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Brothers discover $9.12 million Superman comic in late mother's loft
Three brothers uncovered a near-pristine copy of Superman #1 (June 1939) while clearing their mother's California loft last Christmas, unaware it would shatter auction records. The comic sold for $9.12 million on Thursday, becoming the most expensive ever sold, according to Texas-based Heritage Auctions.
The discovery
The brothers, now in their 50s and 60s, found the comic buried under newspapers in a cardboard box, surrounded by cobwebs. Their mother and uncle had purchased it-alongside five other vintage comics-during the late 1930s, between the Great Depression and World War II. The family had long heard of a "valuable" collection but never saw it, Heritage Auctions vice-president Lon Allen told reporters.
"It's the inverse of the classic 'Mom threw out my comics' tale," Allen noted. The cool, dry climate of Northern California preserved the comic's condition, a stark contrast to the potential damage had it been stored in, say, a Texas attic.
Record-breaking condition and sale
Grading service CGC awarded the comic a 9.0 out of 10-an unprecedented score for Superman #1, surpassing the prior record of 8.5. The $9.12 million final price, including buyer's premium, eclipsed the previous comic auction record by $3 million. Action Comics No. 1 (1938), which first introduced Superman, had held the top spot after selling for $6 million in 2023.
A family's reflection
In a statement released by Heritage, the youngest brother described the find as more than a financial windfall. "Life's struggles pushed these comics to the back of memory," he said. "This isn't just about paper and ink-it's about legacy, the quirks of time, and how the past circles back."
"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."
Youngest brother, via Heritage Auctions press release
Why this comic matters
Superman #1 (1939) marked the character's first solo series, expanding his origin story beyond the debut in Action Comics. Its rarity and cultural impact-launching the superhero genre's golden age-drive collector demand. Heritage Auctions called the sale "the pinnacle of comic collecting," a sentiment echoed by industry analysts.
