The ‘Superman’ comic once stolen from Nicolas Cage sells for $15 million

A ‘Superman’ comic once owned by Nicolas Cage sells for $15 million after a dramatic theft and recovery story era

A rare piece of comic book history connected to Nicolas Cage has just shattered records, selling for an astonishing $15 million and reclaiming its place as one of the most valuable collectibles ever traded. The comic in question is Action Comics No. 1, the 1938 issue that introduced Superman to the world and launched the modern superhero genre.

The sale, completed through a private deal, eclipses the previous record for a comic book sale, which was set only months ago. Fewer than 100 copies of Action Comics No. 1 are believed to still exist, and this particular edition stands out not only for its condition but for its extraordinary past. Graded nine out of ten by Certified Guaranty Company, it is considered one of the finest preserved copies known to collectors.

Nicolas Cage purchased the comic in 1996 for $150,000, a price that raised eyebrows at the time and signalled a turning point in how comic books were valued as serious investments. In 2000, the comic was stolen from Cage’s Los Angeles home during a party, disappearing without a trace and becoming part of Hollywood lore. For more than a decade, its whereabouts remained a mystery, fuelling speculation and fascination among collectors.

The comic resurfaced unexpectedly in 2011 inside a California storage locker that had been purchased at auction. The recovery only added to its mythic status, drawing comparisons to famous stolen artworks whose value increased after their return. Cage was eventually reunited with the comic and later sold it at auction for $2.2 million, already a massive jump from his original purchase price.

Industry experts say the theft and recovery significantly boosted the comic’s allure. Stephen Fishler, chief executive of Metropolis Collectibles, famously remarked that the saga surrounding the disappearance helped drive its value even higher. With the latest $15 million sale, that assessment appears more accurate than ever.

Online reaction has been swift, with collectors and pop culture fans celebrating the sale as proof that comic books now sit alongside fine art and rare jewellery in the upper tier of global collectibles. Social media has been flooded with posts revisiting Cage’s connection to Superman, noting the irony that a theft once seen as a loss ultimately cemented the comic’s legendary status.

Today, Action Comics No. 1 stands as a cultural artefact as much as a financial one.