Green Lantern 76 by Neal Adams (1970) © DC Comics [C10] Art Trends... · I wonder what that art would go for at auction? Non-hero art by Adams fared well at auction in 2018 as a

13

Adams

Green Lantern 76 by Neal Adams (1970) © DC Comics [C10] Sold for $442,150.00 (2015) through Heritage Auctions.

Neal Adams and Dennis O’Neil received praise for their thought-provoking GL/GA series. Image is used by permission of Heritage Auctions, HA.com.

14

Adams

Neal Adams (1941 - ) 1st work in Archie Comics, major works at DC Comics, Marvel

Comics, and Continuity Comics. Characters most associated with Adams: Batman,

Superman, Deadman, and Green Lantern/Green Arrow. Neal Adams was certainly the

preeminent and most influential comic book artist from the late sixties through the mid-

seventies.

During 2018, 98 of Adams’ works were sold through Heritage Auctions. The auction lot

selection was diverse. It included many pages of Power Record comic art, most featuring

Batman or Star Trek. The cover of Batman: Stacked Cards sold for $31,070. Other

Power Record interior art sold for much less, likely because it was attributed to Neal

Adams studio and may or may not have featured his personal artwork. Numerous

sketches and unpublished illustrations were sold featuring Superman, Batman, and the

Spectre. A classic Superman pose illustration sold for $3,120. I have fond memories of

the DC Calendars from the seventies, part of which sold in 2018. The back cover

illustration of the Justice League from the 1976 calendar sold for $37,045.

Several of the pieces sold in 2018 featured Adams renderings of Ben Casey and Secret

Agent Corrigan comic strip art. These pages from the mid-sixties sold for as much as

$4080 for a Sunday page with dailies averaging about 1K.

Of primary interest for the Comic Art Trends Price Guide are the 31 lots of published

Neal Adams original comic art. Included in the lots were covers and interior pages for

works published from 1969 to 2017. Only five covers were sold, none of his more

famous works. This lack of legendary covers likely contributed to the appearance of a

down swing in selling price compared to the three previous years that all featured at least

one spectacular cover sale.

Highlight pages sold in 2018 include 4 pages from Green Lantern 85, “Snowbirds Don’t

Fly”. Pages from the classic GL/GA drug story sold for an average price of $8200 in

2018 compared to an average of $6200 for four pages from the same story in 2017.

Based on the CAT Scale grades of (R2, R2, R2, R4) in 2018 and (R1, R2, R5, R5) in

2017, this is a strong year over year comparison.

Batman interior art from the title series and Brave and the Bold sold well in 2018. The

comparison of Batman pages sold at Heritage Auctions from 2014 to 2018 is interesting:

2014 – R6, R5 Average $19,700

2015 – R6, R5, R7 Average $4900 (B&B, Batman)

2016 – R7, R7, R7 Average $14,100) (1st Ras Al Ghul)

2017 – R6, R6 Average $14,000

2018 – R6, R7 Average $16,800 (1st Ras Al Ghul and HOM in B&B)

In this comparison, prices appear to be holding or slightly increasing for Batman featured

pages over the last three years. 2015 prices may be suppressed by less interest in the

Brave and the Bold pages even though the series ushered in the new Batman of the

seventies. Prices from 2014 may have been inflated somewhat.

Four other interior Batman pages sold at HA during 2018. These four pages averaged

only $3200 (R3, R1, R2, R3). From their CAT scores, it is obvious they do not star

15

Adams

Batman and therefore do not have as much collector interest as the high CAT Scale pages

previously described. The CAT grading system supports reasonable price comparisons

by using an objective means to evaluate and compare published original art. Based on

their low scores, these four pages should NOT be compared with the aforementioned high

CAT score pages. It is not surprising that their average price was much lower.

Though Neal Adams proved to be the greatest at illustrating the Greatest when he

penciled Superman vs. Muhammad Ali, a pivotal page featuring the internationally

acclaimed boxer only sold for $5500. This was a slight decrease from the sale price in

2016. It is surprising considering the Muhammad Ali page last sold prior to his sudden

death.

I still have fond memories of buying that oversized collector’s edition which featured a

cover with a plethora of celebrities and comic industry personalities. I wonder what that

art would go for at auction?

Non-hero art by Adams fared well at auction in 2018 as a complete 6-page story from

Witching Hour 8 sold for over $14K in spite of having none of the typical action pages

investors crave.

