A complete guide to original art: how to recognize, evaluate, and purchase safely.
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Original comic book plates —also known as original comic art —are one of the most fascinating segments of collecting. These aren't just prints: each plate is a unique piece , handcrafted by the artist during the comic's production.
This market is growing strongly thanks to:
- increase in value over the years
- interest of investors and collectors
- expansion of TV series and films based on comics
- greater online accessibility
In this guide, you'll discover how to recognize, evaluate, and purchase an original board with complete confidence.
What is an original board?
An original page is the physical page from which the published comic was created.
It can be made with:
- pencil
- china
- marker
- watercolor
- mixed techniques
Typical formats:
- 11×17 inches for the American comic
- A3 or similar for European comics
- Variable formats for manga and strips
Each board is unique: there are no identical copies .
How to recognize an original plate (and distinguish copies, prints, and reproductions)
1. Look at the support
The original tables are often made on:
- Bristol
- hard cardboard
- Marvel/DC specific boards
- Custom sheets with non-reproducible blue lines (do not print in the typographic process)
2. Look for the artist's “physical” signs
An original table features:
- pencil line visible under the ink
- deletions
- corrections with correction fluid
- marginal notes
- pasted clippings (in older works)
Elements that are impossible to replicate in a print.
3. Check the technique
Real ink has thickness and variation in stroke.
Laser or offset prints, on the other hand, are perfectly flat.
How do you evaluate an original table?
The value of a painting does not depend only on the artist, but on a combination of factors.
1. Artist
Some artists have an established market:
- Jim Lee
- Todd McFarlane
- Frank Miller
- Moebius / Giraud
- Milo Manara
2. Main character
A table with:
- Batman
- Spider-Man
- Deadpool
- Dylan Dog
- Tex
It can be worth 3–10x more than a board without iconic characters.
3. Type of table
In order of value:
- Cover (cover) → the most expensive and iconic
- Splash page → single page with high impact
- Double splash → very rare and highly sought after
- Internal table with character in the foreground
- Simple dialogue table
4. Historical importance
Examples:
- first appearance of a character
- iconic board mentioned by fans
- key moments in history
5. State of conservation
A board may have defects, but:
- Creases, stains, cuts and yellowing lower the value
- artist's corrections enhance it (they are part of the story of the piece!)
How to buy an original board safely
1. Buy from serious and verticalized shops
Specialized sites like loveoriginalart.com offer:
- curated selection
- verified provenance
- guarantees of authenticity
This differentiates you from generic marketplaces like eBay.
2. Request high-resolution photos
It is used to verify:
- treatment
- ink texture
- any adjustments
3. Ask about the provenance
The clearer the story, the greater the value.
4. Avoid untrustworthy sellers
Especially if:
- they do not provide detailed photos
- they do not accept traceable payments
- they have no verifiable feedback
The original tables as an investment
The market recorded an increase in average value, thanks to:
- popularity of Marvel and DC at the cinema
- contemporary artists who have become iconic
- increased international demand
- interest of CGC comic collectors who diversify on original art
Art by artists like Jim Lee , Miller , McFarlane are often worth more than their CGC counterparts today.
Conclusions: why collect original plates?
Original plates are unique, non-replicable, and often increase in value.
For many collectors they represent the true creative heart of comics.
loveoriginalart.com can become a point of reference thanks to authoritative content like this.
