Is it a compliment or an insult to refer to Adam Hughes as a 'Good Girl' artist?  Not to say Wikipedia is the Encyclopedia Britannica, but Wikipedia describes Hughes as best known for "his renderings of pinup-style female characters".  And further, Hughes is "one of comics' foremost cheesecake artists".  So, let's explore some of Hughes' works and recent art sales to decide for ourselves.

Adam Hughes Artist Bibliography

Wonder Woman 600 (2010) by good artist Adam HughesTo decide if Adam Hughes is a full-course meal or just cheesecake for dessert, let's start with the early independent works in Hughes's bibliography.  I'm not talking household names like Wonder Woman and Batgirl.  His first published comic work appeared in Eagle #6, published by Crystal.  The 1987 comic included his one-page illustration, but that hasn't moved the investor meter.  eBay prices range from about ten to twenty bucks for Adam Hughes's 1st appearance and I found the complete 23-issue set available for $50.  It's a pass for me, but maybe it's one of those undervalued independents Joe Overaitis was talking about.  Other issues feature original art from Matt Wagner, Ron Lim, and Bill Willingham.

Maze Agency Early Adam HughesThe Maze Agency from Comico/Innovation with cover and interior art by Adam Hughes is probably a better independent play.  Lightly slabbed and available in raw grades--it's cheap.  Maze Agency 2 cover art sold for under $1,000 in 2019.  This series makes a lot more sense for Hughes fans.  It boasts Adam Hughes's cover and interior good girrr... ahem, all-around art.

Hughes paid his dues working for Apple Press, Adventure Publications, and First before getting the nod to illustrate Justice League America.

At DC: Justice League America

Justice League America 42 by good artist Adam HughesIn 1989, Hughes joined the big dogs at DC.  He debuted in Justice League America #31 as the regular artist.  Though the prominent JLA members at that time were Guy Gardner and Blue Beetle, Hughes flexed his artistic muscles to quickly gain a fan following.  I'm not confident that these late 80's/early 90's JL titles will ever be on the GoCollect Hottest Comics list.  However, Hughes's cover and interior art from the series do reasonably well.  Justice League America #42 cover art sold in September for $8,100.  Not bad considering no Wonder Woman...but speaking of.

Adam Hughes and Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman 139Hughes came up huge when DC gave him the role of Amazonian Princess cover artist beginning in Wonder Woman #139 (second series 1998).  All around good artist Adam Hughes illustrated about fifty Wonder Woman covers.  CGC sales numbers spike for the early Hughes WW issues compared to the prior issues.  Many average roughly $70 for CGC 9.8s.

Wonder Woman 170 original cover artThe Adam Hughes variant for Wonder Woman #600 (2010) pictured above has outperformed the other versions in sales and average price ($400 in the last 30 days).  Likewise, original cover art for WW is outperforming.  Art from Wonder Woman #170 sold in September for $20,400.  Compare that to art from WW 177 also by Hughes that sold for less than $3,000 in 2009.

From DC's number one good girl to DC's most wanted bad girl, Catwoman.

Enter the Cat

Catwoman 63 by good artist Adam HughesEnter Adam Hughes on the cover of Catwoman #44.  Similar to the Hughes debut on Wonder Woman, CGC sales jumped markedly when he took over Catwoman cover duties.  Issues 45 and 46 lead the way on volume and price, roughly $100 average for high grades.  Jumps like that in price and volume are good indicators that the original art will fare well, too.  Cover art from Catwoman #63 recently fetched $26,400 at auction.  That's the top sales price for Hughes art at Heritage Auctions.  However, if cover art from issue 45 or 46 comes to auction, I'm confident it will sell even higher.

Here's a question for the Adam Hughes fan.  Is Catwoman his most iconic character?

Adam Hughes Good Artist Wrap-Up

Betty and Veronica 1In Riverdale, the two most iconic girls are Betty and Veronica.  I'm not sure if there's a Ginger vs. Mary Ann debate with these girls.  But, with the advent of the TV series, Archie's gang has undergone an extreme makeover.  The 2016 Betty and Veronica #1 featured cover art by Hughes.  I think the girls are finally having a showdown about who gets Archie.  Either way, the original art sold in 2019 for $9,000.

So with the evidence presented to the jury, is Adam Hughes just a 'Good Girl' artist?  Or, does his body of work suggest something more?  I'm not going to enter the debate.  I freely admit that this blog has been a research assignment for me.  So, Adam Hughes fans... stand up and make your case.

Meanwhile, for those that enjoy artists from the Silver and Bronze ages, you may want to read about the breakout I'm seeing in Doctor Strange art.