Rick2you2

But at what price point?

To “Broke but Happy”? How about “Newly Divorced?”

As a minor follow-up, an average/low average Aparo Phantom Stranger page just sold for $360 on Heritage. That is the lowest price I have seen for one with the lead character in it in at least 3-4 years and only the second below $500. Compare that to the $1,100 and $1,295 pages being offered by Archangels (who does typically run high), and the market may be correcting itself. Next up? How about adjustments to the pricing of Ross Andru pieces? Another good artist, but outside of Spider-man, are they justified?

No. But, I have gotten pickier, and I have skipped pieces from artists I wanted if the page did not measure up. Early on, I would not do that. Still waiting for the right Perez piece, for example.

With a little searching, you might find a Manara doing something with horses which is definitely not something to show kids/family/friends.

I really do appreciate all the catches, but no, it wouldn’t be a grail or even a purchase candidate. To me, this is a fun hobby, not an investment vehicle. That kind of item will sell for way more than I will spend for fun, and if I did own it, I couldn’t part with it. So, it wouldn’t qualify as an investment. I also have a few of his pieces, and for now, that will do. Second, I really like variety in my single mindedness. I would much rather have several different artists’ works with the character for style comparison than a heavy concentration of Aparo or anyone else. Other people are the opposite: same artist, different Peanuts scenes and characters (so to speak). Finally, I think Aparo has hit a high point in pricing, and with some rare exceptions, don’t see a lot of growth (some, but not like great newer artists). I could be wrong on pricing, of course. I still can’t figure out all the love for Richard Dillon. But, keep it coming if you spot something. There’s always something out there I may have missed.

And that is ...

Buy what you like. If you don’t plan to flip it, price doesn’t matter if you can afford it.

Which is why that dreck from Anthony’s (which he knows is dreck) will eventually find a home—not necessarily as real art, but “wall art” for people who don’t want another print of the Brooklyn Bridge, or who want to decorate a kids room or rec room with something different. The middle ground is most endangered. Too pricey to ignore and not expensive enough to attract a shrinking market—like all those middle tier department stores that went out of business.

Christmas gifts are from free.

Thank you. I wish I knew what happened to the second half of the story in the next Swamp Thing issue.

Kirby w/5 Jack means that if Jack is within 5 words of Kirby it shows up, regardless whether before or after. There is also Jack pre/5 Kirby. That means Jack has to be before Kirby and within 5 words. Some systems allow the reader to get fancy, using multiple combinations, but I don’t find them necessary ( with other variables, too).

Any chance you could add Boolean search terms like: or, not or w/10 (etc.)

I like to buy inexpensive art as well, so long as I like it. In my view, almost nothing the Big Two have published would qualify as "bad" art, although quality can vary. The different pieces often represent different styles and subject matters, with prices affected by nostalgia as well as quality. Yes, some art is better than other art, but really stinkeroo stuff? I imagine some collectors could find lousy artwork from them, but it would be rare. What you gain with your budget is diversity, an appreciation of style differences and the ability to see different takes on the subject matter. All good, and invaluable. So, while I might extend a little higher these days for "throwaway" purchases, by all means, there is nothing wrong with your decision in my book. But, I still won't spend $10,000 for a single piece of art. I would lose too much by doing so, and I don't just mean money.

I should have posted this a few weeks ago when I got it, but, better late than never. I have been a big fan of Tony DeZuniga for years. While he worked in various styles, like in Jonah Hex, he also had a more naturalistic style better evidenced in his earlier work. They reflect something closer to real people instead of the superheroic look in vogue today. A lot of his pieces come up, and regularly sell for less than massive amounts, but I had been waiting for years to find one of his Phantom Stranger pages. Since 2012 or so, the only ones I have seen for sale with PS's image on them were owned by the Brothers in the form of a half story back-up from Swamp Thing. When I inquired, I was quoted a price which was way more than I would, or could, spend on this hobby at the time (divorce isn't cheap), which as I recall, was about $2,100. Fast forward to a recent Heritage Auction, and what shows up? The half story. It is not the best of his PS work, he did an issue of PS's own book with pages I love a lot more, but the first page splash and the unavailability of anything else, and more income, sold me on it. So, for $3,700 or so, with tax and shipping, here are a three pages from it.

I won't disagree, but every once in a while, if you have a lot of time to kill, you can find something worth buying. I confess my biases, but these were worth $250 a piece. Not world-beaters, but I particularly like the Spectre image.

Anthony’s would qualify.

Not me. There have been some minor pieces coming up, and came up, that I passed on. I think they are finally settling down a bit, pricewise, but still high, given his prodigious output for a lower tier character ☹️. At this point, I would only buy one that was wonderful if at a lower price point than I am likely to see. Besides, there are some other things I want and need to save up for. Maybe Nick K is on the hunt again. If you are curious, average to low average pieces with the character are now settling in around $1,000, with some going for a bit less. There are several pieces sitting for sale from dealers up to around $1,500, and they aren’t moving. Anthony’s has a decent one below $1,000 which also isn’t moving. Without PS in the art, they can occasionally be found for less than $500. Nothing good has come up lately with a great splash or image, except something on CAF which is not realistic.

Jason Shawn Alexander has a website, and his prices are pretty good.

George Perez, Carmine Infantino, Mike Kaluta— not hard to find, except if you are looking for nice Phantom Strangers at a decent price. For Kaluta, I’d settle for one of his sketches, since I am unlikely to find the cover of PS 26 for sale.

Neal Adams and John Byrne immediately come to mind.

If this makes sense, it has a "comic booky" feel to it more than an artistic feel, more in the spirit of Adams and Byrne but less distinctive. But, he does do it very well.

I can’t even have my daily + art search. I hope no one has posted anything for sale these past 24 hours of interest.

Look at the bright side: we still maintain our priorities.

And don’t miss the cameo of Mortimer and Randolph in Coming to America.