Two Copies of Action Comics #1 Up For Auction at Heritage
Two copies of Action Comics #1 are heading to auction at Heritage, giving collectors a rare chance to see two examples of Superman’s first appearance in the same sale.
The books are part of Heritage’s July 9-11, 2026 Comic Books Signature Auction, which features more than 400 key comics from the Golden Age to the modern era. Heritage says the auction is highlighted by an unrestored copy of Action Comics #1 and also includes the debut of the Lost High-Grade DC Collection, a group of DC comics from the mid-1950s through the late 1960s with an average grade of 9.4.
Heritage says the comic book auction includes seven of the top 10 most valuable Golden Age comic issues and nine of the top 10 Silver Age issues, based on the 2026 Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. The sale is led by a CGC 4.5 copy of Action Comics #1, followed by a CGC Restored 6.5 copy of the same issue.
The unrestored copy is a CGC VG+ 4.5 with off-white to white pages. Heritage Vice President Barry Sandoval said the book looks great for its grade, adding that its cover colors are more consistent with a higher-grade copy than a 4.5. The copy had a current bid of $1,403,000 when the listing was checked.
The second copy is a CGC Apparent FN+ 6.5 with Moderate/Extensive restoration and cream to off-white pages. Heritage’s listing notes that the restoration includes color touch, leaf casting, reinforcement, and cleaning. The restored 6.5 copy had a current bid of $402,600 when the listing was checked.
Action Comics #1 was published by DC in 1938 and is one of the most important comic books in the hobby because it introduced Superman. The issue is also ranked at the top of Overstreet’s list of the most valuable Golden Age comics.
The auction’s main floor session is scheduled for Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 12 p.m. Central Time, with lots 91001 through 91113 included in that session. Heritage lists a 22 percent buyer’s premium per lot, with a $29 minimum.
The sale is not only built around Action Comics #1. The auction also includes original comic art, spotlighting the first page from Tales of Suspense #39, the 1963 Marvel issue that introduced Iron Man. Other highlights include Joe Shuster Superman material, Alex Schomburg cover re-creations, Charles Schulz Peanuts strips, and major Silver Age and Golden Age comic books.
Still, the two Action Comics #1 copies are the main event for many comic collectors. With both copies crossing the block in the same Heritage sale, the auction gives collectors another major look at the top end of the Golden Age comic market.