20 years ago, Superman died

“The first time that we ever had a line of people waiting for us to open,” Lowell said. “That happened three days in a row, and then repeated every week for a month or so.”

In a day, DC Comics had sold 3 million copies of “Superman” No. 75. The story continued through Superman's funeral, the unveiling of four possible new Superman, and the eventual revival of the original. Some fans grabbed “Superman” No. 75 hoping for a massive increase in value. The polybagged edition of the comic sold new for $2.50. Recent sales at ebay.com include sales at $9.16 and $12.99.

ComicsPRO president Joe Field, of Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff in Concord, Calif., remembered the day as well, and spoke to the collectability aspect.

“I think the comment that I'd most want to make is what I said to the Contra Costa Times back then when they asked about the collectability of Superman #75,” he said. “‘I honestly hope every one of these copies is opened up and read. That's where the real value is in comics — entertainment first, last and always. But I've also come to know that for some (many?) comic book consumers, the entertainment is in the chase — whether that's for a complete run of a title or a favorite classic cover or just for the hunt.'”