artdealer

I just looked at the #177 cover. There is a note at the bottom, in Frank's handwriting, that says "Klaus: No tone on Daredevil" I truly doubt Klaus would write a note to himself on the art, in Frank's handwriting. Proving that Klaus might thinks he did more than he actually did. MI

And a number of interior splashes were pencilled and inked on craftint by Frank. MI

Positively no information to the contrary? Rumoured by people not informed correctly about the art? Really, Mitch? When I first saw this piece back in October, I was very interested, but needed some information in order to determine my max bid so I contacted Spencer and asked him if he could forward a few questions to Klaus on my behalf. The email conversation follows: "HIya, Spencer: The original cover art to DD190 is up for auction and I was wondering if you could ask Klaus how much of it was his work vs Miller. For example, did Miller provide only rough breakdowns (done on 8.5x11 sketch paper?), with Klaus doing finished pencils and inks? Any help would be beneficial" FROM KLAUS ... Spencer-I don't think that this was done on 8.5X11 paper as if I remember correctly, the covers were done full size- But since the cover was done on craf t-tint, Frank did the pencils on regular cover stock and I redreww it or traced it onto craft tint paper and then inked it. Frank never penciled anything on craft tint. I was the one who used that and introduced it into the DD run. Hope that answers the questions. KJ I emphasized the key bit of Klaus' response that swayed my decision to pass on this cover. Well, Klaus is wrong. Frank did pencil on craftint. Daredevil Marvel Poster Center Spread from Daredevil Chronicles Both of which Klaus inked. Frank also drew the Bizarre Adventures Elektra story and some of the splashes in the Elektra books on craftint, of which Klaus did not ink. And I'm holding in my hands the cover to Daredevil #177, which was drawn on craftint, pencilled on the board by Frank and inked by Klaus. David Mandel is a lot smater than to buy a cover that Klaus pencilled and inked and try to be passed off as Miller. And I will talk to Lynn Varley, who was married to Frank to confirm that Frank pencilled the covers on the board. Nope, Klaus is wrong. MI

It is 100% pencilled by Miller and inked by Janson on the 2 boards as shown in the auction. There is positively no information to the contrary and simply rumored by people not informed correctly about the art. ALL of Miller's cover were pencilled on comic art board. NONE were drawn on 8 1/2 x 11 paper and then blown up and inked by Klaus. I was Klaus's art agent at the time and saw most, if not all the covers at that time. MI I thought this cover was by Frank Miller. Is there information to the contrary?

You might think so, but there isn't.

Miller's tight pencils, Janson inks. MI

Pete, PM sent. MI

I lived across the street from Supersnipe from early 1976 through Dec. 1979. First there was the comic book store, which had no room for comic art. The gallery opened around the corner, on 84th street somewhere around 1977 or 78. There was mostly comic art, but nothing Star Wars related, except for a show of McQuarrie and Johnson. There might have been some illustration art, but the focus was on comic art. There was no art from the comic book as I was Chaykin's art dealer and I sold the pages. The Star Wars poster art was sold through Steranko/Parente catalog in 1977. Lucas was a VERY silent partner. Ed was never at the gallery. He mostly ran the comic book store. Simon Deitch ran the gallery (brother of Kim Deitch, underground artist). I was there almost every day of the week. I saw Ed last about 2 years ago at the San Diego Con. Mitch I.

Walt Reed, his Father.

When I had my problems about 25 years ago, taking from one to pay the other, believe me, everyone was all over my about. This was before the internet and email, but I still received lots of call and letters telling me what type of person I was and how I had to do the right thing. What I did was not right,and I paid everyone I owe within a matter of 2 years, but some people since have resentment towards me. So making the IH situation public is not outrageous. There are a number of people owed money who should be paid. I read stories all the time about how art galleries all over the country get sued for money owed to consignors, and the consignors win, or the owner of the gallery disappears over night. What IH did is night right and making it public may make some others who they owe money, do something about it. Now, I like Roger and don't wish him anything bad, but by doing what he is doing, it gives everyone else a tougher job of getting any art on consignment. The matter of trust has been breached to some, and that might make some collectors wary of dealing with dealers, instead, trying to sell it on Ebay, where the bottom feeders won't pay for good illustration art. I don't put IH in the comic art dealer category, as they sell so little,and don't really count that atrocious comic art show of regurgitated art as being comic art dealers. As I said, having been in that same boat as IH, I understand it, but cannot condone it, nor see anyway out for them, unfortunately. Mitch I.

"Second hand information?" What planet do you live on?

Yup.

Yeah, but I shouldn't get too involved in the IH debacle. MI

Was his initials ZL? Mitch I.

Most of what is in the current auction is consigned, though a few are owned by IH Bronty, no not a good position to be in, but they still had a lousy and self righteous attitude Mitch I.

Well, yeah, it is true. Why else would channel 7 put it on the air? As much as I like Roger and Walt, this will probably be the beginning of the end for them, though I hope not. However, the attitude that the schmucks who spoke with the woman was deplorable. "We are having financial problems" is not an excuse, especially when it isn't your money that you have already spent. But this is just one story. Mitch I.