An eclectic mix of original art by some of the most influential artists and major keys in superhero comics, along with video game treasures were offered Heritage’s Comics & Comic Art Auction. Their significance and prestige, coupled with lots in a wider net of collecting budgets, pushed the total to $9,099,710.

The sale, which was held on April 30 through May 3, 2020, outpaced Heritage’s preauction estimate of $7.3 million and boasted sell through rates of 100% by lots and value.

Frank Frazetta’s The Serpent original painting for the 1967 paperback novel hammered for $300,000. The sale was doubly significant because Frazetta wouldn’t part with it while he was alive, according to Heritage Comics & Comic Art Director Joe Mannarino.

“Frank Frazetta’s artwork has been extremely popular among collectors in recent years, so it is no surprise that the interest in The Serpent was so high” Heritage Co-Chairman Jim Halperin said. “In addition, the auction included several new artist’s records, and the Variety Store Collection of fresh-to-market comics produced outstanding results.”

Bernie Wrightson’s front endpapers for Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s Frankenstein realized $240,000. This is the highest price that Heritage has achieved for a piece of Wrightson’s art.

On the Disney side, Carl Barks’ 1994 Surprise Party at Memory Pond painting cleared $156,000. This piece was specially done to celebrate Donald Duck’s 60th anniversary.

Marvel original art and comic sales were led by John Romita Sr. and Mike Esposito’s Amazing Spider-Man #41 splash page one of Spidey and the Rhino that snagged $180,000. The web-spinner’s first appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15 CGC 8.0 also grabbed $180,000. The cover for X-Men #55 by Barry Windsor-Smith, that features Havok pushed its way to $132,000. Bill Everett’s complete 10-page story “Into the Dimension of Death” from Strange Tales #152 conjured $78,000.

DC sales were led by the Man of Steel when Superman #1 CGC Apparent 6.0 flew to $144,000. The Caped Crusader also turned in big sales when Batman #1 CGC 1.5 brought $78,000 and The Dark Knight Returns #4 page 24 original art closed at $66,000. Another of DC’s gritty titles was also a top seller as Dave Gibbons’ Watchmen #10 page 10 original art of Nite Owl and Rorschach sold for $31,200.

Several records were set in the sale, including the Bill Elder Mad #3 complete eight-page story “Dragged Net!” original art that set a new record for the artist at $78,000. The Jim Starlin and Frank Giacoia Avengers #120 original cover of Thor and Iron Man set a new Heritage record for the artist at $75,000. The George Evans and Jack Kamen Tales from the Crypt #33 complete seven-page story “This Trick’ll Kill You!” original art set a new record for Evans at $26,400.

Joining the original art and comics were several video game entries, including Super Mario Bros. (hangtab) WATA 8.0 A sealed for $40,200. Other highlights were Zelda II: The Adventure of Link WATA 9.6 A+ sealed for $38,400, The Legend of Zelda WATA 9.4 A sealed for $33,600, Mike Tyson’s Punch Out!! WATA 9.2 A sealed for $33,600, and Chrono Trigger WATA 9.8 A++ sealed for $28,800.

The Nintendo-Mego Game & Watch sales demo cabinet, a piece made close to 40 years ago and known for the games Exterminator or Vermin, drew $28,000.

“We expected this to be quite popular because it’s an early piece of Nintendo history – it even predates the Nintendo Entertainment System by about five years,” Heritage Video Games Consignment Director Valarie McLeckie said. “But since it’s one of two Game & Watch demo cabinets known and the only one of this title, we left it up to the market to decide its value. Needless to say, this was a pleasing auction result!”