A rare comic book that introduced the world to Superman — and was once stolen from Hollywood star Nicolas Cage’s home — has now been sold for a record-breaking $15 million, making it one of the most valuable comic books ever.
The sale shattered the previous record set in November last year, when another Superman comic sold for $9.12 million. The iconic comic, known as “Action Comics No. 1,” was first published in 1938 for just 10 cents.
While the issue featured stories of lesser-known characters, a few historic pages introduced Superman’s origin, his journey to Earth, and his decision to use his extraordinary powers for the good of humanity — laying the foundation for the entire superhero genre.
According to Vincent Zurzolo, President of ComicConnect and Metropolis Collectibles, this comic didn’t just tell a story — it created a cultural movement. Without Superman, iconic heroes like Batman and many others might never have existed.
Today, only around 100 original copies of Action Comics No. 1 are believed to exist, making each one a priceless treasure for collectors and pop culture enthusiasts.
The comic was stolen from Nicolas Cage’s Los Angeles home in 2000 but resurfaced in 2011, when it was discovered in an old storage locker in Southern California and returned to him. Cage had purchased it in 1996 for $150,000 and later sold it at auction for $2.2 million.
Metropolis Collectibles CEO Stephen Fishler says the theft actually increased the comic’s value, comparing it to the famous Mona Lisa theft, which turned the artwork into a global icon. Today, Action Comics No. 1 stands as a defining symbol of American pop culture.
Sometimes, the smallest things grow into legends with time.
