A legendary piece of comic book history linked to Hollywood star Nicolas Cage has just sold for a record-breaking $15 million.
The rare copy of Action Comics No. 1, published in 1938 and known for introducing the world to Superman, was sold in a private deal announced on Friday. The sale smashes the previous comic book record set only last November, when a copy of Superman No. 1 went for $9.12 million.
Action Comics No. 1 is widely credited with kickstarting the superhero genre. The issue features Superman’s first-ever appearance, created by writer Jerry Siegel and Toronto-born artist Joe Shuster. Fewer than 100 copies are believed to still exist.
The sale was handled by New York-based Metropolis Collectibles / Comic Connect, who confirmed that both the seller and buyer chose to remain anonymous. The comic was graded 9 out of 10 by Certified Guaranty Company — placing it among the best-preserved copies known.
But this particular copy has a dramatic backstory.
Actor Nicolas Cage bought it in 1996 for $150,000, which was considered a huge amount at the time. Just four years later, it was stolen from his Los Angeles home during a party. The comic vanished for more than a decade before unexpectedly resurfacing in 2011, inside a California storage locker purchased at auction.
Cage was reunited with the comic and later sold it at auction for $2.2 million — a massive jump from his original purchase price.
Collectors say the theft and recovery only increased its legend — much like what happened to the Mona Lisa after it was stolen from the Louvre in 1911. Metropolis CEO Stephen Fishler said the saga made the comic even more valuable:
“During that 11-year period, it skyrocketed in value. The thief made Nicolas Cage a lot of money by stealing it.”
With this $15 million sale, Action Comics No. 1 confirms its status as one of the most valuable collectibles on Earth — and a true icon of American pop culture.
