The 25 Most Valuable Superman Comics
Superman launched the superhero genre, and his earliest comics sit at the absolute top of the hobby. His first appearance and first solo title are two of the most valuable comic books in existence, and his Golden and Silver Age run is a roll call of foundational DC firsts. Below are the most valuable Superman comics, ranked by current raw Near Mint (9.4) value and refreshed automatically from live market data.
This guide spans Action Comics — the anthology where Superman debuted and still his flagship — along with his self-titled series. The 1938–1960s issues command the highest prices by a wide margin, because high-grade survivors from that era are extraordinarily scarce.
| # | Comic | Key / First Appearance | NM Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Action Comics (1938) #1 | Superman (Clark Kent), Lois Lane, Zatara | $5,600,000 |
| 2 | Superman (1939) #1 | Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent | $4,500,000 |
| 3 | Action Comics (1938) #13 | Ultra Humanite | $125,000 |
| 4 | Action Comics (1938) #6 | Jimmy Olsen | $39,000 |
| 5 | Action Comics (1938) #23 | Lex Luthor, Daily Planet, Black Pirate | $27,000 |
| 6 | Action Comics (1938) #242 | Brainiac, City of Kandor | $10,000 |
| 7 | Action Comics (1938) #252 | Supergirl, Metallo, Zoe-El, Allura | $9,000 |
| 8 | Superman (1939) #7 | Perry White | $8,000 |
| 9 | Superman (1939) #10 | Lex Luthor (bald) | $6,000 |
| 10 | Action Comics (1938) #40 | Vigilante (Greg Saunders), Star Spangled Kid, Stripsey | $5,800 |
| 11 | Action Comics (1938) #37 | Congo Bill | $5,200 |
| 12 | Action Comics (1938) #42 | Vigilante (Greg Saunders) | $4,800 |
| 13 | Action Comics (1938) #51 | The Prankster | $4,000 |
| 14 | Superman (1939) #30 | Mr. Mxyztplk | $4,000 |
| 15 | Action Comics (1938) #60 | Superwoman (Lois Lane) | $3,600 |
| 16 | Action Comics (1938) #64 | Toyman | $2,900 |
| 17 | Superman (1939) #61 | Green Kryptonite | $2,400 |
| 18 | Action Comics (1938) #255 | 1200 | $675 |
| 19 | Superman (1939) #127 | Titano | $600 |
| 20 | Superman (1939) #129 | Lori Lamaris | $600 |
| 21 | Action Comics (1938) #276 | Phantom Girl, Braniac 5, Bouncing Boy, Shrinking Violet, Sun Boy, Triplicate Girl | $595 |
| 22 | Action Comics (1938) #267 | Chameleon Boy, Invisible Kid and Colossal Boy | $595 |
| 23 | Action Comics (1938) #261 | Streaky The Super-Cat | $500 |
| 24 | Superman (1939) #147 | Legion of Super-Villains | $500 |
| 25 | Superman (1939) #140 | Bizarro Family (team), Bizarro Supergirl, Kryptonite | $300 |
Values are raw Near Mint (9.4) estimates from live market data and change over time. Look up any comic's value.
The most valuable Superman keys
Action Comics #1 (1938) stands at the top of the entire hobby — the first appearance of Superman, and the most valuable comic book in the world, with high-grade copies selling for millions. Superman #1 (1939), his first solo title, is close behind and itself one of the most valuable comics ever printed.
The Golden Age of Action Comics fills out the top tier: #7 features one of the earliest Superman covers, #13 debuts the Ultra-Humanite, #23 introduces Lex Luthor and the Daily Planet, and #6 gives us the first Jimmy Olsen.
Silver Age keys carry the run forward — Action Comics #242 (1958) is the first Brainiac and the city of Kandor, and #252 (1959) debuts both Supergirl and Metallo, characters who keep demand strong across film and television.
What makes a Superman comic valuable
Superman value comes down to age, significance, and scarcity. His late-1930s and 1940s books were printed on cheap newsprint and rarely saved, so high-grade Golden Age copies are among the rarest in the hobby — and they introduce the entire concept of the superhero. Silver Age firsts add a second wave of keys as their characters reached the screen.
Condition is everything at this level. The gap between grades on a Golden Age Superman key can run into six or seven figures, and professionally graded (CGC) copies set the market. Raw Near Mint (9.4) is the benchmark shown here, but census-verified high grades trade at enormous premiums.
How these values are calculated
The figures here are raw Near Mint (9.4) values derived from recent sales and refreshed automatically — not a fixed annual guide. Click any issue for its full condition-by-grade breakdown, graded (CGC) values, and price history. Values are estimates and the market moves, so treat them as a current snapshot rather than a formal appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most valuable Superman comic?
As of August 2026, Action Comics (1938) #1 (first appearance of Superman (Clark Kent), Lois Lane, Zatara) is the most valuable, with a raw Near Mint value around $5,600,000.
What is the most valuable Superman comic?
Action Comics #1 (1938) is the most valuable Superman comic — and the most valuable comic book in the world. It is Superman’s first appearance, and high-grade copies have sold for millions of dollars.
Is Action Comics #1 the same as Superman #1?
No. Action Comics #1 (1938) is Superman’s first appearance. Superman #1 (1939) is his first self-titled comic, published a year later. Both are among the most valuable comics ever printed.
Which Superman comic is the first Supergirl?
Action Comics #252 (1959) is the first appearance of Supergirl (and Metallo) — one of the most valuable Silver Age Superman keys.
Are graded (CGC) Superman comics worth more than raw copies?
Almost always, and dramatically so for the Golden and Silver Age issues. High-grade survivors are extraordinarily rare, so CGC-certified copies command enormous premiums over raw. Click any issue for its graded pricing.
How often do these values update?
Automatically, from live market data — so this list reflects the current market, not a static annual guide.