Summary
- A CGC 9.0 graded copy of Action Comics #1 has sold for $15 million USD in a private transaction
- This sale surpasses the previous $9.12 million USD record set by a Superman #1 in November 2025
- The specific copy was famously owned by Nicolas Cage and stolen in 2000 before being recovered in 2011
The holy grail of comic books has once again redefined the ceiling for pop culture collectibles. In a private sale negotiated by Metropolis Collectibles and ComicConnect, a CGC 9.0 graded copy of Action Comics #1 — the 1938 issue that introduced the world to Superman — has sold for a record-breaking $15 million USD. This transaction not only eclipses the previous comic book record but also establishes the issue as the most valuable pop culture artifact ever sold, surpassing even the highest-priced sports cards.
This particular copy carries a provenance as legendary as the character it features. Known for its high-grade preservation, it is one of only two copies in the CGC Population Report to achieve a 9.0 rating. Its history is equally dramatic; the book was famously purchased by Nicolas Cage in 1996 for $150,000 USD before being stolen from his home in 2000. After vanishing for over a decade, it was discovered in a California storage unit in 2011, recovered by law enforcement, and subsequently sold for $2.16 million USD; the first comic to ever cross the $2 million USD threshold.
The $15 million USD price tag marks a significant jump from the previous record holder, a CGC 9.0 Superman #1 that sold for $9.12 million USD just months ago in November 2025. Metropolis Collectibles President Vincent Zurzolo noted that the book’s theft and recovery have contributed to its mythic status, likening it to the “Mona Lisa” of the collecting world. With fewer than 100 copies known to exist in any condition, Action Comics #1 continues to serve as the primary barometer for the health and trajectory of the high-end collectibles market.
