One of Frazetta’s eight covers for Famous Funnies will go under the hammer with a pre-auction estimate of $300,000. The cover for Famous Funnies #209 (1953) features Buck Rogers fending off enemies as he helps a damsel in distress.
Dave Gibbons’ original cover artwork for Watchmen #1 (1986) is also up for bid with a pre-auction estimate of more than $200,000. A splash page by Steve Ditko from Strange Tales #117 (1964) that features Doctor Strange has a pre-auction estimate of more than $100,000. The auction also includes original art by Robert Crumb, Jack Davis, Jack Kirby, and more.
An unrestored copy of Superman #1 leads off the comics up for grabs. With a CGC grade of VG+ 4.5, the 1939 issue is one of only a few to have survived the last 80 years. It has a pre-auction estimate of more than $300,000.Other six-figure comics on the block include:
- The Incredible Hulk #1 (1962), CGC VF/NM 9.0 (pre-auction estimate $200,000+)
- Journey Into Mystery #83 (1962), CGC NM 9.4 (first appearance of Thor; pre-auction estimate: $200,000+)
- Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962) CGC VF- 7.5 (pre-action estimate: $140,000+)
A CGC 9.0 copy of Incredible Hulk #1 sold for $264,000 in a previous auction (see “Frazetta Painting Sells for $660,000 in Heritage Auction”), and the demand for original Frazetta artwork is high. The artist’s oil paintings have earned as much as $1,792,500 at auction (see “Original Art Records Set”).