A unique edition of the comic book that first introduced Superman to the world, previously stolen from actor Nicolas Cage’s residence, has been sold for a groundbreaking $15 million US. The private transaction involving the iconic Action Comics No. 1, jointly created by Toronto-native Joe Shuster and American comic writer Jerry Siegel, was disclosed on Friday. This sale surpasses the previous comic book record set last November when a copy of Superman No. 1 fetched $9.12 million at auction.
The negotiation for the Action Comics sale was facilitated by Metropolis Collectibles/Comic Connect, a Manhattan-based company, with both the seller and buyer opting to remain anonymous. Vincent Zurzolo, the president of the company, emphasized the historical significance of the comic, originally priced at 10 cents upon its release in 1938, as the cornerstone of the superhero genre and among the most prized comic books globally, estimating around 100 surviving copies.
Shuster and Siegel, childhood friends who conceived Superman in 1933, five years before Action Comics No. 1, depicted the superhero’s dual identity as a reporter at The Daily Star (later renamed The Daily Planet), inspired by Shuster’s hometown newspaper, the Toronto Daily Star.
Zurzolo highlighted the paramount importance of Superman in shaping the superhero comic book landscape, stating, “This is among the Holy Grail of comic books. Without Superman’s popularity, there would be no Batman or other superhero comic book legends.” The resale of the comic book to Cage, who had acquired it in 1996 for $150,000, occurred after it was stolen from his Los Angeles residence in 2000 and subsequently recovered in 2011 from an old storage locker in southern California. Following its return, Cage sold it at auction for $2.2 million, with the theft significantly contributing to its increased value over the years.
Stephen Fishler, CEO of Metropolis Collectibles/Comic Connect, drew parallels between the stolen comic’s appreciation in value and the theft of the Mona Lisa, which transformed it into an iconic masterpiece. Fishler remarked, “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 No. 1 is — an icon of American pop culture.”
This comic book saga underscores the enduring legacy and cultural impact of Superman, a character brought to life by the collaborative efforts of Shuster and Siegel, continuing to captivate audiences worldwide.
