WYLDCHYLD

I would contend, though, that reasons we collect – nostalgia, the art itself, investment – will vary from person to person. I say that because I find myself frequently coveting and sometimes buying art from books I have no nostalgic feelings for. The most nostalgic era of comics for me is the mid 60s to the early 70s, but I have very little art from that period. I may be extremely nostalgic for JLA issues from the 60s, but make little effort to pursue the art since I don't care much for Sekowsky. That doesn't mean I wouldn't be happy to have one, but I wouldn't pursue it like I would something like a Ploog Kull splash which I covet for the art itself. So all those factors exist, but motivate different collectors to different degrees. I totally agree, but just on the opposite end of the spectrum. Using nostalgia as an example (as it is the basis of most of my personal collecting). I seek that warm fuzzy feeling of owning the original art to a book I remember reading as a kid one summer day when my grandpa would take me to the store to buy me a few comic books. I don't care who the artist was that drew these images, (I really do enjoy Janson from his early Defenders work over Giffen though), I just rememember the images were powerful and interesting enough to draw my young mind away from all the others on the spinner rack. Now while I love and appreciate Miller DD art (but don't personally collect the art to it), I do remember reading the original DD run off the stand, and at the time, didn't really notice any drastic changes in the art itself (perhaps because I wasn't looking for it), I just remember enjoying reading each new issue as they came out (I started reading off-the stands with issue #173 and read steadily until #191). To me, this is where only nostalgia matters. If I was to collect the art from this run, the only thing that would matter to me would be which individual covers/pages were burned into my memory the most from story moment images I enjoyed, rather than "artistic quality of the piece as a piece of art". This is why I have so many Buckler, Milgrom, and Chan covers on my wantlist...sure they may not be the "greatest" artists of their time, but nostalgia is a powerful thing...

I think both DD covers that were up for sale recently went pretty low compared to other Miller DD that we've seen over the last few years (#188 in particular, but that really was a beautiful cover), but I would imagine that's because there's just been a glut of Miller art released into the market lately. Basic supply and demand. Still, the #190 is a personal fave. I was however very pleased to see the Ronin #1 page get a decent bid as that really is some great art that is not usually offered around...

I one day aspire to work at a fine art museum, where I will make it my pet project to "slip-in" a piece of my own choosing to be seen among the pieces on display from all the great masters. Then after a year, when it is taken down from public display at the museum I will consign it to Christie's where we will hear those magic words: "SOLD! $43 million dollars for the Hembeck original "Human Torch Goes Swimming."

Agree on the 174 actually...I forgot about that cover, which was actually the first Miller issue I read...I do place that in the top 3-which would then make my top 3 in this order: 181- no doubt, best of the best 179- sorry, but this really is a MUCH better cover than you give it credit for 174-Gladiator=bonus I just don't see the 168 cover as being visually "great"...maybe because I didn't buy it on the stands, but I do think it's historic, and that's what would make it go for more than the 188 if they were head-to-head at auction. Mind you, we're talking the best covers with Elektra on them though, because if we went further into the entire run, I'd have to say 160, 161 easily rank pretty darn high. While we're at it: worst 3- 185, 186, 187...and yeah, I told Miller that personally...it was not well recieved.

I met Miller when he was done with the run, and he mentioned he "was putting his heart into the covers right up to the end of the run, but he had admittedly lulled a bit on working the interiors", now while that's not a specific point he's making about this cover, it did speak volumes to me (and the other fans I was with). This was something he made a VERY serious point to make to me as I had just criticized his cover work on DD #187 as being "not as good as some of the others". As for the "quality" of the image on this cover, in my eyes it's one of the better ones. A HUGE image of DD and a very cool Elektra? Yes please. I personally think that 168, 181, and 190 are the 3 most "important/historic" issues of the run, and the 3 best covers of the run are 179, 181, and 190. (This is a subjective opinion of course, but those were the ones that really made me go "WOAH!" when I saw 'em on the spinner rack...). After Elektra died, I don't think there was anyone alive that didn't consider #190 a "must read" issue of the time (and Marvel obviously agreed as seen by the $1.00 cover price...those greedy bastirds!) Do I care if it's on 2 boards? Hell no, it is what it is...that's just how a color-hold cover is produced...fact is, unlike most instances, this time the hand-drawn art is all THERE. Would I rather see it be just the DD image with a stat, and no sign of the actual hand-drawn Elektra board?!?! As it is, it displays nice with the stat overlay as well. If it bothers the new owner, he can take it to a restorer who will razor the Elektra figure and merge them on 1 board (yes, I've actually seen this done on a piece or two). As for steak, in my eyes this cover is a lovely porterhouse...certainly not a cover I'd consider a poor substitute for a "better" one...I can think of a LOT of crappy covers in that run, but this sure isn't one of 'em...

Fixed that for ya. Much appreciated But keep in mind, higher prices sometimes "brings out" pieces that wouldn't normally ever be for sale... Dark Knight splash, DD #190 cover, Ronin pages...if prices weren't high, chances are we wouldn't see these better-quality pieces come out of hiding...

The first DD cover with Elektra to hit public auction, (and one of the most memorable "key issue" covers at that)? And you think it will sell for as little as a good Dark Knight panel page?!? I strongly disagree. I think the Miller market is getting seriously strong for the few nicer pieces like covers and splashes (and certain really memorable panel pages). I side with those that think this cover will do very well. This is really the first (and probably last) time collectors really had a chance at a good DD cover with Elektra (or a Dark Knight splash for that matter). Seriously good Miller pieces don't usually reach the public...it's been a good year for Miller collectors (to at least get a shot at buying pieces).

Does anyone know what other art he owned by chance? I'm curious what else is now lost to history due to unfortunate circumstances...

The X-men GS #1 cover had been sold by Len and rests safely in a private collection. The stat cover of GS #1 also rests in another private collection. Because Len owned the original at one time is where the confusion comes in that it was burned in the fire...this is untrue. Now as for the Hulk art- Len owned the last page to Hulk #180 and the entire book of #181 which are now destroyed from the fire. The cover to #181 was not in Len's posession, as it was sold many years ago and has not resurfaced since. Trimpe sold most of his other Hulk art to the Donalley brothers years ago... Hope that helps straighten out any confusion...

www.profilesinhistory.com new art for sale is UP!!!!

I personally buy 1970s cover art if anyone has any to sell... If you have any, my email is: JONMANKUTA@aol.com thanks! JONATHAN MANKUTA