The ‘Rocket copy’ of Action Comics #1 (1938) by creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster has just sold at auction for £2.76 Million, a lot less than its previous sales.
Any comic book collectors out there will know all about the legendary ‘Rocket copy’ of Action Comics #1, named for the signature rocket ship stamp on the cover placed by the original owner. Typically, alterations like this kill the value (and to an extent, it has compared to other, better condition copies), but the Rocket copy has garnered a one-of-a-kind significance. It’s one of an estimated 50 to 100 surviving copies of Action Comics #1 — and the only to possess the rocket stamp placed by a young buyer many decades ago, making it instantly distinguishable.
The selling history of the Rocket copy has some serious money behind it, despite the stamp. Back in January 2022, it sold at a public auction for approximately $3.18 million. Then in September 2022 it reached its peak sale value of $3.4 million in a private transaction arranged by Goldin. In its most recent sale, the copy — rated CGC 6.0 — realised $2.76 million at auction, a stark drop in value from its previous sale.
Of course, the Rocket copy naturally sells for significantly less than untainted covers. The record sale of Action Comics #1 was US $6.0 million back in 2024.
A year before Superman #1, the Man of Steel made his first appearance in Action Comics #1 from Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The comic tells the origin story of Clark Kent/Superman in just two-pages, followed by short stories of his early adventures.The issue itself was 68 pages long; Superman stories only took up around 13 pages. Despite this, Superman was the breakout character, going on to get his own ongoing series a year later… and the rest is history. Other characters involved in the issue include Zatara and Tex Thompson.
Check out the top 10 most valuable comics of all-time here.
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