcome marked a “momentous day” for pop-culture history — not simply because of the price, but because of the rarity, preservation and remarkable backstory of this particular copy.

For the family who discovered it, the sale represents an unexpected windfall — but more than that, a rediscovery of history that had quietly sat in storage for decades. One of the brothers described the find as “a testament to memory, family and the unexpected ways the past finds its way back to us.”

🌍 What It Means for Collectors and Pop Culture

This record-setting sale underlines how vintage comics — especially those tied to iconic characters — remain among the most coveted collectibles worldwide. It also reinforces the idea that condition, provenance, and history can dramatically boost value, even for items almost a century old.

Moreover, the sale could spark renewed demand for other rare comics, pushing collectors to re-evaluate long-forgotten or archived comics in attics, basements or old collections.

But beyond value, this moment underlines something deeper: how cultural artefacts can survive decades — even neglect — and still connect generations, weaving together nostalgia, history and economic value.