System Of A Down drummer John Dolmayan has added an exceptionally valuable piece of comic book history to his collection, recently spending $825,000 on an original copy of Action Comics #1, the legendary 1938 issue that introduced Superman.
An avid comic book collector, retailer and creator, Dolmayan has been pursuing a copy of the iconic publication for years. Earlier this year, he revealed that he had acquired an 8.5 restored copy of the issue, describing ownership of the book as a longtime dream.
However, that wasn’t the end of his pursuit. During New York Comic Con earlier this month, Dolmayan purchased another copy through a deal brokered by Metropolis Collectibles — this time securing an unrestored copy in its original condition.
The $825,000 purchase was made for a raw, ungraded copy, meaning it had not yet been evaluated and assigned a grade by a third-party comic book grading service.
The transaction was one of two major Action Comics #1 sales handled by Metropolis Collectibles at the convention. Combined, the two books fetched more than $2 million, with the other copy selling for $1.3 million despite having undergone some restoration. That issue carried a 9.0 grade.
For perspective, a 9.0 graded copy of Action Comics #1 sold for $15 million in January 2026, setting a record for the most expensive comic book sale ever reported.
Vincent Zurzolo, president of Metropolis Collectibles and its sister company ComicConnect, spoke about Dolmayan’s longstanding connection to the hobby.
“John has loved comic books for his entire life and when he’s not touring with System, he is wheeling and dealing comic books. He’s also the publisher and creator and writer of two very successful independent comic books, Ascensia and Dead Samurai.”
Dolmayan’s passion for collecting also led him to establish Torpedo Comics, which operated a physical storefront in Las Vegas until May 2026, when he shifted the business to an online operation.
He previously explained that his involvement in the comic book business dates back to his teenage years, when buying and selling collectibles helped him finance his hobby.
“I started selling in the early ’90s because, at 18, it’s hard to go to your parents and say, ‘Can I borrow money to buy comic books?’”
Dolmayan’s latest purchase comes during a particularly active period for System Of A Down, whose touring schedule has expanded considerably in recent years. The band’s financial success on the road has also been a topic of discussion, with frontman Serj Tankian previously comparing the income generated by live performances to visiting a particularly generous ATM in his 2024 memoir, ‘Down With The System.’
For Dolmayan, however, comic books have been a lifelong passion — and his latest acquisition represents a substantial investment in one of the most historically significant issues in the medium.
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