CGC-certified Action Comics #1 'Rocket Copy' Blasts Off in Heritage Sale

A coveted Action Comics #1 is among more than 700 comics certified by Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) being offered in Heritage Auctions’ Comics & Comic Art Signature sale. With more than a week to go before the January 13-16 sale, bidding had already exceeded $1.5 million for the comic book at the center of the sale.

This Action Comics #1 graded CGC 6.0 (lot 91030) is nicknamed “The Rocket Copy” due to the rocket imprint on its cover, stamped by the book’s then-13-year-old owner. The issue features the origin story of Superman, who launched the Golden Age of comics in 1938.

Action Comics #1 graded CGC 6.0 Click images to enlarge.

Action Comics #1 is one of the most desirable books in comics, and an example graded CGC 8.5 sold for $3.25 million in April 2021, a record for this issue. There are 75 examples of this grail recorded in the CGC Census, with 43 possessing the highly regarded Universal Grade.

The sale features another issue famous for a superhero’s first appearance: a Detective Comics #27. The May 1939 issue that introduced Batman started one of the biggest franchises in comics. Graded CGC 4.5 (lot 91038), the issue had attracted a bid of over half a million dollars more than a week before the end of the auction.

Detective Comics #27 graded CGC 4.5 Click images to enlarge.

Making a rare appearance is an example of the very first issue from the entity that eventually became the Marvel comic book company: a Marvel Comics #1 graded CGC 4.5 (lot 91041). This scarce November 1939 issue introduces characters such as the Human Torch and includes the origin story of the Sub-Mariner. To date, there are a mere 64 copies certified by CGC.

Marvel #1 graded CGC 4.5 Click images to enlarge.

The auction also includes rarities from The Promise Collection, including a Sensation Comics #1 graded CGC 4.0 (lot 93097) and a Wonder Comics #19 graded CGC 9.8 (lot 93121). Learn more about the incredible journey of this 5,000-issue collection here.

Other CGC-certified highlights in the sale include:

• an Amazing Fantasy #15 graded CGC 7.0 (lot 91032)
• an Amazing Fantasy #15 graded CGC 5.5 (lot 95113)
• a Detective Comics #28 graded CGC 6.0 (lot 95037)
• Fantastic Four #1 graded CGC 6.5 (lot 95139)
• a Marvel Family #1 graded CGC 9.0 (lot 91042)
• a More Fun Comics #73 graded CGC 6.5 (lot 91045)
• a Star Wars #1 Sketch Edition graded CGC 9.8 with a Signature Series label certifying several signatures, including ones of Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher (lot 97339)
• an incomplete Superman #1 graded CGC 0.5 (lot 91046)
• an X-Men #1 graded CGC 7.5 (lot 95172)

All bids are provided by the auction house.

Related Link:

Up, Up and Away! CGC-certified Action Comics #1 Sells for a Record $3.25 Million