ComicConnect is looking back at a year of what they described as “awesome original art auctions,” with 2024 showing that Jack Kirby is still the king while Wolverine keeps clawing his way to the top of bidding.

Jack Kirby’s cover art for Fantastic Four Annual #11 sold for $241,500 as part of ComicConnect’s 2024 Event Auctions, featuring the time-traveling team brawling with Captain America, Sub-Mariner, and the original Human Torch. Another signed page from Strange Tales Annual #2 went for $70,150 as a rare collaboration between Kirby and fellow comic luminary Steve Ditko on a page showcasing Spider-Man and Johnny Storm. A design illustration of the original Human Torch by Golden Age master Carl Burgos also brought in $38,584 as the earliest known drawing of the pioneering hero.

Bronze Age finds also emerged at the top of ComicConnect’s Event Auctions, with a $105,800 sale for John Romita Sr.’s signed cover for Nightshade’s memorable debut in Captain America #164. Frank Miller brought in more Bronze Age bids with a $104,075 sale for a page from Daredevil #172 with Klaus Janson inking Daredevil, the Kingpin, Bullseye, Vanessa Fisk, and Turk. Miller also brought in an impressive top bid with his brutal battle cover for Morpheus’ first appearance in Moon Knight #12 going for $47,105.

They celebrated 50 years of Wolverine with hot bidding over classic art. Top sales include a page from Barry Windsor-Smith’s Wolverine origin for Marvel Comics Presents #75 selling for $59,800, while Adam Kubert’s depiction of Wolverine’s wild first meeting with Deadpool in Wolverine #88 went for $54,050. That was followed by another double-spread from the same issue bringing in $41,975. John Byrne also saw a $39,962 sale for his first Wolverine illustration in a half-splash for Iron Fist #15.  

More favorite Modern masters got their due with a beautiful double-page splash from J. Scott Campbell’s Gen 13 #5 closing at $35,659, while Todd McFarlane was appreciated with both a $35,075 winning bid for a page of classic Spidey poses from his debut issue of Amazing Spider-Man #298. Tradd Moore exceeded expectations with a $26,451 sale for a page from his epic Silver Surfer: Black #1, marking the first time that original art from this classic book came up for auction. 

That’s in addition to ComicConnect’s record-breaking private sale of original art from Action Comics #686 for $80,000, featuring an image of Superman’s dead body from the classic 1993 comic “Funeral for a Friend, Part 6” – marking the highest amount ever paid for the work of penciler Jackson “Butch” Guice. 

ComicConnect is working toward the next Event Auction. Original art consignors can reach out to Micah Spivak at micahs@comicconnect.competerb@comicconnect.com, and by calling (212) 260-4147 or (888) 779-7377.