An Iconic Iron Man #1 Page and Other Historic Comic Book Art Head to Auction
If you have Tony Stark levels of money, you can now own one of the most iconic and important pieces of Iron Man art ever published.
Heritage Auctions has unveiled a roster of legendary comic book artwork for the upcoming Comic Art Signature Auction, and the offerings are truly remarkable. Among the highlights is a coveted page from the inaugural Iron Man #1, published back in 1968 and once owned by Marvel Studios' co-founder, David Maisel. The focal point of the page is the opening splash illustration, marking it as the very first artwork from the inaugural solo Iron Man comic.
The creation credits go to penciller Gene Colan and inker Johnny Craig. Below is a visual representation of the page. Naturally, the price tag for such a piece of comic book history is steep, having already increased to $6,750 by the time of publication. Gene Colan's work on the Iron Man #1 page was groundbreaking, making the suit look dynamic and almost balletic, while also hinting at the cinematic style that would later define Marvel's films.
Maisel was eager to acquire the piece, noting its historical significance and Colan's unique artistry. The auction also features other significant comic book pages. One such example is Jerry Robinson's cover to Detective Comics #68 from 1942, which marks the second appearance of Two-Face; the survival of original Golden Age art in such pristine condition is a rare find.
Additionally, the auction includes Joe Shuster's cover to Action Comics #22 from 1940, showcasing early Superman art. Other notable items include Frank Miller's 1980s Daredevil run and Jim Lee's cover to X-Men #6 from 1992, the latter currently bidding at $135,000. It's evident that collecting original comic art is not an endeavor for the faint of wallet.
Interested in bidding on the Iron Man #1 page or any of the other exceptional pieces? Share your thoughts in the comments section. For further reading, explore the resurgence of the Marvel Masterworks collection, an exclusive interview about the conclusion of Star Trek: The Last Starship, and a curated list of the 15 finest Wolverine comics.
Jesse, a contributor to IGN, is available for more insights. Connect with him on Twitter @jschedeen.
Written by urgent.news from IGN's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