As a reminder, Deadman and Green Lantern/Green Arrow from the seventies are Plus

One Heroes for Adams.

One personal note on Adams. Neal Adams is my favorite artist and his works will

always maintain their collectability in my eyes. Investors, however, may be wise to focus

on his most significant works which will not lose value long term barring industry

calamity. Adams, as all artists do over time, will lose some of his fan enthusiasm as new

artists become popular in the market. I can see many indications of far less significant

artists that are garnering attention from the public based on sales prices. Without bias, I

would say those works are far less collectible, but I readily admit that art is ALWAYS

only worth what someone will pay for it. Hopefully, annual editions of the Comic Art

Trends Price Guide will help the superstars of the industry continue to be recognized.

Mid-Year Update Through the first half of 2019, ten pages of Neal Adams published art were sold through

Heritage Auctions. Pages featured Adams Plus One characters like Green Lantern and

Deadman. Marvel characters such as the Avengers, Hawkeye, and Ka-Zar also sold

through auction.

Two Green Lantern backup story pages from 1972 sold for an average of $7,200. Both

pages scored R4. Three Green Lantern backup story pages sold in prior years for an

average of $7,867 (R4,R6,R6). Because the past sales were higher grade, it is not

surprising that the mean price was higher. It demonstrates strength in the market that the

average price was relatively similar on the 2019 sales in spite of the lower grade.

Interestingly, many Green Lantern pages from the title series sold in 2018. Sales for R4

pages from the classic series averaged $11,135. As would be expected, the older pages

from the original Neal Adams run enjoyed higher demand.

Mid-Year update continued on page 26.

16

Adams

Avengers 93 page 24 by Neal Adams and Tom Palmer

© Marvel [R6]. Sold for $13,145 (2018,HA)

Batman 232 (intro Ras Al Ghul) page 5 by Neal Adams and Dick

Giordano © DC [R6]. Sold for $20,315 (2018,HA)

Green Lantern 85 page 13 “Snow Birds Don’t Fly” by Neal

Adams © DC [R4]. Sold for $11,950 (2018,HA)

Defenders V4 1 Variant Marvel by Neal Adams and Nelson

Daniel © Marvel [C6]. Sold for $4,063 (2018,HA)

Ras Al Ghul was introduced in Batman 232. Is he Batman’s greatest arch-enemy? All images used by permission of Heritage Auctions, HA.com

17

Adams

House of Mystery 182 by Neal Adams © DC [C1].

Sold for $8,963 (2017,HA) All New Collectors’ Edition C-56 Page 55 by Neal Adams and

Dick Giordano © DC [R5]. Sold for $5,079 (2013,HA)

Strange Adventures 208 page 2 by Neal Adams © DC [R6].

Sold for $17,925 (2017,HA)

X-Men 61 page 7 by Neal Adams and Tom Palmer © Marvel [R6].

Sold for $5,975 (2010, HA)

Muhammad Ali, self-proclaimed as ‘The Greatest’, passed away in 2016. All images used by permission of Heritage Auctions, HA.com

18

Adams

Adams, Neal Action Comics (DC) featuring Superman Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date

Price CGR Comment Src

361 C 1968 C7 May-10 10,456 Parasite

HA

378 C 1969 C6 Aug-09 5,079 1.2 Curt Swan Pencils HA

378 C 1969 C6 Mar-03 4,715 % Curt Swan Pencils HA

371 C 1969 C2 Jul-02 1,668 Curt Swan Pencils HA

Adventures of Jerry Lewis (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


104 3 1967 R4 Nov-12 335 HA

Adventures of the Fly (Archie Publications) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


4 11 1960 R2 Aug-13 4,780 Neal Adams first professional work. Sold as part of 8-page lot featuring

Joe Simon artwork. Panel 5 of page 11 is reportedly Neal Adams’ first

published art. It was allegedly pasted in from sample pages drawn

by Adams.

