babsrocks31

  Does anyone have any experience with Juan Gedeon? Particularly, non event related transactions?

Juan is a pretty talented artist. I don't feel his style works for everything, but he can be pretty creative with his bat books.

  He has one that went unpublished a few years back, and posts some of the art on his Instagram that is just flat out cool. I was thinking of getting a commission based on this, but he wants all payment up front (typically I do a 70/30 split so I have some leverage if the artists goes AWOL).

  He says he'll finish in 3 to 6 months. I'm leaning towards trusting it, but wanted to double check here.

On 7/28/2023 at 8:08 PM, Brian Peck said:

Ya poser covers which I am not a fan of.

This is what pinups were for right? To me, the best combo is have a story cover, and at the back of the book a pose pinup of one of the lead characters from that issue. Or a process piece, or something.

On 7/28/2023 at 6:19 PM, Will_K said:

@Rick2you2 I really hope this one is yours.  Really nice.

https://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=1941960&GSub=234287

That is absolutely killer.

On 7/30/2023 at 11:30 AM, timguerrero said:

I have a coule of pages from Batgirl Year One but non feature Babs. If you are still interested please PM me so I can send you scans so that you may evaluate if you'd like a page.

Really appreciate the shout out here, unfortunately I'd at least want some Babs. She rocks, after all!

But again, thank you!

On 6/27/2023 at 12:59 PM, comix4fun said:

One time Gene Conan sent me a Silver Age DD page in a priority mail box....folded over to fit. 

I find it especially strange when it's an expensive or classic artist... Like, shipping it that poorly suggests it has little value, and if it has little value why are you charging so much for it?

On 6/27/2023 at 12:22 AM, The Voord said:

Mike Mayhew once sent me an unused Pulse cover of Spidey and the Vulture (later used as an interior pin-up), which he air-mailed to me (I'm in the UK) in an oversized jiffy bag with no stiffener to help keep things rigid.  It was an eBay win at a great price.  Thankfully, the artwork arrived intact!

I never know how to feel when artists themselves do this.

On 6/25/2023 at 3:58 PM, Rick2you2 said:

I bought 4 pages from Pier Gallo which I had been trying to find for years. He is a European artist who has only done 2 story runs in the US, both for DC comics (He apparently doesn't like DC's scheduling and isn't likely to do more). One of them was a 4 issue run for Superboy, and I liked their crispness as soon as I read the first book. After trying to find him on-line for years, I finally did so several weeks ago. The first one below was published with pencils and inks. The second was published with pencils and computer inks. He offered to ink the other 3 personally, so what the heck, I grabbed them.The first is pencils and inks, the second is pencils and post-publication inks. I also have two more. Unfortunately, he insisted on sending them rolled up, so they are currently in my "press". 

 

 

Very underrated artist. Pages look great. Thanks for posting.

Mandrake page featuring Zatanna, Etrigan, Doctor Fate, and Phantom Stranger.

Glad Zatanna went back to her original outfit and spellcasting technique after this, and I don't love the female sexed up Dr. Fate, but it's still a fun high octane page.

On 6/25/2023 at 1:44 PM, Rick2you2 said:

Thank you, but in the beginning of the week, I got a bunch of pieces that were much harder to find. So, you win some, you lose some. Maybe I’ll post them on the Morlock board, but they came in rolled and the photo’s aren’t very good.

Rolled, that's such garbage! For a print or poster, I get it, but for OG art (heck, even a monoprint), rolled should never be the way!

I got a nice Tom Mandrake page that primarily features Zatanna and Phantom Stranger. If I wasn't always looking for a Mandrake Zatanna, I'd have told you to snag it.

I'll post mine in the Morlock, you post yours!

On 6/25/2023 at 8:45 AM, Rick2you2 said:

I don't come to the same conclusion. In my view, if I know someone, or know of someone, or knew them by reputation (like those on this Board), and it was something in their wheelhouse, then yes, give them a good deal. So, if I had Batgirl art and you approached me about it, yes. But someone who was unknown to me? For all I know, they could be one of The Brothers looking for a new source of bargains to offer at high prices. Too many people are willing to cut corners if given the chance, and if a few soothing words will knock off what could be thousands of dollars to create a profitable deal, why not? Trust everyone, but "cut the cards." 

I work hard to build my collection, heaven knows, Phantom Stranger art doesn't fall from the trees. But it is only paper and ink, and maybe pencils. If I don't get something, well, that's the way it goes. This morning, I learned that I missed a piece by no more than a dozen hours, when, ironically, I was at a comic book convention scoring nothing worthwhile. So, if I do find something, it is usually the product of my work. Why give it away to someone I don't know for no good reason? 

