Nicolas Cage's Iconic Superman Comic Book Has Been Sold For a Record-Breaking $15 Million

Yasmine Loh
3 days ago
2 min read

The actor's coveted copy of "Action Comics" No. 1 is now the pinnacle of comic books.

Nicolas Cage possesses numerous exotic collections, including a Lamborghini Miura previously held by the Shah of Iran and a stolen Tarbosaurus skull. Additionally, the Leaving Las Vegas actor once owned one of about 100 surviving copies of Superman's inaugural comic book appearance—Action Comics No. 1. It has been privately sold for a record-setting $15 million.

The New York Times reports that the transaction represents the highest sum ever paid for a comic book, surpassing the previous record of $9.12 million for Superman No. 1 in November 2025. The recent exorbitant valuation was mostly attributed to the previously noted scarcity and its condition—it is one of just two copies of Action Comics No. 1 globally that has been graded at 9.0, signifying Very Fine/Near Mint condition.

However, its stormy origin enhances its value further. Cage initially acquired the book in 1997 for $150,000, then in 2000, he discovered that his Action Comics #1, along with two other cherished comics, had been carefully extracted from their high-security wall displays. The ensuing LAPD inquiry became stagnant; however, in 2011, it was discovered within the belongings of an abandoned storage unit in the San Fernando Valley. Cage reacquired possession and promptly sold it for $2.16 million. The recent sale of Action Comics No. 1 establishes it as the pinnacle of the comic book realm, akin to the $12.6 million 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle in the trading card domain.

Stephen Fishler, the CEO of Metropolis Collectibles, which facilitated the sale, likened Cage’s issue to the most renowned artwork in history in a statement. The Mona Lisa was pilfered in 1911 and concealed beneath the thief's bed for two years. The restoration of the painting elevated the Mona Lisa from a remarkable Da Vinci artwork to a global symbol—this encapsulates Action #1. A symbol of American pop culture.