High-End Comic Art

Photo: Heritage Auctions The high-end market for original comic art has exploded in recent years, according to Heritage Auctions, the largest dealer in that market. Since the company began dealing in comic auctions in 2001, total sales—from original newsprint strips to original oil paintings, superheros and Peanuts—roughly doubled to $9.1 million in 2008.This weekend, the Dallas-based company is sponsoring an auction of work by Joe Kubert, an artist perhaps best known for his work on Hawkman, Viking Prince, Sgt. Rock, and Enemy Ace for DC Comics. That auction alone could bring in as much as $5 million, says Todd Hignite, consignment director at Heritage.Click ahead to for a look at the original comic art illustrations that have fetched the highest auction prices over the years, according to Heritage. By Matt HunterPosted 18 Nov 2009

Photo: Heritage Auctions Artists: John Byrne and Terry AustinPrice:$55,200Page 2 and 3, "The Fate of the Phoenix" (Marvel, 1980)

Photo: Heritage Auctions Artist: Dave CockrumPrice: $65,725Original Art (Marvel, 1976)

Photo: Hertiage Auctions Artist: Alex RaymondPrice: $77,675Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 7-21-35 (King Features Syndicate, 1935)

Photo: Heritage Auctions Artist: Frank FrazettaRealized: $100,625Original Cover Art for Famous Funnies #213 (Eastern Color, 1953)

Photo: Heritage Auctions Artist: Robert CrumbPrice: $101,575Original Art (San Francisco Comic Book Co./Apex, 1970)

Photo: Heritage Auctions Artist: Charles SchulzPrice: $113, 525Original Art, dated 4-10-55 (United Feature Syndicate, 1955)

Photo: Heritage Auctions Artist: Frank FrazettaPrice: $120,750Original Painting (1967)

Photo: Heritage Auctions Artist: Carl BarksPrice: $155,350Oil Painting Original Art (1973)

Photo: Heritage Auctions Artists: Fred Ray and Jerry RobinsonPrice: $195,500.Original Art (DC, 1942)

Photo: Heritage Auctions Artist: Norman MingoPrice: $203,150Alfred E. Neuman Painting, Original Art (EC, 1956).

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