Rick2you2

I am not an expert, or particularly knowledgeable, although something similar happened to me. One of my concerns would be that it dries out distorted. I would probably place each one under a large flat object, being careful not to let the ink get smudged during drying, probably below and above a “breathable” cloth. Then, save some money for the restorer. Isn’t there some type of drying powder which can be sprinkled on the ink to prevent smudging?

I know, unless it gets cancelled like the earlier intended repackaging of PS stories covering the Action Comics and Swamp Thing issues.

They should revise their website and point out it has been cancelled.

Absolutely.

Absolutely agree. But it is hard to write a compelling story about him. The character is best used where the story is wrapped in ethics and morality issues, like in the Second Series,10-25, yet writers keep getting waylaid by his raw power level.

My understanding is that there is still a live comic art show in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ on Aug. 23rd. Is that correct? Does anyone know of the status of other shows where art or artists may appear, besides NYC, in the comic months?

I never used to care much for Aparo because I disliked the way he drew wavy lines, hairlines in particular, which I found distracting. I grew to like him a lot more, and admire the way he would set up a panel page. Not a super fan, like Nick K, but I do appreciate his work.

Oops. Forgot that one. Assuming it is still on, I will definitely be there.

I have collected on and off for a long time, and I never got out of this stage. A professional artist, in my opinion, will almost always produce good art (if published by a major co.). Once you factor in personal taste, the odds are that no matter what you buy in this category, you will have something to love. And, don’t confuse high prices with “great” art. A lot of pricing is a function of nostalgia or overheated demand for a popular artist.

Don’t forget that some artists work can change dramatically over time, and Bill Sienk’s work is a good example. I am not particularly impressed with his New Mutants work, but as he matured, his voice soared. On the other hand, I have seen early work by Kirby that I like, but much of his Marvel work, which many people do like, I find cluttered (as I later learned, due to his absurd production rate schedule).

You do realize that with the availability of proxy bidding, sniping is irrelevant? If you put in a high enough proxy, a snipe never works. And, there is no reason to think a sniper wouldn’t bid the higher amount later if there weren’t a hard deadline.

Because it may be the only game in town. Besides, artists like to interact with their fans. And, there are different levels of “established”.

Isn't that the way they spell Saturday in Georgia?

On the other hand, a hard deadline sometimes lets you sneak through a win.

On the other hand, there can also be shills out there who will drive a price up to what a consignor would ordinarily reserve it as, thereby stimulating more bids by making people think they have a chance. Bottom line: second guessing is risky, at best.

I dunno. I would think most guys are turned on by a good piece they don’t own.

Will anyone be having a show with comic art, or established artists in attendance?

Will there be any artwork, or artists there? Or purely comics and collectibles?

Doesn’t he only do digital now?

I have 5, with 2 interior pages from the same run. One thing I like to do is compare different styles by different artists of the same subject matter to see how they handle it. So for me, an unpublished page is often a treat because an unexpected artist shows up drawing a Phantom Stranger image. On balance, they cost less, and are worth less, then a published page, but as noted above there are exceptions. I have 3 different pages from two cancelled series where DC was trying to unify all the different magic types. One attempt was to unify all the different magic types into a single magic theory (the artist, Chris Schenk, had only done the pencils, so I commissioned him to ink it privately, very pleased). The other was an early attempt at something like a Justice League Dark that went nowhere (with insane looking characters, but pretty good art, by Duke Mighten). I also have a tryout page for a Constantine book by Jason Shawn Alexander, and a very good pencil cover by Scott Clark to Phantom Stranger No. 3 (4th Series).

I don’t save for grails. For me, there aren’t any I am likely to see. If I did, I would buy it, deduct the cost from savings, and refill the savings later. I’m a big boy; I can control myself in the future. No, the bigger problem for me is buying a lesser piece rather than wait for a better one to come along within the amount I will spend on this stuff. That is not a grail. For example, I have passed on a number of George Perez pieces with the Phantom Stranger in them because either they were mediocre or too high priced, IMO, to meet my collecting interest. And if I don’t ever get one, I will still sleep well. Don’t forget: all art has some aesthetic appeal. If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.

I don’t see it that way. To me, the piece is decorative, and the loud matting amplified its decorative nature by blending with the colors and tone of the piece. With all the subtlety of a brick, might as well let its “ brickiness” shine through. Let me add that while I can respect the piece, I would not buy it.

I like the matting in the context of this piece. Yes, it is loud, but so is the coloring in the artwork. And the subject matter is raucous, too. If it were candy, it would be like Skittles. So, going with the theme and coloring works for me. Making it serious takes away from the entertaining loudness of the piece. By the same token, I wouldn’t hang it with a bunch of black and whites in the living room. More likely, the entertainment room, near the pool table, if there is one.

If you are throwing away any Alberto Vargas art, can I have it?

Just remember, those portfolio’s are not Mylar and are not intended for permanent storage. I use them anyway on my less expensive stuff, and I keep them away from light in a dry place. The better stuff gets placed in Mylar sleeves and then placed in large Itoya’s, assuming I can find a large enough one. Oversized pieces remain a problem.