In 1962, Bill Steinfelt traded a pile of comic books for a painting of Batman done by artist Mel Ramos. Little did Steinfelt know that that painting would one day be on the auction block for thousands of dollars.
“He had all of these comic books drawn up quite well,” said Steinfelt. “When I went to leave later that month he wanted a bunch of my comic books. I didn’t want to sell my collection, but I said ‘I’ll take one of your drawings and you can have these comic books.’ He had a bunch of them, but I thought this was the best one.”
Mel Ramos did a series of paintings based on comic books, and this take on Batman had been considered missing for years until Steinfelt put A Sinister Figure Lurks in the Shadows on the auction block.
“This painting of Batman not only epitomizes the truly incredible talents of Mel Ramos, but also exudes the simplicity and invincibility of all comic book heroes with whom we have grown to love,” said Leon Benrimon, Director of Modern & Contemporary Art at Heritage Auctions, New York. “This work poignantly reveals one of Ramos’ five missing paintings from his comic book series, the artist’s first mature body of work. It’s got a great story to tell.”
A Sinister Figure Lurks in the Shadows goes on the auction block on November 14, 2015, and is expected to bring in more than $100,000. So if you money burning a hole in your pocket, and want to make an investment in comic related art, check out the auction from Heritage Auctions.
