Nine CGC-certified Comics Topped $1 Million in 2022

Nine comic books authenticated and graded by Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) were sold for over $1 million in 2022. They include the most expensive comic book ever sold, as well as the first seven-figure prices for the Captain America and Fantastic Four franchises. This year showed an increase in million-dollar CGC books, from eight CGC-certified comics in 2021

The table below listing the CGC-certified comic books selling for over $1 million in 2022 can be sorted automatically by clicking on the column headers. Click on the name of the comic book to jump to an image and description of that comic book, or keep scrolling to see all of the comic books.

CGC-certified Comic Books Realizing Seven Figures in 2022

Comic book: Superman #1 Grade: CGC 8.0 Sale price: $5.3 million Why it's special: This is the most expensive comic book ever sold, with the January 2022 transaction far exceeding the previous record of $3.6 million set by an Amazing Fantasy #15 in 2021. That sale ended over a decade of dominance by Superman books at the top of the comic book world. Superman #1 was the first comic book titled after its superhero, and with this sale, Superman returns to the top. Learn more: Click here.

Comic book: Action Comics #1 Grade: CGC 6.0 Sale price: $3.4 million Why it's special: This comic book sold for $3.18 million at a Heritage Auctions sale in January 2022 and then was sold again several months later for $3.4 million. The Golden Age grail from 1938 introduced the world to Superman. This example is known as the "Rocket Copy" because of its red rocket stamp on the cover. Learn more: Click here.

Comic book: Captain America Comics #1 Grade: CGC 9.4 Sale price: $3.12 million Why it's special: The sale of this Captain America Comics #1 for $3.12 million shattered the record for its franchise. The result, achieved in an April 2022 Heritage Auctions sale, was an impressive increase over the previous record for the title, set by the same copy at a 2019 Heritage sale where it realized $915,000. Learn more: Click here.

Comic book: Marvel Comics #1 Grade: CGC 9.2 Sale price: $2.42 million Why it's special: Published in late 1939 by Timely Comics (a predecessor of Marvel Entertainment), Marvel Comics #1 introduced characters such as the Human Torch, Ka-Zar and Namor the Sub-Mariner. This copy is known as the Pay Copy because it includes notations from the editor about what contributors were paid. It realized $2,427,777 at a ComicConnect sale in March 2022. Learn more: Click here.

Comic book: Detective Comics #27 Grade: CGC 6.5 Sale price: $1.74 million Why it's special: This May 2022 sale through Goldin Auctions was a record-setter for this issue, which contains the first appearance of Batman. It is the seventh CGC-certified book to realize seven figures in 2022. Learn more: Click here.

Comic book: All Star Comics #8 Grade: CGC 9.4 Sale price: $1.62 million Why it's special: Published in 1941, this comic book introduced Wonder Woman. Not only did this Heritage sale mark the first time All Star Comics #8 sold for over $1 million, but it was also the first seven-figure auction result for a comic book sought primarily for a female superhero. Learn more: Click here.

Comic book: Fantastic Four #1 Grade: CGC 9.2 Sale price: $1.5 million Why it's special: This copy of Fantastic Four #1 sold for $1.5 million at a Heritage sale in April 2022, marking the first time a title from its franchise crossed the $1 million mark at auction. Fantastic Four #1 was published in 1961 by Marvel Comics and features the first appearance of the Fantastic Four superhero team. Learn more: Click here.

Comic book: Detective Comics #27 Grade: CGC 4.5 Sale price: $1.14 million Why it's special: Known for the first appearance of Batman, the 1939 book launched the franchise of the “Caped Crusader.” This copy sold for $1.14 million at a Heritage auction in January 2022. The CGC Census has only about three dozen examples of Detective Comics #27 that qualify for the coveted Universal label. Learn more: Click here.