Superman might have superhuman strength and X-ray vision but he has been seen off by Spider Man, after a comic featuring Spidey’s first appearance overtook the Man of Steel’s record to become the most expensive ever sold.
A copy of the 1962 comic Amazing Fantasy #15, in which Peter Parker and his alter ego Spider-Man make their debut on the page, was sold on Thursday at Heritage Auctions for $3.6m (£2.5m). The record for a comic sale had previously been held by Superman’s first appearance in Action Comics #1, which sold privately for $3.25m in April.
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Spider-Man’s first appearance – in which he gains the mantra “With great power there must also come great responsibility!” – was so popular that he would next appear in his own comic, Amazing Spider-Man #1.
Heritage Auctions said the copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 was “pristine”. It is one of only four copies known to exist in this condition, according to the auction house. “What better book to break the record than the debut of Marvel’s most beloved character?” said Heritage Auctions vice president Lon Allen.
