Is it a bird? A plane? No, it's a $1m Superman comic

A rare copy of the first Superman comic sold in New York for a record $1 million.

An edition of Action Comics No 1, from 1038, was sold by a private seller to a private buyer — neither released their names. The issue features Superman lifting a car on its cover and originally cost 10 cents.

"It's considered by most people as the most important book," said John Dolmayan, a comic book dealer. "It kind of ushered in the age of the superheroes. It's like a diamond or a precious stone."

There have been other private sales for between $300,000 and $450,000, but the comic reached $1 million because it was in such good condition.

There are only believed to be about 100 copies of Action Comics No 1 and it is rare for them to come up for sale.

"The opportunity to buy an unrestored, high-grade Action one comes along once every two decades," said Stephen Fishler, on whose auction website the sale was made.