HA

All-New Collector’s Edition (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


C56 52 1978 R4 Feb-19 7,800 Superman vs. Muhammad Ali HA

C56 44 1978 R3 Aug-18 5,520 -1.7 Superman vs. Muhammad Ali HA

C56 44 1978 R3 May-16 5,736 8.6 Superman vs. Muhammad Ali HA

C56 55 1978 R5 May-13 5,079 Superman vs. Muhammad Ali HA

C56 44 1978 R3 Aug-11 3,884 % Superman vs. Muhammad Ali HA

C56 33 1978 R7 May-09 6,871 Superman vs. Muhammad Ali HA

Amazing Adventures (Marvel) featuring The Inhumans Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


7 3 1971 R4 Nov-15 1,554 HA

5 1 1971 S5 May-15 26,290 HA

7 8 1971 R2 Feb-15 2,151 HA

8 8 1971 R4 Jul-12 1,912 HA

5 5 1971 R2 Oct-05 1,725 HA

Archie’s Joke Book (Archie Publications) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


46 27 1960 R2 Nov-12 418 Part of earliest works HA

46 2 1959 R2 Jul-03 748 Part of earliest works HA

Avengers (Marvel) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


96 3 1972 R4 Feb-19 15,600 HA

93 24 1971 R6 Feb-18 13,145 Thing HA

96 12 1972 R5 Aug-17 7,768 HA

96 14 1972 R2 Aug-17 9,560 HA

93 33 1971 R5 Feb-17 7,768 -18.8 HA

19

Adams

Avengers (Marvel) continued Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


93 33 1971 R5 Feb-16 9,560 % HA

95 5 1972 R6 May-15 11,950

HA

93 28 1971 R6 Nov-12 7,170 Thing HA

93 27 1971 R5 Nov-11 5,975 HA

95 16 1972 R5 Aug-10 3,585 HA

96 18 1972 R2 Nov-08 3,884 HA

Batman (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


251 8 1973 R3 May-18 5,258 HA

232 5 1971 R6 Feb-18 20,315 1st Ras Al Ghul HA

234 4 1971 R6 Nov-17 9,560 HA

251 13 1973 R6 Nov-17 18,523 HA

222 C 1970 C7 May-17 77,675 Celebrities HA

232 10 1971 R7 Feb-16 14,340 HA

232 11 1971 R7 Feb-16 20,315 1st Ras Al Ghul HA

251 18 1973 R7 Feb-16 7,768 HA

243 12 1972 R6 May-15 5,019 6.4 HA

234 6 1971 R5 Aug-14 23,900 HA

210 C 1969 C6 Feb-14 31,070 Catwoman HA

251 9 1973 R6 Feb-14 15,535 HA

245 3 1972 R6 May-09 3,585 HA

232 3 1971 R7 Nov-08 4,481 HA

232 17 1971 R6 Nov-08 6,573 HA

232 13 1971 R5 Aug-08 5,079 1st Ras Al Ghul HA

243 12 1972 R6 Aug-07 3,107 % HA

231 C 1971 R3 Oct-05 4,045 HA

Bizarre Adventures (Marvel) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


28 19 1981 R1 May-15 1,016 HA

Brave and the Bold (DC) featuring Batman Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


84 5 1969 R3 Nov-18 2,880 Sgt Rock HA

83 17 1969 R1 Sep-18 1,680 HA

83 12 1969 R2 Aug-18 3,120 7.5 Teen Titans HA

93 15 1970 R7 Aug-18 13,200 House of Mystery HA

79 13 1968 R7 Nov-15 4,780 8.8 Deadman HA

80 13 1968 R5 Nov-15 4,780 Creeper HA

86 4 1969 R7 Aug-13 5,079 32.4 HA

102 16 1972 R4 Aug-13 1,912 Teen Titans HA

79 12 1968 R6 Jul-12 4,183 6.3 Deadman HA

81 16 1968 R4 Jul-12 2,032 HA

86 4 1969 R7 Nov-11 3,107 % HA

79 18 1968 R6 May-08 1,673 11.3 Deadman, last panel is stat HA

80 C 1968 C6 May-08 11,353 -22.9 Creeper HA

79 3 1968 R5 May-06 1,135 -43.6 HA

79 12 1968 R5 May-06 2,868 % Deadman HA

79 13 1968 R5 May-06 2,151 % Deadman HA

80 C 1968 C6 May-06 19,120 % Creeper HA

20

Adams

Brave and the Bold (DC) featuring Batman continued Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


79 3 1968 R5 May-05 2,013 % HA

83 12 1969 R2 Nov-04 1,150 HA

81 4 1968 R6 Oct-04 1,668 HA

83 4 1969 R5 Jul-03 891 HA

79 18 1968 R6 Oct-02 920 % HA

83 C 1969 C6 Oct-02 10,638 Aquaman HA

Captain America (Marvel) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


1C C 2011 C5 Feb-14 3,884 HA

Challengers of the Unknown (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


