Complex306

Just in case anyone was wondering, I decided to lookup the graders notes since they became free recently. Slight dent bottom left corner, and slight spine stress. Nothing that screams 8.5 or lower to me, so I'm thinking (in the name of science, of course) that I'm going to crack, clean, try to press out the corner, and resubmit. I'll update whenever I get the thing back and see what happens!

9.0. Press that thing first fur sure

On 12/23/2021 at 9:46 AM, Jennifer F. said:

Good morning,

Thanks for your message.  To qualify for cross over, a book would have to be encapsulated in another company's holder.  I don't know what you mean when you say the book is sealed by not encased in plastic.  If it is not in a holder from another company, it wouldn't qualify as a crossover but you could still submit it just as you would a raw book coming in for grading.

Thank you!

For future reference, I imagine he's referring to CBCS's raw graded books. They're graded but not slabbed, and instead placed in a mylar bag/ board with a tamper evident seal. Just trying to be helpful in case you run into a similar query at some point

This isn't a question, but I didn't know where else to post it to ensure it's seen by the CGC staff, and I felt this was important to say. I know how incredibly busy everyone at CGC has been lately, and I'm sure it's a stressful time to work in the grading industry overall. Often there are many threads, calls, and emails regarding customer concerns and complaints, and I feel like sometimes it's nice to be recognized for what you do right, instead of just the mistakes that are inevitably made along the way. So I wanted to take the time to convey my appreciation to all of you at CGC; for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to providing us a top tier service, and for the kindness and patience you show all of us on a regular basis as well. I especially want to thank Brittany McManus and Barbara Turner, who recently assisted me in resolving some minor issues in an incredibly fast, kind, and professional manner. Everyone I've ever interacted with at CGC has been extremely patient and helpful, and I felt the least I could do in return is thank you all for everything you do for us, and for doing it with the kind of grace and kindness that is nothing short of exemplary. Please know that these attributes do not go unnoticed, and even though you may not hear it as often as you should, you are appreciated, valued, and respected by the vast majority of those whom you serve. I will continue doing business with CGC not just because of the service you provide, but because of the people that provide that very service. Thanks again, and my best wishes to you and your families in this new year!

On 12/11/2021 at 11:29 PM, oakman29 said:

Try using charcoal. 😉

Definitely on my list, along with watercolor. My dad actually has this awesome charcoal piece my grandma smuggled here after fleeing Germany circa WWII, its probably my favorite piece of art ever, followed closely by Durer's Knight Death and the Devil.

Another batch of new-ish pieces, 2 what-ifs, 1 Agony commission, and an oil painting (24×36) of my brother's dog for him for xmas

Been awhile since I posted. Here's a couple recent symbiote themed pieces I did.

On 8/29/2021 at 1:23 PM, LowGradeBronze said:

Can't see what you'd be achieving here. You bought a certified 8.5. Don't forget that grading starts on the inside of the comic at the centrefold, and now the inside is invisible to you. I'd be satisfied I got what I paid for: An 8.5

Im not sure what's unclear about what I'd be trying to active. It looks like a particularly nice copy, and doesn't appear to have been pressed. The staples are tight, it's well centered, and has a white pages designation, none of which would lead me to beleive there's anything significantly deficient on the interior/ centerfold. Buying a raw copy of this particular book is asinine, as newsstands that are in significantly worse shape than this one routinely go for around what I paid for my 8.5. I'm not the first to buy an "undergraded" book to crack and resubmit for a higher grade. If I could pull a 9.2 out of it after a CP and resubmit then that would be a really good ROI based on what I paid/ would have put into it. To be clear, I am satisfied with the 8.5 that I bought, I was just curious if there was room here for a couple grade point bump of I decided to go down that road. I don't think there's anything wrong with that, or soliciting advice from others who have a better eye for grading than I do on whether this is a good candidate for that treatment. 

Well it it actually looks a little better than my 9.6, that being said I'll go 9.4 just to be safe, but a 9.6 wouldn't surprise me at all

Definitely worth having graded. I would guess 9.6, with 9.4 or 9.8 being within the standard deviation of similar books. Just depends on the grader and their mood that day really lol. Great book!

On 8/28/2021 at 3:07 PM, zzutak said:

Grader's notes first.  Opinions second. 

Lol, love the old man emoji. I wanted to get a feel for what people thought the bump might be, if any, first, as my grading ability is hit or miss. No sense in throwing away $5 if everyone who looked said "you're crazy, that's an 8.5 all day". On the other hand, if the general consensus was that there's a potential for a couple point bump I don't mind spending the $5 to see if the issues with the book could be improved by a clean/ press.

On 8/28/2021 at 2:58 PM, candygramformongo said:

 

Really tough to tell much with pictures of it in the slab (I know you can't do anything about it, just saying).   A 9.0 wouldn't shock me. How much value would you put on it going from 8.5 to 9.0?  I think that's the real question.  You break the slab, get it C/P and it comes back a 9.0 instead, are you thrilled or just ok?  I would think there's an small chance it gets to a 9.2 or higher but at least a 50% chance it comes back still 8.5.  I'd personally figure out what the $ amount it was worth to me for the 8.5 to 9.0 bump, figure out cost to C/P and resubmit, and then how pissed would I be if it comes back 8.5 again.  And then add to that equation cost of grader notes, I'd personally want that info so I could zero in on those areas to re-look at them AND to make sure it's stuff a C/P might impact.  Make sense?

