There is nothing quite like the feeling of adding a new piece of art to your growing collection. Except perhaps, finding the perfect frame to display this new addition in. As a way to honor the medium’s masters, Dan Makara has developed a unique approach to displaying outstanding pieces of Golden and Silver Age comic art. 

Growing up in the 1960s, Makara was drawn to the dynamic energy and vivid colors that comic books offered. As he grew as an artist himself, Makara began to understand the skill involved in the production of those early books. Makara started acquiring original art pieces and designed custom matting and frames for each piece. These frames not only provided a vivid contrast to the black and white line work, but also furthered the special appeal of the one-of-a-kind artwork. 

Over the years, Makara has built personal friendships with many of the greats from comic history’s earliest years. This afforded him the opportunity to commission entirely unique pieces of art, has well as offered him a rare insight into the creative process from many of DC Comics/National Comics Publications’ greatest draftsmen. 

Now, some of these fantastic heirlooms will be sold during Hake’s Americana & Collectibles Auction #223 in the Dan Makara Collection. By parting with these incredible works of art, Makara hopes that future generations can share in his appreciation for these talented creators whose work meant so much to him.

Highlighted in lot 1361 is a wooden frame holding a painted original art cover recreation by Al Plastino of Action Comics #146. The collage style custom frame by Makara features the Superman Gum, Inc. gum card, various Superman color images, comic panels and covers from the 1950s, including the actual cover for the issue this art recreates.

Lot 1363 includes a custom frame holding original ink art for the Action Comics #199 story “The Phantom Superman” by Wayne Boring. The Makara custom frame utilizes various Superman comic panels from the 1950s, as well as the actual cover for the issue this art was published in. 

Spotlighted in lot 1372 is original art cover recreation for Adventure Comics #44 by Creig Flessel, featuring Golden Age Sandman Wesley Dodds. Makara’s custom frame includes a word balloon reading “Fellers!! Better Hurry ‒ There May Still Be A Few Left On The Newsstands!!,” as well as painted banner reading “Another Thrilling Episode Of The Sandman In This Issue!” 

Featured in lot 1375 is original ink art for an unpublished Green Lantern comic page by Paul Reinman. The custom frame by Makara utilizes Golden Age Green Lantern comic panels from the 1940s as well as full color original art by Golden Age Green Lantern creator Martin Nodell and Irwin Hasen.  

Lot 1380 highlights a full color illustration of Tomahawk and Dan Hunter hunting in woods as painted by Fred Ray. This art was published posthumously as the cover to Alter Ego #19. The custom frame by Makara features various vintage Tomahawk comic images, including partial Star Spangled Comics covers.

Bidding on these remarkable pieces closes on March 13-15, 2018. Don’t miss out, get started on bidding today at hakes.com.