Jim Lee DC Original Comic Art for Charity – auctions 41-50

It took one month and a half to go from auction #40 to #50 (May, 20 to July, 03), work started again everywhere and probably Jim was slowed by deadlines like everybody else.

You’re reading part 5 in a series of articles analyzing Jim Lee’s Original Comic Art Auctions. Auctions benefit Comic Book stores in need during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is an overview of auctions #41-50.

If you’re new here and want to start from the beginning here’s part One:

Jim Lee original art for charity 1-10,

part Two:

Jim Lee original art for charity 11-20.

part Three:

Jim Lee Original Art for charity 21-30.

and part Four:

Jim Lee Original Art for charity 31-40.

And if you want to follow the live auctions here’s a link to:

Jim’s eBay page.

(And before we start, if you’re a comic art collector, why don’t you subscribe to the Original Comic Art Tips newsletter? A weekly dose of auction results analysis and new auctions highlights. Just go to the homepage, or if you want to read the latest issue click on the Archive button in the upper menu.)

Jim Lee is painting!

The last 20 drawings were headsketches, a choice made to draw faster after many cover quality illustrations, but as we know many headsketches were as detailed as a full illustration (and some were indeed more than a “head”).

For these latest ten drawings he chose to do full painted art, often also varying techniques. Shots are also varied, I count 3 headshots, 5 full figures, a waist-up and a bust.

We have a new record.

Painted art, and more well known characters chosen, helped auctions #41-50 reach a new record, with more than $133k raised. #50 is also a new record for a single auction, with $22,100. All of the ten auctions went over $7,5k. Flashpoint Batman (#50) is perfect for a record, a painted depiction of Batman in a classic Jim Lee pose. The old record price was for #34, Ace the Bat Hound, sold for $20,100. It probably made a record because we had a Batman bust in the background, this time we had a full Batman with no strange costumes, and it paid.

It is also worth noting that #49 is a classic Superman pose, and it made $14k despite being a bust shot, drawing top characters is always the best choice to raise more.

Let’s do the Math.

As you can see from the chart the total raised goes over $500k ($525,857.00), and judging from the average auction prices #60 will probably take the total raised for charity to over $600k (not counting art donated by other artists), not bad at all.

Now that we’re almost at the end we can see the trends, auctions #1-10 went up slowly, as more people heard the news of Jim Lee drawing and selling original art.

Then auctions #11-20 all went really high, with the news that DC will publish the art (both as single variant covers and in a volume) fans started offering more, and Jim went from “quicker” drawings to cover quality pieces.

Auctions #21-40 were mostly headshots, so the average price went down again, rising then for the last ten painted pieces. We’ll see in a few weeks how will it end, I’m expecting a bang, at least for #60, the last auction.

#41 of 60: Brainiac – sold for $11,100

Brainiac was the first of ten painted pieces, he’s probably not a character with many sketch requests, but Jim managed to squeeze tiny headsketches of the entire DC Universe inside the main drawing making it fun to look at.

“Sketches 41-50 may be a little different than the rest as we try some mixed media. This Sketch of Brainiac, arch nemesis to Superman is pencil, pen, ink and whiteout on board.”

#42 of 60: Batman the Merciless – Sold for $8,101

This is the first of many characters in this chart I’ve never heard of, I feel a bit old, or at least a lot behind in DC Comics reading… Still this is a full figure painting of a Batman universe character, raising $8k.

“This watercolor and acrylic painting is of Batman the Merciless”

#43 of 60: Batman and Hush – Sold for $17,100

This one is my favorite of the ten, great depiction of both characters and choice of colors. The third highest price, going over several full figure drawings, thanks to the characters depicted.

“This 9×12” watercolor showcases Hush and his arch nemesis, sole focus of obsession—Batman!”

#44 of 60: Lynx II – Sold for $7,850

almost a full figure shot, a different approach with an abstract background. The lowest final price of this group of auctions, ending just below $8k, not bad at all.

#45 of 60: Wonder Woman – Sold for $15,001

The second highest bidder for this piece offered $14,999… just imagine his face when he lost the auction for two dollars. That’s why you should always offer a few dollars more if you want to win an auction, with a maximum bid of $15k he had to offer something like $15,020.

Speaking about the art, this Wonder Woman portrait looks looser (and probably quicker) than the other paintings, but still able to raise that incredible sum.

“This is watercolor, some acrylic and ink on 9×12” Auquarelle cold pressed 300 pound paper!”

#46 of 60: Saint Batman, Knightfall – Sold for $12,100

A full figure depiction of Batman means $12k raised. Great one.

“Saint Batman from The Dark Multiverse Knightfall storyline. This watercolor original art is on 300# Aquarelle cold pressed 9×12” board.”

#47 of 60: Armored Batman – Sold for $17,601

This one is tight and detailed, I’m sure it will become a cover. A full figure illustration of Batman in his armored version, the second highest price of this chart.

Read what Jim has to say about future auctions:

“ARMORED BATMAN! Committed to finishing my 60 sketches over 60 days after an extended break. This is the homestretch, in 13 days, this campaign will end so if you’re an art collector looking to join in on the fundraising fun—these are the last sketches incoming. 4 more watercolors followed by 10 traditional pen and ink sketches. Watercolor on 300# cold pressed paper.”

#48 of 60: Punchline – Sold for $7,855

Nice one, Jim also put a Batman head in the background to reach a higher price, but it probably wasn’t noticed by many bidders. Still it made almost $8k.

“Punchline is the latest addition to Batman’s rogue’s gallery which is arguably the greatest in all of fiction. 9×12” watercolor on 300# board”

#49 of 60: Golden Age Superman – Sold for $14,588

Classic pose of Superman breaking chains, this one had to be a hit, and it was, raising almost $15k with a bust shot. A perfect piece for any Jim Lee fan.

#50 of 60: Batman, Flashpoint – Sold for $22,100

Jim has kept the best for the end, breaking another record with a perfect Batman illustration, lightnings and all. I think this one could sell for $50k at auction in 5 years, and this will probably be a published cover.

“Sketch 50 is the last of the watercolor pieces meaning we have 10 left in this overall series of 60 sketches! Homestretch now with 10 pen and ink pieces to go! Watercolor on 300# board”