Luis Royo ‘Dreams’ Masterpiece Leads Heritage Auctions International Comic Art Auction

One of Luis Royo’s best-known fantasy paintings is heading to auction for the first time as the centerpiece of Heritage Auctions’ International Comic Art Signature Auction on October 24-25. Royo’s Los Hilos de los Sueños was created in 1999 for the cover of his publication Dreams, which was released in several countries including the United States, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Russia. The image reached an even wider audience when it appeared on the cover of the November 2000 issue of Heavy Metal magazine and was subsequently reproduced on calendars, collectible cards, posters and other merchandise.

Despite the image’s widespread use, the original painting has remained with Royo since its creation. Heritage says it has never previously been offered on the market and will make its auction debut during the sale’s Platinum Session.

“This is a rare opportunity to own one of Royo’s best-known fantasy works,” Delflas says. “Royo has retained this exceptional painting in his personal collection since its creation. Never previously offered on the market, it makes its auction debut exclusively at Heritage Auctions.”

The Royo painting leads an auction that brings together original artwork from American, European, British and Japanese comic traditions. Another major Spanish work comes directly from the personal collection of Manuel Pérez Clemente, better known as Sanjulián. His Vampirella World painting explores Vampirella through the different artistic styles and periods that have shaped the character’s history in comics.

American underground comics are represented by Charles Burns’ 1986 Big Baby, Curse of the Molemen RAW cover. The image features Tony “Big Baby” Delmonto, the seemingly innocent child whose world of violence and monsters helped Burns explore themes he would continue developing in later work including Black Hole.

The auction also includes a 1989 original Iron Man illustration by Moebius, also known as Jean Giraud. Heritage describes the work as an alternate composition of Marvel’s Armored Avenger that brings together American superhero imagery and European graphic storytelling. Other Moebius material includes his interpretation of Don Quixote de la Mancha and a Superman, the Man of Steel lithograph originally produced in an edition of just 45 copies. Modern superhero art is represented by Jim Lee and Scott Williams’ original cover for Batman/Spawn No. 1 from the 2023 crossover.

Albert Uderzo is another major name in the auction, with an original 1972 Pilote cover introducing Astérix and the Soothsayer alongside a page from Astérix the Legionary, the album that introduced Falbala. Heritage pointed to two major Uderzo results from its April International Comic Art auction as context for the upcoming sale. The cover painting for Les Lauriers de César sold for $450,000, while a page from Astérix Chez Les Helvètes No. 16 reached $212,500, which Heritage described as an auction record for an Astérix story page.

Another European highlight is Enrico Marini’s fully painted cover for Rapaces II. The image depicts Camilla and Drago overlooking New York at night and served as a defining visual for the urban vampire series.

Heritage is also making Japanese manga a larger part of the International Comic Art sale. The auction house says the October catalog contains its largest-ever selection of original manga pages and artwork. Among those pieces is a 1986 Astro Boy shikishi by Osamu Tezuka that comes with a Certificate of Registration. The auction also includes original material from Toshiharu Mizutani, including Volume 2 of the 12-volume script he used while serving as art director on the 1988 animated film Akira.

British comic art is represented by Bryan Talbot’s title page for Nemesis the Warlock, Book IV: The Gothic Empire, Part 20. The page comes from the conclusion of The Gothic Empire and depicts Torquemada’s calculated self-sacrifice.

Heritage’s International Comic Art Signature Auction takes place October 24-25, bringing together original fantasy paintings, superhero covers, European comic art, British works and Japanese manga.