The original art for the jam poster included in the deluxe hardback edition of 1988's The History of the DC Universe -- containing contributions from numerous comics legends -- is going up for auction in April.

A total of 53 DC heroes are represented in the poster, which was designed by Joe Kubert and drawn by 54 artists, including Jack Kirby and Mike Royer on Darkseid and Bob Kane on Batman and Robin. Bob Chapman, president of Graphitti Designs, provided the art, said Heritage Auctions, which is selling it at its Comics and Comic Art Signature Auction in April. Graphitti co-published The History of the DC Universe hardback with DC, and Chapman conceived the idea for the poster, contacted the artists and coordinated its production.

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RELATED: Celebrating the History of the DC Universe Jam Poster

The Golden Age was represented by Kubert, Murphy Anderson, and artist Irwin Hasen, who rendered his creation Wildcat and Martin Nodell on the Alan Scott Green Lantern. Silver Age artists included Carmine Infantino on the Jay Garrick Flash, Joe Orlando, Gene Colan, Ramona Fradon and Gil Kane. Other participants were Neal Adams, Jim Aparo, Howard Chaykin, Dave Gibbons, Beto Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez, Mike Kaluta, George Pérez, Bill Sienkiewicz, Jim Steranko and Matt Wagner.

Of the gatefold, Chapman said, "And it really was a dream come true. I pulled it off. I am really proud of the piece. It was – and is – something very, very special." Chapman said Superman artist Wayne Boring passed away before he could contribute, and Steve Ditko and Frank Frazetta declined. Chapman copied each image multiple times as the piece -- split into three boards -- went from artist to artist over nine months. "It was a really fun exercise coordinating the efforts. And there were a lot of good phone conversations, because back then, of course, there was no email or Twitter," Chapman said.

The History of the DC Universe was a two-issue followup to Crisis on Infinite Earths, explaining the post-Crisis timeline. The jam image was reprinted as a poster, and then painted as a mural in DC's offices in New York.

KEEP READING: 10 Easter Eggs Only Hardcore DC Fans Caught In Crisis On Infinite Earths

Source: Heritage Auctions