Sooners151

I have been collecting OA for about 5/6 months now and this site and the discussions have been invaluable. So, thank you all very much. I’ve learned a ton and continue to do so. Given the high learning curve per dollar spent in the OA market, it’s both exciting and daunting. Since I’m a new collector, I wanted to give my tips/experience for others just looking to get into the OA realm from someone who is still in stage 1. A lot of it is repetition and I don’t take original credit for any of it, but repetition is probably not a bad thing. 1. There is a LOT of art out there. While the hobby is unique in that almost everything you can collect is 1/1, think how many pages are in each book, and how many books get published every week. In addition, there are sketches, commissions, etc. With the market growing, most artists realize the revenue potential with releasing their pages for sale. You can/have to be very picky as a buyer. When I first started, I got caught up in the uniqueness aspect of OA, and that I may never see a particular page again, so I did a few impulse buys for some work that I liked but didn’t love. I could have used those funds toward more “love it” pieces. Now, unless it’s a neat, inexpensive sketch or novelty, I must really love the work before I make a purchase. 2. I know this is said often, but have a budget. This hobby will consume any dollar you throw at it and then some. I hate budgets….but you have to have a budget that covers what you will invest total for a given time frame, and what you might pay for any one piece. Also, when you start following the boards, Comiclink, HA, etc, and you start seeing 2, 5, 10, 20k prices being thrown around all the time and it can be desensitizing to your original budget. My first piece was a $600 cover, and I thought that was a ton to spend on a comic book drawing, but I see that it doesn’t register as a blip on what gets bought on a regular basis. While that made me more comfortable going after higher price pieces, it did have an unexpected ballooning effect on my spend. 3. This one I haven’t seen a lot, but it’s the waiting game. This hobby isn’t designed for instant gratification (unless money is no object). From finally finding a piece that speaks to you, or waiting for one to be released, or waiting until an artist finishes a commission, waiting for the new auction to start and finish, to shipping, and everything else, the wait times have been maddening for me. Granted, it makes the final acquisition that much better, but just something to expect going in. I’m experiencing my first timed payment purchase and still have 30 out of 60 more days to go. It’s been brutal. Ha 4. Ebay. I’m sure this is where 90% of all new collectors buy their first or second piece. After being in the hobby for a few months (still total newbie), I didn’t realize how much of a @#$p shoot as far as pricing and quality Ebay is. I bought my first large purchase (for me) off ebay, and while I LOVE the work, I realized I probably could have gotten it $4-5 hundred cheaper with a little more experience. I still shop ebay, but with the knowledge that most experience collectors gravitate toward the traditional OA auctions or dealers, it has made me more cautious buying from Ebay. 5. Here was a nice bonus that I didn’t expect. See if you can build a relationship with an artist you like. I wasn’t planning on specializing in any one person, and still not, but I bought a piece from an artist off their website due to their mastery of a certain character. I LOVE his work, but expected the transaction to be like any other business deal. However, after a few email exchanges, we built a report. I’ve purchased a few more works, we have exchanged pleasant emails, and I’ve followed on Instagram, twitter, etc. While nothing earth shattering, I got a few unexpected bonuses, or a heads up on upcoming desirable work. The best part, it has made each piece I’ve purchased from him more personal to me. So, if there is a particular artist you like, be friendly, try to communicate, and get to know them. Some are receptive, and it just makes the overall experience something special. 6. Don’t know if this qualifies as a commercial, but engage in CAF, particularly with people that share the same tastes as you. Comment on their work or send them a DM. Be polite and friendly. I have yet to have anyone be an A-hole on the site (I’m sure there are some), but have actually made a few facebook friends off CAF, even people on the other side of the world. 7. And finally, the most often repeated advice given to newbies and veterans alike, and kind of a repeat of point 1. Love the work you purchase, and love it for your reasons. If it’s nostalgia, style, character, artist, whatever, do not buy it because other people say it’s what you should collect. Do your research of course to make sure you are not overpaying. But buy it because you want it. If not, you will always have pieces in your portfolio you barely look at, or flip through quickly to move onto a piece you like better. Maybe when I look back on this post in a year, I will laugh at this list, but this is my experience right now. The one aspect I didn’t touch is investment. There is no way I can talk to that being in the hobby only 6 months, and to me, not what I’m looking to get out of it. Thanks again to the community here!

