Hake’s to Auction Part 1 of the Lawrence Klein Collection of Vintage Comics and Original Comic Art, Sept. 28-Oct. 21

Top lots include original Todd McFarlane artwork for Amazing Spider-Man #302 and #304, a first-printing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 graded CGC/JSA 9.8, and Neal Adams cover art for World’s Finest #209

York, PA — September 2026 — Hake’s is presenting Part 1 of the Lawrence Klein collection in an online-only timed auction, with bidding opening Monday, September 28 at 9am ET and all lots beginning to close on Wednesday, October 21 at 9:40pm ET. The 233-lot sale showcases an extraordinary assemblage of vintage comic books and original comic book art assembled by one of the hobby’s most dedicated and knowledgeable collectors.

Lawrence Klein developed his passion for comics early, attending New York City conventions as a child with his father, where he met creators and began building relationships throughout the industry. His first piece of original art, Neal Adams cover art for World’s Finest #209, purchased for $75 at a convention in the early 1980s, set him on a lifelong path as both collector and advocate. Klein later founded the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) in 2001 and launched the MoCCA Arts Festival in 2002, an event that drew more than 2,000 artists, publishers, editors, and enthusiasts in its inaugural year. A special section of the auction features mementos from MoCCA shows and early Ramapo Comic Con events, many bearing original sketches from Art Spiegelman, Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, and other artists, with proceeds benefiting the Center for Cartoon Studies, the HERO Initiative, the Berkshire Humane Society, and the Berkshire Art Association.

Original Comic Art

Lots 161 and 162 are a pair of artboards featuring original work by Todd McFarlane, each obtained in person from the artist at a San Diego Comic-Con. Lot 161 is pen-and-ink artwork for Amazing Spider-Man #302 (Marvel Comics, July 1988), a four-panel page showing Spider-Man web-swinging past research laboratories into a construction site, estimated at $50,000+. Multi-signed reading copies of the respective comic books are included with each lot, signed by McFarlane, inker Joe Rubinstein, letterer Rick Parker, and editor Jim Salicrup.

Lot 162 is original pencil art for Amazing Spider-Man #304 (Marvel Comics, Sept. 1988), with inks by Joe Rubinstein, showing a close-up of a hand holding a copy of the book Webs. Estimate: $75,000+

Lot 70 presents Neal Adams’ original pen-and-ink art for the cover of World’s Finest #209 (DC Comics, Feb. 1972), the very piece that first drew Klein into the world of original comic art. The cover illustrates Mike Friedrich’s “Meet The Tempter…And Die” story, depicting Superman and Hawkman dangling over fire from puppeteer strings. The lot includes a copy of the comic signed by Adams on the cover. Estimate: $50,000+

Lot 77 is an 11-by-17-inch artboard with original art by Michael Allred for Batman Black And White #4 (DC Comics, Feb. 2014), depicting Page 7 of the Allreds’ “Tea-Minus Party” story: Batman crashing through a glass skylight onto a paralyzed Mad Hatter, Tweedledum, Tweedledee, and the Mayor’s kidnapped son. The board bears the Madman Comics studio ink stamp and a pencil signature by Allred. Estimate: $5,000+

Lot 81 is the DC Comics artboard with pen-and-ink original art by Jim Aparo (1932-2005) for the title splash page of Batman And The Outsiders #5 (DC Comics, Dec. 1983), featuring Batman, Halo, Geo-Force, Robin, Cyborg, Raven, Terra, and Dr. Jace in Mike W. Barr and Marv Wolfman’s “Psimon Says…” The board is signed in blue ink by Barr and in black ink by Aparo and was obtained directly from Aparo prior to publication. Estimate: $15,000+

Lot 88 features original art penciled by Pat Broderick and inked by Bob Smith for the cover of Detective Comics #551 (DC Comics, June 1985). The “Chaos Is The Calendar Man!” cover, for Doug Moench’s “The First Day Of Spring” Batman story, shows Batman and Robin dodging sharpened projectiles from the Calendar Man. The board is signed at lower left by Broderick and carries colored-pencil notations on the reverse. Estimate: $20,000+

Lot 114 presents original art penciled by Mike Grell with layout by Alex Saviuk for the cover of Green Lantern Vol. 2 #102 (DC Comics, March 1978), showing Green Lantern frozen within a Time-Null Zone as Green Arrow faces an airlock. Grell signed the art at lower left with a “Bestest!” inscription. Estimate: $20,000+

Lot 115 is Tom Grindberg’s original pen-and-ink art for the cover of Silver Surfer Vol. 3 #102 (Marvel Comics, March 1995), depicting the Silver Surfer blasted from his board by Galactus. The lot includes a multi-signed reading copy of the comic, signed in silver paint pen by Grindberg and on Page 1 by inker Bill Anderson. Estimate: $10,000+

Lot 120 is a DC Comics Sparta artboard with original pencil art by Ed Hannigan and inks by Klaus Janson for the cover of World’s Finest #293 (DC Comics, July 1983), showing Superman and Batman battling the debut villains Null and Void. The art was obtained directly from Janson in February 1984, and an EGS 9.0 graded copy of the issue signed by both Hannigan and Janson is included. Estimate: $10,000+

Vintage Comics

The auction opens with Lot 1, a copy of Gobbledygook #1 (Mirage Studios, 1984), graded CGC 9.4 and featuring the first appearance of Fugitoid. The book was authenticated and signed on the interior cover by Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and its back cover carries an advertisement for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 that pre-dates the Turtles’ comic book debut. Estimate: $100,000+

Lot 3 is a first-printing copy of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (Mirage Studios, 1984), graded CGC/JSA 9.8 NM/MINT and featuring the origin and first appearances of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Splinter, and Shredder. The story and art were created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, both of whom signed authenticated autographs on the interior front cover. No first-printing copy of this issue has been graded higher. Estimate: $100,000+

Lot 18 is original pen-and-ink comic book page artwork, with inkwash accents, by Eastman and Laird for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 (Mirage Studios, 1985). Page 10 shows all four Turtles alongside the Fugitoid as he introduces himself as Professor Honeycutt. This artwork has remained in a private collection for 40 years and is offered at public auction for the first time. Estimate: $30,000+

The fully illustrated catalog is available now at Hake’s Auctions.