The Three Stooges, Godzilla, and Magic: The Gathering shares the stage at Hake’s March 19-20

YORK, Penn. – Hake’s Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20 auction features 1,928 lots ranging from original comic-book art to a Dave Grohl handwritten Nirvana set list. Both Day 1 and Day 2 catalogs are now available for preview at LiveAuctioneers.

The sale is led by the original teaser poster artwork for Wes Craven’s 1984 slasher classic A Nightmare on Elm Street. Created and consigned by Duncan Eagleson, the poster has never been offered for public sale. Eagleson’s airbrushed acrylic painting is a tranquil depiction of a suburban neighborhood at dusk, with one significant difference. Ominously positioned overhead is a huge triple-bladed metal claw that has violently ripped through the sky, a portent of what was to come. Eagleson sized the artwork to suit a 27 by 40in poster, but it was not used as the final U.S. movie poster – Matt Peak created that particular artwork, which features four, not three, blades. Eagleson’s art appeared in a pre-release newspaper ad campaign and on posters issued in Europe. To his surprise, it was even featured on the 20th anniversary release of NOES in 2004. His absolutely unique original artwork, signed and dated ’83, is the seminal visual for what would become a long-running film franchise. It is offered at auction with a $20,000-$35,000 estimate.

A sealed booster box from Wizards Of The Coast’s 1994 Magic: The Gathering Legends edition contains 36 packs, each with 15 cards, or 540 cards in total. It represents the third expansion set for Magic: The Gathering and is the first to include playing cards with multiple colors. The lot is estimated at $20,000-$35,000.

A complete 1959 Fleer The Three Stooges master set of 99 collector cards is CGC graded, with the set graded 5.53 overall. The cards feature full-color photo fronts with images from various Stooges shorts. Additionally, cards #1, #2, and #3 feature portrait photos of Curly, Larry, and Moe, and both the standard and highly sought-after ‘checklist’ version of cards #16, #63, and #64 are included. The original wax wrapper adds the finishing touch, which was formerly part of the John Grossman collection. Its estimate is $10,000-$20,000.

The 1980s was the decade in which Mattel unleashed its medieval-sword and sci-fi media franchise Masters of the Universe. Building on its original 1982 action-figure line, Mattel followed with scores of toys and minicomics, including the fantasy-fueled extravaganza all collectors covet: the 1986 Mattel Masters of the Universe Eternia Series 5 playset. In its March sale, Hake’s will unveil one of the highest of all AFA-graded examples of this set (AFA 80 NM). “When introduced, it was a very expensive toy, so not many parents bought it. Today, it’s a great rarity,” Hake’s Alex Winter said. It carries an estimate of $10,000-$20,000.

From Aurora’s Golden Age of model kits comes a boxed, never-built Godzilla’s Go Kart. The zany box art for this kit, copyrighted 1966, depicts the Japanese monster charging downhill on a go kart with a license plate that reads ‘People Beware.’ Due to its small original production run and very limited distribution, the Godzilla kit is beyond rare. In fact, it is the only boxed example Hake’s has handled in 57 years of operation. From the Janusey Brothers collection, it is estimated at $10,000-$20,000.

Pre-release original artwork for 'A Nightmare on Elm Street,' estimated at $20,000-$35,000 at Hake's.

Pre-release original artwork for 'A Nightmare on Elm Street,' estimated at $20,000-$35,000 at Hake's.

Sealed booster box from Wizards Of The Coast's 1994 Legends Edition, the third expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, estimated at $20,000-$35,000 at Hake's.

Sealed booster box from Wizards Of The Coast's 1994 Legends Edition, the third expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, estimated at $20,000-$35,000 at Hake's.

Complete 1959 Fleer Three Stooges trading card set, estimated at $10,000-$20,000 at Hake's.

Complete 1959 Fleer Three Stooges trading card set, estimated at $10,000-$20,000 at Hake's.

Mint in box Aurora Godzilla's Go-Kart model kit, estimated at $10,000-$20,000 at Hake's.

Mint in box Aurora Godzilla's Go-Kart model kit, estimated at $10,000-$20,000 at Hake's.

