Influential European comic artists Albert Uderzo and Hergé are among the top talents represented in Heritage’s International Original Art & Anime Auction on October 1-3, 2021.

Albert Uderzo’s Astérix, La Rose et le Glaive #29 page 38 features Asterix the Gaul, the humorous character he created in 1959. The art shows Asterix, along with Dogmatix, Panoramix, the Gaul villagers, and a poor Roman.

Hergé’s (Georges Remi dit) The Adventures of Tintin, Flight 714 to Sydney #22 page 15 double-sided preliminary is a rare preliminary original and is signed by the artist. Originally printed in Journal Tintin magazine in 1967-1968, the page comes from one of the science fiction theme-based albums. It notably shows the last confrontation between Tintin and Rastapopoulos, and features a final image of a cowboy that is suggested to be the artist’s self-portrait.

“The September 8-12 Comics and & Comic Art Auction set a historic record, at $26.5 million, the most at any comics auction,” Heritage International Comic Art Director Olivier Delflas said. “I am thrilled to launch this auction, which includes original art by Hergé, Uderzo, Philippe Francq, Charles Burns, Robert Crumb, Jack Kirby, John Byrne, Maurice Tillieux, Osamu Tezuka and many other legends – a collection of artists whose work positions this sale to also enjoy extraordinary success.”

Original anime art highlights include Neon Genesis Evangelion Eva Unit 01 production cel A13, production background; Kim Jung Gi’s Akira homage to Katsuhiro Otomo illustration; and Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke, Shishigami, the Forest Spirit production cel A-32, douga A-32. A trio of Akira Toriyama Dragon Ball Z pieces are the Majin Vegeta episode #230 season 8: Babidi and Majin Buu Sagas production cel A3, matching dougas, group of 3; episode #47 season 2 Namek and Captain Ginyu Sagas production cel; and Son Goku production cel with production background.

A selection of three sealed Pokémon booster box sets are offered, including a French First Edition, an Unlimited Edition, and an Unlimited Base Set 2, all circa 1999-2000.

Batman enters the auction with a Marshall Rogers and Terry Austin Secret Origins Vol. 2 #6 title page. This is the only splash page from the run that features a full Batman figure.

Other highlights in the auction include Mathieu Lauffray Star Wars: Heir to the Empire #1 cover, John Byrne and Terry Austin Uncanny X-Men #122 page 6, Philippe Francq Largo Winch Dutch Connection deluxe album #3 cover, Don Rosa Kalle Anka & C:o [Donald Duck & Company] #1992-33 Uncle Scrooge cover, Jack Kirby and Chic Stone Fantastic Four #34 page 5, and Charles Burns Skin Deep, Tales of Doomed Romance splash page 29.