74 1 1970 R3 Feb-18 3,107 6.0 One panel Neal Adams HA

74 23 1970 R4 May-09 1,673 Deadman HA

74 C 1970 C5 Feb-05 6,325 HA

74 1 1970 R3 Feb-04 1,380 % HA

Champions (Marvel) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


V2#1 C 2016 C4 Feb-18 3,346 Bernie Wrightson HA

Conan the Barbarian (Marvel) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


44 8 1974 R3 Nov-18 2,160 John Buscema pencils HA

37 6 1974 R2 Aug-18 5,280 HA

37 7 1974 R3 Nov-17 8,664 -10.2 HA

116 C 1980 C5 Nov-17 23,900 Neal Adams inks HA

37 23 1974 R3 May-15 4,063 HA

37 7 1974 R3 Nov-14 11,950 % HA

116 3 1980 R5 Feb-10 717 Neal Adams inks HA

Creepy (Warren) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


14 4 1967 R1 Nov-16 3,107 HA

14 1 1967 S1 Nov-12 4,780 HA

15 4 1967 R1 May-11 1,135 HA

14 6 1967 R1 May-09 2,629 HA

14 7 1967 R1 Jan-07 1,315 HA

Cyberrad (Continuity) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


Part 1 16 1992 R2 Dec-07 478 HA

Deadly Hands of Kung Fu (Marvel) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


2 C 1974 C3 Apr-04 19,550 hand colored HA

21

Adams

Deadman (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


6 C 1985 C5 May-19 8,400 HA

Defenders (Marvel) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


V4#1 C 2012 C6 Feb-18 4,063 HA

V5#1 C 2017 C5 Feb-18 4,063 HA

Detective Comics (DC) featuring Batman Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


407 C 1971 C5 Nov-17 54,970 Man-Bat HA

418 C 1971 C7 Aug-15 23,900 Creeper HA

407 5 1971 R5 Nov-13 5,378 HA

407 7 1971 R5 Nov-13 3,107 HA

407 8 1971 R3 Nov-13 2,988 HA

407 10 1971 R4 Nov-13 4,481 Man-Bat HA

407 15 1971 R5 Nov-13 6,573 Man-Bat HA

415 C 1971 C6 May-10 15,535 HA

407 9 1970 R2 Apr-04 1,323 HA

407 2 1971 S5 Aug-03 4,715 Man-Bat HA

407 6 1971 R5 Nov-01 1,380 HA

407 11 1971 R6 Nov-01 2,875 Man-Bat HA

Dracula Lives (Marvel) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


2 11 1973 R2 May-19 7,200 HA

2 16 1973 R2 Nov-16 7,768 -13.8 HA

2 5 1973 R1 May-16 4,302 HA

2 13 1973 R2 May-16 8,365 HA

2 16 1973 R2 May-16 8,365 % HA

Eerie (Warren) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


9 2 1967 R1 Feb-17 2,390 HA

11 1 1967 S2 Nov-15 5,497 HA

9 5 1967 R1 Jan-07 1,554 HA

Flash (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


217 9 1972 R4 May-19 6,600 Green Lantern HA

217 5 1972 R4 Feb-19 7,800 Green Arrow/Green Lantern HA

226 6 1974 R1 May-17 7,170 Green Lantern

HA

219 2 1972 S2 Feb-17 7,768 Green Lantern HA

217 7 1972 R1 Aug-11 8,664 Green Lantern HA

Green Lantern (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


89 15 1972 R4 Aug-18 6,000 Green Arrow HA

78 7 1970 R4 May-18 19,120 11.7 Green Arrow HA

85 4 1971 R2 Feb-18 7,469 As Oliver Queen only HA

22

Adams

Green Lantern (DC) continued Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


