okay...
after 6 pages of losing brain cells...
Mark is a friend of mine and we have had discussions in the past about pricing of OA. Mark is one of the most credible and well respected OA reps out there otherwise he wouldn't have the people he does in his stable.
The cover is argueably the best cover in a years. Double page also featuring the 4 main characters, with zombies and seems very pleasing to everyone.
As many of my friends have heard me say, my job (or the job of any reputable art dealer) is to get the best price possible. Mark can't sell this cover to 8 different people for $5k each, he only has 1 and is asking $10k.
In essence he is trying to sell 1 piece of art for what he feels is the best price and a price 1 person would pay.
Mark has the right and the duty to Charlie to sell his art for what the market will bear. He does not need to think of aftermarket or what someone investing in the art will lose or recoup in years. His intent is to make the sale and work in the best interests of his clients.
There are definitely 2 markets working here...
Those that were buying WD art years ago, and now selling (at a large margin) or keeping.
Those that are currently buying WD art or have been recently as their starting point, (to which their margin is much much tighter) or keeping.
Both have different ideas of what is right and wrong with the WD OA Market, but any other their opinions are self serving to which market they fall into.
Personally...
If I were buying WD art (and I just purchased a nice page from Mark yesterday) I would be buying pages I like, not because I feel they are going to be strong investments. I think many will agree that the pricing does not allow for much flexibility to resell quickly, which again, some would say is part of the role Mark has taken in maximizing his clients interest.
Random thoughts...