jaybuck43

That's awful.  Do you know if it was in the overflow parking or regular parking?  I didn't see anything on Saturday when I left.

On 4/29/2024 at 10:54 PM, Turtle said:

I'm sure I'll have more pictures soon, but I need to crash.  Before I do, I figured I'd share my big treasure from the show.  I created a show-specific jam and got 14 artists in attendance to fill it out.  No-prize to anyone who can name all the artists:

O we kinda did meet up lol.  I saw Dooney doing your Fugitoid.  I had the giant Blue Wagon of Turtles stuff.

On 4/28/2024 at 6:56 AM, Ryan. said:

What did you end up getting signed? That line looked horrific. 

Nothing  they barely got through half the line before he had to leave. Sadly I was yellow which was the second to last group. He was a trooper though and so thankful he came out. I met him a ton of times at shellback so it’s not like I don’t have anything signed by him before. 

So Peter is coming today, but only signing two items per person (you need a ticket to get the sigs so no getting back in line. Sophie’s choice? I’ve got Raph page 7, turtles adventures page 1,  birds and the bees and the turtles cover, and a fugitoid page as well, whatcha choosing??

On 4/23/2024 at 1:36 PM, Jesse-Lee said:

The other really great thing about the Steam Deck is being able to play new(ish) AAA titles on the go from Steam, like the Batman Arkham Series, Red Dead Redemption 2, etc.

Yup, I have several long flights coming up (Ireland and Australia in June) and looking forward to playing Cyberpunk again.

On 4/23/2024 at 10:50 AM, ADAMANTIUM said:

I had to google that, as I've seen them in person, but didn't know how it played older games? I had a modded X-box, but I didn't know how legal it was, so have been very put off by emulators. Just because I'm not in to it much  I like the older games, but except for the "mini" Nintendo systems that came preloaded, idk.

I'd love to have a color screen handheld, but trying to google it made my head hurt  edit to say, emulators always seemed like another mod, but idk how true that is, nor if it is just a normal thing

The steam was expensive and probably worth every penny, the way it looked, just my selection of games that I'd enjoy being small it is hard to justify the cost idk 

Its software emulation, no different than what Nintendo did with the Mini NES/SNES.  The problem with software emulation is that it's not perfect.  So it's not EXACTLY a true reproduction (but so close that noone can usually notice).  The legal grounds are more questionable.  Emulation itself is legal.  What's illegal is distributing copyrighted software.  So if you rip your own software, it's totally legal.  If you download a ROM, it's illegal.  Same with systems that have a Bios (PSX, Ps2 etc.) You can rip your own bios and its fine, if you download it, its illegal.  I have a PSX emulator on my steamdeck with rips of my old games because 1) it's nice to travel and play old school crash bandicoot and wrestling games and 2) Hooking up my psx to a modern tv is a nightmare.  

But yea, it's mostly nostalgia.  It's really hard to play an old NES or SNES game that you didn't play as a kid because its just not that connected.  

On 4/21/2024 at 3:38 PM, Jesse-Lee said:

Punch Out is still one of my all-time favorites - I have a Steam Deck handheld and I put RetroArch on it basically just so I could play Punch Out (and old Zelda games) on the go.

I ADORE my steamdeck.  I haven't touched my PS5 in months because of it.  The emulation on it is fantastic.  

I will be at Portsmouth next Saturday for the Mini con.  If anyone would like anything facilitated for signature, please let me know via PM.  

On 4/2/2024 at 10:15 PM, Turtle said:

It took 15 years, but I finally got this one done!

I don't know if I'll ever get mine done  Never seen Ryan or Peter anywhere.  

On 4/4/2024 at 7:07 PM, Hulksdaddy1 said:

Comicconnect seems to do well with them.

Comicconnect and comic link always seem to do better with copper than heritage. I think the people watching heritage are more golden and silver age (this auction in particular) then bronze and copper.

On 3/18/2024 at 11:07 PM, spracknetch23 said:

I'm a bit embarrassed to say, just under $100. Sold it on Ebay in the early 2000s, probably at the lowest point of the TMNT's popularity. I picked it up from Chris Allan himself at a con in '94 (he had quite a bit of covers for sale at that time, wish I'd picked up more). Unfortunately, I haven't seen this one since selling it and have no clue where it's at today. 

It's crazy how Turtles has exploded just in the last few years.  You could get Eastman early art for $1000 a few years ago.  High Grade first prints were under $5,000.  

On 3/12/2024 at 6:37 PM, rich_TMNT said:

CGC SIGNATURES SERIES FACILITATORS WILL BE ON HAND FOR PORTSMOUTH MINI-CON

Thanks Rich.  I'll see you there.  I offered to bring my art collection but they said the insurance wasn't cool with it  

On 3/12/2024 at 9:38 AM, BeardedBubba said:

I just saw that CGC facilitators will be at Portsmouth mini-con to witness signatures.  Missing this is going to be my biggest Turtles fandom regret.  