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte has worked in editorial, design and the toy and auction industries for more than 30 years. He co-founded Auction Central News in 2007.

Kevin Smith’s original comic book art collection commands $458K at Bodnar’s

Consignor Kevin Smith (left) and auction house owner Joe Bodnar (right) pose with the top lot from the September 27 sale, a page of original comic book art from Daredevil issue 161, which sold for $67,500 ($79,650 with buyer’s premium). Image courtesy of Bodnar’s Auction Sales.

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J. – The sale of original comic book art and related items from film director and proud comics nerd Kevin Smith’s collection was an auction, but it was also a party, of sorts. Held at Bodnar’s Auction Sales on September 27, Smith was present during the sale, commenting on each piece as it reached the auction block in what amounted to live provenance testimony. Every lot also came with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) from Bodnar’s Auction, autographed by Smith.

Bodnar’s reported that more than 3,000 registered bidders from 40 countries participated in the auction. All 176 lots were sold, yielding a grand total of $458,400 including the buyer’s premium. Absentee and Internet live bidding was facilitated through LiveAuctioneers. The sale’s live feed was also broadcast on Bodnar’s Facebook page, and those who missed it can view an archived recording of the proceedings there.

“We are thrilled with the overwhelming success of the Kevin Smith Comic Art Sale,” said Joe Bodnar, owner of Bodnar’s Auction House. “The auction showcased the immense talent and creativity of Kevin Smith, as well as the deep connection he has established with fans through his work. Each piece selling well beyond its high estimate demonstrates the enduring impact of Smith’s contributions to the world of comic art.”

Top-lot honors went to a page of original comic book art for Daredevil issue 161, page 22, which pictured a vigorous and lively fight scene between Daredevil and Bullseye. Estimated at $20,000-$40,000, it sold for $67,500 ($79,650 with buyer’s premium).

Other strong performers included original comic book cover art for Daredevil issue #8, from the Marvel Knights series, which also served as the cover for the Marvel Knights Omnibus. Featuring images of Daredevil and Spiderman and signed by pencil artist Joe Quesada and inker Jimmy Palmiotti, it sold for $23,000 ($27,140 with buyer’s premium). In addition, original comic book art for Saga of the Swamp Thing, issue 21, page 20, featuring The Anatomy Lesson, a story by Alan Moore, sold for $26,000 ($30,680 with buyer’s premium).

Another standout among standouts was lot 55, a 1985 piece of original mixed media color comic book trade paperback cover art for Comico Comic’s Mage Book Vol. 2, rendered by Matt Wagner. It realized $17,000 ($20,060 with buyer’s premium), which Bodnar’s officials said might be a record for the artist at auction.

Sheila Gibson Stoodley

Sheila Gibson Stoodley

Sheila Gibson Stoodley is the associate editor for Auction Central News. She has written and edited for Robb Report, Art & Antiques magazine, and Andrew Harper online. She also authored The Hot Bid, a blog devoted to intriguing and delightful lots coming up at auction.

Kevin Smith’s collection of original comic book art draws attention at Bodnar’s, Sept. 27

Kevin Smith photographed while speaking at the 2018 San Diego Comic Con International in San Diego, California. The director and comic book superfan has consigned pieces from his personal collection of original comic book art to auction at Bodnar’s on September 28. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, photo credit Gage Skidmore. Shared under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J. – Kevin Smith was a comic book guy before he was a filmmaker. When he was in the throes of creating what would be his debut and his breakthrough, Clerks, he sold his comic book collection to underwrite its production.

After he hit it big, Smith remained a comic book guy. He used some of his earnings from Clerks to purchase a comic book shop in Red Bank, New Jersey, rechristened it Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash after a pair of minor characters who appeared in Clerks, and relaunched the shop in January 1997. It has since moved locations a few times within Red Bank, but Smith has maintained it to this day while pursuing his Hollywood career.

On Wednesday, September 27, prizes from his personal comic book collection will be offered at Bodnar’s Auction Sales in an event dubbed Kevin Smith’s Comic Art Collection! Each of the 171 lots comes with a certificate of authenticity (COA) signed by Smith, and each lot starts with an opening bid of just $10. Smith will also attend a live broadcast of the sale, ready to furnish comments and insights as only he can.

