In this image provided by Metropolis Collectibles/ComicConnect, Corp., shows the front and back cover of "Action Comics No. 1" from 1938, featuring the debut of Superman, that was found by David Gonzales mixed in with old newspapers insulating a wall in a house he was renovating in a small town in Minnesota. Gonzalez did some research that confirmed the comic was valuable, though not as much as it could have been. He got into a heated discussion with a relative about its value, and the back cover got ripped lowering the grade to 1.5 based on a 10-point scale. (AP Photo/Metropolis Collectibles, Inc./ComicConnect, Corp.)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — It’s considered the Holy Grail of comic books: Action Comics No. 1 from 1938, featuring the debut of Superman. David Gonzales found one mixed in with old newspapers insulating the ceiling of a house he was renovating in a small town in Minnesota.

Gonzales did some research that confirmed the comic was valuable, though not as much as it could have been. He got into a heated discussion with a relative about its value, and the back cover got ripped.

Because of the damage, New York-based online auctioneer ComicConnect.com graded the book a 1.5 on a 10-point scale. By comparison, an Action Comics No. 1 that was graded a 9 recently fetched $2.16 million.

Bidding on Gonzales’ find was up to $137,000 as of Friday afternoon. Bidding closes June 11.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.