Hake’s premier Auction #243 was a banner success that realized $2.2 million on a plethora of pop culture and Americana collectibles. The auction, which closed on March 25-26, 2025, produced notable results in several categories, including Star Wars original comic and animation art. In fact, Star Wars original art accounted for three of the auction’s top five results.  

Howard Chaykin’s original art from Star Wars #1 page 16 sold for $80,476, setting a new world record for any Star Wars comic book story page. The art comes from the very first issue of the Star Wars: A New Hope comic adaptation, featuring seven panels from two scenes in the film. The first group of panels shows Darth Vader with Grand Moff Tarkin and the Imperial commanders where he Force chokes Rear Admiral Motti. The second group follows C-3PO and R2-D2 on board the Jawa Sandcrawler. Vader appears in four panels and the Rebel Droids appear in two.

Star Wars #5 page 15, another page by Chaykin, more than doubled its $20,000 estimate when it cleared $42,834. From Part 5 of the New Hope adaptation, it shows five panels on the Millenium Falcon with Han Solo and Princess Leia arguing over Han staying with the Rebellion. Chewbacca appears piloting the Falcon and Luke is in the final panel.

The Star Wars Holiday Special Boba Fett and Stormtroopers production animation three-cel setup and painted background went for $39,804, setting a record for Star Wars animation art. Set after A New Hope, the Star Wars Holiday Special aired on CBS in 1978 and contained an animated segment that introduced Boba Fett. The hand-painted production animation cel setup shows the popular bounty hunter with Wookie braids, as he appeared in the special, next to two Stormtroopers.

The Star Wars Weekly #7 cover by Gil Kane from Marvel UK’s Star Wars comic series hammered for $19,470. The UK comic reprinted the American Star Wars comics, though in smaller segments so that the movie adaptation was told over 12 issues instead of the original six. It featured eight covers exclusively available in the UK, including this cover showing Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Chewbacca. Trapped in the Death Star garbage compactor, Han tries to save Luke who is being attacked by the Dianoga monster.

Hake’s will offer more Star Wars comic adaptation pages by Chaykin and UK Star Wars Weekly covers in their July premier auction.

All of the top results in Auction #243 Part I and Part II can be viewed at hakes.com.