Rick2you2

It’s all the same problem. Simple lines, basic page structures, perfect for a coloring book.Could there be some nice pages? Maybe, if you like the style. I don’t. Shame too, because I have seen a little pre-JLA artwork that I liked much more.

Most collectors are smarter than I am when picking subjects. So you have any idea how hard it is to find decent (let alone good) images of the Phantom Stranger from artists I don’t have?

The biggest advantage of having a goal, I find, is saving money for the important stuff. There are times I have seen art I like, but I know that buying it will interfere with the next big thing that comes my way. So unless there is something special about it, which happens, I skip it. Sure enough, something within my area of interest comes my way afterward. Lately, I have been having a different problem: too much little stuff is coming up that I want, when a few years ago, there could be 6 month stretches when there was nothing I wanted to add. So, for now, I guess I go into “deficit spending” mode and hope nothing big comes up for a while.

I think most collectors would agree that price and quality don’t have a lot to do with each other. In my opinion, you bought a quality piece.

Reminds me of when I was a college student and found a shop like that in Harrisburg. Picked up Vault of Horror no. 15 for $7.00, but had to pass on an old Blackhawk because I didn’t have $14.00.

You didn’t seem sure. Not a particularly neat store, and with other collectibles, like toys.

He has a retail store.

Sounds like a tort lawyer.

An interesting view of a company’s customers.

For anyone who has a card on file and who uses it. I would call my credit card company, notify them of the breach, immediately suspend its use, and ask for a new number card.

What qualifies as “View recent offers on sold items in this category”?

I’m sorry you were cheated, but then, don’t use their service, at all. I had a question recently to a seller on eBay and it went through, along with my email address. Next time use PayPal for sending money. Or a credit card. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

Ebay is providing a service. It deserves to be paid for it. If someone doesn’t want to use them, let them try one of the Facebook groups, or here, and save the fees.

As a collector of Phantom Stranger art since around 1980, I certainly understand your situation, although, you are fortunate enough to have more Silver Surfer images to choose from. But I guess I come from a different mindset. If I don’t need the money, why sell? Over time, most art goes up. So in the event of a catastrophe, it is still there. So long as I have it though, it is still a memory which I like to have—young raw purchases even if I wouldn’t duplicate them now. I also have a few which I didn’t care for a few years ago, but appreciate more again (even a few I didn’t like when I was buying them). Now, I am pretty sure I don’t spend the amounts you spend, so perhaps you think it’s a wasted asset? I had unloaded about 8,000 comics around 10 years ago, mostly to reduce volume, and didn’t care much what I got for them. In retrospect, I am not pleased with what I did. But even if I had more money, so what? I did, however, keep my complete set of Silver Surfer issues.

Not necessarily. You have to be willing to give up popular stuff in order to get popular stuff. There is a terrific amount of really good cheap stuff. By the way, you probably made a wise decision. Spider-man art is likely way more popular then Dracula art now (both of which may also be good).

I consider the following two pages a "double Morlock". Linked by story or art (like a 2 page spread), the pair came in at a little less than $500.00 at an eBay auction. Ernie Colon and Pablo Marcos are certainly a pair of respectable pencillers and inkers, but what makes these special, to me at least, is that they are from Secret Origins No. 10. If you ever see something referring to the 4 possible origins of the Phantom Stranger, like in Wikipedia, this is the book they were in. Until recently, none of the pages from this particular story had ever been brought to market (at least two of the other 3 were). More specifically, the story is a science fiction tale in which PS is stuck in a time loop. To make sure the Big Bang occurs, he has to basically die, while passing his special magic onto the original version of himself (the guy in glasses), who then helps assure the Big Bang occurs by stepping into a ray blast. Who knew that when you step into a ray blast it would also improve someone's eyesight? Because of their origin, I think they would ordinarily have gone for a bit more than what I paid, but SDCC seems to have drained off some bidding. They may not be national treasures, but they do make me happy.

Yup.

Nope. Saw it yesterday, and loved it. I’ve been staying away from commissions, for the most part, for a couple of years. Picked up some other things lately, however.

Fair enough, but at least wait until there is more publicity and a movie release date. I was only vaguely aware this was being done at all.

I would suggest that you not part with it until you get a date for the movie's release. Also, see if the auction houses would be willing to place it in auction right after the movie comes out. That should get you your highest return (unless the movie stinks).

Maybe I need both. Glassine may protect the table (wood), but what about the art? Aside from the art, I don't want to ruin my table.

I have been pressing some artwork sent to me in a rolled up tube. When I took it out of my “press”, I smelled ink. Rather than just turning it over and pressing the other side, I decided to let it air itself out for a while. Now, it is time to flip it and press the other side, but I am concerned there may be smudging or sticking to the table. So, I was thinking of first placing down a water resistant paper (even wax paper) first. Different paper types came to mind, including regular wrapping paper (not resistant to water), to wax paper, butcher paper or parchment paper. Any thoughts? Am I over-concerned?

Sounds like damning with faint.praise.

Not sure about HA, but it looks like it on eBay today.

Yes, well, commissions from reliable sources. I have, in the past, commissioned artists at shows. The really reliable ones don't ask for money up front. On the other hand, I have also encountered some who don't ask and still don't produce.