reggiesf

Greg LaRocque on pencils and Jose Marzan Jr. inks.

Art done by Ace Continuado. Azrael and Checkmate are two of my favorite comic books back then and I've always had this mental image of Azrael cornered by Checkmate which was realized in ink by Ace!

Let me share to you guys my experience recently with a commission that started out great but ended with me losing respect on an artist that i greatly admired back in the '90s. here's the timeline: January 4: Artist and I agreed on a piece. he said "I could do that this week". Price agreed on was $700, down from my initial "dream piece" that would have cost $1,200. In the very same FB conversation I told him about my previous commission that took 9 months to be completed from another artist and how frustrated I was because previous artist didn't give me an exact time or deadline. "Once Paypal is done I'll start cranking...should be finished, barring unforeseen circumstance Friday night-latest next week". << From said artist. January 4 was a Monday. January 11: "sneak peek"? - me January 13: Hello - me again "Hi Reggie! No sneak peeks... I have the piece rough penciled ready for finishing, but had to do a rush job for valiant...should be able to get back to the piece tomorrow. " - Artist January 18: I was starting to get worried because no update from said artist. So I sent him a message suggesting that he covers the art in plastic because of the heavy rains in California at that time. This was to elicit a response from him in the least nagging way I know. January 20: any update? - me January 26: Hi Reggie! Sorry. Got super slammed with a deadline...I should have it wrapped up Friday and be able to finish the piece over the weekend...sorry man!!! *took him a week to answer. still keeping my cool. getting anxious already because my $700 is in a strangers pocket already and nothing is getting done. January 27: It's cool. let me know if it's going to take longer. -Me I'm TOTALLY cool with a piece taking a couple of months or even a year to get finished as long as the artist clearly states that it will take that long like with Barry Kitson. January 31: any progress today? - Me hello - me February 8: Out of my frustration I had to write the following message. Remember my earlier message about how another artist left me hanging? It's happening again with you. February 18: Hello. Not cool man. _ Me. this was my last FB message. The payment was sent by Paypal as "a gift/ family" FYI. Email to artist: What's going on, B? If after the weekend you don't get back to me I'll just request for a refund. His response: Reggie, Sorry for all the delays... Over the last few I've partnered with a business friend and we've funded a new Ominous Press, and the time to build and get it all started again has run roughshod over me and everything I've had to do... my apologies. I am carving out a few hours a night to work on finishing your piece... hopefully it'll only take a few nights to finish. So sorry for how unexpectedly long it's taking! My response: You let me down. Honestly I've lost interest in the piece already that's why I'm asking for a refund. I felt disrespected when you ignored my messages and email asking for an update. If you read our FB conversation I told you about my experience with another artist. You actually did the same thing to me. I don't want hang on to your promises anymore. I understand that Pro work comes first but you shouldn't treat your paying clients like this. February 19: From Artist B, I feel awful... terribly sorry my actions (or inaction) made you feel that way. I haven't been on FB in forever - I tend to stop using FB when I get too busy. I so rarely take commissions anymore - I never rush them, and never will, and unfortunately, the other work often pushes them to a back burner, and that weighs on me. You mentioned an email, I just searched and saw I missed an email you sent on Feb 8th - when I get in slammed mode, I tend to only check my work email/thoughtless, I guess, but IO just try to cut distractions and focus - there is truly no... idk, deceit on anything my part, but I understand your feelings and feel like an . I was/am excited for the piece, and think it's turning out to be very cool. I do sincerely apologize and wish you'd give me another chance to complete the image for you and redeem myself - at least a little - in your eyes. I work very hard on commissions, tend to put much more time into them than most comic work, because I think they should be special for those who have committed to them. That said, you should never feel ignored or disrespected - makes me sick to know you feel I have. *From what i understand by this email is he totally forgets the outside world when he's working. IMO that doesn't give you a free pass to ignore your paying customers specially if you have their money already. Fine, apology accepted. But ive made up my mind. My response to that email: B, lets just do the commission some other time when you're not busy. I believe you that the piece would look great, but for now I would opt for the refund. February 21: Will do. I need to get paid and transfer money into my Paypal. Waiting on a payment, not certain when the check arrives, but will update you... supposed to talk to them tomorrow. - artist February 27: B, it has been a week now since your last email. What's up? - me Hi Reggie, I am still waiting for a check. I've been told I would have something this Monday... its been pushed a couple of times now and I'm just nervous it'll be pushed again, holding my breath until I have it in my account. I will update you by end of Monday. - artist B, this exactly why I cancelled my commission. If only you would've kept me updated on what's going on I wouldn't be asking for a refund, man. Now, come Monday if you don't get paid by PayPal can you just send me a personal check? -me Reggie, Sure. So its clear, it won't be good until I get paid in some format.- artist February 29: still no refund. B, what does this have to do with my refund? They don't owe me money. You do. That same day I filed for a dispute. PayPal initially said since sent the money as a gift they doubt that they can help me. A few more clicks by paypal person and she transferred me to payPal Smart connect (paypals credit card service). I told them about my problem, they said they will do an investigation. it might take about 6 days according to them. march 1: I receive an email from paypal saying that they've started the process already. After 30 minutes I get a refund from said artist. I just wanted to share to you guys my experience and what I've learned and hopefully you can avoid this situation. 1. Pay by payPal using the "pay for goods" option. 2. Set a deadline for the artist and agree on it at the outset that if he does not come through with said deadline that a refund will be asked of him/ her. 3. I think it's just common courtesy now to answer somebody's email or FB in this digital age. and if you ignore someone trying to get a hold of you you're just being a punk. 4. In dealing with your favorite artist, be prepared to be disappointed. I left out the artist name because i'm unsure if it's proper or not to post his name here.

One reason why I've never use the "gift" option. I've had artists ask me to use it -- a comic store did, too, when I purchased a great OA cover -- and I've always been uneasy about it. Some artists are slow to meet their obligation. Don't give up hope. If worse comes to worse, there's always the public option: share the artist's name with your fellow collectors and spare us from making the same mistake. Thanks for the advice guys. I'll PM you who it is and maybe you have information if he's done it to other collectors too.

I'll keep that in mind. Some artist want them to be paid in full, I've learned my lesson this time. I looked at my PayPal and just found out that I sent the payment to this artist as a"gift". If he doesn't reply or make good on his word I'm screwed. $700 loss on my part.

I've dealt with an artist recently that promised me that my paid piece commission will take about 2 months and it ended up taking him 9 months. It turned me off actually from getting any new ones from other artist. But, I saw my favorite artist on FB that he has his list open for commissions, so my hesitation in getting another commission was forgotten. I told this new artist about my previous experience and true enough it is happening again. He initially promised me that the piece will take about a weekend. then after two weeks he said he got slammed by an assignment and apologized. he promised me again that it will be finished in a couple of days. It has been another 3 weeks now since he last responded to my FB message. I even emailed him directly using his paypal address. No response. My question is, when should I ask for a refund or file a complaint to PayPal about this? should I wait some more? I know Professional work comes first when it comes to artist but IMO they have a responsibility too to their paying customers. Your opinions are greatly appreciated.

I'm looking for this cover or any pages from this issue. Pencils by Chris Sprouse. regfrancia@yahoo.com

HI! I bought a CGC 9.9 Spawn #1 almost a month ago. It came with the old blue label so I sent it to CGC for a re-holder. it came back in a holder for those square bound/ oversized books. Has this happened to any of you?