Breaking News English

'Superman #1' copy becomes most expensive comic

Comics - Level 4

A copy of the first self-titled Superman comic sold for a world record $9.12 million. The vice-president of the auction house called the rare comic the "pinnacle of comic collecting". He said the copy is "in unprecedented condition". He said: "Superman No. 1 is a milestone in pop culture history." He was proud that his company auctioned the comic. Superman No. 1 first appeared in shops in June 1939. It started a new genre of superhero comics.

The copy of Superman No. 1 had been gathering dust in a house for 86 years. Three brothers discovered it covered in cobwebs. The brothers said their mother was an avid comic collector, and that she had "rare comics somewhere". Half a million copies were initially printed. Mint condition copies are rare because people cut off the front cover to use as a poster. Superman No. 1 became the blueprint for today's modern superheroes.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Comics - Level 5

A perfect copy of the first self-titled Superman comic has been sold for a world record $9.12 million. The rare publication was sold by Heritage Auctions. Its vice-president called the record-breaking edition the "pinnacle of comic collecting". He said: "Superman No. 1 is a milestone in pop culture history." He added that the copy is "in unprecedented condition". He was happy that the price reflected that. He was also honoured that his company was entrusted to auction the comic. Superman No. 1 first appeared on bookshelves in June 1939. It started a whole gamut of superhero comics.

The record-breaking copy of Superman No. 1 had been gathering dust in a house for 86 years. Three brothers discovered it covered in cobwebs in their late mother's house. The brothers said their mother was an avid comic collector, and that she had "rare comics somewhere". Half a million copies of Superman No. 1 were initially printed. Mint condition copies are very rare because many people cut off the front cover to use as a poster. Superman No. 1 became the blueprint for today's modern superheroes. The character was a symbol of hope and "doing the right thing".

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Comics - Level 6

A pristine copy of the very first self-titled Superman comic has been sold at auction for $9.12 million. This is a world record for a comic book. The rare publication was sold by Texas-based Heritage Auctions. Its vice-president, Lon Allen, called the record-breaking edition the "pinnacle of comic collecting". He said: "Superman No. 1 is a milestone in pop culture history, and this copy is not only in unprecedented condition, it also has a movie-worthy story behind it. I was glad to see the price reflect that, and I'm honoured that Heritage was entrusted with this iconic book." Superman No. 1 first appeared on bookshelves in June 1939. It paved the way for a whole gamut of superhero comics.

Prior to its sale, the record-breaking 86-year-old copy of Superman No. 1 had been gathering dust in the attic of a house in California. Three brothers discovered it amid the cobwebs while cleaning out their late mother's house. The brothers said their mother was an avid comic collector, and that she had told them she had "rare comics somewhere". Half a million copies of Superman No. 1 were initially printed. One copy cost 10 cents. Mint condition copies are now extremely rare because the comic invited readers to cut off the front cover to use as a poster. Superman No. 1 became the blueprint for the modern superhero. The character was a symbol of hope, justice, and "doing the right thing".

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson