Nicolas Cage’s Legendary Superman Comic Fetches $15 Million at Auction
A rare copy of Action Comics No. 1, once stolen from Nicolas Cage, has shattered records with a $15 million sale at a private auction. The buyer remains a mystery, and the comic’s wild journey only adds to its legendary status.
One of the most coveted comic books in history, a copy of Action Comics No. 1 that once belonged to Nicolas Cage, has just set a new record. The iconic issue, which first introduced the world to Superman, was sold for a staggering $15 million in a private auction. The sale was handled by Metropolis Collectibles/Comic Connect, and the identity of the new owner remains undisclosed.
From Hollywood Heist to Record-Breaking Sale
Nicolas Cage, a well-known fan of the Man of Steel, originally purchased the rare comic in 1996 for $150,000. He held onto it for four years before it was stolen from his home, launching a decade-long mystery. The comic resurfaced years later in a storage unit in the San Fernando Valley, where it was authenticated as the very same copy Cage had lost. After reclaiming it, Cage kept the prized issue for just six months before selling it for $2.2 million, setting a new benchmark at the time.
The notoriety surrounding the theft only fueled the comic’s value. According to Stephen Fishler, CEO of Metropolis Collectibles/Comic Connect, the incident added a layer of intrigue that made the issue even more desirable to collectors. Vincent Zurzolo, the company’s president, described the comic as a true “Holy Grail” for fans, noting its pivotal role in shaping the superhero genre.
The Rarity and Impact of Action Comics No. 1
Action Comics No. 1, published in 1938, originally sold for just 10 cents—about $2.25 today. Only around 100 copies are believed to exist worldwide, making it one of the rarest and most valuable comics ever produced. The debut of Superman in this issue laid the foundation for the entire superhero industry, inspiring countless characters and stories that followed.
Superman’s influence extended far beyond the pages of comic books. The character’s popularity set the stage for other legendary heroes, and even rival publishers like Marvel sought to capture the same magic. The sale of this particular copy, with its dramatic backstory, has now obliterated previous auction records and cemented its place in pop culture history.
Nicolas Cage’s Superman Dream: The Movie That Never Was
Cage’s connection to Superman goes beyond collecting. In the late 1990s, he was set to star as Clark Kent in Tim Burton’s ambitious but ill-fated film, Superman Lives. The project, which drew inspiration from the famous “Death of Superman” storyline, was plagued by rewrites and ballooning costs. Despite millions spent in pre-production and a planned 1998 release, the movie was ultimately scrapped by Warner Bros., leaving fans to wonder what might have been.
Years later, Cage made a brief appearance as Superman in The Flash, though he later revealed that the scene shown on screen was not what he had actually filmed.
“When I went to the picture, it was me fighting a giant spider. I did not do that. That was not what I did. I don’t think it was created by an AI companion. I know Tim is upset about AI, as I am. It was CGI, OK, so that they could de-age me, and I’m fighting a spider. I didn’t do any of that, so I don’t know what happened there.”
Despite the twists and turns, Cage’s passion for Superman remains clear. The extraordinary journey of his once-stolen comic book, now the most expensive ever sold, only adds to the legend.