The highest graded copy of Action Comics #1 in existence, aka the first-ever comic book adventure of Superman, could become the world's new 'most expensive comic' in the next few hours. It is presently auctioning online in ComicConnect's US sale.
Legendary comic books don't come any more legendary than this. And, according to lore surrounding this comic, it may also be a copy which was stolen years ago and was thought probably lost forever...
A very similar copy of Action Comics #1 was the property of actor Nicolas Cage, star of Con Air and other Hollywood hit films. That is until it, and two more extremely rare comic books, went missing from high security frames on Cage's wall...
Another of Cage's comic 'holy trinity' was Detective Comics #27 (Batman's debut adventure), while the third stolen issue was unreported. Needless to say, lifetime comic book fan Cage was deeply upset and soon sold the rest of his comic book collection in a mammoth auction at HA.com.
Then, in early 2011, a copy of Action Comics #1 turned up in an auction of a locker's contents.
Speculation was rife that this was Cage's stolen comic, and that the star was making moves to get it back. Yet this is all unconfirmed rumour.
The locker found Action Comics #1 has since appeared for sale - now officially graded 9.0 (unrestored) - in ComicConnect's sale. The seller is anonymous. But one thing is certain: this is the most highly-graded copy of Action Comics #1 available on today's markets.
 Out of the Cage? This 9.0 copy of Action Comics #1 could become the |
Given that this 9.0 copy of Action Comics #1 bears three unique printing errors, the mystery of whether or not this was Cage's copy may - or must surely? - have been solved secretly behind closed doors...
Online bids opened on November 11 for the scarce 1928 comic. Yet Superman's fate will be decided this evening in New York City (7:26pm local time) when the Man of Steel could be soaring higher than he's ever flown before.
At present, the record bid for a comic book sold at auction stands at $1.5m. That record was set in 2010, also by an issue of Action Comics #1 in another ComicConnect sale. But that copy was only graded 8.5.
In a collecting niche where condition and rarity are everything, this 9.0 copy of Action Comics #1 could surely outperform the previous 8.5-graded $1.5m Word Record breaker. Watch this space for more news on tonight's ComicConnect sale in New York.
In the meantime, our Video of the Week gives you a closer look at this small piece of superhero history: the highest graded copy of Action Comics #1 in existence.
Recent and related articles
Spiderman's first Amazing Fantasy #15 comic could bring $125,000 in Metropolis | 19 November 2011
Avengers comic book World Record price set by Metropolis at $250,000 | 5 November 2011
Detective Comics #67 Batman & Penguin artwork could reach $300,000 | 27 October 2011
Your collecting
View our stock items for sale | How to start a collection
Guides and analysis
Investing in Comic Books and Art | 10 reasons to invest in collectibles | Market information & demographics
www.paulfrasercollectibles.com
Images: ComicConnect
