Monaco is set to turn the spotlight on comic art with a landmark auction that promises to reshape how the medium is perceived in the world of fine art. On Saturday, June 21, the Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo will host its first-ever sale dedicated exclusively to original works from the world of bande dessinée. The event brings together classic icons and rising stars of the comic art world, with a catalogue featuring pieces by Hergé, Jean Graton and Philippe Geluck. In a market where original comic pages are now fetching sums once reserved for blue-chip paintings, this auction aims to position Monaco as a serious player in the high-end art market.
The growing status of comic art is hard to ignore. Works that once sat on bedroom shelves or behind glass in private collections are now commanding six-figure prices and beyond. The 2021 sale of an original preparatory drawing by Hergé for The Blue Lotus, which fetched over 3 million euros, sent shockwaves through the art world. Monte-Carlo’s June sale is the latest proof that comic art has well and truly arrived.
Three star lots are already attracting major attention. Chief among them is an extremely rare colour cover by Hergé for Pop hop de l’Île Noire, estimated between 600,000 and 800,000 euros. Authenticated by the Hergé studios, it is one of only a handful of such works in existence and offers collectors a rare chance to acquire a cornerstone of the Tintin legacy. Also in the spotlight is a dynamic original page from Jean Graton’s Michel Vaillant series, taken from Le Pilote sans visage. Estimated at 70,000 to 80,000 euros, the panel not only showcases Graton’s mastery of movement and composition but also features Monaco’s famous Portier corner, tying the artwork back to the Principality’s own motor racing heritage. Rounding off the headline trio is a bronze sculpture of Le Chat by Philippe Geluck. Measuring 1.10 metres, it is the final piece in a series of four and was previously displayed on Monaco’s Larvotto promenade in 2022.
Beyond the headline lots, the auction will highlight a new generation of artists. Among the contemporary offerings are the original ink cover from Volume 9 of Les Rugbymen by Poupard and Béka, and drawings by Camille Méhu, the young artist behind the Yom series. More seasoned names are also represented, including David Etien with a page from Thorgal and Olivier Ledroit, who is unveiling a never-before-seen painting. The event’s goal is to appeal to both seasoned collectors and newcomers looking to invest in emerging talent, signalling a deliberate shift in how the art world values comic creators.
Collectors from around the globe are now invited to submit their own original comic works to be considered for inclusion. The Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo will offer global visibility via live online streaming on Drouot, Interenchères and Invaluable, enabling real-time participation from international buyers. It’s a call to those who own rare pieces to step forward and be part of what may become a defining moment in the market’s evolution.
This first-of-its-kind sale is more than an isolated event. It marks the beginning of what organisers hope will become an annual rendezvous in Monte-Carlo, firmly embedding comic art within the calendar of the global auction scene. By bringing together icons of the past and trailblazers of the present, Monte-Carlo is opening a new chapter where comic art is no longer a niche pursuit, but a respected and valuable segment of the international art world.
The auction will take place on Saturday, June 21 at the Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo and will be broadcast live via Drouot, Interenchères and Invaluable.
