Attic Discovery Turns Into $9.12M Fortune: 1939 Superman #1 Sets New Comic Record

A forgotten copy of the iconic 1939 Superman #1 comic book has sold for an unprecedented $9.12 million, becoming the most expensive comic ever sold. The historic issue, considered one of the rarest and most important comic books in existence, was discovered tucked away in a dusty attic of a Northern California home, where it had been lying untouched for more than 80 years.

Three brothers found the comic inside a cobweb-covered box while clearing out their late mother’s belongings. The family had no memory of the box until stumbling upon it last Christmas. Inside were several early Action Comics issues, but Superman #1—graded an exceptional 9.0 by CGC for its bright colors, razor-sharp corners and tight spine—was the most valuable. Heritage Auctions described it as the highest-graded unrestored copy ever offered and “the pinnacle of comic collecting.”

The sale breaks the previous world record of $6 million, set last year for Action Comics #1, the 1938 issue that first introduced Superman.

The brothers, now in their 50s and 60s, said the comics had been purchased by their mother and uncle between the Great Depression and World War II. The youngest brother called the discovery “a testament to memory, family and the unexpected ways the past finds its way back to us,” noting that comic books served as a comforting escape during their childhood in a cramped apartment with few luxuries.

Lon Allen, Vice President of Heritage Auctions, called the find “a milestone in pop culture history.” He added that Northern California’s mild climate helped preserve the comic in stunning condition, something less likely in hotter, more humid regions like Texas.

The extraordinary preservation, combined with the touching family story behind its rediscovery, contributed to the record-breaking sale—one that turned a forgotten attic box into a multimillion-dollar treasure.