85 5 1971 R2 Feb-18 5,019 As Oliver Queen only HA

85 6 1971 R2 Feb-18 8,365 Green Arrow HA


84 11 1971 R6 Nov-17 5,736 -12.7 HA

76 4 1970 R6 Nov-17 17,925 Green Arrow HA

85 12 1971 R1 Aug-17 3,466 -2.7 HA

85 3 1971 R2 Aug-17 5,258 As Oliver Queen only HA



85 2 1971 R4 Nov-16 7,469 As Oliver Queen only HA

84 6 1971 R6 May-16 31,070 11.0 Bernie Wrightson HA

85 12 1971 R1 May-16 3,585 % HA

76 C 1970 C10 Nov-15 442,150

Green Arrow HA

84 16 1971 R5 May-14 4,481 Bernie Wrightson HA



84 19 1971 R5 May-14 3,346 Green Arrow HA

84 5 1971 R6 Feb-14 4,780 Bernie Wrightson HA




84 11 1971 R6 Nov-13 9,859 % Green Arrow HA

78 11 1970 R5 Nov-13 3,346 HA

84 4 1971 R2 Nov-13 2,988 Bernie Wrightson HA

84 10 1971 R5 Nov-13 3,346 HA

84 12 1971 R5 Nov-13 5,676 Bernie Wrightson HA

84 1 1971 S6 Aug-13 22,705 HA

84 2 1971 R3 Aug-13 3,884 HA

84 13 1971 R3 Aug-13 4,183 HA


84 22 1971 R3 Aug-13 3,227 Bernie Wrightson HA

84 6 1971 R6 May-13 22,705 % Bernie Wrightson HA




84 15 1971 R3 May-13 4,631 HA


78 13 1970 R5 Feb-13 5,676 Green Lantern HA


85 19 1971 R5 Nov-12 10,158 Green Arrow HA

78 7 1970 R4 Feb-12 9,560 % HA


80 7 1970 R5 Jul-04 5,175 Green Arrow HA

78 23 1970 R3 Jul-03 1,920 Green Arrow HA

85 18 1971 R4 Mar-03 2,520 HA

His Name Is Savage (Adventure House Press) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


2 1968 R1 Jul-03 633 HA

23

Adams

Hot Wheels (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


6 11 1971 R2 May-16 1,434 HA

6 12 1971 R1 May-15 1,076 10.1 HA

6 12 1971 R1 Jul-03 345 % HA

House of Mystery (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


228 1 1975 S1 May-17 1,135 Alan Kupperberg pencils HA

182 C 1969 C1 Feb-17 8,963 HA

228 2 1974 R1 Feb-13 251 Alan Kupperberg pencils HA

175 C 1968 C1 May-09 6,573 HA

IronJaw (Atlas/Seaboard) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


2 C 1975 C2 May-18 17,925 Final cover of this issue sold for

$6,871 in Feb-18.

(The preliminary cover contained most of the original art. The

published cover only contained

the original bear art.)

HA

Justice League of America (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


95 C 1971 C6 May-19 28,800 Murphy Anderson inks HA

94 5 1971 R3 Aug-16 3,824 HA

66 C 1968 C7 May-16 41,825 6.1 HA

88 C 1971 C7 Nov-11 19,120 HA

66 C 1968 C7 Jul-02 18,400 % HA

Mr. T and the T Force (Now) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


1 20 1993 S4 Oct-05 403 HA

Ms. Mystic (Pacific Comics) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


2 10 1984 R2 Nov-07 388 Neal Adams inks HA

Our Fighting Forces (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


147 C 1974 C3 Jul-04 3,968 HA

Phantom Stranger (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


4 19 1969 R2 Feb-18 2,749 HA

11 C 1971 C3 Aug-15 8,365 HA

13 C 1971 C4 May-10 6,871 HA

24

Adams

Savage Sword of Conan (Marvel) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


1 8 1974 R1 Nov-14 1,434 Unclear who actual pencil artist is HA

14 1 1976 S4 Aug-14 5,676 HA

14 24 1976 R4 May-11 1,673 HA

2 C 1974 C5 May-11 29,875 hand colored HA

Savage Tales (Marvel) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


7 53 1974 R2 May-19 1,080 Ka-Zar HA

7 52 1974 R1 Apr-19 1,320 John Buscema pencils HA

4 4 1974 R3 Aug-17 4,063 Gil Kane pencils HA

4 11 1974 R4 Aug-15 2,091 Gil Kane/Neal Adams art HA

4 14 1974 R1 Nov-14 837 Gil Kane pencils HA

4 16 1974 R2 Nov-14 837 Gil Kane pencils HA

4 19 1971 R1 May-09 568 Gil Kane pencils HA

Six Million Dollar Man Magazine (Marvel) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


