Rare First Superman Comic Once Stolen from Nicolas Cage Sells for $15 Million
A rare copy of the 1938 comic that introduced Superman to the world has been sold to an anonymous collector for an astonishing $15 million (£11.2 million). This landmark sale, which involves the legendary Action Comics No. 1, was announced on Friday. Previously, the highest sale record for a comic book was established last November when a pristine Superman No. 1 fetched $9.12 million at auction. Both sales dramatically surpass the original 10-cent price tag, equating to roughly $2.25 in today’s currency.
The Significance of Action Comics No. 1
– Iconic Debut: Superman’s debut in Action Comics No. 1 is heralded as the birth of the superhero genre.
– Scarcity: Fewer than 100 copies of this historic comic are believed to exist today.
– Grading Excellence: The copy sold on Friday was graded nine out of a possible ten by the Certified Guaranty Company, which specializes in authenticating collectibles, making it one of the highest-rated copies extant.
The sale was facilitated by New York-based Metropolis Collectibles/Comic Connect. Both the owner of the comic and the buyer requested anonymity, highlighting the private nature of this significant transaction.
A Storied History
This specific issue has a remarkable backstory, particularly its connection to Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage. Cage purchased the comic in 1996 for $150,000—a record price at the time. However, the comic was stolen during a house party at Cage’s residence in 2000, leading to an 11-year odyssey before it was recovered from a storage unit in California in 2011.
– Value Surge: During the period of theft, the comic’s value skyrocketed. The thief made Nicolas Cage a lot of money by stealing it, remarked Metropolis/Comic Connect CEO Stephen Fishler.
– Successful Auction: After being reunited with his prized possession, Cage sold the comic at auction for $2.2 million just six months later.
Fishler drew an intriguing parallel between this comic’s infamous theft and the brazen 1911 theft of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa from the Louvre, emphasizing how such events transform the cultural significance of artworks. The recovery of the painting made the Mona Lisa go from being just a great Da Vinci painting to a world icon—and that’s what Action Comics No. 1 is: an icon of American pop culture.
In conclusion, the recent sale of this rare first Superman comic not only highlights the ever-increasing value of collectibles but also underscores the profound cultural impact that iconic works can have—transforming them into legends that endure through time.