Can you post a link? 

On 2/27/2024 at 2:14 PM, Turtle said:

Saturday!  You?

Yea I just did Saturday as well.  I had offered to bring art but they said their insurance wasn't keen on the idea.  O well.  Thought it would be fun to put together a gallery of major pieces.  

Is the holder damaged?  Reholder is the way to go, that book is a 5.0/5.5.  

On 2/26/2024 at 8:35 PM, Turtle said:

Michael Dooney just got added to the PMC40! 

I'm hoping for Dan Berger to show up as well.  He was just at the Great Lakes Comic Con and he is considering it, but really hates flying.  I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Are you coming?

On 2/20/2024 at 8:33 PM, Turtle said:

The items that take a long to to get/finish are always the most exciting to me.  This is one of those.  This is a print done in the late 80's by the Mirage Studios artists minus Eastman and Laird showing the turtles and many of the supporting cast at the time.  I love the way the different styles come together in one piece.  The print itself is quite limited.  In fact, I believe there are 2 versions of it with this one being the more common of the two.  Anyway, my goal was to get this one signed by all the contributing artists.  I've been slowly adding to this for years and today I finally have it finished:

Left to right, there's

Steve Lavigne

Dan Berger

Ryan Brown

A.C. Farley

Eric Talbot

Jim Lawson

Michael Dooney

Any reason you didn't add Kevin and Pete to it?

I can buy two tickets if someone wants my second. 

On 1/22/2024 at 11:53 AM, TMNT said:

It's so funny seeing my letter in there from 2018... 

This piece was made after Raphael #1. Eastman told me back then and is still saying as much in the HA. The pen and ink were then photocopied and used in comics interview and later in Turtlemania. The actual pen and ink board was then painted sometime in 85, possibly in 86. The painted image as seen above has never been actually published, only it's B&W pre paint version was. 

I can't say I agree at all with HAs description. But at least they kept my letter and put Eastmans thoughts as well so hopefully the buyer just really liked the image. It is an early piece, just not the first published artwork as purported. In my eyes, if we're talking "firsts" :

1. First drawings of Casey 1984, various sketches exist as they worked out the final look. 

2. First published appearance period, Raphael #1 Cover. Has his classic hockey mask on and bat. 

3. First published appearance in story, was Raphael #1, pg 7 where we see him maskless on his couch watching TV before donning his gear 

4. First painting, this piece we've been talking about (unpublished as a painting)

He's seen maskless and masked on Page 7,  I should know  it's hanging next to me right now....

.

Kevin had numerous sketches of Casey from 84 that were never published, but later ended up in his artobiography.  Here is that page.

On 1/21/2024 at 6:59 PM, 1classics said:

Hi Jay,

I thought I had actual scans, but here's what I found attached. First attachment "Comic Book Invest" clearly has this as predating Raphael #1 and why this book is a "wise" investment. Second attachment is directly from the interview which states at least at the time of the interview TMNT #3 was coming out or just released, which would've been early '85? GCD has TMNT #3 released 4/1/85 and unfortunately both CGC and GCD don't list a definitive date for Raphael #1's release, but #3 still would be prior to Raphael #1. Which then makes sense if the art was included and later painted by Eastman sometime in '85. If I do recall and what both Eastman and Laird eluded to in the beginning being independent publishing, having significant delays an there was possible mention of Raphael #1 launching later as planned? I believe in the same interview they talk about the release of Raphael #1 coming later in the year, which I agree would be odd for a magazine to publish and advertise a release of a book that was clearly out already. It's certainly a tough one to conclude since both the Comics Interview and Raphael were not dated and CGC and GCD don't really help either. Either way, it looks to be really close, but seeing this art was included in an interview before Raphael #1, I could see where this is labeled pre-Raphael #1? 

I should also add this isn't Casey's first drawing as there are concept art pieces in Eastman's artobiography dated 1984, but were not published until the early 2000's when the book was published. But that's not what we're discussing here, ultimately I could see with people listing on ebay as his first published appearance as well as investment sites, it's hard to change the public eye much like the Hulk 180/181 debate, even though one is a comic vs a fanzine publication LOL. Hope this helps, but doesn't look so black and white and certainly not "criminal" in approach. 

#3 is tough.  Famously, there is the the NYCC "Variant" which had the wrong color on Laird's Photo because the printer ran the covers wrong. Those copies were used to sell at NYCC which was held on march 16-17th 1985.  Since the covers were printed separately than the book back then (two different printers) you can assume that all of the interiors were done and waiting for the covers.  But the book was "out" in March 1985, with a final release in April.  

Like I said, I wouldn't be surprised if this interview was done in January/February 1985 and then published later in the year.  Take a look at the next issue:

Given that they were coming out near monthly, there's just no way a fanzine is running this before marvel talked about it, and no way were they doing that in early 85.