2 13 1976 R3 Nov-16 382 Neal Adams art HA

2 36 1976 R4 Oct-16 382 Neal Adams art HA

Spectre (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


5 1 1968 R1 Nov-18 2,640 HA

3 17 1968 R4 Aug-10 1,554 HA

5 16 1968 R2 May-10 1,434 HA

5 21 1968 R2 Nov-07 1,195 -6.2 HA

5 21 1968 R2 May-06 1,315 % HA

2 19 1968 R1 Nov-04 357 HA

5 7 1968 R3 Nov-03 1,955 HA

Strange Adventures (DC) featuring Deadman Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


212 6 1968 R5 Nov-17 4,541 HA

214 11,12 1968 S4 Nov-17 4,900 HA

213 7 1968 R5 Aug-17 4,780 7.5 HA

214 20 1968 R2 Aug-17 2,629 HA

216 1 1969 R5 Aug-17 6,871 HA

208 2 1968 R6 May-17 17,925 32.0 HA

208 12,13 1967 S6 Feb-16 10,755 HA

214 10 1968 R5 Aug-15 3,227 HA

213 7 1968 R4 May-15 4,063 % HA

208 2 1968 R6 Nov-14 8,963 % HA

209 3 1968 R2 May-12 1,434 HA

216 12 1969 R5 Nov-11 3,451 HA

208 1 1968 S5 Feb-11 5,975 HA

212 17 1968 R3 Nov-09 4,183 1/2 page art HA

212 4 1968 R1 Nov-08 657 HA

212 2 1968 R3 May-08 1,793 HA

212 14 1968 R6 May-08 2,390 HA

211 C 1968 C5 May-06 10,755 -27.6 HA

25

Adams

Strange Adventures (DC) featuring Deadman continued Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


212 7 1968 R4 May-06 1,315 HA

212 9 1968 R4 May-06 1,135 HA

212 16 1968 R2 May-06 777 HA

209 10 1968 R5 May-05 2,300 HA

211 C 1968 C5 Feb-05 16,100 % HA

Superman (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


314 C 1977 C7 May-16 8,963 Flash&Green Lantern HA

237 C 1971 C6 Aug-11 7,170 27.1 HA

237 C 1971 C6 May-09 4,183 % HA

234 C 1971 C6 May-07 8,963 HA

235 C 1971 C6 Aug-05 4,313 HA

Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


148 C 1972 C6 May-18 19,120 Jack Kirby signature HA

117 C 1969 C2 Nov-08 3,346 Curt Swan pencils HA

144 C 1971 C6 Apr-04 13,800 Jack Kirby pencils HA

Tarzan (Marvel) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


12 C 1978 C4 Aug-11 4,481 John Buscema pencils HA

11 C 1978 C5 Mar-03 3,220 John Buscema pencils HA

Teen Titans (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


21 4 1969 R5 Sep-18 3,840 23.1 Net gain, Nick Cardy Inks HA

21 4 1969 R5 Jun-18 3,120 % Nick Cardy Inks HA

22 3 1969 R5 May-18 2,868 Nick Cardy Inks HA

21 22 1969 R2 Aug-14 1,315 Nick Cardy Inks HA

Ultimate Hawkeye (Marvel) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


1 C 2011 C5 May-19 2,640 HA

Unexpected (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


114 C 1969 C1 Nov-15 5,497 HA

Weird Western Tales (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


13 6 1972 R1 Feb-17 2,868 HA

13 3 1972 R1 Nov-12 1,554 HA

26

Adams

Witching Hour (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


8 CS6 1970 CS6 Feb-18 14,340 Sergio Aragones pencils HA

14 C 1971 C1 Jul-10 717 -77.0 Part restoration HA

14 C 1971 C1 Nov-09 1,912 % HA

Wonder Woman (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


220 4 1975 R2 May-18 1,255 Dick Giordano w/partial Adams art HA

220 11 1975 R3 May-18 2,450 Dick Giordano w/partial Adams art HA

World’s Finest (DC) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


186 C 1969 C7 Aug-13 8,066 Curt Swan pencils HA

X-Men (Marvel) Issue Page

Pub Date

Key Sold Date


61 9 1969 R7 Aug-18 12,000 Sauron HA

60 16 1969 R2 Feb-16 2,868 -1.6 HA

60 13 1969 R1 Jul-12 4,780 Sauron HA

58 17 1969 R1 May-12 4,481 HA

60 16 1969 R2 Feb-11 3,107 % HA

62 4 1969 R4 Nov-10 2,868 Angel HA

58 13 1969 R1 Aug-10 3,585 Sentinels HA

61 7 1969 R6 May-10 5,975 Sauron HA

61 11 1969 R6 Feb-10 4,481 Sauron HA

62 6 1969 S4 Feb-09 14,340 Magneto HA

Mid-Year Report continued: Adams worked on relatively few Marvel pages in the

early seventies. Avengers 96 Page 3 (R4) was part of a brief run on that title. Previous

HA sales from the series ranged from $3,585 - $13,145. Recent R5 and R6 sales

averaged only $9,560. The $15,600 price on the 2019 sale was very good compared to

that average.

