Meeley Man

New month, new batch of eBay auctions. These are all Buy It Now ones, with "best offer" option. So, you can take your shot at getting a better bargain than we usually give you. We've got pages, splashes, pin-up and covers, from publishers Marvel, Archie Comics, and more. All great original art from Bob Smith, Mike Harris, Richard Moore, and Bill Maus. Head on over and start giving your offers. You might get lucky! http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?item=191225202282&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&_sop=1&rmvSB=true&hash=item2c85e9066a&afsrc=1&_ssn=whatwhatwhat06 [NOTE: Those without a U.S. address or using some mobile devices, will not be able to see these auctions. Sorry!]

Meanwhile I just posted a slew of new original pages for sale and no one batted an eye.

Really? There's no X-men related OA collectors around here?

Okay, art fans, I'm burning some midnight oil here. We've just updated 15 new pages for sale from artists Terry Shoemaker. It's all from his X-Factor work. We have 2 pages from issue #59, 2 pages from issue #93 (including a splash page), and almost a dozen pages from X-Factor Annual #3 (the Evolutionary War storyline, with some pages featuring Apocalypse and the team in action). It's all good stuff, all classic Copper Age art, and all reasonably priced. Head on over to the art gallery and scope it out yourself. Then, place an order for some it, It's looking for a new home, after all. Just follow the link below: http://www.comicartshop.com/ComicArtShopsByCat.asp?GCat=3287

The auctions end tonight. Don't wait any longer! Get your bids in right now!

Okay, our current batch of Tick comic art auctions ends tomorrow evening. Not much time left to get in your bids. Remember, last time these all sold and these ones all have watchers this time, too. Don't miss out on your chance to get some great original art of this cult favorite character. Don't delay, bid today! http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?item=191225202282&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&_sop=1&rmvSB=true&hash=item2c85e9066a&afsrc=1&_ssn=whatwhatwhat06 [Note: Those without a U.S. address or viewing through some mobile devices will not be able to see these auctions. Sorry!]

How do those numbers compare to past years? Better than, less than?

Wow, surprised my Assassins #1 splash page and Web of Spider-Man #15 page only got one vote, while my Fantastic Four #321 page, with the Hulk vs. Thing, got none (doubly odd, since that was one people thought should be entered). But my Vampirella by Tex got 3 votes and Cloak & Dagger by Mike Vosburg got the most with 5. Proving that sex still sells, I guess.

Well, we stared the month this way, so it seems only fitting to end it the same way. We've got several pages from The Tick Color Series #1 from artist Marc Sandroni! If you love this cult classic hero, this is a rare shot to get some original published art of him. Prices, as always are very reasonable, but the auctions are up for a shorter than usual time. So, don't wait long to get your bids in. Head over and do so right now! http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?item=191225202282&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&_sop=1&rmvSB=true&hash=item2c85e9066a&afsrc=1&_ssn=whatwhatwhat06 [Note: Those without a U.S. address or viewing through some mobile devices will not be able to see these auctions. Sorry!]

Well, whoever was the person who bid on and didn't win the Power Man and Iron Fist page, can always go to my eBay auction listings. I have several pages from roughly the same time period and artist, only without any stupid reserve and at prices far less than they would have paid for that one. I can guarantee it'll be a very smooth and professional transaction. Just sayin'....

