ACTION COMICS (1938-2011) #1
CGC F/VF: 7.0
(Stock Image)
SOLD ON: Tuesday, 06/03/2014 12:00 PM
$172,000
Sold For
57
Bids
PUBLISHER: DC
COMIC BOOK IMPACT: rating of 10 (CBI)
COMMENTS: off white pgs; Mod (P) ct, pcs added, tr sls, cvr clnd, int. lightened, reinf
1st appearance of Superman w/ origin by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
John Wise Collection
Read Description ▼
1st appearance of Superman w/ origin by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
John Wise Collection
DESCRIPTION
off white pgs; Mod (P) ct, pcs added, tr sls, cvr clnd, int. lightened, reinf
1st appearance of Superman w/ origin by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
John Wise Collection
Action Comics #1 continues to be recognized as the most important event in the history of comics publishing. This is the book that introduced Superman as a fantastic new kind of hero, as created by teen visionaries Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The inspiring Man of Steel became an instant icon to Depression-era readers before transforming into a symbol of national pride during the brutal days of WWII. Action #1 has become just as beloved for introducing Lois Lane as a pioneering strong female character in the comics industry. That panicking man in the lower left-hand corner of the classic cover is gangster Butch Matson, who had attempted to chase down the lady reporter — then working for the Daily Star — after Lois firmly put an end to his unwelcome advances.
ComicConnect is proud to have been part of Action #1's rise as the world's most collectible comic. We’ve been setting new sales records for Superman’s debut since launching the company, including the book's first $1,000,000 sale back in 2010. In 2024, Action #1 made headlines again with a $6 million sale for a CGC-graded 8.5 copy. That same auction set a record for CGC Restored comics as an Action #1 (graded Apparent 8.0) sold for a staggering $576,000.
That adds up to decades of passionate collectors investing wisely while also preserving a true cultural artifact. The Man from Krypton has now spent decades being regularly featured in cartoons, serials, movies, television shows, and merchandising. Fans are anxiously awaiting the launch of the big-screen DC Extended Universe with 2025's Superman, to be followed by Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow in 2026. The early days of Superman remain a vital part of that tradition. In fact, DC Studios' James Gunn announced his inspirations for the return of Superman by leading with Joe Shuster's chain-shattering pin-up from Superman's first year.
_______________________________________________
ComicConnect has sold more copies of this historic book than all other comic dealers combined, making it the signature key of the worldwide ComicConnect brand. As one of the most important artifacts of 20th Century American pop culture, this revered milestone unfailingly elicits warm and passionate responses from collectors and fans whenever a copy is displayed in our booths at cons, or is announced for sale at auction. This striking, professionally restored, vibrant copy is sure to make waves in the international comic collectors' market. First published in the Summer of 1938, this wildly popular issue almost singlehandedly created the superhero genre, as two struggling sci-fi fans from the Midwest sold their newspaper strip idea to the content-hungry National Periodical company, hurriedly pasting their already-created daily strips into an ad hoc comic book feature, never suspecting the almost instant mania for the character that would ensue. Although originally published in the hundreds of thousands, the drive for paper during WWII, overzealous parents, and the ravages of time combined to whittle down the number of known surviving copies to an astonishing less than two hundred. This rarity, combined with the overwhelming love and demand for this historic publication, makes Action Comics 1 one of the most treasured and respected collectibles in any field. As one of the preeminent collectors of comics for nearly half a century, it's no surprise that a copy of this vital book is the cornerstone of John Wise's extraordinary collection. We are proud and delighted to offer this issue in this incredible auction.
Overstreet Guide 2013 F/VF (7.0) value = $615,000.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us at 212.895.3999 or support@comicconnect.com so that we may approve your account for bidding. (This policy was instituted to protect consignors and bidders against bids from fraudulent accounts, and to ensure the integrity of the bidding process.).