A page from the classic Superman vs. Muhammad Ali galactic prize-fight of the century

sold in 2019 for $7,800. This page featured only Superman (R4) and there is no direct

comparable to other sales. Another page from the book featuring only Muhammad Ali

sold in 2018 for $5,520. Celebrities like Muhammad Ali are considered Grade B heroes

when prominently featured in a story.

The top price for the mid-year report came on the cover of Justice League of America 95

(C6, 28K). An older Adams page, JLA 66 from 1968, sold higher at 41K. Age aside, the

JLA 95 cover featured Anderson inks. Though a master in his own right, the heavy

influence of Anderson’s style on Adams pencils may have subdued the price. At first

glance, I thought it was a Swanderson (Curt Swan/Murphy Anderson) page.

Another highlight sale was cover art for the 1977 DC Calendar. Selling for $26,000, it

could not match the 37K price of the 1976 calendar page. The Bicentennial calendar

featured a more classic pose that was also used on DC letterhead. --end

27

Adams

Adventures of the Fly 4 page 11 by Neal Adams © Archie

[R2]. Sold for $4,780 (2013,HA) with group.

Archie’s Joke Book 46 page 2 by Neal Adams

© Archie (1959) [R2]. Sold for $748 (2003,HA)

Action Comics 361 by Neal Adams © DC [C7].

Sold for $10,456 (2010,HA)

Amazing Adventures 5 Page 1 by Neal Adams and Tom

Palmer © Marvel [S5]. Sold for $26,290 (2015,HA)

Adventures of the Fly 4 contains Adams’ first published work.

All images used by permission of Heritage Auctions, HA.com

28

Adams

Batman 222 (Beatles Parody) by Neal Adams © DC [C7].

Sold for $77,675 (2017,HA)

Brave and the Bold 79 page 18 by Neal Adams © DC [R6].

Sold for $1,673 (2008, HA)

Cyberrad Crossover Part 1 page 16 by Neal Adams ©

Continuity [R2]. Sold for $478 (2007, HA)

Detective Comics 407 by Neal Adams © (DC) [C5].

Sold for $54,970 (2017, HA)

Adams reinvigorated the aura of the ‘darknight’ detective.

All images used by permission of Heritage Auctions, HA.com

29

Adams

Summary Statistics by Year Sold – All Pages Year Sales Min Max Median Mean 3YrMA

2018 36 1,255 20,315 3,952 $6,316 9,425

2017 28 1,135 77,675 7,768 $12,332 17,643

2016 21 382 41,825 7,768 $9,628 15,963

2015 18 1,016 442,150 4,780 $30,970 14,813

2014 19 837 31,070 4,481 $7,290 5,843

2013 29 251 22,705 4,780 $6,178 5,844

2012 13 335 10,158 4,183 $4,061 5,449

2011 14 1,135 29,875 4,481 $7,293 5,658

2010 11 717 15,535 3,585 $4,992 4,602

2009 11 568 14,340 4,183 $4,690 3,747

2008 10 657 11,353 3,615 $4,123 3,686

2007 7 388 8,963 1,315 $2,428 3,863

2006 9 777 19,120 1,315 $4,508 4,845

2005 8 403 16,100 3,172 $4,653 4,245

2004 9 357 19,550 1,668 $5,374 5,329

2003 8 345 4,715 3,875 $2,708 4,247

2002 4 920 18,400 6,153 $7,906

2001 2 1,380 2,875 2,128 $2,128

2 4 8 9 8 9 7 10 11 11 14 13 29 19 18 21 28 36

2,128

7,906

2,708

5,3744,653 4,508

2,428

4,1234,690 4,992

7,293

4,061

6,1787,290

30,970

9,628

12,332

6,316

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

$0

$5,000

$10,000

$15,000

$20,000

$25,000

$30,000

$35,000

Neal Adams - Summary by Year SoldMean Sales Price Plotted with 3 Year Moving Average

