BBC Homepage
  • Skip to content
  • Accessibility Help
  • Your account
  • CBBC
  • CBBC iPlayer
  • Newsround
  • Bitesize
  • CBeebies
  • CBBC on TV
  • CBBC Help
  • More menu
More menu
Search CBBC
  • CBBC
  • CBBC iPlayer
  • Newsround
  • Bitesize
  • CBeebies
  • CBBC on TV
  • CBBC Help
Close menu
HomeMenu
  • Home
  • Shows
  • Games
  • Quizzes
  • Watch
  • Join In
  • Newsround
Link to newsround

Rare Batman and Superman comics sell for £2.2 million

  • Published
    23 February 2012
Detective Comics No. 27Image source, Other

A mega rare collection of old comic books has been sold for £2.2 million at an auction in New York.

The collection included Batman's first adventure, in 1939 and Superman's debut superhero battle from 1938.

The stash of cartoon magazines belonged to Billy Wright from Virginia, in the USA, who bought them when he was a child.

They were found in a basement by his great nephew.

Watch Newsround

  • Watch Newsround. VideoWatch Newsround

    Emma-Louise on the Newsround set
  • Watch Newsround - signed and subtitled. VideoWatch Newsround - signed and subtitled

    Newsround BSL logo with hands

Top stories

  • Remembrance Day: What is it and why is it important?

    A wooden cross with a red poppy attached standing in front of lots of poppies lying behind
  • VE Day: Veteran Mervyn Kersh tells his story. VideoVE Day: Veteran Mervyn Kersh tells his story

    Mervyn Kersh sits surrounded by pupils. He is wearing a navy blue jacket adorned with medals and badges.
  • VJ Day 2025: 'My great grandfather won the Victoria Cross' VideoVJ Day 2025: 'My great grandfather won the Victoria Cross'

    Children sitting with granddad with image of greatfather captain Gian Singh VC.
  • WW2 hero dog gets special memorial

    • Comments
      13
    Metal sculpture of Bing seen standing in a flower bed surrounded by red and purple poppies
  • Rare white rhino calf born in Oxfordshire

    • Comments
      4
    A rhino calf is seen standard on straw in it's enclosure.
  • Grammy Awards 2026: KPop Demon Hunters among nominees

    • Comments
      56
    animated Kpop Demon Hunter stars Zoey, Rumi and Mira posing holding sparkly weapons
  • Quiz of the Week: Have you been following this week's news?

    a foot on top of a football on the grass

Best of CBBC

  • New adventures await Darrell in her final term

    • Attribution
      iPlayer
    Malory Towers
  • Can the world survive without Danger Mouse?

    • Attribution
      iPlayer
    Danger Mouse
  • Pick up your brushes for an extreme art challenge!

    • Attribution
      iPlayer
    Go Get Arty
  • Get arty this autumn in the Creative Lab!

    • Attribution
      Bitesize
    Creative Lab
  • CBBC
  • CBBC iPlayer
  • Newsround
  • Bitesize
  • CBeebies
  • CBBC on TV
  • CBBC Help
  • Terms of Use
  • About the BBC
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • Accessibility Help
  • Parental Guidance
  • Contact the BBC
  • Make an editorial complaint
  • BBC emails for you

Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.