If you do resubmit PLEASE update, would love to know what happens!

That makes sense, really helpful advice actually. My total cost would be around $55 for the graders notes, a CP, and resubmit/ shipping. Based on what I paid for it, if I had spent that extra 55 I could've bought a 9.0 at FMV, so I'd be hoping for that or better. 9.2 would be great. If it came back 8.5 I'd be fine, its only 55 bucks, but I'd feel pretty stupid for throwing away good money. I'm probably going to buy the grader's notes next and message my CP guy to get his thoughts. I will definitely update if I go through with a resubmit!

Hey guys, just picked up this Secret Wars 8 Newsstand for a pretty decent price. It looked great in the pics and once I got my hands on it I just had a tough time seeing how it got an 8.5. I may end up buying the grader's notes, but wanted your opinions 1st on whether you think I should crack it, have it pressed, and resubmit for a grade bump? Or do you think 8.5 was right, and I need to have my vision checked? It doesn't appear to have been pressed previously from what I can tell. Thanks in advance!

On 8/26/2021 at 4:38 PM, ADAMANTIUM said:

Although

That rock under his batman sketches nose is precarious!

Next up in the What If...? Series...What If Adolf Was Batman? Lol

Conan commission I just finished the other day. Never drawn him before so it was a fun detour from the norm for me.

Once every few months a charity I work with called Comic Book Covers for Cancer auctions off a batch of original artwork to help raise money for cancer research and support programs. Each artist donates their work, and 100% of the sale proceeds go to various cancer charities. I've posted some pics of the current auctions below, and they can be found using the link here: 

https://www.ebay.com/usr/cbc4c

Please consider bidding, you'd be supporting a great cause, and getting some sweet artwork yourself in the process!

Once every few months a charity I work with called Comic Book Covers for Cancer auctions off a batch of original artwork done on comic blanks to help raise money for cancer research and support programs. Each artist donates their work, and 100% of the sale proceeds go to various cancer charities. I've posted some pics of the current auctions below, and they can be found using the link here: 

https://www.ebay.com/usr/cbc4c

Please consider bidding, you'd be supporting a great cause, and getting some sweet artwork yourself in the process!

Also did these myself. I need to send in a batch to CGC to have them graded. Also for sale.

Its been awhile since I posted anything here so I decided just to drop some random pieces I've done lately in no particular order. 2 were for IG competitions, the Magneto was for a charity auction, and the Venom cover was my 1st commission just this past week.

I think I've said all I can say on the subject. I'm glad that its at least started a conversation, but its clear most of you disagree with my underlying notion, and that's ok. The market will continue as-is regardless, so there's not much of a point in me investing time in trying convince people of my position. Thanks to all who replied, especially those who did so in the spirit of being helpful and positive. I hope all of you (yes, even those I disagree with) have a great rest of your day and week. And I really do mean that, despite our respective differences I think most of you are decent people and deserve happiness in your lives, and I really hope its a good week for you.

2 minutes ago, exitmusicblue said:

 

You're charitable in a way of your choosing.  Many reps/artists also are, in whatever way works for them.  Without wholesale change to their business models.

It's just not a good look for the potential recipient to suggest how the giver should be charitable about a luxury that isn't needed.  It goes beyond naivete. As someone who's volunteered for a NGO and has worked in education, continuing facepalm.

Dude -- equity of access and luxury items do not mix.  Come on, for the love of....

Its fine my guy, you're not going to convince me and I'm not going to convince you. Advocating for artists to offer a couple slots in their commission lists to low income earners is hardly a wholesale change to their business models. By your logic, it would be wrong for me to say "it'd be cool of X artist did a pro bono piece for cancer research". There's nothing wrong with that. Maybe they already do charity work, it doesn't make it somehow immoral to suggest they could do additonal/ alternative works. And it may be a luxury, but so is decent housing, a car, a retirement fund etc, just because its a luxury doesn't mean we can't think up ways to make those luxuries more available to a wider cross section of society. 

Just now, jaykza said:

Wholeheartedly agree. I've been hounding Rolex, Rolls Royce, The Louvre and Musee D'Orsay about this exact thing for while! I'm a true fan of those items and they should really start some sort of program to get these goods to a few of us. All I want is a nice submariner and a Van Gogh or Monet. 

Funny how being an institution shields you from these judgements that are cavalierly thrown at individual artists. If you do this, you are a high "character" individual, if not, scumbag. Many artists do a ton of high quality free things for fans, already. As far as personal commissions or published pages, all these things are attainable just not instantly for all. 