A percentage of the auction proceeds will support a scholarship fund at the Kubert School, an accredited technical school in Dover, New Jersey that teaches cartooning, sequential art and classes on aspects of the comics industry. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

The lot with the highest estimate is original comic book art from issue #161, page 22 of Daredevil, penciled by Frank Miller and inked by Klaus Janson and depicting a lively and dynamic fight scene between Daredevil and Bullseye. Estimated at $20,000-$40,000, it had been bid up to $21,000 as of September 22 and had 67 watchers on LiveAuctioneers.

Smith has written comic book storylines in addition to his adventures in film and brick-and-mortar retail, and original art from one of his most-respected titles will feature in the auction: Green Arrow: Quiver. Written for DC Comics, Smith literally brought the original Green Arrow, Oliver Queen, back from the dead in this tale. Several lots are devoted to Matt Wagner’s cover art for the series, among them the mixed media color art for issue #11, which is estimated at $1,500-$3,000.

And if that wasn’t enough, the auction lineup contains six lots of original comic book art from the revered DC/Vertigo title Sandman, written by Neil Gaiman. All come from issues late in the run of the series: four from #64, all of which were penciled and inked by Teddy Kristiansen; one from #60, which was penciled by Mark Hempel and inked by D’Isreali; and one from #69, in which Mark Hempel handled both tasks. Lots 50-52 feature the key Sandman character of Morpheus, aka Dream. All six Sandman pages have individual estimates of $1,000-$2,000.

Sheila Gibson Stoodley

Sheila Gibson Stoodley

Sheila Gibson Stoodley is the associate editor for Auction Central News. She has written and edited for Robb Report, Art & Antiques magazine, and Andrew Harper online. She also authored The Hot Bid, a blog devoted to intriguing and delightful lots coming up at auction.

Amazing Spider-Man #1 comic book leaps to $520K at Hake’s

Marvel ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ #1 (March 1963), CGC 9.6 NM+, white pages, one of only five CGC 9.6 copies in existence and one of only three in its grade to have been offered for public sale in the past 10 years. Provenance: John B. Goodrich collection. It exceeded its high estimate by more than $170,000, selling for a heart-stopping $520,380.

YORK, Pa. – A super-clean, CGC 9.6 copy of Amazing Spider-Man #1 (March 1963) – one of only five of its type and grade known to exist – set off a bidding war at Hake’s July 25-26 auction of pop culture memorabilia, rocketing to an astonishing final price of $520,380. The comic had been displayed at Comic-Con in San Diego and attracted huge interest from fans, a sure sign of what was to come.

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Heritage Auctions reports record $1.45B in 2022 sales

 

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card, $12.6 million. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card, $12.6 million. Courtesy Heritage Auctions

DALLAS — By every estimation, 2022 was a home run for Heritage Auctions. The auction house recorded more than $1.45 billion in sales in 2022, a record high for the 46-year-old Dallas-based company following 2021’s landmark results. It also set dozens of significant auction records spanning most of its categories, including one for the world’s most valuable sports collectible when a 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card sold last summer for $12.6 million.

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Star Wars comic strip art leads galaxy of greats at Hake’s, July 26-27

One of six consecutive lots of Al Williamson (American, 1931-2020) original, unpublished concept art that preceded the ‘Star Wars’ daily newspaper comic strip (which was ultimately written and drawn by Russ Manning and ran from 1979-1984). Of 12 proposal strips created by Williamson, the first six were given to George Lucas, and the other six were given to Star Wars marketing genius Charles Lippincott, whose widow has consigned them to Hake’s. Each is absolutely fresh to the market, and each is estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions
One of six consecutive lots of Al Williamson (American, 1931-2020) original, unpublished concept art that preceded the ‘Star Wars’ daily newspaper comic strip (which was ultimately written and drawn by Russ Manning and ran from 1979-1984). Of 12 proposal strips created by Williamson, the first six were given to George Lucas, and the other six were given to Star Wars marketing genius Charles Lippincott, whose widow has consigned them to Hake’s. Each is absolutely fresh to the market, and each is estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions
One of six consecutive lots of Al Williamson (American, 1931-2020) original, unpublished concept art that preceded the ‘Star Wars’ daily newspaper comic strip (which was ultimately written and drawn by Russ Manning and ran from 1979-1984). Of 12 proposal strips created by Williamson, the first six were given to George Lucas and the other six were given to Star Wars marketing genius Charles Lippincott, whose widow has consigned them to Hake’s. Each is absolutely fresh to the market, and each is estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions

