Leo Baxendale’s “Super Comic” art returns to auction, Bob Kane “Batman” sketch, too

By John Freeman on April 1, 2025

The title page of Beano artist Leo Baxendale’s “Super Comic” that, sadly, never happened, is up for sale again next week, part of Surrey-based auction house Ewbank’s upcoming Comic Books Auction on 9th April 2025.

Cover art for Leo Baxendale’s unpublished “Super Comic” (Date unknown, auctioned by Ewbank’s in December 2023)

The art was previously sold by Ewbank’s in 2023, one of several artworks from the proposed project from the creator of “The Bash Street Kids” and “The Three Bears”, “Minnie the Minx”, and Wham! comic.

Writing in his autobiography, A Very Funny Business, Leo Baxendale, who died in 2017, revealed how he conceived the idea of a monthly comic – the Super Comic.

“Monthly comics are common enough in America, but not in Britain,” he explained. “My intention was that four week’s work poured into one issue would produce a truly super-comic. I circulated publishers with the idea, and Odhams took it as an affront.”

The upcoming Ewbank’s Comic Books Auction includes other art, such as Vampirella illustrations by Del Naya, and Red Sonja art by Marcio Abreu, alongside hundreds of comic lots, including early Marvel Comics, a complete set of all 30 issues of Marvel UK’s Captain Britain Weekly, 2000AD convention sketches by artists such as Neil Cameron and Rufus Dayglo, among others and more.

*Batman sketch by Bob Kane, co-creator of Batman, with writer Bill Finger*

Ewbank’s are an international auction house based in Surrey. Specialising in the sale of Jewellery, Watches, Antiques, Memorabilia, Collectables and Cars. Ewbank’s are a family run business and adhere to the highest ethical standards, dedicated to giving clients and buyers and efficient and friendly service.

With buyers and sellers all over the world, Ewbank’s hold regular specialist live and timed auctions of Jewellery, Watches, Fine and Contemporary Art, Entertainment and Memorabilia, Vintage Posters, Antiques, Modern Design, Trading Cards and Video Games, Vintage Fashion and Modern and Classic Cars. Along with the monthly Pre-Loved, Vintage and Antique Auctions.

• Ewbank’s Comic Books Auction, 9th April 2025 – Full Catalogue

You must be registered to bid

• Comics That Never Were: Leo Baxendale “Super Comic”

• Read our tribute to Leo Baxendale here

• “In Praise of… Leo Baxendale”

With thanks to Richard Sheaf for spotting the artwork

About the Author
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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.