Heritage Auctions just dropped one of the most stacked comic book auctions in recent memory. The Comic Books Signature Auction (#7461) runs February 26–28, and the Comic Art Signature Auction (#7462) runs February 27 through March 1 — both held at Heritage's New York gallery at 445 Park Avenue. Here's a breakdown of the headline lots and what this auction tells us about the state of the comic book market in 2026.
The Holy Trinity: Three of Comics' Biggest Keys Under One Roof
Heritage assembled 11 of the top 20 most valuable Golden Age books listed in the Overstreet Price Guide for this auction — including the top three. This is an extraordinary lineup that rarely comes together in a single sale.
Action Comics #1 — CGC 2.0 Qualified
The first appearance of Superman. Even in a lower grade with a qualified label, this is the single most important comic book ever published. The book that launched an entire industry. With a CGC 6.5 Apparent selling for over $3 million in 2025, even this copy represents a significant six-figure investment.
Superman #1 — CGC 6.5
Superman's first self-titled book featuring his origin story and the first mention of Krypton in comics. Coming off the heels of the record-shattering $9.12 million sale of a CGC 9.0 copy in November 2025 and the $7 million private sale of a CGC 8.5 Mile High pedigree copy earlier this month, Superman material is red hot.
Detective Comics #27 — CGC 7.0
The first appearance of Batman. One of only two CGC 7.0 copies known to exist, with just six copies in higher grades. This exact copy sold for $1.5 million in 2020 and was already pre-bidding at $1.83 million before the live auction even started. Only one higher-graded copy has sold in the last 15 years.
The auction also features major Golden Age keys including Batman #1 CGC 0.5 Restored, Captain America Comics #1 CGC 7.0, Action Comics #7 CGC 9.6 Restored, and Detective Comics #29 CGC 7.0.
Joe Shuster Original Art: A Once-in-a-Generation Offering
The Comic Art auction features what Heritage is calling the earliest published cover or story page by Superman co-creator Joe Shuster they have ever offered — the cover to Action Comics #21. It depicts Superman capturing a missile before it hits a military vessel, just Superman's ninth full cover appearance. Given the extreme rarity of original Shuster art, this piece is expected to command enormous attention from serious collectors and institutions.
Additional Shuster art in the sale includes a story page from Action Comics #24 and a profile illustration of Superman on Shuster's own personal letterhead.
Market Insight: Heritage's Vice President Aaron White noted that Shuster didn't draw Superman for very long before assistants took over, and much of the original art from that era was simply discarded. What survives is exceptionally rare, making any authenticated Shuster piece a museum-quality acquisition.
What This Means for the Comic Market in 2026
This auction comes during a period of remarkable strength for the high-end comic market. Here are the key takeaways:
Superman Dominates the Record Books
Between the $9.12M public sale in November 2025, the $13M private transaction in February 2026 (Batman #1 CGC 9.4 for $6M + Superman #1 CGC 8.5 for $7M), and now this auction, Superman continues to be the undisputed king of comic book collectibles. If you own high-grade Superman, Action Comics, or early DC keys, your investment is appreciating rapidly.
Golden Age Keys Continue to Climb
The fact that Heritage assembled 11 of Overstreet's top 20 Golden Age books in a single auction speaks to collector confidence. Consignors are bringing out major material because they believe the market will support strong prices. When Detective Comics #27 is already pre-bidding 22% above its 2020 sale price, that's a clear signal that demand at the top end shows no signs of cooling.
Original Art Is Having a Moment
Heritage's Comics & Comic Art department posted $216.2 million in auction sales in 2025 — the department's second-highest total ever. The $13.5 million Frazetta Conan painting set a new world record for comic/fantasy artwork. Original art is increasingly being recognized alongside fine art as a serious collecting category, and prices are reflecting that shift.
Mid-Range Keys Are Heating Up Too
While the headline numbers grab attention, the 2025 auction year also showed strong results across the board: Incredible Hulk #1 CGC 9.2 at $780K, Flash Comics #1 CGC 8.5 at $396K, X-Men #1 CGC 9.2 at $131K, and Amazing Fantasy #15 CGC 6.5 at $85.5K. Even mid-grade copies of major Silver Age keys are commanding strong five- and six-figure prices.
What This Means for Sellers
If you're holding Golden Age, Silver Age, or high-grade Bronze Age keys, the current market is extremely favorable for selling. Auction houses like Heritage command impressive prices — but they also charge significant seller fees. Heritage's standard seller commission ranges from 10% to higher depending on the lot, and settlement can take months.
For collectors who want to take advantage of this strong market but don't want to wait months or pay percentage-based fees, consignment is an excellent alternative. At Tri-State Comics, our flat-fee consignment model means you keep significantly more of the sale price. Whether your collection includes a $2,000 CGC slab or a five-figure key, our fees are a fraction of what auction houses charge.
Thinking About Selling While the Market Is Hot?
Send us photos of your comics for a free, no-obligation market appraisal. We'll tell you exactly what your books are worth right now and how much you'd keep with our flat-fee consignment.
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Note: This article covers lots and pre-bidding activity known as of February 27, 2026. Final realized prices may vary. Heritage Auctions is not affiliated with Tri-State Comics. All auction data sourced from public Heritage listings and third-party reporting.