Here are my votes, in each category (with an "honorable mention" piece included), in no particular order: Covers: Dean Abraham - Elvira's House of Mystery #1 Ben Bressel - Uncanny X-Men #269 James Halperin - Swamp Thing #1 Brian Peck - Excalibur # 4 (back cover) Ron Sonenthal - Haunt of Fear #28 Honorable mention: Joe Shaffer - Adventure Into Fear #16 Splash Pages: Lee Benaka - Marvel Fanfare #27, page 1 Michael Browning - Star Wars #43, page 30 Nick Katradis - Man-Thing #2, page 1 David Medina - Daredevil #285, page 1 Jeremy Radisich - Cloak and Dagger #9 Pin-up Honorable mention: C F - Superman #76, page 21 Interior Pages: Justin Belmont - Uncanny X-Men #214, page 2 Michael Browning - Daredevil #181, page 31 Mike D - Uncanny X-Men #109, page 15 George J - New Warriors #16, page 18 Ted Latner - Incredible Hulk #373, page 24 Honorable mention: Chris Swartz - Amazing Spider-Man #312, page 29 Strip Art: Comicart B - Prince Valiant #340 - Partial Sunday Comic Strip dated 15 August 1943 Mark Howland - Carol Day 135 by David Wright Karl-Erik Lindkvist - Frank Robbins - Johnny Hazard - 6-4-1972 Benno Rothschild - Tom Grindberg Tarzan John Stuart - STAR WARS - PRINCESS LEIA - by Russ Manning, May 12-1979 Honorable mention: P. Portillo - WILL EISNER: THE SPIRIT "Ward Healy" (March 28, 1948) Commissions: John Bailey - Galactus/Silver Surfer by Ron Frenz & Joe Sinnott Justin Belmont - Swamp Thing vs. Batman by Kelley Jones Thorsten Brümmel- Spidey/Green Goblin by Alex Saviuk Andrew Hanna - Black Widow by Drew Johnson Jason Schachter - Spidey and Kraven by Mike Zeck Honorable mention: Alex Johnson - Wonder Woman by Liam Sharp Sketches & Sketch Covers: eewwnuk 1 - Batman by Norm Breyfogle Justin Belmont - Wonder Woman by Matt Haley Robert Brown - Hyperion by Gary Frank Ray Cuthbert - La of Opar by Tom Grndberg Justin Leigh Leiter - Bride of Frankenstein by Simon Bisley Honorable mention: Alan Hamilton - Daenerys Targaryen by Aaron Lopresti Other: Ray Cuthbert - Titanic Tales page 71 by Frank Cho Michael Diaz - The Demon by Matt Wagner Ankur J - Black Cat by Darwyn Cooke Justin Leigh Leiter - Wondercon Poster by Arthur Adams Brian Peck - Osiris and Isis (plate 3) by Nestor Redondo Honorable mention: Michael Dunne - Captain America and Bucky by Mike Zeck Congrats to those who got my vote.

Okay, so I picked out my five top pieces of the year. You can see them here: http://www.comicartfans.com/mylowry.asp?gsub=3374 Assassins #1, page 1 - DC/Marvel Amalgam - (1996): A fun and "energetic" image, from the biggest intercompany crossover event of all-time, that also homages a classic moment in comic history. All that, and art stylings by Scott McDaniel, too. Who wouldn't have picked this? Cloak & Dagger: Between Darkness and Light (2015): A beautiful and emotional image, that is a prefect representation of the characters. And done by one of the artists who has more than a passing familiarity with them. Certainly one of the best pieces I've ever seen by Mike Vosburg, to be sure! Fantastic Four #321, page 13 - Hulk vs. Thing - (1988): It's the Spiky Thing. It's the Grey Hulk. It's classic superhero slugfest action. And it's by Ron Lim. What more does anybody need to say, that it makes it clear it's certainly among the best? Vampirella: Baby Got Bat (2009): A sexy piece, that doesn't lower itself into crassness to be so, by an artist who isn't well-known for this type of thing. Sometimes greatness comes from where you least expect it! This piece epitomizes that. Web of Spider-Man #15, page 11 - 1st App. of Chance - (1986): A page from the 1st appearance of one of my favorite Z-list villains? How could I not pick this? Honorable mentions: Detective Comics #599, page 22 - Blind Justice Part 2: Bruce Wayne Gets Shot - (1989) : A page with Batman getting shot up is not your every day event. The fact it is tied into his 50th Anniversary storyline, also makes this one something special. Excalibur: Air Apparent, page 20 (1991) : A gorgeous splash page, by one of my favorite underrated artists. Guice displays all the things that make his work so mesmerizing and notable. The New Shadowhawk #6 Cover (1996) : It's rare for a published cover to not make someone's cut for the "best of" selections. But while this one is just such an example of that, that doesn't take away from the great visual trick of showing more while doing less. Hope you enjoy them, everyone!

Easy call for me. This one. Simply this one: http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=372441

I'm curious... what category would you put an unpublished illustration in. It's not a commission, as I didn't ask them to do it. And it isn't a con sketch, since it is a fully rendered piece. So, would that put it in the "other" category?

