Nicolas Cage's Stolen Comic Book Found More Than 11 Years Later
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Actor Nicolas Cage said it was "divine providence" that his stolen vintage comic book was found 11 years later in a storage unit in Southern California. This wasn't just any comic book. It is the first Superman comic, titled "Action Comics No. 1," worth about $1 million.
"It's the most important and valuable comic book," said Stephen Fishler, who sold the comic book to the actor in 1995. "Before this book was published, there was no such thing as a super hero. It really created Guardians of the Galaxy Review the comic industry."
Detective Donald Hrycyk, head of the Los Angeles Police Department's Art Theft Detail, has been working on this case since the actor filed a theft report Jan. 21, 2000. The actor, who won an Oscar for his role in "Leaving Las Vegas," said the item was stolen from his home in Los Angeles. He reportedly received insurance money for its loss, according to Hrycyk.
Cage's publicist released a statement from the actor that said: "It is divine providence that the comic was found and I am hopeful that the heirloom will be returned to my family."
Fishler would not disclose the amount the actor paid for the comic book in 1995.
"It's worth considerably more than it was then," said Fishler, who owns ComicConnect.com, the world's largest retailer of comics. In March 2010, he said his company broke the record for the most expensive comic book for another copy of "Action One" for $1.5 million. In February 2010, he said his company sold another copy for $1 million. While there are about 100 in existence, only six of those comic books are in similar preserved condition, he said.
Mark Balelo, a collectibles expert in Simi Valley, Calif., was contacted by a man who said he found what was later discovered to be actor's comic book in a storage locker in San Fernando Valley. The man, who does not wish to be identified according to Detective Hrycyk, bought the locker's contents through American Auctioneers, a company based in Riverside, Calif. Elisabeth Metzidis, controller for Balelo Inc. confirmed that the man who found the comic book asked Balelo to sell it.
Ongoning Investigation of Original Theft
Balelo, who knew that the comic book was valuable but not stolen, reached Fishler on April 4 and sent photos of the comic book, according to Fishler.
Fishler said he realized the comic Guardians of the Galaxy movie review book was the stolen "Action One" and contacted Hrycyk. Fishler, based in New York, said he got onto a flight to California the next day.
Detective Hrycyk said it can be difficult to identify the exact copy because it was mass produced and has no serial number.
"It's a task to identify the right one," Hrycyk said.
But Hrycyk and Fishler were able to identify it through markings or aberrations. Hrycyk said the comic book, which is in "pretty good" condition, is under the possession of the LAPD.
"We seized it as stolen property and are conducting an investigation into the original crime," he said.
Fishler said the comic book is "very condition sensitive."
"It would not be a good idea to take it out and read it," Fishler said.
Hrycyk said there have been false leads into this stolen comic book in the past.
In 2002, police thought the comic book had surfaced in Memphis, Tennessee. A search warrant was served for a safe deposit box there, but it turned out to be a fake copy.
"It looked like they were trying to find a sucker to defraud," Hrycyk said.
Hrycyk said the comic book is legally the property of the actor's insurance company but the actor is trying to regain ownership of it.
"Consistent with people who lose http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?theme=Marvel things, they would much rather have the object than insurance money," Hrycyk said. "I think he was very ecstatic about it. He's very eager to get it back.
Fishler said he informed the actor that they had found the missing book and the actor's response was very positive.
"It's obviously a famous book," Fishler said. "I could understand why anyone would want an Action One. It's a book that everybody wants."
See the Coma Experience at SDCC
The Coma experience based on the A&E Mini-Series from Ridley & Tony Scott was held at the San Diego Comic Con 2012. It was located at 1st Avenue and J Street a few blocks from the San Diego Convention Center.
You can follow the immersive experience of A&E’s “Coma,” a modern day retelling of the Robin Cook novel and iconic film by Michael Crichton. It's been produced by Ridley & Tony Scott and the two-night event premieres on Labor Day.
Fans were able to join the thriller experience where Doctors handed out patient bracelets for admittance to the 15,000 square foot “Jefferson Institute,” the ominous leading institute in coma patient care from the mini-series in four sections.
Reception - Participants were greeted by Jefferson Institute nurses who were admitted into The “Coma” Experience. The nurses guided the visitors to the security monitors so they were able to get a glimpse of exclusive, first-look footage from the mini-series.
Surgery - Nurses took fans to the experiential surgery room where surgeons decided if they we’re good candidates for the tour. Fans were able to get a 3-D surgical scar tattoo.
Area 2 - As part of the experience, visitors were allowed access to The Jefferson Institute’s highly secured Area 2, where they will get a glimpse of the doctors at work. People were able to experience first hand the Jefferson Institute. On display were human specimens with the chilling look and feel that'’s authentic to the mini-series.
Area 8 Green Screen - Area 8 offered visitors the opportunity to get an up close and personal view of an actual “Coma Pod” that was used in the Ridley & Tony Scott production. In addition, visitors were able to get a green screen photo opportunity that placed them in the iconic Coma Pod as if they themselves were the victims of the Jefferson Institute.
For a fully immersive experience that extends beyond Comic-Con, fans can go to www.comaconspiracy.com where they can activate a thrilling digital experience. The hacker activists that are trying to take down the Jefferson Institute in the mini-series will invite visitors to join their cause, and opting-in will launch a highly-targeted digital cat-and-mouse game that pulls fans into the heart of game of thrones the Coma Conspiracy. Here, participants will feel first hand what it’s like to go up against the all-knowing, all-powerful and heavily financed Jefferson Institute.
“Coma” is a two-night special event starring James Woods, Geena Davis, Richard Dreyfuss, Ellen Burstyn, Lauren Ambrose (“Six Feet Under”) and Stephen Pasquale (“Rescue Me”) premiering on A&E, Monday, September 3 and concluding on Tuesday, September 4 Game of thrones at 9PM ET/PT each Game of Thrones night. In “Coma,” a young doctor (Lauren Ambrose) discovers that something sinister is going on in her hospital after routine procedures send game of thrones at comic con more than a few seemingly healthy patients into comas on the operating table.
“Coma” is produced by Sony Pictures Television for A&E Network. Executive producers are Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, David W. Zucker, Martin Erlichman and Mikael Salomon.
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