People need to do better "due diligence" when approached; when they don't, the impact of a brutal flip is rightfully theirs to bear. It's like clients of mine who complain they didn't get paid for their work, and it turns out there was something in the contract being invoked as a bar. When I ask if they read it before signing, they often respond "I don't understand these things" or even worse, "If I tried to change it, I wouldn't get the work". Then, they get the work, but don't get paid.They didn't do their "due diligence". I can help them as much as possible, but my sympathies are limited. So, are they "losers"? Too harsh, but I can't generate much sympathy for them.

As I wrote before, trust everyone, but cut the cards.

Oh yeah, I'm not saying don't work hard to ensure YOU get a good deal.

Ideally, both parties should be happy with their transaction, right? Of course, if someone has to lose don't let it be you.

But someone doesn't always have to, and that's what we should try to remember.

If both parties do their due diligence, it's possible they find that both parties are in good faith.

Also, sucks about the piece you missed due to being at convention with nothing... The crummy irony of this hobby.

Edit: and if I see any good PS art I will let you know!

On 6/17/2023 at 2:25 AM, grapeape said:

What an abdominal, soulless thief. I h8 garbage like this. He needs to be punished. 💀 👻 🖼️❌

Thank you. Ive moved on, but felt very crummy at the time.

I wouldn't recommend anyone do business with him, but I hope if others do it goes better for them than it did for me.

On 6/18/2023 at 2:45 PM, grapeape said:

When a dealer gets hold of a piece of art and resells It 2x3 (if we're lucky) higher than what was paid, we howl and call them scourge. 

When a well meaning collector gives another collector a break on a piece because they've identified it as something personally meaningful, then  flips it, are we howling at the shady buyer? Not all of us. Some appear to delight in the naïveté of the sap that bought the song and dance. There's no feelings of disgust for the wolf in sheep's clothing.

Interesting. I'm no sociologist, so I won't offer a certified opinion here. I'll just say interesting.

I always want to be the smartest guy in a deal. Always. That being said, because of the greedy and sometimes psychotic, predatory nature of some folks buying art low and selling sky high, I do my best to bring something else to the table. 
 

I'm no Angel. I do love the camaraderie this hobby can bring though. I value it. So if I can do something that brings a real genuine smile to someone's face, I'll do that.

If I know someone is looking for a long time for art, and I come across it, I point it out. I don't buy it and than seize upon that collector with an ungodly asking price.

If someone truly loves something I have, and I can bring them happiness by letting it go, that brings me more joy than a cold, financial transaction.

I have no problem with any sarcasm, or "you should have known better" comments left here. I really mean that. I like you all.

It's important to me that you have an important takeaway. If we've been disturbed by predatory, greedy behaviors of the usual suspects, well, don't we desire to behave better than that? 
 

I think we might be taking shots at collectors that wanted to do right by a fellow collector. I think some collectors like to feel good for both sides when they make a deal.

YouTube is full of videos where a guy for example buys 5 boxes of silver age comics, or whatever, and than goes to the subscribers with I TOTALLY STOLE/GOT OVER ON THIS RUBE/:SAP. I don't ever want to be that kind of winner. 
 

Happy Fathers Day 

 

 

What a wonderful post ... There has to be some weight put into making a good deal with someone that also makes you both happy.

A lot of this threads seems to say hey, don't be the loser... But in a hobby like this it's possible to have two winners, and that should be the goal.

On 6/16/2023 at 9:53 AM, The Voord said:

I've had a few sob story approaches over the years . . . problem is, it can be difficult separating the sincere from the phony.  Just because someone says they're genuine doesn't make it so!

That is indeed the problem. And totally understandable. I try to be as respectful as possible, and honest that I know I'm asking for a bit of deal and stating clearly that I understand if I'm not given one. 

On 5/30/2023 at 8:56 PM, MR SigS said:

Mike DeCarlo Just finished my latest Hulk vs The Thing- FF25 Homage, Simpsons style.

 

Comic book guy makes it.

On 5/9/2023 at 10:57 AM, RBerman said:

It's 2023, and there's still lots of good looking art out there in the Morlock tunnels! A few recent pieces, starting with Ibraim Roberson for X-Necrosha:

Tony Harris gives us a hostage showdown in "Ex Machina":

Geoff Isherwood for the 1980s Epic Comics space pirates saga "Swords of the Swashbucklers":

The Escorza brothers and Kevin Eastman for TMNT: The Last Ronin

In the "awesome pencils" department, a couple of Fernando Pasarin pages from Batgirl:

And one from Jose Luis Soares Pinto for new series The Djinni:

That's enough for now!