YORK, Pa. – If modern art aficionados could be granted one wish, it might be the discovery of a major, previously unknown Picasso. While Picasso lovers may have a very long wait ahead of them, those who revel in the uniquely imaginative art and imagery of the Star Wars saga just might have their wishes granted on Tuesday, July 26 and Wednesday, July 27, when Hake’s auctions six extraordinary artworks from Star Wars’ earliest days. View the fully illustrated catalog on LiveAuctioneers.

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Original comic book art: next-level collecting

This cover illustration for the Incredible Hulk #283 by Ed Hannigan (Marvel, May 1983) ticks all the boxes, but the fact that it was in color had no effect on its performance at auction. It attained $33,314 including the buyer’s premium in March 2022. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.
This cover illustration for the Incredible Hulk #283 by Ed Hannigan (Marvel, May 1983) ticks all the boxes, but the fact that it was in color had no effect on its performance at auction. It attained $33,314 including the buyer’s premium in March 2022. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.
This cover illustration for the Incredible Hulk #283 by Ed Hannigan (Marvel, May 1983) ticks all the boxes, but the fact that it was in color had no effect on its performance at auction. It attained $33,314 including the buyer’s premium in March 2022. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.

NEW YORK — People of all ages buy comic books to read for pleasure, and a subset of them enjoy collecting investment-grade examples. Still others chase the original hand-drawn illustrations that are reproduced en masse in the actual comic books. “This is another level of fan that very much revels in owning one-of-a-kind works of art,” said Alex Winter, president of Hake’s Auctions in York, Pennsylvania. “It is this unique nature that makes comic art highly sought after by that crowd.”

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Gallery Report: Hale Woodruff abstract sells for record $665K at Swann

ATLANTA – At the beginning of every month, ACN columnist Ken Hall delivers top auction highlights from around the United States and the world at large. Here’s the February 2022 edition of his Gallery Report. All prices include the buyer’s premium, except where noted.

Hale Woodruff painting, $665,000, Swann Auction Galleries

A circa-1958 oil on canvas by Hale Woodruff, titled Carnival, sold for $665,000 at an African American art sale held October 7 by Swann Galleries in New York. It was a record for an abstract work by the artist. Also, a limestone Head carved in 1943 by Elizabeth Catlett realized $485,000 and a new record for the artist, and a circa 1950-1951 oil on canvas by Norman Lewis, titled Past Time, rose to $233,000.

Ansel Adams signed photograph, $9,687, Holabird Western Americana Collections

A 1960 Ansel Adams original photograph from his Yosemite Series, signed and titled Moon and Half Dome, print No. 10, sold for $9,687 at a December Dreams: Premier Americana Auction held Dec. 17-19 by Holabird Western Americana Collections in Reno, Nevada. Also, a 12.5-cent token from The Payteller of Rhyolite, Nevada, gaveled for $5,500; and a Wells Fargo & Co. Express Directory of Chinese Houses in California, dating to 1878, went to a determined bidder for $13,750.

Oriental porcelain pieces, $17,500, Crescent City Auction Gallery

A group of four pieces of Oriental porcelain from the 19th and 20th centuries sold for $17,500 at a Winter Estates Auction held Jan. 21-22 by Crescent City Auction Gallery in New Orleans. Also, a circa-1960 painting by Clementine Hunter (American, 1887-1987), titled Hauling Cotton, achieved $6,875; a 20th-century scratch-built ship model titled Natchez VI made $4,375; and a set of eight Louis XIII style dining chairs hit $3,125.

