Posted By Dan Greenfield on Jul 28, 2024 | 1 comment

A BIRTHDAY SALUTE to the late, great, Bat-artist, born 109 years ago, on July 28, 1915…

Usually, for Dick Sprang’s birthday, we’ll run a selection of 13 COVERS or 13 SPLASH PAGES. That sort of thing.

But this year, we’re doing something a little different: Our pal Bill Morrison has a special salute to Sprang debuting in tomorrow’s MORRISON MONDAYS feature.

Since this is the actual birthday, however, we wanted to tide you over with a gorgeous piece of art by Sprang himself from 1990 — once part of the collection of punk and heavy metal star Glenn Danzig.

Sink your claws into this:

The illustration was sold through Heritage Auctions in 2019 for $4,560, including buyer’s premium. That’s a bargain!

Here’s the official description:

Dick Sprang – Catwoman Illustration Original Art (1990). The lovely feline felon is reclining with her favorite cat-o-nine-tails… only, this cat’s got some claws! The signature credits a “tip of the cowl to Milton Caniff”, and the reverse of the board bears a signed statement from Sprang that he produced this piece in Prescott, AZ, in July 1990. Sprang’s commissions and recreations immediately stand out as the very best by a Golden Age great, as they are inked and colored to perfection. Rendered in ink and opaque watercolor, this work is signed in the lower left of the 20.5″ x 9.5″ image area on the 22.25″ x 11.5″ illustration board. Minor toning and handling wear. In Very Good condition. From the Glenn Danzig Collection.

Mee-YOW!

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MORE

— DETECTIVE COMICS: The Great DICK SPRANG Cover That Should Have Been. Click here.

— 13 COVERS: A DICK SPRANG Birthday Celebration — 2023 Edition. Click here.