stinkininkin

Thank you! I never got a John Buscema vibe off that cover! No idea who actually drew it myself, but I don't get the Buscema attribution.

There was much discussion about NFT's and art a few months back, not to mention the crypto elements entering the hobby. I'm still learning as I go, but this was a well presented and eye opening analysis that is well worth your time. Check it out!

You're right of course about those key Xmen books. I forgot about them and they would easily be top tier value examples. With first appearances all the rage these days, I'm guessing the @delekkerste cover for Tomb of Dracula #10 would be another coveted and extremely expensive Kane cover.

I don't track Gil Kane art as closely as some other artists, but I'm thinking that Kane/Sinnott FF 143 cover at 150k is a new high water mark for non Spidey Kane art. Does that sound right?

Sorry to be "that guy", but I'm thinking this list is probably in need of an update based on general current trends (and I say this as someone who thinks the Secret Wars 3+ million sale was a total outlier). But yeah, have at it...

So in OA, six figures is the new five figures.

And the buyer of that Hulk 180 last page is probably feeling pretty good about that purchase right about now.

Prices seemed shocking to me across the board, Secret Wars pages aside. And as alluded to by a previous poster, private sales on quality material is probably all but dead at this point. It's auction only, or the gnawing feeling that you are leaving money on the table in a private transaction, no matter how generous an offer appears.

The Secret Wars pages was about investment, right? Not about nostalgia or about the merit of Zeck as an artist (and I'm a Zeck fan!). This was about potential investment or moving one currency to another currency. Not what we all got into original art for in the first place. Right?

I guarantee that if I had to package up and mail all the things I had Gordon work on over the years, as well as worry about the return mailing, my anxiety would have been orders of magnitude higher. Your concerns are not unreasonable.

Well, I'm guessing this topic is going to get shut down at any moment. Before that happens... ...For what it's worth, I've used Gordan Christman numerous times. He does good work, but it can take a while. I will sheepishly admit it never occurred to me ask about any insurance he carries. It's a fair concern in hindsight. Gordan is local for me, so I guess it felt safer than shipping art off to another city or state. Not logical I suppose, but over the course of 15-20 years of restorations, I've never had a problem. Chalk it up to good luck, which is much cheaper than insurance. Until it's not.

Outliers become the norm with frightening regularity and speed these days unfortunately (for collectors).

Well, I said 99% of collectors, not 100%. And "better" art is relative....

99% of long term collectors have some turnover in their art collection, and need to have a short memory, especially in this current market. Never look back or you'll drive yourself insane.

Of the 132 watching me, several have been watching since 2005! That's a little bit creepy.

This just got posted for the upcoming Clink auction. Wonder if this beats that last Weapon X splash/cover from last year that went for about 178k? Should be an entertaining outcome!

Both are excellent examples of why nostalgia should never be confused for quality art!

Yes, he won the art in the auction at half the price he offered us! Pays to be smart AND lucky!

Cool page! Glad you got something you wanted. I remember when the $1400 asking price (pencilled in the upper right) for brand new art seemed pretty bold!

If true, that's a worthwhile distinction I hadn't thought about. Sounds right to me.

Collectibles that any guy off the street would probably recognize, and yet still down (after a big run up I guess). All the while, the only hobby I ever took any real interest in out of pure love and completely devoid of investment considerations, original comic art, seems to be just about bullet proof (so far). What are the odds?

Yes, take care of your art. But it's really not that fragile to handling. I toss around really precious (and valuable) art all the time. Not a big deal. Light damage, on the other hand, IS a big deal. Focus on protecting your art from damaging light and you'll be on the right track.

Here's another tidbit to add a little spice to this story. Jim and I actually got an offer for the Xmen 1 issue prior to the auction for DOUBLE the amount it hammered for. We turned it down! We took a calculated risk just to satisfy our curiosity, but ended up slipping on the banana peel! Wouldn't change a thing though, because now 30 years later I have this great and humbling story to tell all of you!

Thank you! Nice pics, and some very nice art!

I'm willing to confirm, only because both John and Jim have talked about this and their friendship publicly on social media. They are very good friends.