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Good morning. A CGC 9.0 Superman book pulled from an attic just set a $9.12 million record, while James Gunn's DC Studios may soon control the publishing division itself. The brand protection is already visible.
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A Superman comic book discovered in an attic sold for $9.12 million, setting a new auction record and stunning the hobby with a CGC 9.0 grade that had collectors recalculating the high-end market ceiling. The sale, confirmed by Google News aggregation from multiple auction sources, marks the highest price ever paid for a comic book graded below 9.2, a threshold previously thought necessary for eight-figure results.
The CGC 9.0 grade is the key variable. Until now, the ultra-premium tier - sales above $5 million - had been reserved almost exclusively for books grading 9.4 or better, with the famous Action Comics #1 CGC 8.5 sale at $3.25 million in 2021 serving as the high-water mark for mid-grade keys. A 9.0 breaking $9 million signals that scarcity and provenance now outweigh technical grade when a book has the right story attached.
The attic discovery narrative adds documented value. Auction houses have long known that a clean, verifiable chain of custody - especially one that includes decades of untouched storage - can command a 20–40% premium over identical copies with murky history. This book's story, combined with its eye appeal and structural integrity at 9.0, likely pushed bidders past the psychological $8 million threshold.
The sale also redefines comp pricing for Golden Age Superman keys in the 8.5–9.2 range. Dealers who had been pricing 9.0 copies in the $4–6 million band now face a market that just validated a near-doubling of that estimate, assuming similar eye appeal and story. For collectors holding 8.0–8.5 copies, the rising tide lifts those boats, too - a $9.12 million 9.0 implies $3–5 million is no longer unrealistic for a strong 8.5.
Why it matters: This sale breaks the grade-price correlation that has governed Golden Age key pricing for a decade. Collectors who assumed they needed a 9.4 or better to access eight-figure territory now see a 9.0 cracking that ceiling, which means scarcity, eye appeal, and provenance can override the half-point technical gap. It also sets a new floor for insurance valuations across the 8.5–9.2 range, forcing adjustments in estate planning and collection financing. For the broader market, it confirms that attic finds and clean-chain stories are worth real premium dollars, not just PR buzz.
Read at source (Google News - Comic Auction) →
DC Studios oversight of DC Comics floated Industry speculation now suggests that DC Studios, the film-and-TV division led by James Gunn and Peter Safran, could end up overseeing DC Comics publishing operations as Skydance finalizes its Warner Bros Discovery leadership structure. The move would consolidate creative control across film, TV, and print under a single executive team, mirroring Marvel's integrated model. No official announcement has been made, but the speculation comes as Skydance completes its acquisition and reorganizes legacy Warner divisions. Read at source (Bleeding Cool) →
Warner Bros restricts Absolute Batman homage covers DC Comics will only approve homage variant covers for Absolute Batman if they feature properties already owned by Warner Bros, Bleeding Cool reports. The policy blocks retailers from commissioning homages to third-party IP like Star Wars, Spider-Man, or independent films, limiting options to DC characters, Looney Tunes, Harry Potter, and other WB-controlled franchises. The restriction appears designed to avoid trademark conflicts and keep brand equity in-house, a shift from the largely open homage policies of the past decade. Read at source (Bleeding Cool) →
Toriyama Archives reveal unknown Super Saiyan Goku art The Toriyama Archives unearthed a previously unknown original artwork of Super Saiyan Goku created by Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, believed to date from the early 1990s based on style and composition. The piece, never before published or reproduced, was found among archival materials and is now part of the official Toriyama collection. No auction or sale details have been announced, but the discovery adds a verified Toriyama original to the known catalog of Dragon Ball artwork. Read at source (CBR) →
Scott Snyder draws, Jock inks Absolute Batman #25 variant Scott Snyder drew and Jock inked an exclusive retailer variant cover for Absolute Batman #25, with Snyder handling pencils and Jock finishing in ink. The collaboration marks one of the rare instances where Snyder, known primarily as a writer, has contributed original artwork to a cover. The variant will be available through select retailers, with no confirmed print run or ordering details released yet. Read at source (Bleeding Cool) →
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Selling an inherited collection.
If you inherited a longbox and just want it sold, don't take the first offer across the counter. Part V of the 2026 Comics Guide is the inherited-collection playbook. Part VI covers selling through shops, cons and shows. Part III explains why Media Mail gets packages sent back.
What’s in the 2026 Comics Guide →| December 2026 | Jessica Jones: Alias (Bendis/Gaydos) |
| 2027 | Ad Police 4K restoration Blu-ray |
Full calendar (The Comics Beat) →
Social Trends — coming soon. We are building out real-time social buzz tracking for the hobby. Check back soon.
 | ★ Marquee find Wolverine 1D CGC 9.8 SS 1982$2,950 · CGC 9.8, high grade. View on eBay → |
 | Key · Top Pick Hellblazer #1 CGC 9.6 1st Appearance Gary Lester 1st Issue McKean Cover 1988 DC$165 · CGC 9.6, high grade, key/1st app. View on eBay → |
 | Key · Top Pick STAR WARS: LANDO #2 CGC 9.6 GRADED 2015 MARVEL COMICS 1ST APPEARANCE CHANATH CHA$39.99 · CGC 9.6, high grade, key/1st app. View on eBay → |
“Deal” reflects our automated score — grade, third-party verification, and how fresh the listing is — not a guarantee of the lowest price. Listings are on eBay; price and availability can change or sell out. As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
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