Includes Covers, Splashes, and Interior Pages

Sales Mean 3YrMA

30

Adams

Summary Statistics by Year Sold – All Interior Pages Year Sales Min Max Median Mean 3YrMA

2018 31 1,255 20,315 3,120 5,769 7,076

2017 24 1,135 18,523 7,021 7,491 7,000

2016 19 382 31,070 7,469 7,968 6,533

2015 14 1,016 26,290 4,063 5,540 5,914

2014 17 837 23,900 4,481 6,091 5,421

2013 28 251 22,705 4,705 6,111 4,772

2012 13 335 10,158 4,183 4,061 3,744

2011 10 1,135 8,664 3,667 4,145 4,002

2010 8 717 5,975 3,227 3,025 3,725

2009 7 568 14,340 3,585 4,835 3,163

2008 8 657 6,573 3,137 3,316 2,061

2007 6 388 3,107 1,255 1,339 1,655

2006 7 777 2,868 1,315 1,528 1,822

2005 5 403 4,045 2013 2,097 1,885

2004 6 357 5,175 1,351 1,842 1,493

2003 8 345 4,715 1,406 1,716 1,588

2002 1 920 920 920 920

2001 2 1,380 2,875 2,128 2,128

2 1 8 6 5 7 6 8 7 8 10 13 28 17 14 19 24 31

2,128

920

1,7161,842

2,097

1,5281,339

3,316

4,835

3,025

4,145 4,061

6,111 6,091

5,540

7,968

7,491

5,769

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

$0

$1,000

$2,000

$3,000

$4,000

$5,000

$6,000

$7,000

$8,000

$9,000

Neal Adams- All Interior PagesMean Sales Price Plotted with 3 Year Moving Average

Sales Mean 3YrMA

31

Adams

Year Published Sales Average Price

1959-60 3 1,982

1967 10 3,350

1968 44 4,660

1969 33 5,444

1970 23 27,443

1971 83 8,549

1972 15 6,423

1973 8 9,485

1974 15 6,813

1975-76 8 3,860

1977-80 10 6,837

1981-93 4 571

2011-17 4 3,839

$0

$5,000

$10,000

$15,000

$20,000

$25,000

$30,0001

959

196

0

196

7

196

8

196

9

197

0

197

1

197

2

197

3

197

4

197

5

197

6

197

7

197

8

198

0

198

1

198

4

199

2

199

3

201

1

201

2

201

6

201

7

Neal Adams - Summary Data by Year Published

Mean Price

Mostly Warren

and Archie

Early sales of Deadman interiors from

Strange Adventures and Brave and the Bold.

Includes many

Brave and the Bold

and X-Men sales.

Recent X-Men sale

of $12,000.

Green Lantern 76 sale heavily influenced average,

without the mean is $8500. Recent Green Lantern

and Brave and the Bold interior pages sales

topped 15K average.

Includes many

quality Batman and

Green Lantern

interior pages.

Six Million

Dollar Man art

probably by

studio affecting

mean. Independent non-

mainstream works.

All Recent

Marvel covers.

Inks on Buscema Conan.

32

Adams

# Sales Min Max Median Mean

C1-C2 7 717 8,963 3,346 4,096

C3-C5 16 3,220 54,970 7,618 13,600

C6-C7 22 4,063 77,675 10,995 16,706

C10 1 442,150 442,150 442,150 442,150

S1-S2 3 1,135 5,497 4,780 3,804

S3-S5 7 403 26,290 5,676 8,900

R1-R2 61 251 9,560 1,725 2,783

R3-R5 96 335 23,900 3,884 4,614

R6-R7 39 920 31,070 7,170 9,384

Note: Bold CAT score sales indicate not included in the graph.

4,096

13,60016,706

3,804

8,900

2,7834,614

9,384

$0

$10,000

$20,000

$30,000

$40,000

$50,000

$60,000

$70,000

$80,000

$90,000

C1-C2 C3-C5 C6-C7 S1-S2 S3-S5 R1-R2 R3-R5 R6-R7

Neal Adams - Summary Data Grouped by CAT ScorePole represents range from min to max

Box is white when mean > medianBox is black when median > mean

Median Max Min Mean

Green Lantern 76 by Neal Adams (1970) © DC Comics [C10] Art Trends... · I wonder what that art would go for at auction? Non-hero art by Adams fared well at auction in 2018 as a

Documents