Benedict Judas Hel

I bought 1 piece from super cool Fisch that was right up my collecting alley and allowed me to check another artist off my list to get a piece from.

I had some sellers reach out for reduced prices on pieces I had saved but those were fall back choices in case I didn’t buy anything.  However, since I did buy something I really wanted, I didn’t respond (except 1 for a modern cover hoping for a larger reduction).  I haven’t heard back from that one so I assume it’s a no-go.  But at the end of the day, I am perfectly happy with the piece I did get.

I received this 11 1/2” x 16” Vega and Baroness commission by Bo Hampton today:

On 10/24/2023 at 7:18 AM, Bridom said:

Spending real money ($300+) on a commission from most artists is pretty nuts in my opinion.

I’ve spent as much as $800 on a commission before.  I average about $250 to $400 on every commission I’ve ever gotten and I know full well that I will not get the same money back that I put into it.  But I don’t plan on selling any of my commissions either so it doesn’t really matter to me.  It’s akin to vintage car restoration (of which I also partake in).  You are never (or very rarely) going to get back what you put into it.  However, you will be getting a very unique item that you can cherish in your collection.  That’s my stance on why I am comfortable getting commissions.  I also enjoy being able to get artists I grew  up with to draw characters they have never done before and interactions (non-sexual) that they possibly haven’t imagined previously.  It’s a nice surprise to see what they come up with.  I’ll admit that the commissions aren’t always gold but I have enjoyed enough of them to keep getting them.

I got in this 8 1/2” x 9” Baroness watercolor commission by Rene Cardova today:

On 10/10/2023 at 3:13 PM, babsrocks31 said:

What say the board?

I don’t think the neck looks bad.  My focus is on her oversized fist.  At least, it’s oversized to my eyes…

I got in the original art page from 1981’s ROM Issue #19 Page 11 by Sal Buscema:

As it appears in print:

I’ve been looking to add a ROM page as well as a Sal Buscema so this page fits both needs nicely.  And despite that this particular page has my biggest dislike of a signed page (in the middle of the page instead of the outside borders), it has nice images of ROM as well the Dire Wraiths (and their monstrous creations).

On 9/23/2023 at 3:54 PM, John E. said:

A lot of my observations match mine.

I would hope so!  I would be worried if they didn’t!

That’s an awesome Baroness!

On 8/17/2023 at 6:05 PM, Dr. Balls said:

So here's my conversation from James Meeley of Sequential Treasures - the guy who I thought was reasonable in disclosing the paper issue on a piece of artwork I was asking about. He's apparently an "art rep" with a profile picture of:

Me: "Would you do $250 on this page if it is still available?"

Him: "Yes, that would be enough to get the page. But, just so I know you know, there is a slight crease in the page (which does show in the scan). It's not on normal comic art board, but a much thinner paper. The person I got it from did not take care to protect it very well (I'm surprised it wasn't more damaged), so this is how it came to me. I have got the crease a little less notable since then, by using some compression on it, but I don't think it will come completely out (though, I could be wrong). Just wanted to be sure you knew this. If you still want it, hit me with your shipping address to the email below. and I'll send you payment instrictions"

Me: "Hi James, thank you for clarifying the paper issue, I appreciate it. I will pass on this piece. Have a great week!"

Him: "thanks for showing me honesty doesn't pay."

My response:

Oh brother. Here's a tip:

1. Take the idiotic $10,000 OBO price off and you'll save yourself some frustration.

2. Disclose the paper type and condition in the description, like most other sellers would, that will also save you frustration.

3. Don't get pissy with the customer for passing on a piece they don't want because of it's condition or type of medium it's on. Grow up.

Looks like my earlier joke to you about this seller was indeed a prescient one…

On 8/16/2023 at 10:50 AM, Dr. Balls said:

I just put an offer on a page from a seller on CAF yesterday - he had it listed for $10,000 OBO.

It was a $250 page at the most, so that's what I offered - thinking I wouldn't even get a response. He responded that he would take it, but disclosed it had some issues with the page, so I passed on it. Nice enough fellow, but I think it's an established method of selling now.

You dodged a bullet, Doc B!  He would have charged you $9000 in shipping and insurance!

On 7/29/2023 at 11:35 AM, Dr. Balls said:

Do You Still Have Your First Piece of Original Comic Art?

Yes, I still have my first art piece as I have never sold anything.

I got my latest Vega/Baroness cover homage commission in today.  This time it’s an 8 1/2” x 11” homage of Uncanny X-Men #177 by Shane Hunt:

A mock-up print featuring the trade dress;

The original comic cover inspiration:

On 6/8/2023 at 3:38 PM, Fischb1 said:

And I don't really like pizza.

Good luck, Fisch!  May the money flow freely for your auctions!

Oh, man!  I would love that Dr. Strange page with the Juggernaut and Galactus but unfortunately it’s out of budget range.  It’s too bad for me.

On 5/20/2023 at 7:50 PM, KirbyCollector said:

Yes. Just make an offer and see what happens, but don't be surprised if they want quite a bit over FMV.

Thank you.  Yes, they have a piece that went up today that is much more in line with my collecting goals.  However, as you said, it is way over what I recently paid for a very similar piece from the same artist and from the same comic book series (4 times as much).  While a bit of a shame, at that magnitude of a sale price, I can easily walk away.

On 5/20/2023 at 4:28 PM, malvin said:

you can always make an offer. I accept offers on my FS pieces (with a note that I don't accept any offers until the end of the day in case there are people paying full price)

Malvin

Thanks!  While I am aware that I can make an offer, I still consider myself a novice when it comes to knowing “fair market value” for comic book art.  I just know my personal budgetary limits and would hate to make an offer based on said budget and unintentionally offend the seller with what he/she would consider a “low ball” offer thereby ruining a first impression.  I prefer to let the seller contact me first with his/her new negotiable price and if it is an amount that is closer to my monetary capabilities, then I will definitely engage.  Otherwise, I can thank them for their willingness to negotiate and apologize that it is still out of my price range.  And since, as I said in my initial post, the latter occurs or no sellers try to contact me, then it will not be a painful loss as no artworks were ones that I feel compelled to own.

However, 2 sellers have already reached out to all interested parties who have saved a couple of their pieces.  1 was still way out of budget with their new negotiable price while the other piece (a bit more desirable to me) is being offered by Cool Lines Art and say they are open to offers.  If I’m not mistaken, that is the business operated by the Donnelly Brothers, correct?  I’ve read some not too favorable anecdotes concerning them on this forum concerning their business operations (difficulties deciding on a final price amongst themselves and altering artwork) and would hate to spend my limited resources on negotiating a deal that may not occur.

I perused the art available today and there are a few nice pieces but no “must haves” for me.  I “saved” some and who knows?  Maybe some of the owners of those artworks may want to negotiate more in line with my budget…