Superhero

I actually like this story idea a lot.

Ok, I have been following this thread with interest and I am just curious about how my Batman Adventures Annual #1 cover is considered--pic and link below. The Annual #1 cover one was done by Timm with Harley and includes Joker and Batman. It was done prior to Mad Love and is, I believe, the first comic cover by Timm of Harley, if I am mistaken, please correct me. http://cafurl.com?i=22866

1. Jack Kirby 2. Neal Adams 3. D ick Sprang/John Buscema (sue me I couldn't make up my mind) 4. Brian Bolland 5. George Perez Honorable mention--John Byrne.

In my opinion no matter how great the job, it is altered original art. It ruins the value in my opinion even if it looks great. It is not akin to restoration or cleaning which is generally preserving the art. It is literally an unoriginal alteration. The value to me is now a little more than an equivalent commission piece would be. More because the piece was published but less than the unaltered original. As was previously stated, if you like it and never intend to sell it then bravo. If you do sell at some point, you will be stuck explaining and expect a significant monetary loss.

Big thank you to Brian and Bill and to everyone who cast a vote for me and to all those who participated. Some amazing pieces were displayed this year.

You made my whole day!! Thank you for the kind words. To be honest, for that piece, I would start with that piece and remodel around it

Everyone has posted great pieces, but these two together are probably my favorite pair. Thank you for the kind words!!

Great entries so far. Love seeing all the amazing art picked up this year. My two entries are: http://cafurl.com?i=22703 Thanks everyone for taking the time to put up your pieces!

EVERYONE'S input is appreciated on threads like these...collector's and dealers alike. We are talking about thousands of dollars in many cases for these pieces and if we can save someone or help someone in our beloved hobby we should ALL do that. When I first started collecting years ago, I was warned by Chris to stay away from the Donnelys. They operated under several eBay IDs and there have been many threads about them scamming people over the years. Chris was right and I have never done a deal with them and never will. If it were one story or five even maybe its reasonable mistake or buyer's remorse. In this case, it is many, many documented cases of these men doing the same illegal, unethical conduct over and over. These men are crooks, con-men, swindlers. Even if I was not swindled, I will not support them. I will condemn them and warn others to stay away. It is through threads like this that we protect each other so I thank everyone who has participated in threads like this over the years and warned newbies like I was. Even experienced collectors need these discussions as new seller's enter the hobby all the time and we all need help. So, thank you and keep up the good work!

Thanks Jared, It seems extremely short sighted and illogical on their part to not simply respond to the person who purchased this item due to claims that have turned out to be false and refund their money in full and immediately. The remedies open to the purchaser against the seller are vast and none are going to be preferable to the seller over a simple and easy refund. He's discussed this with more than one attorney already. I totally agree. Please keep us in the loop. My very best to your friend and Happy New Year to you and everyone!!

Chris, In thinking about it, in addition to what I wrote above, you may be able to bring wire fraud and other claims under the consumer protections act and UCC of the state in which your friend lives or, more likely, where the Donnely's are doing business. I am happy to help in any way.

Just say no. As a very good friend of mine said when dealing with these guys, "pretend it was burned up in a fire" *cough* Chris *cough*. The first rule of buying art is learn who to stay away from.

Chris, I would advise your friend to bring a lawsuit for fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and fraudulent inducement against these guys. Frankly, I would do it for free if I were licensed in the jurisdiction. It shows how good a man you are to have outed those crooks here for your friend. They have a pattern of doing this type of conduct and I think they should be forced to answer for it. These men are experienced art dealers and have some obligation to authenticate the works they are sellng. It seems that it was easy to establish provenance for the piece. They hide behind each other when things go wrong but they all operate under the same company name. Due to their pattern of criminal conduct, you may have something you can bring to the attorney general of the state they are in. I would be extremely aggressive against these con-men. Unfortunately, I can tell by the interactions you have relayed that is the only way they are going to do anything to make this right.

Setting aside the evidentiary and legal hurdles, and there are many here, what affect does this have on the Kirby market? What effect does this have on people who own Kirby art from the 60's and 70's?

Great thread! Hard to choose only 10 but: 1. 32 2. 34 3. 40 4. 42 5. 35 6. 36 7. 37 8. 43 9. 44 10. 45 Honorable mention to 31--I love the look at Batman from inside the hood.

I don't usually post new pieces but I am so happy to have found Secrets of the Batcave by D ick Sprang after so many years of looking and to reunite it with its partner piece Guardians of Gotham. http://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=1320080