Like Us on Facebook
A man remodeling an abandoned house in Elbow Lake, Minn., discovered the holy grail of comic books, 'Action Comics #1," in the most unlikely place.
Hidden behind a wall in the house David Gonzalez purchased for $10,000, the world's most valuable comic book was being used along with newspaper as insulation. The 1938 comic book includes the first appearance of Superman and is worth more than ten times the amount Gonzalez paid for the home.
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Gonzalez is auctioning off the comic, with the current bid at more than $113,000 and plenty of time to go before the auction ends on June 11th.
While pristine copies have sold for more than $2 million, the fairly poor condition of Gonzalez's copy makes it a tougher sell (though it does have an incredible backstory). The comic would have sold for more, but unfortunately Gonzalez's wife's aunt accidentally ripped the back cover of the comic while grabbing it.
"They got all excited and tried to take it," Gonzalez told the Star Tribune. "I understand it's something cool, but [I] told them: 'You don't have to act so rude. I brought you in to show you, don't grab it.'"
"That was a $75,000 tear," noted ComicConnect co-owner Stephen Fishler.
Gonzalez said he plans to use the money to buy his dream car, a "1992 Camaro IROC Z28," pay off his house and truck, and help his wife finish school.