Storied, Iconic Work of Art Was Altered by Frazetta Because He Never Warmed Up to Her Costume!
Imaged by HA
Heritage Auctions has placed Frank Frazetta’s original cover painting for Vampirella #1 onto the auction block for their February 27 to March 1, 2026 Comic Art Signature Auction.
This painting is considered one of the most iconic horror covers ever. It depicts the first official appearance of Vampirella in comics, a vampire heroine created by Forest J. Ackerman and Trina Robbins. Vampirella #1 was published in a magazine format by Warren Publishing in 1969 with this color cover and black and white interior pages.
In the late 60s, James Warren and Frank Frazetta collaborated with artist Trina Robbins to come up with the design for a sexy new horror heroine. Warren was inspired to create this type of heroine by the 1968 film Barbarella, starring Jane Fonda, which had captured the zeitgeist of pop-culture at the time with its own brand of sexy sci-fi (adapted from Jean-Claude Forest’s French comic book). Together, they came up with they came up with this deadly, yet alluring character that has been a comic book staple ever since.
Dynamite’s Tribute Cover to Frazetta’s Original Art (Example of Modern Costume)
Apparently, Frazetta wasn’t a big fan of Vampirella’s signature scantily-clad red costume and high-heeled boots. In 1991, he altered the painting to make it a nude by painting over the costume, boots, and collar. There are very faint traces left on the piece indicating that these details were removed: Vampirella’s hip has a bright red color near the top, her bare feet are boot-like with no toes, and there is a trace of her collar along the neckline. The painting signed and dated in 1991 by Frank Frazetta; the matted-area measures 21″ x 15.25.”
The painting stands at $150,000 in pre-bidding with 21 days to go.
Dynamite Entertainment is the current publisher of Vampirella. They recently released a Vampirella Helliday 2025 Special #1 (see ” ‘Vampirella Helliday 2025 Special’ #1“).
Click on Gallery below for full-size images!
Source: ICv2
