Hake’s Americana & Collectibles opened Auction #224, their second major event of 2018, with another diverse variety of collectibles. Each auction produces a solid original art section, and this one presents a dynamic, diverse mix of paintings, comic strips, comic book pages, promotional art, and more.

“The Hake’s strategy for original art is to offer something for all tiers of buyers and collectors, while still protecting our consignors with a limited number of items offered each auction,” Hake’s Comic Art Specialist Sean Rutan said. “Right around 100 pieces is where we target and that’s where this auction sits, so we are very excited about that.”

A Wonder Woman “Wake Up, America!” framed Golden Age style original painting by Greg Hildebrandt is featured in lot 1633. She is shown wearing a combo of her Golden Age costumes, posing on a New York City rooftop in front of a shadowed Nazi soldier. Painted as an homage to her 75th anniversary, the acrylic on canvas comes in 26-1/2” x 39” frame.

Gil Kane What If? #24 page 7 original art depicting Spider-Man and the Watcher is in lot 1612. This Marvel Comics 1980 pen and ink art is on 10-1/2” x 16-1/2” thin artboard with smaller 10” x 15” sheet of vellum attached. Featuring four panels with four images of Spider-Man on three panels, it has the “What If Gwen Stacy Had Lived?” story by Tony Isabella.

Lot 1579 contains the Lil Abner Sunday page art by Frank Frazetta, dated January 6, 1956. Made during the period that Frazetta was an assistant to Al Capp, it features 12 panels with Li’l Abner and his family in Pineapple Junction. With three separate strips of artboard form, measuring 22-3/4” x 29”, the last panel is signed by Capp. This piece comes from the Richard Calusdian Collection.

In lot 1605, collector’s will find Swamp Thing #16 page 18 original art by Nestor Redondo. From the DC Comics May 1975 issue, the pen and ink art is on 10-1/2” x 15-3/4” artboard. It depicts six panels that show Swamp Thing walking into jungle after hearing gunfire and wondering about a woman left behind, image of Jefferson Bolt strapped to a chair, and a panel of Mr. E. in a wheelchair wearing an equipment studded vest.

The Punisher Vol. 2 #87 art by Michael Golden can be found in lot 1618. The art shows Jimmy Pierce as Hitman, the vigilante who took over after The Punisher was presumed dead, blasting rifles on a TV news broadcast. Done for the February 1994 Marvel comic, 11-1/8” x 17-1/8” artboard features pen and ink art. This piece comes from the Jason Taulbee Collection.

Lot 1583 houses the Prince Valiant in the Days of King Arthur Sunday page original art by Hal Foster. Dated July 6, 1969, the art features eight panels with Thoric of the Vikings preparing his forces for an oncoming reprisal from King Arthur. The thin artboards with India ink measure 11-1/2” x 24-1/4” and 23” x 34-1/2”.

Lot 1626 features Marvel Masterpieces – Cable trading card original art by Nelson DeCastro. The area of 7-7/8” x 11-1/4” is on Bainbridge artboard with acrylic and airbrushed painting. Made for the 1995 Fleer trading card set, the art of Cable was done for card #14.

Superman: The Last God of Krypton page 36 art by Greg and Tim Hildebrandt is in lot 1631. Made for the 1999 DC story written by Walter Simonson, it shows Superman discovering the existence of the evil Kryptonian Goddess of Ice, Cythonna. Depicting a splash page with three inset panels, the 19-1/4” x 26-1/2” open frame art is signed by both Hildebrandts.

These pieces are joined by dozens more original art pages, paintings, comic strips, and promotional pieces that can all be viewed at hakes.com. The auction closes on Tuesday through Thursday, July 10-12.

“Every time we go about building the original art section of an auction, we hope to find the big ‘statement’ piece, a couple really nice mid-range pieces, and then a solid foundation of great art in a price range that maximizes the number of active bidders, and this auction has all of the above,” Rutan added. “So, whether you’re looking for high-end Frazetta cover art, rare Alex Ross art from Marvels, complete stories, or iconic DC and Marvel art from every age of comic history, Hake’s Auction #224 will definitely turn some heads.”

Look for additional Scoop coverage on comic art, Frank Frazetta’s original covers for Blazing Combat #2 and #4, Ron Lim Silver Surfer #36 art depicting Thanos, and Alex Ross Marvels comic page art featuring Black Panther and Spider-Man.