The actor put `Action Comics No. 1` - which features the debut of Superman in popular culture and is believed to be one of only 100 left in existence - in an online auction, in which 50 people bid on the item.

The comic - which was graded at 9.0, making it the best condition of an `Action No. 1` that has ever been graded by the leading comic book grading company, Certified Guaranty Company - eventually sold for $2,161,000.

It shattered the previous $1.5 million record for a less-well preserved copy of `Action Comics No.1`, which sold in March.

However, the auction almost didn`t happen as the book was stolen from Cage over 10 years ago and was only recovered in April.

Speaking before the precious booklet was returned, Cage said: "It is divine providence that the comic was found and I am hopeful that the heirloom will be returned to my family."

The 47-year-old actor was said to be so devastated when the comic was stolen he gave up collecting, and sold his collection of 141 rare comics for more than $1.6 million.

He originally bought his copy at auction in 1997 for around $150,000.

Cage is a huge fan of Superman and even named his six-year-old son Kal-El, which is the character`s birth name on Krypton.
sections: Celebrities