John E.

Yeah, I agree, but if you've been on eBay long enough, there are sellers who've established a reputation making it safe to buy from. I think collectors are quick to identify shenanigans like this. What scares me now is having my auctions ripped off

I think the term for that is "open secret." Unfortunately, if you're not in the "In," you're still shut out from the information. I think I know of only one "famous inker" who has a reputation of ripping off folks. This same inker also screwed up a convention sketch in my earlier collecting days and I just sucked it up like a sycophant. It's scary not to know who else is likely to rip me off, but like you, I stay away from commissions mainly because artists can't deliver on time, so maybe that's why I don't worry about it too much.

I think the reason why collectors don't speak up about bad commissions or straight theft is because of the public adulation of the artist and the collector might be afraid of backlash about it, such as coming off as vindictive or bitter (because, hey, it should be a privilege to have been ripped off by such a big name!) I just feel like when it comes down to it, is the public going to side with Joe Blow, or the guy who changed the face of DC/Marvel comics (or insert any big name)? I think it's easier to just be hush about it.

Nice episode! Jason had some nice tips about optimizing sketch collecting at Artist Alley. I took away a thing or two to up my sketch game. I read somewhere in these threads recently about who's going to be the next generation of art dealers after the Big Guns are retired--well, the panel feature of the podcast answered it (I believe it was Felix) and it affirms what I've been thinking -- there won't be any Big Shot dealers anymore; it's going to be the auction houses. That's where all the "A-level" art is appearing. What I'm still trying to understand is how did that happen?

Thanks again, Malvin. Again, I assumed it was a relist. Fortunately, it's not a piece I'm interested in but if it was, I never would've given it any thought to not bid. I may have been fooled by this seller before, putting in a $10 bid on a "Skottie Young cover." I remember the seller's location was Florida. Luckily I didn't win.

I also saw the second auction and thought that maybe the winner had backed out, so the seller put it back on auction. So what's the scam here? Is the seller selling the piece with no intention on delivering? Is it a copy?

That is a sweet page! I love the crosshatching inside the last panel. Thanks for sharing it! Here's my Knightfall page from Detective Comics #660. I have other pages that tangentially touch on the Knightfall arc too. Good luck with your search!

Are you pages posted on CAF? I'm curious to know which Knightfall page you have

I've long ago figured this out. A lot of what is said here doesn't always reflect what I see and hear at cons or the views among my collector friends that don't participate on these boards. This isn't to say that I don't find this forum valuable, useful, or influential; it's just a different perspective on the hobby, but not the only perspective.

V. Eelco just posted Hulk 194 page 26 for sale on his CAF for $1250. Good luck!

First time posting here. I've had this framed in my kids' room but I finally posted it on my CAF. It's Ferdinand the Bull by a Hyperion Studio artist. More info here.

I liked the Jim Halperin interview, but I really liked the "roundtable" in the second half. I liked that each guest answered two of the same questions and each gave different answers, and without losing any humor. It was quick and to the point. I like the other round tables too, but those easily go off topic.

If I were in it to win it then I'd gun for X-Men #266 over the FF #77 because it's in my nostalgic wheelhouse. If I was the owner of the XM266 and someone wanted to trade me for the FF77, I'd probably do it. If I were the owner of the FF77 and someone wanted to trade me for the XM266, I wouldn't. That must mean something.

I know this isn't exactly what you're looking for, but alexross.com recently posted a Planet Hulk DVD prelim piece . Those sketch price points are tough to swallow, but if that animated film meant anything to you, snag it while it's still available.

Congratulations, Gene I really like reading stories like yours. 18 months of discipline and self-control paid off, and it's still in line with your record of money coming in from comic art exceeds that of going out. This at a huge sacrifice, off course.

To me, I see art as either Twice-up, Pencil-Ink-Lettering (PIL) (and my buying preference), Painted, Pencil-Ink-No Lettering (or pencil and ink only), Pencil only, Ink over blue line (or the combination of the two--Original Pencils and inks on separate boards), and just to throw it in there, 1/1 prints. Did I miss anything? I don't necessarily care about the eras, because to me a PIL from 1991/Copper Age is essentially the same thing as a PIL from 1994/Modern Age, with the exception of nostalgic meaning. And the PIL "era" would run about 50 years, whereas the ink-over-blue-line era would run about 5 years (or whatever, and counting). Because nothing is simple, I do wish those pencil and ink covers from the mid-90s on had the trade dress like their predecessors

A 25-year old and still aging Modern Age is too long. "Modern Age" was coined for as long as I can remember, so whatever group self-appointed itself to make that determination saw the founding of Image Comics as a major shift in the industry and chose that as the delineation. And that made sense at the time. A quarter century later, I think those classifications need to be reevaluated and the goal post needs to be moved. To me, I think major events in the comics industry need to be considered, as opposed to the release of particular titles. So we can have an extended Copper Age that ends with the collapse of the comics industry (or perhaps ends with the start of its recovery). Or we can have a Copper Age that ends where it does now in 1991, and a 9-year period of "Modern Age" that starts in 1992 and ends in 2001 when Marvel eschewed the Comic Code and published its first MAX title, Alias. Of course digital comes into play in the era too, so we don't get off that easy. The issue I take with "Digital" is that it sounds like NOTHING was ever put on physical paper, which is not the case. Furthermore, when I think of digital, I think of Comixology and the downloading of comics onto an iPad, and didn't happen until two or three years ago or whenever. Perhaps from 2001 to now could be the "New Millennium," and even then, that's currently a 16-year period.

Missing is Copper Age which runs from about Secret Wars to 1991. Modern Age starts at 1992 with the founding of Image Comics to present. I don't keep with the dates so I may be way off. I'm also using comics; I don't think art goes by something different.

I wouldn't beat yourself up, Malvin. For starters, you're all the way up in Canada. Besides, we all know San Diego is a mix of geek heaven and frustration. "Glad" is not the word I'm looking for, but I'm "glad" you mentioned your sell pile was low because I seriously thought you had a bottomless well of comic art. You got a lot of pieces to envy with the proceeds from those auctions! MALVIN'S ART COLLECTION Good luck!

Wow! Jon has some great pieces! Some of those panel pages are more appealing than covers!

Or do you mean, "I have this cover. What do you think it's worth?" Unless I have good rapport with a dealer, I would never trust to ask what they think my art is valued. Too much self-interest at stake.

I like your post. A lot of us, especially me, are consumed with this hobby. It only gets worse when you buy your first page. Please continue doing research and don't pull the trigger on a piece unless you're absolutely sure, especially if it's a high ticket item. Ask yourself if you're doing it for nostalgia, i.e. If you want something from your childhood, or if you are more into the aesthetics of the piece. Maybe it's a little of both. Also, I tell myself that I might lose at least 15% if I decide that the piece didn't satiate me and if I'm willing to take that loss if I sell it. Losing $15 on a $100 piece isn't the end of the world, but $150-$250 on a $1000 piece? What could I have bought with that money? That's the cost of a really nice modern page right there. I hope this is food for thought.

I feel like I've been reading too many of these R.I.P. topics lately. Rest in peace, Mr. Sam Glanzman.

Boy, do you know how to work a show!

Good luck with the sale, Hal! For what it's worth, it's a terrible cover. I've never seen anything so badly drawn. I don't think you'll regret letting this go at all. You're doing the right thing!