LOT #92018 |
Sold on Feb 27, 2026 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
Fred Ray Action Comics #51 Superman Cover Original Art (DC, 1942)....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Sold on Feb 27, 2026 for:
$312,500.00
Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder
Description
Fred Ray Action Comics #51 Superman Cover Original Art (DC, 1942). Armed only with a squirt gun and a "foolproof plot," the Prankster made his leering debut on this smashing cover. While not exactly one of Superman's most powerful foes, he would have enough staying power to be a recurring character through the 1940s-50s. The Prankster was the second major Superman supervillain to grab the limelight on an Action Comics cover. Comics historian Les Daniels wrote about the Mirthful Miscreant's appeal: "A key ingredient in the success of Superman during what is now called the Golden Age of comic books was a sense of humor. 'There was a spirit of fun in the thing' said Jerry Siegel. 'And as a matter of fact, Joe and I, when we first started going into comics, had intended to do a comedy strip. So we were very comedy oriented, and that's why Superman did have this comic flair to it.' Superman couldn't be defeated, but he could be deflated, and many of the most memorable enemies of his early years were clowns. The earliest opponent to really play for laughs was the Prankster. A corny practical joker who considered himself 'the funniest man in the world,' the Prankster had a bulbous body, a scrawny neck, and a goofy gap-toothed grin -- think Mr. Mxyzptlk meets Alfred E. Neuman! Time and again, the Prankster's needling hurt Superman more than a dozen death rays." Fred Ray's portrayal of Superman bursting through a brick wall, drawn using dynamic foreshortening, is magnificent. Created twice-up scale in ink over graphite on Bristol board with an image area of 12.5" x 17.5". The logo, all cover text, and trade dressing are original stat paste-ups. The marvelous work is toned, befitting its age of 70+ years, and it displays several whiteout corrections. Despite this typical seasoning, the art presents nicely in Very Good condition, which is quite compelling for such a vintage piece.More information about Fred Ray. See also: Ray, Fred Artist. Lookup the Comic Book in our Guide
Auction Info
2026 February 27 - March 1 Comic Art Signature® Auction #7462 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
Feb-Mar, 2026
27th-1st
Friday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 46
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,048
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% of the successful bid per lot.
Jerry Weist's Comic Art Price Guide 2011
Want to know more about this artist? Dates, history, background, and value ranges are covered in the comprehensive new guide. Order Now!
Want to know more about this artist? Dates, history, background, and value ranges are covered in the comprehensive new guide. Order Now!
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms