Jim Steranko Casts a Shadow Over Heritage!

DALLAS, TEXAS: One of the most popular heroes ever to appear in pulps and on the radio was The Shadow, a dark avenger created by the prolific wordsmith Walter B. Gibson, who knew "what evil lurks in the hearts of men." Appearing in over 330 pulp stories and more than 21 seasons of half-hour radio shows, The Shadow has been perennially popular since his debut on radio in 1932, appearing most recently in a 1994 blockbuster starring Alec Baldwin.

Although the Shadow's pulp career ended in 1949, he enjoyed a brief revival in the 1970s thanks to a series of Pyramid paperbacks featuring cover paintings by legendary illustrator Jim Steranko. These paintings, at once both reminiscent of the "blood and thunder" pulps of the 1930s and yet thoroughly modern, have become legendary in the three decades since their publication.

"The original art for the Shadow paperback covers has never been offered for public sale," said Ed Jaster, Vice-President for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries, "as, to the best of my knowledge, it has all remained in the possession of the artist. Here, however, we're pleased to offer the next best thing, an incredible Shadow painting by the master himself, Jim Steranko."

"We're not sure what the original purpose of this painting was," said Jaster, "but there's no denying the power and the mastery inherent in it. Based on George Rozen's original cover painting for the November 1, 1936 issue of The Shadow magazine, which featured a story titled, 'Partners in Peril,' this is the Shadow at his best, eyes burning and guns blazing. In fact, Steranko has signed the canvas, 'Steranko after Rozen' in the bottom left. This is, potentially, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fans of both Jim Steranko and of the Shadow, Master of Men!"

Jim Steranko - The Shadow Painting Original Art (undated):
Estimate: $50,000 & up

Jim Steranko - The Shadow Painting Original Art (undated) will be offered in Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Comics Signature Auction, to be held August 10 -12, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. For more information, please visit www.HA.com/Comics.

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.

Heritage specializes in rare, high-grade comic books, as well as vintage comic and animation art, illustration art, classic toys, movie posters and comics-related collectibles.

Prospective consignors and sellers of top-end comics material, toys, and original art are invited to call Ed Jaster at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 288 or Lon Allen at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 261 to discuss their rare comics and original illustration and comic art. Or visit www.HA.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Ed Jaster at EdJ@HA.com or Lon Allen at LonA@HA.com.

Music and Hollywood memorabilia collectors should contact Doug Norwine at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 452 or email DougN@HA.com.

Movie poster consignors please call Grey Smith at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 367 or email GreySm@HA.com.

To reserve your copy of a catalog for any upcoming Heritage auction, please contact Nicole Jewell, c/o Heritage Auction Galleries, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219, or call 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272.