Rick2you2

I generally agree, although I have mixed thoughts on his work. I do want to add that not every artist whose work is excellent goes up in price. They usually have to get on (or help create) a popular book. I have also bought art occasionally that I did not love, or even like, because I liked the artist, and still am not thrilled with the purchase.

I have been involved with this subject for years with the printing of my newsletters. The high level of detail which a professional print job generates (As I recall, mine told me it is 2,400 dpi), won’t matter unless you plan to do a large blow-up. That level of dpi is great for billboards; but not in my plans. For me, I have, on rare occasions, noted a difference between photocopies of 300 dpi and 600 dpi, but I also specifically recall liking the 300 dpi better on some copies. No, I don’t know why. So, unless you are planning to wallpaper a room, or ceiling, with a copy of that Red Sonia image you just bought, I think 300 should be plenty.

For all it’s worth, Snyder is one of the better dealers out there. His prices are reasonable and he treats his customers fairly. I have no doubt that you paid a fair price for a nice piece of work. So, congratulations on your acquisition.

Seems to me, then, that someone is fearless. I just wanted to add that I think it’s helpful to collectors to call out things like this. Or maybe, someone can offer solid justifications for a healthy price.

Is that the only reason, other than obviously nice graphics? Its place in a storyline?

I saw this just listed for $10,000. That seems quite a bit out of line for Reis's work. I do like it, as well as Reis's general work. And, it isn't every day we get a close-up of the Super-nostrils. But is there a reason, besides "optimism", which can explain a $10,000 listing price for a DPS pencil piece like this?

Sounds like an episode from Storage Wars, which the skeevy looking guy won.

Just go to Alex Ross Art. https://www.alexrossart.com/Alex-Ross-Original-Art_c_29.html You will find other references in Comic Art Fans. There are a lot of them. Unsold.

In this case, I am lower. My colon is full...

Perhaps it might be more fun to ask an artist to do a “competitive” recreation. That would mean the artist is to take the same subject matter as in the original, including anything which seems important, and to do a redesign which the artist thinks is better suited to the subject than the original.

Frankly, I think Kirby’s work is often overpriced, as well as being less appreciated than it used to be. Yes, Kirby was a talented artist, and yes, he could do excellent work, but much of his beloved Marvel stuff looks rushed and has mistakes in it (how many fingers did the Thing have?). I was also never a fan of his “blocky” look. What surprises me is how comparatively low Eisner’s work is (and it isn’t cheap).

I just followed up.

So, in any of your opinions, was it a better piece just pencilled, or is it better inked? I like them both, which make me useless on that subject. But, I am thinking about having him do a second commission, full figure, in a scene.

Just to be clear, he has a high skill set. The work I have seen just doesn't get my juices up. Perhaps other pieces might.

Several weeks ago, I posted a pencil sketch by Sy Barry of the original Phantom Stranger from the early 1950's. From what I can tell, he is the only surviving artist from that period who worked on the book. So, when he agreed to do commissions again, I jumped. After he finished the pencil sketch, the first shot, below, I asked if he could ink it. He said yes, and it is below the pencil version. You will notice it is a very different take on the character--not so much a supernatural feeling as that of an adventurer. Helluva job; he must be around 90 and he still has his skills.

That comment about Ross's work pretty much summarizes my thinking as well. I would rather have lesser drafting skills and more heart. Heart is what gets the blood pumping, not just pretty prictures. I think that is what also bothers me about Dillon (on a much lesser price scale). Nice imagry, but no blood and guts.

Still not sure why it was ever popular, aside from rank nostalgia.

I am not sure the OP can really de-link price from popularity, since popularity affects price. I know there was an Alex Ross piece I did not go after because I felt the auction took the eventual price higher than I felt the piece was worth, even though it was not too far inconsistent with the sales price of at least one other piece. I also did not see its long term value. Furthermore, I know there are a fair number of high 5 and 6 figure Ross pieces which don’t seem to sell. Does that mean he is less popular, or the pricing has outpaced perceived value? Would I still buy one at a more reasonable price? Yes.

Dr. Blake’s head size is impressively large. I wonder if they are paste ups over some other image, or really that bad in original form.

Declining in popularity is not the same as declining in price. Prices from dealers tend to be sticky downward, and they just tend to stay in inventory or auction unless someone makes a good offer. Generally, I would say there has been a decline in popularity of generic 1970’s art, but that doesn’t mean you can expect price drops for things like X-Men or Adams. I am referring to stuff like “oh yeah, him”. Non-superhero work hasn’t done too well, even though War comics can be beautiful. I gather from comments on these boards that BW Smith Conan work has dropped, overall, but it isn’t an area I collect so I could be wrong.

I prefer the Sook. I don’t care for the heavy inking, or making that particular character serious.

The Mr. E image has a double gag, at least. Apart from the stretched neck, like the Elongated Man, notice the star burst on his chest? While the image is different, it reminds me of another E character—Charleston’s E-Man, a being of pure energy, while Nova, his GF, had a similar star burst. Otherwise, the star burst makes no sense. The PS design, to look like Raven’s costume, is a tip towards the earliest of the 4th series Phantom Stranger stories where he essentially gave her back to Trigon before she became Raven. I still don’t know where the Dr. 13 homage is directed.

I not only agree, but want to add a more general observation. There is a difference between great draftsmanship and great OA. The old “classics” artists could be great draftsman, but the way that storytelling existed constrained the OA. Too many 6 panel pages and text exposition, for example. Exceptions to the rule, like Eisner and Kirby, appear to have had more freedom in the storytelling aspect of OA. But with Adams, he blew open the doors on OA and page structure became much more interesting. Again, IMO, OA generally got much better. The result of this change has produced an overall increase in the raw quality of work— along with better pay, attracting more artists, and the rise of the independents, allowing for more experimentation and avenues for artists—leading to continued, excellent draftsmanship and OA. Which, taken together, makes me think that a lot of older art is overpriced if you strip out the nostalgia aspects and “early examples of” value to the art. Bottom line: the future is bright and getting brighter.

Distinction noted, but they are still awful. And, it does meet the OP’s statement. Besides, is that really any different than the way the Thing was made to look, just towards a different plot point?

Maybe they thought it was Sharon Carter, dressed for Halloween.