Batman and Superman comic books that originally sold for 10 cents go for $13M at auction

Two comic books originally sold on US newsstands for just 10 cents have sold for $13 million.

The highest-graded known copy of Batman No. 1 (CGC 9.4) sold for $6 million, while the second highest-graded copy of Superman No. 1 (CGC 8.5 Mile High pedigree) fetched $7 million.

The private sale was brokered by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions in collaboration with SemperFi Comics.

The Batman issue, first published in 1940, features the debuts of the Joker and Catwoman and is considered a cornerstone of superhero history. The sale sets a new world record for the most expensive Batman comic ever sold, nearly tripling its previous mark.

Its counterpart, the Mile High pedigree Superman No. 1, published in 1939, hails from one of the most prestigious Golden Age collections. Such copies are prized for their exceptional preservation and provenance.

Jordan Seymour of SemperFi Comics, who helped connect the seller and buyer, described the sale as a watershed moment for the collectibles market: “We may be witnessing a transformational era in comic collecting. The combination of extreme rarity, global demand and sophisticated buyers has permanently reshaped the ceiling of this market. These books are no longer simply nostalgic artifacts — they are tangible pieces of world culture.”

Heritage Consignment Director Nathan Howerton, who orchestrated the deal, said, “It was more than a transaction to me. It was a chance to help two friends by placing two incredible pieces of history in a new home.”

The buyer has chosen to remain anonymous.