A single page of artwork from a 1984 Spiderman comic book was sold at auction for a record $3.36 million on January 12 in Dallas.
According to CBS 11 News, Mike Zeck’s artwork for page 25 from Marvel Comics’ “Secret Wars No. 8” brings the first appearance of Spiderman’s symbiote black suit.
The symbiote suit would eventually lead to the creation and debut of Marvel’s comic character Venom.
According to CBS 11 News, the record-breaking bid began at $330,000 and set the $3.36 million record on the first day of a four-day comic event in Dallas. The event was hosted by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions.
“When it hit its final price, shattering all previous comic art records, the auction gallery erupted with cheers,” Heritage Auctions said in a press release.
Joe Mannarino, Heritage Auctions’ New York Director of Comics & Comic Art, said organizers of the event (Heritage Auctions) could not be happier for their consignor who purchased the art in the late 1980s and has treasured the pages since then.
“Today’s results prove what we’ve long been saying: Comic book art is as beloved and valuable as anything put on canvas,” Mannarino said according to a post on Heritage Auctions’ website.
Before this record-breaking bid, art from a 1974 issue of “The Incredible Hulk” held the record for the most expensive interior page of a U.S. comic book at $657,250. According to CBS 11 News, the issue featured a tease for the first appearance of another Marvel character Wolverine.
On Thursday, one copy of Superman’s debut, Action Comics No. 1, was sold for $3.18 million at the four-day event, making it one of the most expensive books ever auctioned, according to CBS 11 News.
