ACTION COMICS (1938-2011) #1
CGC VF+: 8.5
(Stock Image)
SOLD ON: Tuesday, 06/12/2018 12:00 PM
$2,101,500
Sold For
63
Bids
PUBLISHER: DC
COMIC BOOK IMPACT: rating of 10 (CBI)
COMMENTS: white pgs
1st appearance of Superman w/ origin by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
Second City Collection
Read Description ▼
1st appearance of Superman w/ origin by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
Second City Collection
DESCRIPTION
white pgs
1st appearance of Superman w/ origin by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
Second City 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.
_______________________________________________
The discovery of this Action 1, in 1986, simply rocked the comic book world. Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. A lucky buyer wins a lot of old hardcover books at a local auction. The next day, he opens up one of the hardcover books to find a copy of Action 1 hidden between its pages. Exactly how it got there, forever lost to the ages (but probably a very interesting story).
Cut to a NYC comic book convention 2 weeks later. A non-descript Pittsburg man walk into the show looking for opinions about his monumental discovery and possibly offers. What followed was a 48 hour feeding frenzy unmatched in the annals of comic book fandom. Safe to say, if murder were legal at that time, certain comic dealers would have not walked out of that show alive. Due to the simple fact that a number of the individuals who played a role in this episode are still very much alive, we will not expound on the gritty details. But those same gritty details, including a near fist fight, was the start of a story that ends with the Action 1 offered here. The very same Action 1.
Overstreet Guide 2017 VF+ (8.5) value = $1,775,000.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us 24 hours in advance of the item closing 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.) Once approved, please log out of your account and then log in, for the approval to take effect.
________________________________________________
Looking to make a purchase? Learn more about how to buy Action Comics #1!
________________________________________________
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)
Second City 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.
_______________________________________________
The discovery of this Action 1, in 1986, simply rocked the comic book world. Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. A lucky buyer wins a lot of old hardcover books at a local auction. The next day, he opens up one of the hardcover books to find a copy of Action 1 hidden between its pages. Exactly how it got there, forever lost to the ages (but probably a very interesting story).
Cut to a NYC comic book convention 2 weeks later. A non-descript Pittsburg man walk into the show looking for opinions about his monumental discovery and possibly offers. What followed was a 48 hour feeding frenzy unmatched in the annals of comic book fandom. Safe to say, if murder were legal at that time, certain comic dealers would have not walked out of that show alive. Due to the simple fact that a number of the individuals who played a role in this episode are still very much alive, we will not expound on the gritty details. But those same gritty details, including a near fist fight, was the start of a story that ends with the Action 1 offered here. The very same Action 1.
Overstreet Guide 2017 VF+ (8.5) value = $1,775,000.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us 24 hours in advance of the item closing 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.) Once approved, please log out of your account and then log in, for the approval to take effect.
________________________________________________
Looking to make a purchase? Learn more about how to buy Action Comics #1!
________________________________________________
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.