Well, that's one way to construct a straw man argument. There's an ocean of difference between a Rolls and a piece of OA, and you know it. And I've been very clear this wasn't directed at a particular artist. It has very little, if anything, to do with Skottie. This thread just catalyzed some existing thoughts I've had on the subject. And I've made no insinuations as to the false moral dichotomy you setup between "character" and "scumbag". I never once denigrated an artist for charging FMV, I just said it would be a nice/ cool thing to do to try to ensure some equity of access. Any moral ascriptions you derive from that are entirely your own. And I'm perfectly aware there's alot of artists who do low/ no cost work and charity work. I commend them for that, and was simply advocating for more of the same. If you're ok with the artists who do this already, I don't know why you'd be opposed to me saying "thats great, more of that please". 

21 minutes ago, exitmusicblue said:

What you've thought up is fairly Utopian.  It's an extra burden on the artist/rep to vet non-flippers vs. would-be flippers in whatever fashion such a system would require (contractual provisions?  Policing?)

I like Burrado's suggestion above -- approach the artist personally and explain the circumstances.  Zero expectations.

And understand that healthy skepticism is warranted here.  This is a business, not pro bono.  Flip the ---script.  If you're asked to take a cut from your own salary (whether great or small), and moreover a systematic/regular cut... best believe it.

Plus if there's any substantial risk that your regular salary cut could be turned around for unscrupulous profit by the very individuals you sacrifice it for -- and requires you to police -- that's what's at play here.

And mind you, you're not being asked to take a regular salary cut to save lives or build schools.  It's so that someone(s) can get a crack at their own chance at ______ luxury good, whether high-end OA or a Hermes bag.  Utopian.

I hear you man. That why I said I'd understand if people think I'm being naive. I get it. I just think it'd be a nice thing to do for your fellow human/ fan/ collector. Would it create an extra burden? Sure. Would you sometimes be leaving money on the table? Definitely. Would I be ok with those things if the shoe were on the other foot? Yes. Do I expect every person/ artist/ intergalactic bounty hunter to feel the same? No. Is it a bit idealistic/ Utopian? Sure. That shouldn't stop anyone from considering ways it could work. History is chock full of utopian ideals that weren't pragmatic until someone figured out a way to implement them efficiently. Democracy, universal suffrage, minimum wages etc etc were all considered utopian/ idealistic, until people helped make them a reality. Is this on the same level of those things? Of course not, which is why its a more attainable utopian dream than most. All I'm asking for, if I'm even asking for anything, is that more artists consider how they can get their art into the hands of people that normally can't afford it. It'd a nice thing to do. Thats all. I'm not expecting them to, or demanding that they do so, it'd just be cool if they did. And if they already are, they have my admiration and respect, not that thats worth anything on the secondary market lol.

40 minutes ago, BuraddoRun said:

I understand the sentiment of wanting expensive art available to you as a fan VS investment. But ultimately, it's up to the artist. And some artists do exactly what you're asking. I believe the TMNT Last Ronin artist sold some pages through Facebook or something to fans at below FMV specifically because he wanted FANS to be able to own that art. And guess what? Some of those "fans" immediately flipped for profit.

But beyond that, never discount the personal nature of this hobby. If there is a specific artist you want something from, and their posted prices are too high, reach out to the artist directly. I recently contacted an artist about a specific page that I hadn't seen anywhere that I was interested in. It's about 20 years old. And guess what? He actually still had it! And he sold it to me for about $100 shipped. Probably below FMV, even though it's not some high demand page. Regardless, that was his price and he didn't gouge me even knowing I wanted that specific page. On the contrary, he thanked me for inquiring and dug the page out of wherever it had been sitting for 20ish years. I think he genuinely appreciated that I was a fan.

Just reach out to whatever artist directly and ask. Tell the truth, that you're a fan, you can't afford asking price, and you'd love to try to work something out that fits your budget. You never know, but it doesn't hurt to try.

Similarly, on the secondary market, you might find a seller who will sell to YOU affordably. When I started collecting, I was searching for an artist's work on a specific comic, and couldn't find any. Demand wasn't high or anything, it's just that the artwork had already made it to other collections, and no one was selling. I contacted the artist's agent and the art was all gone. Finally, I searched CAF and began contacting collectors who had art posted, not for sale, but just in their gallery. I found an international collector who was willing to sell to me. But even with the added expense of international shipping, I believe he gave me a very fair and affordable deal, again, probably below FMV. He even had a nice title splash page he was willing to sell me that he offered below FMV, that I declined in favor of getting more pages. And he held the pages I did want while I saved up for a month or 2 to buy.

In short, don't give up. What you think is unattainable may actually be attainable with some ingenuity and persistence, neither of which would compromise your integrity. And if something is truly unobtainable, it's OK. There's always more out there, and we can't always have everything we want.

Love every part of this. Its nice to hear of some artists doing pretty much what I was advocating for. I think that's really cool and speaks volumes about their character. I also never considered trying to contact an artist directly. Thats awesome you were able to score that piece! I would be humbled as an artist if someone was tracking down some of my older work, glad he cut you a break! Really appreciate the positivity and helpful advice man!