DALLAS, TX.- A frenzy of eager bidders drove Frank Brunner's Doctor Strange No. 1 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1974) to $408,000, and an important collection kept its Promise of spectacular results to lead Heritage Auctions' near-sellout Comics & Comic Art Signature® Auction to $17,823,949 last weekend.

When Doctor Strange was published in 1974, he was not yet a major Marvel character, but he has evolved into a major figure in the Marvel Comics Universe in the nearly six decades since. The Master of the Mystic Arts has solidified his stature through his role in MCU movies, as a character in Strange Tales and ultimately in his own title, with this image fronting the premiere issue.

"For original art from the 1970s to top $400,000 is incredible," Heritage Auctions Senior Vice President Ed Jaster said. "Frank Brunner's Doctor Strange covers set an unmatched standard for the character's artwork."

Promise Collection

Meanwhile, 355 lots from the historic Promise Collection Pedigree found new homes in the Nov. 18-21 sale, reaching a total of $4.69 million. The collection earned its moniker because the young boy who assembled the collection went off to war and never returned. For decades, the books were kept safe by his brother, who promised to protect the collection if anything happened to his brother on the battlefield. The lots in this sale represent the third installment from this extraordinary trove to be offered this year through Heritage Auctions.

CHICAGO - ONLI STUDIOS LLC has confirmed there are only less than ten known original first edition copies of the landmark Graphic Novel / comic book. "NOG: The Protector of the Pyramides" in its archives.

 It is acknowledged in collector circles as the book and character that opened the door to the growing indie Black Age of Comics Movement/genre when it was published in 1981. Plus it introduced the Future-Primitif genre of Rhythmism to the worlds of Graphic Novels and Comic-Books.

 "NOG" is experiencing a heightened profile since being featured in the 2021 blockbuster group exhibition, "Chicago Comics: 1960 Until Now". Curated by Dan Nadel