A unique edition of the comic book that 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, jointly created by Toronto-native cartoonist Joe Shuster and American comic writer Jerry Siegel, was disclosed on Friday. This sale surpasses the previous comic book record set in November when a copy of Superman No. 1 was auctioned for $9.12 million.
The negotiation for the Action Comics sale was facilitated by Metropolis Collectibles/Comic Connect based in Manhattan. The comic’s owner and the buyer opted to remain anonymous. Vincent Zurzolo, the company’s president, highlighted the significance of this comic book, which was originally sold for 10 cents in 1938. He emphasized that it marks the inception of the superhero genre and ranks among the most valuable comics globally, with an estimated 100 surviving copies.
Joe Shuster and his childhood friend Jerry Siegel conceived the concept of Superman in 1933, five years before the release of Action Comics No. 1. The comic featured Superman’s alter-ego as a reporter at The Daily Star, later renamed The Daily Planet, inspired by Shuster’s childhood newspaper, the Toronto Daily Star, which he delivered as a youth.
Zurzolo described this comic book as one of the ultimate treasures in the comic book realm, attributing its record-breaking sale to its pivotal role in shaping the superhero genre. He emphasized the comic’s cultural significance and its impact on subsequent superhero legends like Batman.
The comic book was pilfered from Nicolas Cage’s residence in west Los Angeles in 2000 but was later recovered in 2011 when a man who had bought the contents of an old storage locker in southern California found it. Cage, who acquired the comic for $150,000 in 1996, sold it at auction for $2.2 million six months after its recovery. Stephen Fishler, CEO of Metropolis Collectibles/Comic Connect, suggested that the theft significantly elevated the comic’s worth during the 11-year period it was missing, likening it to the theft of the Mona Lisa, which transformed the painting into a global icon upon its recovery.
The comic’s resale and its history of theft have contributed to its escalating value, making it a symbol of American pop culture. This comic book’s significance transcends its monetary value, representing a cornerstone in the history of comics and the evolution of superheroes.