Some of Fernando's work on Batgirl was downright awful, BUT some of his was fantastic too, and you got one of the best pages! That is a beaut! Great action! Great determination on Babs's face during the fight!

The unpublished Rafael Albuquerque cover of Joker holding Batgirl hostage. I hate what he did to Babs and how the industry used it to corner her for a while, but I didn't have much of an issue with this cover. I do think Albuquerque handled the controversy really well though.

On 3/16/2023 at 9:41 AM, Nate Hartz said:

Batgirl Year One Black Canary, in Don Head's Convention Sketches Comic Art Gallery Room (comicartfans.com)

Batgirl, Gordan, Firefly, Black Canary. 863 views 0 comments 2018 posted.

I'd love to see more pages from this series.

In fact, I want to own something with Marcos's Babs myself.

On 4/9/2023 at 2:03 PM, RBerman said:

Ouch, that's terrible! When I contacted him to discuss this piece (which I got from another collector), he was friendly and mentioned that he was taking commissions. I asked for details, which he never sent, so I did not pursue the matter further.

A part of me thinks it wasn't intentional, but I just don't know how it wouldn't have been.

Anyhoo, some of his pieces are fun though!

On 3/18/2023 at 1:24 PM, RBerman said:

Hey ho, it's time for some more cheap art in my favorite category, "detailed pencils." First a pair of Yvel Guichet pages from the 2012 iteration of Stormwatch. They're both "gathered around the conference table" scenes, but not from the same issue.

Next, an undated pair from Joe Phillips which I suspect are unpublished try-out pages in which two villains tear into some sky-cycle cops.

And next, an unusual look at the Marvel Bullpen circa 2014. The artist is evidently named Kevin Snyder.

And finally, Adriano Batista's cover to Jungle Girl Season 2 #5. Or rather, a perfect 8x12 recreation of the 11x14 published cover. I have great difficulty telling the two images apart except for their size.

Bautista irks me. Scammed me a few years ago and I can't bring myself to support his work anymore.

I contacted him about a commission. He said he would do it, then contacted me to ask if I wanted some art he had for sale too. Said they were old chaos pages just sitting around and would let them go without much trouble. So, I paid him for everything. Then he ghosted me.

I sent him one email that was little more firm, asking about a refund.  He said the pages were actually  just prints, but he'd still send them with my commission. 

Then said he didn't have them, but never refunded me.

Then ghosted me and sent me nothing.

Then he sent me a scan of the commission (it wasn't very good), but never actually shipped it to me, and never mentioned the "art" he sold me again. I might be misremembering this, but he may have even implied that since he'd drawn the commission our deal was done and he didn't need to ship it to me (despite me paying for shipping and him offering to send me other art).

This was over six years ago. He also told me he would only accept western union transfer (first warning sign) NOT PayPal.

To this day, one of the worst experiences I have ever had with an artist. The only one that rivals it was Peter 'pedro' Vale another old chaos artist.

A) Thank you. Great idea.

B) I've been looking for a fun Bagley page with Mary Jane for several years now. Just missed one on eBay for about $300 a few years ago.

There are also a lot of smaller artists that provided quality work on big books and likely didn't sell their work when it was most valuable, so now you can get them at great rates. 

But this is only worth it if you are buying art you like instead of the investment side of things.

They are all over the map. Got some fair deals and seen some ridiculous ones like this... 

Sad thing about this is it doesn't even look that great.

On 3/8/2023 at 11:14 AM, jjonahjameson11 said:

So, just to clarify a few things in this thread:

1.  This is not the first time Mr. Guice has taken on a commission list.  He did so with a previous art rep, but it was a long time ago

2.  In terms of not being associated with a key storyline/memorable run, I'd have to say the 1st 11 issues of the Flash re-launch in the 1980's was pretty darned good, and the sales proved it.  If that doesn't ring a bell, then perhaps his work on Action Comics 676-711 might jog some memories.  He worked on a little known storyline called "The Death of Superman".  I heard sales were pretty decent 

Oh. Butch himself posted this was the first time he was doing so under an official list format open to the entire world, but it could be I'm misremembering or misunderstanding. He also may have meant that it's just extremely rare for him.

Either way, neither he nor myself meant to be misleading.

And yes, how did some of us forget the Death of Supes.

On 3/7/2023 at 3:41 PM, Shemp said:

Just had my number called. Lucky #20! 

If I remember correctly the initial list was capped at 20.  

It was right around there. Maaaybe 25.

Good for you!! Butch is about as good as they come, and his Instagram is a true delight.

He'll be finished your commission in less than a few weeks!