1951 Mercury coupe, $1.95 million, Mecum Auctions

A customized 1951 Mercury coupe sold for $1.95 million at a collector car auction held January 15 by Mecum Auctions in Kissimmee, Florida. The two-tone green coupe was known as the Hirohata Merc after the 21-year-old Japanese American veteran who commissioned it in 1952. It was built by some of the most prominent names in the California car scene of the day, including George Barris, who designed cars for the TV shows Batman, The Munsters and The Beverly Hillbillies.

Julie H. Beers painting, $20,000, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers

A landscape painting by Hudson River School artist Julie H. Beers (American, 1835-1913), titled Summer at Mossy Brook, sold for $20,000 in an online-only Estate Fine Art & Antiques auction held January 6 by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers in Cranston, Rhode Island. Also, a watercolor on paper by Anthony Thieme (American, 1888-1954) of men in boats on calm waters made $12,500; and a 19th-century European mahogany-stained glass bronze bar achieved $19,200.

1930s Eco Model 160 gas pump, CA$35,400, Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

A 1930s Canadian Eco Model 160 clockface gasoline pump sold for CA$35,400 (all prices for this sale are given in Canadian dollars) in an online-only Petroliana, Advertising Signs & Memorabilia auction held December 4 by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., in New Hamburg, Canada. Also, a 1946 McColl-Frontenac double-sided Canadian porcelain sign realized CA$35,400, and a circa-1930s Canadian Red Indian single-sided porcelain sign rose to CA$27,140.

Thornton Dial painting, $84,700, Ahlers & Ogletree

A 1991 mixed media painting by Thornton Dial (American, 1928-2016), titled Struggling Tiger, sold for $84,700 in a New Year’s Signature Estates Auction held Jan. 14-16 by Ahlers & Ogletree in Atlanta. Also, a Tiffany Studios Favrile glass door from the 1920s, titled The Sower, rose to $51,425; an oil on canvas painting by Willard Metcalf (American, 1858-1925), titled The Barn Door, realized $37,200; and a Renaissance Revival desk made by Wooten went for $37,200.

Tom Brady signed jersey, $480,000, Goldin Auctions

A 2021 Tom Brady-signed Tampa Bay Buccaneers jersey, worn a few weeks before he won Super Bowl LV in Tampa, sold for $480,000 in an auction ending on January 8 that was conducted by Goldin Auctions in Runnemede, New Jersey. It was a new all-time record for an NFL game-worn jersey. Also, a 2003-2004 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James-signed rookie patch card hit $1.5 million, and a 1958 World Cup Sweden ticket stub from Pele’s debut game on June 15, 1958 achieved $36,000.

Charles Baugniet oil, $26,400, Roan, Inc.

An oil on wood by Belgian artist Charles Baugniet (1814-1886), titled Le Toilette de la Mariee, sold for $26,400 at a two-day Pre-Christmas Auction held December 17 and 18 by Roan, Inc. in Cogan Station, Pennsylvania. Also, a vibrant fruit and candy still life painting on canvas by Annie M. Snyder (American, 1852-1927), brought $6,600, and two 13.5K solid yellow gold plate sections sold for a combined $8,690.

Hopi Indian polychrome dish, $9,400, Pook & Pook, Inc.

A Hopi Indian Sikyatki pollaca polychrome dish sold for a little more than $9,400 at a biannual Native American Indian sale held October 27 by Pook & Pook, Inc. in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Also, a Navajo Indian coin silver squash blossom necklace brought $8,064; a group of three Hopi Indian kachina dolls realized $4,221; a Native American Indian birch bark canoe went for $3,024; a double-grooved stone axe rose to $1,386; and a Navajo child-size blanket changed hands for $3,906.

Raoul Dufy painting, $125,000, Nadeau’s Auction Gallery

A watercolor and gouache on paper by Raoul Dufy (French, 1877-1953), titled Araut La Course: Epsom, signed and titled by the artist, sold for $125,000 at a New Year’s Day Auction held on the holiday by Nadeau’s Auction Gallery in Windsor, Connecticut. Also, a sideboard made in 1930 by Emile Jacques Ruhlmann (French, 1879-1933) brought $48,000, and a Tiffany & Co. Chrysanthemum sterling silver seven-piece tea and coffee set weighing a total of 445 troy ounces realized $28,290.

