Comics

Once considered a niche form of entertainment, comic art and graphic novels have fought for recognition as legitimate art forms, gaining significant attention and value in the art world today. It is recognized as the ninth art, with original illustrations and graphic novels breaking records at major art auctions. In 2014, a hand-drawn Tintin page by Hergé sold for a staggering 2.5 million euros, proving that comic art is now a serious investment for collectors.

Many believe that comic books originated in America in 1896 with the creation of Yellow Kid, but the roots of graphic storytelling go even deeper. In the 1830s, Swiss artist Rudolphe Töpffer pioneered the concept of "mixed literature," blending evolving drawings with engaging narratives—an early form of what we now call the graphic novel.

While comic strips gained mass popularity in the U.S. during the early 20th century, driven by the fierce competition between publishing giants Hearst and Pulitzer, it was in the 1930s that the industry truly exploded. This era, often referred to as the Golden Age of Comics, saw the birth of legendary superheroes like Superman and Batman and the rise of iconic publishers Marvel and DC Comics.

In Europe, the Franco-Belgian school of comics flourished between the 1930s and 1950s, introducing some of the most beloved characters in comic history. Visionary artists like Hergé, creator of Tintin, and Franquin, the mastermind behind Spirou, shaped the artistic landscape of the time. Once considered primarily for younger readers, graphic novels took on a more mature and sophisticated direction from the 1960s onward, embracing bold themes and breaking away from puritanical constraints.

Comic art further cemented its place in art history thanks to the pioneers of pop art. Mel Ramos, Andy Warhol, and above all, Roy Lichtenstein, transformed elements of comic strips into high art. In 1961, Lichtenstein painted one of his most famous works, Look Mickey, a piece that marked the first time an artist used comic strip elements in a fine art context. This work had a decisive impact on Lichtenstein's career and pop art as a whole.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Pacific, manga, a form of graphic novel closely related to comics, quickly rose to prominence. Although it did not establish itself in France until the late 1990s, manga traces its origins back to the early 20th century. The master of Japanese printmaking, Hokusai, is said to be at the origins of manga (which comes from the word for 'sketches' or 'light image'). Inspired by traditional Kabuki arts and the Ehon and Emaki illustrations, manga saw immense success due to constant developments in the press.

Kitazawa Rakuten, a household name in manga, is widely recognized as the creator of the first school of graphic novels in Japan, which boasts an impressive array of talented alumni: Naoki Urasawa, Tezuka Osamu, Tatsumi Yoshihiro, and Otomo Katsuhiro.

Explore the complex and surprising world of the 9th art with this unique modern selection of paintings, full editions, and drawings. Discover the works of the best-known artists, alongside young emerging talents like Lenil Yu, David Leroi, and Lucio Forte.

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Fine Art Drawings, Strip Tease 1, Nagsoul

Strip Tease 1

Nagsoul

Fine Art Drawings - 45 x 37 cm Fine Art Drawings - 17.7 x 14.6 inch

$1,404

Print, Bug III, Enki Bilal

Bug III

Enki Bilal

Print - 50 x 40 x 1 cm Print - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

$608

Painting, L'an 2000, Robert Combas

L'an 2000

Robert Combas

Painting - 65 x 120 x 4 cm Painting - 25.6 x 47.2 x 1.6 inch

$58,500

Sculpture, Batman Steel, S2Bart

Batman Steel

S2Bart

Sculpture - 25 x 21 x 20 cm Sculpture - 9.8 x 8.3 x 7.9 inch

$1,638

Painting, Hey ho let's go, Rico Sab

Hey ho let's go

Rico Sab

Painting - 120 x 150 x 2.5 cm Painting - 47.2 x 59.1 x 1 inch

$1,755

Painting, Titi et Grosminet, Fat

Titi et Grosminet

Fat

Painting - 120 x 100 x 2 cm Painting - 47.2 x 39.4 x 0.8 inch

$4,446

Painting, Sans titre, Erró

Sans titre

Erró

Painting - 170 x 117 x 1 cm Painting - 66.9 x 46.1 x 0.4 inch

$41,535

Painting, Elmer fusil, Fat

Elmer fusil

Fat

Painting - 80 x 80 x 3 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 1.2 inch

