Superman has been breaking limitations and records during his whole existence. He is faster than a speeding bullet, can leap tall buildings in a single bound, and once again, he has set a new record for most valuable comic book in the world.

A copy 1938’s Action Comics #1 CGC 8.5 Kansas City Pedigree featuring the Man of Steel’s first appearance just sold for $6 million at Heritage. The book led their four-day Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction that began on Thursday, April 4, 2024. It is one of the highest graded copies of the book; in fact, only two other unrestored copies are graded higher.

This sale makes it the most valuable comic in the world, surpassing the Superman #1 CGC 8.0 Edgar Church Mile High brokered sale of $5.3 million that CGC reported in April 2022. It bested the previous auction record of $3.6 million for Spider-Man’s debut in Amazing Fantasy #15 CGC 9.6, that Heritage sold in September 2021.

Superman’s legacy continued to soar through the auction. Co-creator Jerry Siegel’s 1934 letter to comic strip artist Russell Keaton describing a Man of Steel prototype went for $264,000. A professionally restored Action Comics #1 CGC Apparent 8.0 hammered for $576,000 – setting a record for any restored comic.

“The first three lots today would be tough to beat when it comes to exciting bidding wars – the all-time record for a comic book, bracketed by two absolutely stunning surprises,” Heritage Vice President Barry Sandoval said. “We’re thrilled to have made history today with an auction that’s rich in history, encompassing everything from a pre-Golden Age Superman artifact to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. We couldn’t be happier for our consignors and those winning bidders who acquired items without equal.”

The auction’s first session continued setting records, including for two of the biggest teams in comics. The Avengers #1 CGC 9.6 with Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Wasp, and Ant-Man’s first outing as the superhero team, realized $432,000 – setting a new record for the title. Justice League of America #1 CGC 9.6, featuring the team’s debut, reached $348,000, setting another in-title record.

New single character milestones included Wonder Woman’s second appearance and first cover in Sensation Comics #1 CGC 9.6, the highest graded copy, that set a new record at $420,000. The Man Without Fear’s debut in Daredevil #1 CGC 9.8 also set a record when it achieved $360,000. Doctor Strange’s first appearance in Strange Tales #110 CGC 9.6, one of the five highest graded copies, sold for $150,000, setting a new record.

“These high-end auctions don’t always have back-and-forth bidding at the live sessions, but this had plenty, particularly for the first three lots, putting people at the edges of seats,” Sandoval exclusively told Scoop. “None of us could recall the last time so many highest graded copies of key issues all sold on a single day.”

Heritage’s four-day Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction continues to close on Friday through Sunday, April 5-7.