Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Brett Breeding, dan jurgens, superman

A Moment That Changed Comics: Death of Superman Artwork Up for Auction

The 1992 release of Superman #75, the Death of Superman issue, stands out as a unique moment in comics history. The original art is now up for auction.

As someone who worked in a comic book shop when Superman #75 hit newsstands, the media frenzy surrounding its release stands out to me as a unique moment in comics history. It was an unprecedented moment of television, newspaper, and magazine coverage for comics, followed by a very large number of people who didn't know comics still existed before that moment, figuring out where their local comic book shop was and going there to buy a copy of that black bagged Superman #75 with the bloody S logo on it that they'd heard about.  It's probably an underdiscussed part of the phenomenon that the subscribers to the Superman titles, early on in the triangle era, went way up and stayed up for quite some time afterward, at least in the shop where I worked.  But that day of release, the entire week really, was something else.  I had a group of people approach me on the street on my way into the shop the next morning, asking if they were going to be able to get a copy, and relatives who I hadn't heard from in ages calling about it. ComicConnect has put together a frankly incredible Death of Superman Original Art Auction featuring a near-complete set of pages from Superman #75, penciled by Dan Jurgens with inks by Brett Breeding, including the iconic cover art, plus the original "bloody S logo" artwork by Mike Sellers and Ed Bolkus.  The auction currently stands at $3,124,742.00 as I type this, with the cover, the triple-gatefold splash, and a fantastic Superman fighting Doomsday splash leading the way at present.  The auction begins to close on Sunday, April 12, starting at 7 pm EST.

ComicConnect's "Death of Superman" Original Art Auction Ends April 12th!

ComicConnect's "Death of Superman" Special Edition Art Auction is continuing to run through Sunday, April 12th — offering the near-complete epic artwork from Dan Jurgens' Superman #75, which became the defining moment in DC Comics' groundbreaking "Death of Superman" event!

Several of these Superman #75 pages have quickly passed the $200,000 mark, with the classic comic's cover already heading into the $400,000 range. This is the first time that these pages have become available in over 25 years, with Superman #75 selling over 6 million copies in 1993.

"I looked at the auctions in the first week," said Rob Larsen of the "It's All Just Comics" YouTube Channel, "and it's already well over a million dollars for all of the lots. There were five lots over $200,000 already. I'm looking at this and going, 'This could be one of the craziest auctions that we've ever seen.' Ever — because the numbers out of the gate are already big."

Jurgens' original art for Superman #75 became the cornerstone for one of the most successful comic crossovers of all time. Each page was a dramatic splash, with Brett Breeding inking work that includes:
• The cover art depicting Superman's tattered cape fluttering amid rubble.
• Key interior panels illustrating the brutal Doomsday confrontation, including the final double-page spread of Superman's last moments.
• The somber funeral scene, with Superman's friends and family standing over a coffin embossed with the iconic "S" logo.
"This extraordinary collection comprises 25 interior pages, plus the iconic cover for a total of 26 pieces," said Stephen Fishler, CEO and co-founder of ComicConnect and Metropolis Collectibles. "This auction marks one of the most significant offerings of superhero art in recent history, capturing the climactic battle between Superman and the monstrous Doomsday."
Collectors can now download the "Death of Superman" Auction Catalogue with a special note from Fishler that discusses the legendary comic's impact on the marketplace.

ComicConnect has already broken previous sales records with "Death of Superman" artwork, with original art from Action #686's "Funeral for a Friend: Part 6" setting a new high for Jackson Guice's work.

"This is more than just art—it's a cultural milestone," added Fishler. ""These original pages represent the raw creative energy behind that phenomenon. We're honored to bring this complete set to auction, allowing a new generation of enthusiasts to connect with the legacy of the Last Son of Krypton!"

ComicConnect's "Death of Superman" Original Art Auction Adds Rare Logo in Final Week!

ComicConnect's "Death of Superman" Special Edition Art Auction is entering its final week, with lots closing on Sunday, April 12th — now featuring the rare original art of the "Bloody S" Superman Logo showcased on the black polybag for 1992's record-shattering Superman #75!

The "Death of Superman" Art Auction has already made headlines for offering the near-complete epic artwork from Dan Jurgens' which became the defining moment in DC Comics' groundbreaking "Death of Superman" event.

Now the auction features the original illustration from DC Art Department designer Mike Sellers, who worked from an original sketch by legendary writer and editor Mike Carlin, who passed the initial illustration on to Ed Bolkus, who was then the Art Director in DC's Marketing & Advertising division. Bolkus would complete the final design, and then sell the piece to a private collector.

This shocking "bloody" take on the Superman emblem would become the symbol that embodied the entire concept of DC's "Death of Superman" event. Over thirty years later, the design instantly recalls all the impact of the historical issue, with the disturbing "S" used for the black polybag of the issue's popular "Memorial" edition, serving as the first image seen by most comic collectors upon the book's historic release. The design was also used in promotional marketing, creating an abundance of early hype leading to the dramatic event.

"I chose to sell this piece because of the amazing collection of works already in ComicConnect's 'Death of Superman' auction," said original art collector Keith Veronese. "Why not have so many cultural touchstones of original art up for auction at the same time and in the same place? Maybe the piece should be in a museum, or maybe someone wants the challenge of putting the original art for Superman #75 back together as a cornerstone of what would be one of the greatest comic book collections of all time?"

Superman #75, of course, made history as the issue that killed off Superman and set up the continuing "Funeral for a Friend" and "Reign of the Supermen" crossover stories that ran between many popular DC titles. Superman #75 sold over 6 million copies, as Jurgens' outstanding original art changed comics history.

"Who wouldn't be a fan of the 'Death of Superman' storyline?" added Veronese. "It was national news. Your local news station was sending reporters to comic book shops to cover the event. The bloody Superman logo is really a touchstone from one of the last times that those of us in North America and the world shared a common culture."

Much of the original art from the "Death of Superman" stories has since been acquired by collectors, with the original pages presented here becoming available for the first time since 1993. ComicConnect has already broken previous sales records with "Death of Superman" artwork — with this auction offering a 45-day interest-free Time Payment Plan, as the heated bidding on these vital pieces begins to close on Sunday, April 12, starting at 7 pm EST!

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