Superman No. 1 comic — found in Northern California attic — sells for $9 million

Three brothers inspecting the attic of their late mother’s Northern California home discovered a treasure trove of forgotten comic books.

The comics, hidden beneath faded newspapers and cobwebs, included a copy of the first issue of Superman from 1939, Heritage Auctions said in an Oct. 31 news release.

The comic has now become the most expensive ever sold after selling at auction for $9.12 million, the auction house said in a Thursday, Nov. 20, news release.

Sons find forgotten treasures in mom’s attic

The sons were going through their late mom’s belongings during the 2024 holiday season when they uncovered the comic books, Heritage Auctions said.

“They’re in their 50s and 60s, and their mom had always told them she had an expensive comics collection but never showed them,” Lon Allen, vice president of the auction house, said in the release.

Their mom and an uncle had purchased six comic books, including the first issue of Superman, between the Great Depression and World War II, Heritage Auctions said.

The other five comic books are early issues of Action Comics, in which Superman first appeared before getting his own comic book, the auction house said.

All were in fine to near-mint condition thanks to the preservative climate in the Northern California attic.

“If it had been in an attic here in Texas, it would have been ruined,” Allen said.

The youngest son said his mom and uncle, a lifelong bachelor who had no children, were determined to pass her treasured collection on to him and his brothers.

“Until then, she carefully tucked the box away, deep into the recess of the attic, hidden but safe,” he told the auction house. “But as the years unfolded, life brought about a series of losses and changes. The demands of everyday survival took center stage, and the box of comics, once set aside with care and intention, was forgotten. Until last Christmas.”

Rare comic sells at auction for millions

The Superman No. 1 comic now “holds the record as the world’s most expensive comic book after selling for $9.12 million” after selling at auction Thursday, Nov. 20, Heritage Auctions said.

The copy earned a 9.0 on the 10-point scale for condition used by the Certified Guaranty Co., the auction house said.

The sale broke the record $6 million price for a copy of Action Comics No. 1 in 2024, Heritage Auctions said.

The Superman No. 1 comic sold this week is one of only seven known copies with a grade of 6.0 or higher.

Heritage Auctions is based in Dallas.

This story was originally published November 23, 2025 at 11:09 AM.