2014 Comic Book News Archives

June 1, 2014: Rare Copy of "Action Comics #1" Being Sold at Auction

Action Comics #1 Superman's debut in "Action Comics #1" from 1938 is being sold at auction, as a collector in Kentucky sells off his rare comic book collection.

    Paducah insurance executive John C. Wise decided it was time to sell the collection he's been accumulating over three decades, revisiting a childhood pastime that he picked up again in the 1980s after he became established in his career.

    "I think it's a good timing for the market, and good timing for me at age 62," said Wise, who moved to Kentucky from his hometown of Rockford, Illinois, to attend college. "It's not like I'm not going to take them with me."

    Wise and Zurzolo said the exploding popularity of super heroes in movies and TV makes it an opportune time to capitalize on valuable comics.

    "The blockbuster movies are bringing in new collectors and investors into the vintage comic market on a daily basis," Zurzolo said.

    Wise is also selling a copy of Action Comics No. 1, which is the debut of Superman and is considered the birth of the comic book super hero. A well-preserved copy of the 1938 comic sold for a record $2.1 million in 2011. Zurzolo said there are fewer than 100 copies of the issue in existence.

    Wise said he's hoping the proceeds from the auctions will help him buy a new home in San Diego and fund college tuitions for his seven grandchildren.

    "My daughters would rather inherit than collect comic books," he said.

Read the full report at Yahoo News.

Check out the auction at ComicConnect.com, which ends on Tuesday, June 3.



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