Strontium Dog art by Kev Walker offered in latest Catawiki International Comic Art Auction

This week’s Catawiki International Comic Art Auction, which closes this Thursday, 26th May 2022, has some great items on offer – not only British comic art, but work by names familiar to superhero and American comic fans, too.

Of particular interest to many downthetubes readers wil, be aStrontium Dog” page by Kev Walker, first published in the 2000AD Winter Special 1988. It’s no surprise bidding is already at €200 and expected to rise.

Strontium Dog by Kev Walker - 2000AD Winter Special 1988

Escapologist Janus Stark, a character first appearing in Valiant, proved a huge hit in Europe too, some new adventures commissioned after the strip ended in the UK. Offered as one lot in this week’s auction are the original cover of the French comic, Janus Stark Special N°3 “La Nuit des Fantômes”, signed by Guido Zamperoni, published in Mon Journal in 1987; and two original pages of Janus Stark N°40 which, although uncredited, are probably drawn by Juan Garcia Quiros, published in Mon Journal in 1983. Check out the lot here.

Lambiek notes Guido Zamperoni (21st July 1912 – 30th January 2003) was an Italian comic book artist, who worked extensively for the French market, who worked a lot for Éditions Aventures et Voyages and their Mon Journal publications. His most notable creation for Mon Journal was the space series, “Sunny Sun”.

Andalucian artist Juan García Quirós, who retired from comics in the late 1980s, worked either alone or in cooperation with his brother, José Luis. He’ll be no stranger to British comic fans, credited as artist on strips such as “Galaxus”, for Buster, and “Janus Stark”.

A caricature of Will Eisner’s The Spirit, by Jordi Bernet, creator of Torpedo – and there’s an illustration of that character on offer by Bernet, too

Another great piece of art from the series, Historia corta del Oeste”, drawn by longtime EAGLE artist Luis Bermejo, published in the 1980s.

“Historia corta del Oeste”, drawn by longtime EAGLE artist Luis Bermejo

A tribute to Franco-Belgium comics, including Asterix and Obelix, by Serrat Bernat, a veteran cartoonist, illustrator and animator. In the 1980s he advertised the Lucky Luke toy boxes of the Comansi house. He’s worked in Disney comics for different countries, published by Bruguera, including Dragons and Dungeons and many others, as well as working in animation.

A tribute to Franco-Belgium comics, including Asterix and Obelix, by Serrat Bernat

A beautiful original full colour page from the Elfquest series, “New Blood”, by Barry Blair, who one who illustrated the most Elfquest stories after Wendy Pini.

ge from the Elfquest series, “New Blood”, by Barry Blair

A closing page from an episode of the Robot Archie story, “The Lost World”, first published in Lion in 1973, art by Ted Kearon.

Robot Archie story, “The Lost World”, first published in Lion in 1973, art by Ted Kearon

A wonderful set of preparatory illustrations by Italian artist Antonio Lapone, aka Lapis, for his story, Greenwich Village, published in 2015 and, criminally, another stunning looking strip not, it appears, available in English, although you can buy the French edition here

Greenwich Village by Antonio Lapone

A drawing of X-Men’s Colossus by the hugely-popular Spanish artist and publisher, Carlos Pacheco. The drawing is on two different papers joined with adhesive tape by the artist. Anyone who knows Carlos’ work will know that this is very common in his drawings.

Colossus by Carlos Pacheco

Explore the making of a graphic album, with a set consisting of three original illustrations drawn by Al Séverin, project AVEN (storyline and plates) and a pencil illustration entitled “Le Serpent Doré”.

  • a set consisting of 3 original illustrations drawn by Al Séverin, project AVEN
  • a set consisting of 3 original illustrations drawn by Al Séverin, project AVEN
  • a set consisting of 3 original illustrations drawn by Al Séverin, project AVEN
  • a set consisting of 3 original illustrations drawn by Al Séverin, project AVEN
  • a set consisting of 3 original illustrations drawn by Al Séverin, project AVEN
  • a set consisting of 3 original illustrations drawn by Al Séverin, project AVEN

This week’s Catawiki International Comic Art Auction closes this Thursday, 26th May 2022, at 7.00pm – check out the full catalogue here

Potential Additional International Auction Costs

This advice box was last updated on Friday 6th May 2022

The UK’s departure from the European Union means there may be additional import duties on sales.

Prior to Brexit, the effective rate of UK tax on imports of art was 5%, which is lower than most other European countries. An owner could previously import an artwork to the UK from outside the EU and was then free to transport it to other EU countries, where the import tax rates may be higher, without incurring any further import-related tax charges. If the owner then wished to bring the artwork back to the UK, there would also have been no further tax charge.

The Guardian previously reported that online orders up to £135 are now supposed to have the UK’s prevailing VAT rate added at the point of sale by the EU retailer, which has to have registered with HM Revenue & Customs.

While buying from European sellers carries the sting of larger costs, the auction house Catawiki does now endeavour to provide an estimate of those in its lot descriptions.

Unfortunately, many smaller EU-based retailers have decided that the paperwork of collecting UK VAT is not worth the hassle and as a result will no longer supply UK consumers. It has also meant that some British sellers will no longer export to Europe.

This apolitical guide outlines what you should be aware of when buying or selling art internationally but is a work in progress

Don’t forget Catawiki runs several regular auctions, including a dedicated US Comics auction, too – check out all the current lots on offer here



Categories: 2000AD, Art and Illustration, Auctions, British Comics, Comic Art, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Other Worlds

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