It's beautiful work and makes a great cover, but it's missing the spider, IMO. If you didn't know it was a venomized variant and you just looked at it, would you be sure what was going on? I guess the non virgin variant fixes that mystery

Didn't want to create a new topic for this question so I figured this was the best place to ask. When you go to a dealer site and they list a piece of art "on hold", does that mean its being negotiated or that there is a payment plan in place? Or are they waiting to release it to purchase?

Insuring your OA collection So my newly started OA collection just got a major (for me) piece over the last day or so. It will be about 60 days before I get it, and excited to post it here and CAF when I do. I saw a recent topic on insuring your comic collection, but I wanted to know who has insured their OA collection and how was the process in doing so. OA is so subjective, and relatively niche compared to comics or other collectibles, so appraisal may be difficult. I live in the heart of Tornado Ally, and try to insure as much stuff of value that I can just in case. Any comments are appreciated.

I don't know if you are still looking but this page popped up on CAF. http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=1394549&GSub=151162

Thanks! Here is the Venom #1 that I didn't post before

Picked up a new Venom #`150 cover. Completes my Crain Venom Cover set. Look to get all three (#1, #5, #150) framed together

Thanks Malvin!

Main vs. Variant cover OA I was curious if there is a trend in the OA collecting community that puts desirability or premium on a main cover vs. a variant, or visa versa? Or if it really just comes down to the artist and image. I know in published books, variants typically have a higher value, but that's mostly due to limited supply vs. demand. With OA being usually 1/1, supply is a constant variable.

There is also an "art behind glass" topic a few pages back that has hundreds of examples of framing as well.

I picked up a couple of splash pages that I thought had interesting artwork. Curse of the Spawn #28 page 2, and The Darkness #35 page 5

You're welcome. I hope the seller's reserve isn't too high.....

Saw this one on ebay right now http://www.ebay.com/itm/311835736761?rmvSB=true

Ordered an in-stock book on 3-20. I have the conformation email. Never received a follow up shipping email, so I called and left a couple of voicemail messages, no response. Disputed the charge with my credit card today and they refunded me my money.

FYI, It looks like he pulled the McFarlene inked page. Had it listed for $2k. My apologies if you went to look for it.

A whole bunch of pencil and ink OA just put up on Clayton Crain's site I'm not associated with Clayton Crain in anyway, rep him or have even met him, just a big fan. This is the first time I've seen him upload pencil and ink pages to his site, so I thought the community may find it interesting. Since it's art for sale, I figure this section would be more appropriate than the main OA section. There are a bunch of pages, some complete OA issues, and some Curse of the Spawn stuff, with one inked by McFarlane. http://claytoncrain.com/products/

I already posted most of these in the "This week in your original art collection" topic, but now they are framed so I thought I would add them here. Unfortunately I have to take the Action Comic one back sometime next week as they forgot to double mat all three pieces in it, but no big deal. I will have two more next month, then let the funds recharge for a while.

Thanks! I have a commission with him concurrently as well. I was happy he took it on as the subject is a really obscure video game (Xenogears). Looking forward to how it turns out! Edit - Sorry for the double post and re-post of pics. The forum froze up and I didn't even know it took my reply.

I love his commission work and didn't except to go all out on his published covers, but took the plunge. I picked up the Spiderman #14 French Panini 20th ans cover and the Venom #5 Variant Cover from Clayton Crain. I plan on framing them both together with a neat little name card he made. I have to say, I'm very new to the OA hobby (comics for years) but every dealer or artist I've worked with has been great so far. Clayton however went above and beyond my expectations. Not only is his work just beautiful, but communication, packaging, and a ton of unexpected freebies were sent. I couldn't be happier, and wholeheartedly recommend dealing with him if you are a fan!

Second post, this OA collecting is addicting! Picked up another of Rob's variant covers. I think I'm just having Chew withdraws... http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=1378350&GSub=180710

First CGC post I've just started to seriously look into original art after collecting comics like most. I picked up this piece a few years ago from Rob Guillory's site. I'm even more excited about it since Season 5 of Samurai jack is coming out next month! http://cafurl.com?i=22775