ACTION COMICS (1938-2011) #1
CGC FA/GD: 1.5
(Stock Image)
SOLD ON: Tuesday, 06/11/2013 12:15 PM
$177,000
Sold For
47
Bids
PUBLISHER: DC
COMMENTS: off white pgs; cover detached
1st appearance of Superman w/ origin by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
Read Description ▼
1st appearance of Superman w/ origin by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
DESCRIPTION
off white pgs; cover detached
1st appearance of Superman w/ origin by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
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.
_______________________________________________
Probably the most unusual copy of this comic we've ever offered, this 1938 holy grail of Superman comic books was found hidden in the wall of an abandoned home.
The owner, a humble and hardworking contractor, named Gonzales, has spent years tearing down old walls and putting up new ones for his home-renovation clients. He's made a habit of leaving a quarter or dollar bill behind them, thinking that sometime in the future, someone will find his treasure and wonder who put it there. But the "hidden treasure" in the walls of the first home he'd ever purchased and renovated on his own yielded the most unusual find he could have imagined. When renovation began on the house, which was built in 1938, he and his crew started finding old newspapers from the 1930s used as insulation in the walls. But he also found a comic book, which stood out to him, because it had Superman on the cover. Curious, Gonzales looked up the comic book online-and discovered it was Action Comics 1-Superman's first appearance.
Now free from its confines after more than seventy years, this copy, though showing the effects of its long service as insulation, boasts bright, sparkling colors and sturdy off-white pages. ComicConnect has become the undisputed industry leader in selling copies of this seminal issue, including holding sales records for the most expensive copies ever sold. With ComicConnect's worldwide reputation and monumental client base at its disposal, the sky's the limit for this attractive copy, which will appeal to collectors looking for an affordable example in attractive condition. This hidden treasure's provenance will only intensify interest in this fantastic book and the auction as a whole.
As for the house that Superman "built?" Our hero plans to finish the rehab, but swears he will never sell it.
Overstreet Guide 2012 GD (2.0) value = $110,000. This book was pressed by CCS.
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
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.
_______________________________________________
Probably the most unusual copy of this comic we've ever offered, this 1938 holy grail of Superman comic books was found hidden in the wall of an abandoned home.
The owner, a humble and hardworking contractor, named Gonzales, has spent years tearing down old walls and putting up new ones for his home-renovation clients. He's made a habit of leaving a quarter or dollar bill behind them, thinking that sometime in the future, someone will find his treasure and wonder who put it there. But the "hidden treasure" in the walls of the first home he'd ever purchased and renovated on his own yielded the most unusual find he could have imagined. When renovation began on the house, which was built in 1938, he and his crew started finding old newspapers from the 1930s used as insulation in the walls. But he also found a comic book, which stood out to him, because it had Superman on the cover. Curious, Gonzales looked up the comic book online-and discovered it was Action Comics 1-Superman's first appearance.
Now free from its confines after more than seventy years, this copy, though showing the effects of its long service as insulation, boasts bright, sparkling colors and sturdy off-white pages. ComicConnect has become the undisputed industry leader in selling copies of this seminal issue, including holding sales records for the most expensive copies ever sold. With ComicConnect's worldwide reputation and monumental client base at its disposal, the sky's the limit for this attractive copy, which will appeal to collectors looking for an affordable example in attractive condition. This hidden treasure's provenance will only intensify interest in this fantastic book and the auction as a whole.
As for the house that Superman "built?" Our hero plans to finish the rehab, but swears he will never sell it.
Overstreet Guide 2012 GD (2.0) value = $110,000. This book was pressed by CCS.
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.