Captain America’s First Comic Book hits new record

American fictional movie character, features in Captain America Comics No. 1, a 1941 comic book issue of the character’s first appearance sold for over $3.1 million.

This sales has broken a new record, becoming the one of the most expensive comic books ever sold at auction, the latest testament to the ongoing dominance of comic book lore in popular culture.

An unnamed buyer purchased the issue at auctioneer Heritage Auctions’ comic and comic arts event for $3.12 million.

“Smashing thru, Captain America came face to face with Hitler,” the cover of the issue reads, alongside an illustration of the soldier-turned-superhero striking the Nazi leader.

The Certified Guaranty Company, a service that verifies the condition of rare comic books and other collectables, gave the issue a 9.4, which is near-mint condition for the 81-year-old comic.

There are only three known copies of a 9.4-graded version of the comic book in the world, as well as one 9.8-graded version that has never been auctioned.

The issue, written and drawn by groundbreaking comic book creators Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, also features the first appearance of the Marvel hero’s ally Bucky, who would go on to become the Winter Soldier.

The issue was published nine months before the U.S. entered World War II following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Forbes