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It sounded like a terrible idea then, when director Tim Burton cast Nic Cage as The Man of Steel for his take on Supes (screenplay by Kevin Smith as well!), and it’s evident now just how bad the movie would have been now that test shots of Nic Cage in the Superman outfit have been discovered. 

“A Japanese Tim Burton fan site, however, seems to be blowing the whole thing open again… if you believe the site’s legitimacy. They have a picture that seems to show a Nic Cage costume test for “Superman Lives,” although the suit he’s wearing bears little resemblance to the aforementioned concept art we’ve seen online. This photo features an odd, squished “S” on the chest, a hard plastic suit, and a large section of what looks like flesh-colored material towards his neck,” writes Drew Taylor.  “It’s only one photo and devoid of context it’s just another piece of oddball “Superman Lives” ephemera, but it’s still fun to think about what this project would have ended up becoming.” 

From the looks of the autopsy photo above, it’s possible Cage was actually set to play Eradicator.  We know the title was Superman Lives (Smith’s script is easily found online for your reading pleasure) and so it’s not unreasonable to assume it would have been based on the death and resurrection of the iconic character.  [via]

So the speculation can end, now that Action Comics number one has gone to auction and sold for the tidy sum of $317,200. Who placed the high bid? System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan, although he is a dealer of rare and vintage comics, and may have been bidding for a client.

The amount is one of the highest prices ever paid for a comic book, according to ComicConnect.com co-owner Stephen Fishler. “Maybe in a booming economy, it would have done a hundred grand more,” Fishler commented, “but in this economy, I think the price is great.”

Action Comics number one really is the holy grail, so to speak, and finding a copy today is hard to do. The $317,000 issue was originally picked up in the early 1950s for 35 cents, meaning the appreciation on the collectible is a lot.  Love that fuzzy math.

The price reflects a new record: Flash Comics #1 brought a staggering $273,125 in 2006.

[via Get the Big Picture]

In April 1938, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster introduced Superman to the masses and Hollywood has been trying to make a decent Supes movie ever since.  Har, har. 

The Man of Steel first appeared in Action Comics #1, and today it’s almost impossible to find a copy of the book. This is akin to a rare baseball card, but it’s pop cultural significance is that much greater.  Superheros weren’t invented with Superman, but in terms of iconography there may be no greater creation. 

Strange things do happen, and the valuable issue — in good condition, no less — has come to light. (The owner purchased it in 1960 when he was 9 years old. It cost him 35 cents.)

The book goes up for auction Feb. 27 on ComicConnect.com. Bidding starts at $1.  There’s no telling how high it will go, but Action Comics #1 is estimated to be worth $126,000 in “fine condition.” So extrapolate what you will from that.  Experts expect it to sell for more. 

Depending on how the bidding goes, it wouldn’t surprise me if this sold for mid-six-figures.  The auction closes on March 13.  If, like me, you can only dream of such a precious collectors item, you can always read the comic online.