Well, I'm still working on mine (infact, you all can help me, if you go to this thread: http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=9738803#Post9738803 But here's my wife's "Best Of" entries. Do enjoy them: http://www.comicartfans.com/mylowry.asp?gsub=3562

I've got several eBay auctions running right now. All well below $100 starting bids (and even Buy It Now prices below that): http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?item=191225202282&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&_sop=1&rmvSB=true&hash=item2c85e9066a&afsrc=1&_ssn=whatwhatwhat06 [Note: Users without a US address or viewing from some mobile devices, will not be able to see these auctions. Sorry.]

Yes. You know nothing about me. Don't presume to speak like you do. And funny, I don't see you calling out others for "dogpiling." But I won't speculate on YOUR motives for that. If it "gets to the same place," that means the problem has not been addressed. And I don't need your "blessing" to give my input. If you don't like it, don't read it. I wonder if you'd feel that way, if I had art you wanted to buy.... Oh, I do. And nothing you said had changed that. Or the fact I never asked for your Is that the excuse you want to give the Donnelly's for their unethical business practices? If I need your "help," I'll ask for it.

I do disagree. Strongly. I have every right to speak up about dealers (or reps, or even artists) who are engaging in bad business tactics. Perhaps even moreso than you "mere collectors" do, precisely BECAUSE I am "somewhat in competition with them." What they do reflects not just on them, but the hobby as a whole. When they do things that are unethical (and perhaps even illegal), it damages all of us who work this side of the street. Maybe that doesn't matter to you (since you qualified your statement with "be that as it may," signifying you know I'm right, but you want to sideline that inconvenient fact). Maybe it might not matter to most collectors, or even most other dealers and reps. But it matters to ME. And if you, or anyone else, want to judge my BUSINESS on my being outspoken on something that dirties and lessens this hobby, rather than on the service and product I provide (especially seeing as you and any of the others here seemingly looking to "chastise" me have never bought from me before), then that's up to you. It's YOUR loss, not mine! I'll stand up for what's right. EVERY time.

I understand where you're coming from, but I've always felt that sort of behavior may be bad for the overall health and reputation of a profession... assuming said members are only speaking out about habits that actually are bad or unethical and not just piling on in the court of public opinion. A group should be concerned about their perception overall, and do what they need to do to uphold it. If every member forms up into a wall of silence and refuses to call a spade a spade then that doesn't help anyone. Couldn't have put it any better myself, Thanks.

It's not "generalizing on prices" that costs them the business and respect of so many in this hobby.

I never said or alluded to anything to suggest otherwise. I merely stated the fact that, to be able to buy from the Donnelly's, you'd have to be "very well off" financially. That isn't saying they can't price how they want, nor that people are obligated to buy. It's merely a statement of observational fact.

How much of a "convenience" is it, when you inquire for a piece and are given a price nearly twice as much as the dealer has it listed on eBay for (which was already well above FMV)? How much "convenience" is it, when you ask a dealer at a show about a piece, they quote a crazy price, you say you need time to think and when you come back later, the price is changed to something even higher? How much convenience is it, when you ask if a piece of art has any stat work, are told it is all original, then get it and see it does have stat work. Then, when you complain, are told "well it has original art under it"? How much time have you wasted, with a dealer who does these things? The Donnelly's have. These are all examples taken from stories I've heard (or personally experienced). Oh, and it is hilarious you call eBay "a second hand shop." Any dealer is the same thing. The "premiere retailer" would the artist themselves or their rep (if they have one). Then you are getting the merch direct from the source. ANYTHING else is "second hand." If you can afford the Donnelly's prices, then I envy you your billionaire status.

And thus why things never change. And never will.

Not sure it you are interested, but I just posted 21 of 22 pages from Marvel Fanfare #42. A Spider-Man story by Terry Shoemaker and Carl Potts. It isn't a pin-up, but since you are about the only person I've ever seen make an inquiry about Marvel Fanfare, I thought you might have some interest. The pages can be seen at the link provided. Drop me an email, if you see something you like. Thanks: http://www.comicartshop.com/ComicArtShopsByCat.asp?GCat=3287

Because people keep buying from them and putting up with their B.S. Sure, they have a lot of art people want (and a lot people don't want unless it's dressed up in some fake pretense). Until collectors resist patronizing them...