We realize many of you would like to bid on this auction lot, so for this listing, ComicConnect.com offers a 6 month, interest free, time payment plan with a 20% non-refundable deposit. Time Payments invoices can only be paid by cash, check, money order or wire transfer. LEARN MORE
Artists Information
Joseph Shuster was a Canadian-American comic book artist best known for co-creating the DC Comics character Superman, with writer Jerry Siegel, in Action Comics #1.
American comic book artist, Baily co created DC characters the Spectre and Hourman.
1st appearance of Superman w/ origin by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
John Wise Collection
Action Comics #1 continues to be recognized as the most important event in the history of comics publishing. This is the book that introduced Superman as a fantastic new kind of hero, as created by teen visionaries Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The inspiring Man of Steel became an instant icon to Depression-era readers before transforming into a symbol of national pride during the brutal days of WWII. Action #1 has become just as beloved for introducing Lois Lane as a pioneering strong female character in the comics industry. That panicking man in the lower left-hand corner of the classic cover is gangster Butch Matson, who had attempted to chase down the lady reporter — then working for the Daily Star — after Lois firmly put an end to his unwelcome advances.
ComicConnect is proud to have been part of Action #1's rise as the world's most collectible comic. We’ve been setting new sales records for Superman’s debut since launching the company, including the book's first $1,000,000 sale back in 2010. In 2024, Action #1 made headlines again with a $6 million sale for a CGC-graded 8.5 copy. That same auction set a record for CGC Restored comics as an Action #1 (graded Apparent 8.0) sold for a staggering $576,000.
That adds up to decades of passionate collectors investing wisely while also preserving a true cultural artifact. The Man from Krypton has now spent decades being regularly featured in cartoons, serials, movies, television shows, and merchandising. Fans are anxiously awaiting the launch of the big-screen DC Extended Universe with 2025's Superman, to be followed by Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow in 2026. The early days of Superman remain a vital part of that tradition. In fact, DC Studios' James Gunn announced his inspirations for the return of Superman by leading with Joe Shuster's chain-shattering pin-up from Superman's first year.
_______________________________________________
ComicConnect has sold more copies of this historic book than all other comic dealers combined, making it the signature key of the worldwide ComicConnect brand. As one of the most important artifacts of 20th Century American pop culture, this revered milestone unfailingly elicits warm and passionate responses from collectors and fans whenever a copy is displayed in our booths at cons, or is announced for sale at auction. This striking, professionally restored, vibrant copy is sure to make waves in the international comic collectors' market. First published in the Summer of 1938, this wildly popular issue almost singlehandedly created the superhero genre, as two struggling sci-fi fans from the Midwest sold their newspaper strip idea to the content-hungry National Periodical company, hurriedly pasting their already-created daily strips into an ad hoc comic book feature, never suspecting the almost instant mania for the character that would ensue. Although originally published in the hundreds of thousands, the drive for paper during WWII, overzealous parents, and the ravages of time combined to whittle down the number of known surviving copies to an astonishing less than two hundred. This rarity, combined with the overwhelming love and demand for this historic publication, makes Action Comics 1 one of the most treasured and respected collectibles in any field. As one of the preeminent collectors of comics for nearly half a century, it's no surprise that a copy of this vital book is the cornerstone of John Wise's extraordinary collection. We are proud and delighted to offer this issue in this incredible auction.
Overstreet Guide 2013 F/VF (7.0) value = $615,000.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us at 212.895.3999 or support@comicconnect.com so that we may approve your account for bidding. (This policy was instituted to protect consignors and bidders against bids from fraudulent accounts, and to ensure the integrity of the bidding process.).
We realize many of you would like to bid on this auction lot, so for this listing, ComicConnect.com offers a 6 month, interest free, time payment plan with a 20% non-refundable deposit. Time Payments invoices can only be paid by cash, check, money order or wire transfer. LEARN MORE
Artists Information
Joseph Shuster was a Canadian-American comic book artist best known for co-creating the DC Comics character Superman, with writer Jerry Siegel, in Action Comics #1.
American comic book artist, Baily co created DC characters the Spectre and Hourman.