On 1/21/2024 at 5:03 PM, 1classics said:

Hi I researched this piece as well and it is his first published artwork, it predates Raphael #1 as it was published in Comics Interview 27, which clearly states in there that Raphael #1 was coming out later in the year. As noted and perhaps more importantly it was published in Turtlemania #1. When this was offered years ago, I don't think it was originally marketed as "first published", it wasn't even mentioned about Comics Interview, the more important note was Turtlemania publication. But times have changed and I think the more importance has gone to "first published" or of "1st appearance" etc. What I questioned was the black and white vs the paints, but HA reached out to confirm with Eastman this is the original pencil and ink and was painted shortly after, as he made a copy before paint and used it for publication. So comic wise, I suppose it will be considered Raphael #1 first published, but overall and perhaps to certain collectors this indeed did come first. I agree with Michael in that it looks like they included any and all documents from the seller as well as doing their own research in going directly to the source being Eastman to confirm the nature and origin of this piece. Hope this helps, but I too don't find this as misinformation or nothing near "criminal". 

Do you have a scan of the interview? I recall that book coming out in September, and the next issue even talks about xfactor, which marvel did not announce and solicit until the end of 1985. If I recall correctly, CI was a near monthly publication, so while the interview may have taken place with E and L before the release date, I don’t believe it was published before raph #1.

Long story short, I was looking for some comps for my insurance company and found a piece I had been offered several times had hammered at more than 10x the price I was offered it at.  Needless to say, I was shocked.  When I saw the item description I understood why.  It led me to look at some other pieces and I saw that Heritage has been playing VERY fast and loose with item descriptions.  To me, this example is criminal.  Here's the piece:

And now Heritage's description: 

Kevin Eastman - Casey Jones Illustration Original Art (1985). The first published artwork of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle character Casey Jones! Created in 1984 by Turtles creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, Casey was planned as the second human "family" character for the book, with Eastman refining the look of the character. He made his first story appearance in the one-shot, Raphael, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle #1 (Mirage, 1985), but before this issue was released, the inks of the artwork we are offering here was published in Comics Interview #27 (1985). Here is what Eastman said about the inclusion in the fanzine: "The piece in question here was drawn in 1985 - a year after Casey was created - this was simply one of the many convention pin-ups done (usually drawn and colored before and brought to a convention to sell) around that time, but we always kept photocopies to use for PR reasons - sent along as a press release or part of an interview - so that is most likely how it got in the Fanzine." The ink art was also included in Turtlemania Special #1 (Metropolis Pub., 1986). This cool piece of Turtles history comes with documentation about the piece and a copy of Comics Interview #27. Mixed media on 8" x 11" illustration board. Light toning and handling wear. Signed by Eastman at the bottom. In Excellent condition.

Ok, let's dissect this.  First sentence, heritage claims this is the first "published artwork" of Casey.  Now they're correct that this artwork was twice published, once in Comics Interview #27 and again in Turtlemania.  But those books came out in September 1985 and in 1986 respectively.  Raphael #1, the comic Casey appears in was published April 1985, 5 months earlier.  Shockingly, Heritage invents a history where Comics Interview #27 was published first.  

The weirdest part is that Heritage has even scanned and INCLUDES documentation that contradicts everything they've written in their description.  The documentation clearly states that Raphael #1 was printed first, followed by Comics Interview #27, and that this piece is the first PAINTING of the character to be published, significantly different than the first artwork.

This piece hammered for $20,000, ostensibly because some individual thought they had purchased the first published appearance of the character.  They have not.  Anyone else have seen any similarly egregious examples?

@Buzzetta

Sex predators, drugs, theft.  It’s just a coincidence this man was in Portland back in November.

On 12/28/2023 at 5:38 PM, Gump24601 said:

Appreciate the feedback and would definitely consider reaching out to you closer to the con 😊

With how elusive Peter has been in the past (and more recently this year) I feel like it's always a gamble if he might show up at a con nearby to him. I'm hoping that with the significance of next year's anniversary that it might encourage him to venture out a bit more, with Granite seemingly the biggest for us turtle fans. I know I'll still enjoy seeing all the talent and fellow fans there, but a bit hesitant to start organising such a big trip when it could be to no avail with Peter not attending.

The most likely will be Portsmouth Mini-Con in April.  It's not a real con per se, but rather Jetpack comics is organizing it as a 40 year celebration of the first issue.  I've been working with the owner of Jet Pack to bring my collection with me, I'm sure others are as well.  Kevin will be there, as will Steve.  It's right on the boarder of Maine, so it's nearby for Peter.  

On 12/28/2023 at 11:50 AM, Buzzetta said:

They have the house lawyers as well as Mark Zaid.

However, if they need another guy, @jaybuck43 and I know a guy..., 

(Jay, I've been waiting to use this for years.)

https://newlawoffice.com/stephen-p-new

 

When you're old, tired, and you work with children who assault you in your dressing room, be sure to call 877 50 STEVE.