A rare copy of Action Comics No. 1, the comic book that first introduced Superman to the world, sold for a record $15 million in a private deal announced Friday. The sale eclipses the previous record for a comic book, set last November when a copy of Superman No. 1 sold at auction for $9.12 million.

Manhattan-based Metropolis Collectibles/Comic Connect brokered the sale, but the owner and buyer of the comic book wished to remain anonymous, according to the company. Action Comics No. 1 originally sold for 10 cents when it was released in 1938.

The comic book features an anthology of stories, most of which involved lesser-known characters. However, it also included a short narrative detailing Superman's origin story: his birth on a dying planet, his journey to Earth, and his decision to use his extraordinary strength to benefit humanity. Its publication is widely considered the beginning of the superhero genre.

Notably, this particular copy of Action Comics No. 1 was once owned by actor Nicolas Cage. Cage purchased the comic for $150,000, but it was stolen from his home in 2000. It was eventually recovered in a storage locker in 2011.

According to Vincent Zurzolo, president of Metropolis Collectibles/Comic Connect, approximately 100 copies of Action Comics No. 1 are known to exist. Zurzolo described the comic as "the Holy Grail of comic books," emphasizing the significance of Superman's creation. "Without Superman and his popularity," Zurzolo stated, "there would be no Batman."

The sale highlights the enduring appeal and increasing value of rare comic books as collectibles. The identity of the buyer and their future plans for the comic remain undisclosed.