Amongst comic book collectors there is a “Holy Grail”, the book we would give just about anything to own because it really started the entire super hero genre of comic books. That book is of course the very first appearance of Superman, Action Comics #1.

And now someone with way too much money owns two of them!

The previous record for a comic book was another copy of the same book, going to the same buyer, for $317,000.  This newest acquisition was rated as being in “Very Fine” condition, or essentially an 8 out of 10 … in other words, for a comic book from 1938, it was in killer shape.  And, yes, this time he dropped $1 million on the book.  Think about this, a comic that sold for $.10 in 1938 just sold for $1 million … yeesh.

It is believed that only about 100 copies of Action Comics #1 are still in existence, and only a few in such good shape.  I have been lucky enough to see two copies in person in my entire life, and neither of them were close to being Very Fine, so my envy runs even deeper.

It’s hard to say what makes us all desire this book as we do.  I am not even a Superman fan per se, I don’t especially dislike him, I just think he has run his course.  But his first appearance?  Wow.  Without this there would have been no Batman … no Justice League … no Marvel Comics … No Superman IV: The Quest For Peace!  Oh … wait … hold on …

In short, this truly is the ultimate book for collectors, and whomever this individual is, I don’t really care.  If he has the money great, my only concern is that he preserves it, and every indication is he will treat this book well, and in a manner befitting it.

No, this isn’t the Constitution of the United States, but its about as close as you’ll find when it comes to comic books.