Chinese Hu-form vase, $54,000, Roland Auctions

A 19th-century Chinese famille rose Hu-form vase decorated in enamels with the Hundred Deer motif sold for $54,000 at a New Year’s Day auction held on the holiday by Roland Auctions in Glen Cove, New York. Also, a framed Tibetan thangka achieved $43,750; a pair of Neoclassical-style gilt bronze urn-form wine coolers rose to $46,875; and a pair of circa-1765 George III mahogany game tables in the manner of Thomas Chippendale went for $37,500.

Banksy’s Girl with Balloon, $174,000, Michaan’s Auctions

A screenprint by the enigmatic British graffiti artist Banksy, titled Girl with Balloon and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Banksy’s Pest Control Office, sold for $174,000 at a Winter Fine Sale held December 17 by Michaan’s Auctions in Alameda, California. Also, Ira Yeager’s oil on canvas titled Chicken Lady realized $18,000; an Ernie Barnes mixed media study sketch of a couple dancing brought $24,000; and an oil painting by Henrietta Berk rose to $16,800.

1901 Nikola Tesla letter, $341,295, RR Auction

A four-page letter handwritten in 1901 by Nikola Tesla, in which he discusses his place among America’s greatest inventors, sold for $341,295 in an auction held Dec. 13-Jan. 12 by RR Auction in Boston. Also, a Purple Rain album signed by Prince soared to $73,698; a letter signed by Queen Mary I earned $30,990; and an Alexander Hamilton Treasury Department signed circular brought $22,688.

Tiffany Dragonfly lamp, $35,000, Burchard Galleries

A Tiffany Dragonfly lamp lit up the room for $35,000 at an auction held November 14 by Burchard Galleries in St. Petersburg, Florida. Also, a pair of Alexander Calder lithographs went for $3,000 and $1,900, respectively; a Chinese bronze of Guanyin sailed past its $5,000 high estimate to bring $7,000; two Knoll Barcelona lounge chairs with ottomans designed for Knoll by Mies van der Rohe earned $5,250 and $4,500, respectively; and a pair of cloisonne Qilin figures went for $1,600.

Spider-Man’s black suit, $3.36 million, Heritage Auctions

Original comic book artwork showing Spider-Man debuting a black costume, from page 25 of the 1984 comic book Secret Wars #8 and hand-drawn by artist Mike Zeck, sold for $3.3 million on January 13 at Heritage Auctions in Dallas. Also, artwork from page 84 of the same Spider-Man comic book finished at $288,000, and a CGC Fine 6.0-graded copy of Action Comics #1, which features the first appearance of Superman, went for $3.1 million.

Herend service, $11,340, Doyle NY

A Herend porcelain Rothschild bird pattern table service sold for $11,340 at a Doyle at Home Auction held January 11 by Doyle NY in New York. Also, a Holly Hunt black lacquered wood and bronze peso dining table achieved $9,450; a chinoiserie decorated fabric eight-panel folding screen with four matching panels brought $9,450; a George Smith upholstered dark stained wood loose cushion sofa rose to $6,930; and a group of upholstered green-painted wicker furnishings hit $6,930.

 

View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/

Spider-Man original comic book artwork sells for record $3.3M

Original comic book artwork of page 25 from Marvel Comics’ Secret Wars No. 8, rendered by Mike Zeck in 1984. It commanded $3.3 million and a new world auction record. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions
Original comic book artwork of page 25 from Secret Wars No. 8, rendered by Mike Zeck in 1984, commanded $3.3 million and a new world auction record. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions
Original comic book artwork of page 25 from Marvel Comics’ Secret Wars No. 8, rendered by Mike Zeck in 1984. It commanded $3.3 million and a new world auction record. Courtesy Heritage Auctions

DALLAS – Spider-Man was already the star of the most expensive comic book ever sold at auction. As of January 13, the Web-Slinger is also credited with what is now the world’s most valuable page of original comic book artwork. Page 25 from 1984’s Secret Wars No. 8, which tells the origin story of the Web-Slinger’s now-iconic black costume, sold at Heritage Auctions for $3,360,000.

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