A rare copy of Action Comics #1 once owned by Nicolas Cage has sold for $15 million at auction, setting a new all-time record for the most expensive comic book ever purchased.
First published in 1938, the issue introduced Superman to the world and later became part of Cage’s personal collection before being stolen from his home in 2000. More than a decade later, the comic was recovered and eventually returned to the market after Cage sold it.
Action Comics #1 is considered one of the most important publications in pop-culture history, marking the birth of both Superman and the modern superhero era. Fewer than 100 copies are believed to still exist, and only a handful remain in excellent condition.
The copy that reached $15 million was graded CGC 9.0, making it one of the best-preserved examples ever found — a key reason behind its record-breaking price. The buyer has remained anonymous.
Cage, a lifelong comic enthusiast who took his stage name from Marvel’s Luke Cage, originally purchased the issue in the 1990s. After its recovery in 2011, he sold it at auction for $2.2 million. Its latest sale now more than triples that figure.
“This sale reflects not only the book’s rarity, but its unmatched cultural importance,” said CGC president Matt Nelson. “Superman is the first true superhero, and Action Comics #1 remains the most iconic comic ever published.”