$2,340

Painting, Two, Albena Vatcheva

Two

Albena Vatcheva

Painting - 34.5 x 34.5 x 2 cm Painting - 13.6 x 13.6 x 0.8 inch

$673 $640

Painting, Sanpli, Dezache

Sanpli

Dezache

Painting - 45 x 45 x 0.5 cm Painting - 17.7 x 17.7 x 0.2 inch

$676

Painting, G80049373C, Wo$h

G80049373C

Wo$h

Painting - 60 x 60 x 3 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 1.2 inch

$936

Painting, G80049339C, Wo$h

G80049339C

Wo$h

Painting - 60 x 60 x 3 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 1.2 inch

$936

Painting, Mister Duck, Stoz

Mister Duck

Stoz

Painting - 40 x 29 x 9 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.4 x 3.5 inch

$351

Painting, Spiderman, Seen

Spiderman

Seen

Painting - 105 x 105 x 3 cm Painting - 41.3 x 41.3 x 1.2 inch

$14,040

Print, Pffff, Philippe Geluck

Pffff

Philippe Geluck

Print - 85 x 70 cm Print - 33.5 x 27.6 inch

$2,281

Painting, Angry Mickey, Shake

Angry Mickey

Shake

Painting - 19.5 x 15.5 x 0.1 cm Painting - 7.7 x 6.1 x 0 inch

$643

Painting, Sweet Dream$, Daru

Sweet Dream$

Daru

Painting - 6.63 x 15.6 x 0.1 cm Painting - 2.6 x 6.1 x 0 inch

$585

Painting, JO Paris 2024, Rico Sab

JO Paris 2024

Rico Sab

Painting - 130 x 195 x 2.5 cm Painting - 51.2 x 76.8 x 1 inch

$2,340

Painting, Darth Vader, Tarek

Darth Vader

Tarek

Painting - 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

$3,744

Painting, Caméléon, Onemizer

Caméléon

Onemizer

Painting - 146 x 114 x 2 cm Painting - 57.5 x 44.9 x 0.8 inch

$22,113

Painting, D29295267C, Wo$h

D29295267C

Wo$h

Painting - 60 x 60 x 3 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 1.2 inch

$1,170

Painting, D29295125C, Wo$h

D29295125C

Wo$h

Painting - 60 x 60 x 3 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 1.2 inch

$1,170

Painting, D29295124C, Wo$h

D29295124C

Wo$h

Painting - 60 x 60 x 3 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 1.2 inch

$1,170

Painting, Aquaman, Mr Brainwash

Aquaman

Mr Brainwash

Painting - 126.5 x 96.5 x 0.1 cm Painting - 49.8 x 38 x 0 inch

$38,446

Painting, Wanted, Speedy Graphito

Wanted

Speedy Graphito

Painting - 120 x 120 x 4.5 cm Painting - 47.2 x 47.2 x 1.8 inch

$29,250

Painting, Bart Simpson, Dillon Boy

Bart Simpson

Dillon Boy

Painting - 51 x 36 x 0.2 cm Painting - 20.1 x 14.2 x 0.1 inch

$877

Painting, Homer Simpson, Dillon Boy

Homer Simpson

Dillon Boy

Painting - 51 x 36 x 0.2 cm Painting - 20.1 x 14.2 x 0.1 inch

$877

Print, Batman Arrested, Kobalt

Batman Arrested

Kobalt

Print - 70 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch

$468

Print, Playboy 50 BC, Kobalt

Playboy 50 BC

Kobalt

Print - 70 x 50 x 0.2 cm Print - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch

$468

Painting, D29295120C, Wo$h

D29295120C

Wo$h

Painting - 85 x 85 x 3.5 cm Painting - 33.5 x 33.5 x 1.4 inch

$1,404

Painting, No more rules, Gripe

No more rules

Gripe

Painting - 90 x 135 x 0.2 cm Painting - 35.4 x 53.1 x 0.1 inch

$2,340

Painting, Sexy marge, Jug

Sexy marge

Jug

Painting - 100 x 70 x 4 cm Painting - 39.4 x 27.6 x 1.6 inch

$936