malvin

The word "Grail" gets thrown around too much in our hobby, but it looks like you are close to using the right definition, which I loosely define as "the one piece that would make you content and stop collecting". Even you list several alternatives (which leads to one of my answers) so it's not even one piece for you. Another hobby friend said it best, "if you can get any one piece you want (but can't sell it for cash) what would it be?" So ask yourself that. Now most grails by definition are unattainable. My answer to my friend was the McFarlane Hulk 340 cover. But, even if it was for sale, I can't afford it. I think the hobby is more than just one piece. If I was given the chance to trade all my OA for that cover, I wouldn't. Maybe it's just me but there is so much other comics (and the resulting OA) that I love that I wouldn't trade it all for one piece. As you have noted, there are lots of substitutes out there. If you really can't afford/attain a cover, there are alternatives that remind you of it that gives you joy (as you pointed out, iconic interiors, maybe Wizard type OA, etc) Malvin

I believe one big difference between those times is now is that OA has been increasing crazily lately. So yeah, maybe in the past when things were "only" going up 10% a year a recession didn't impact pricing, but now that it seems to be doubling every year, there could be impact. Malvin

I'm really bummed about Tim's passing. I knew him better than many other artists and it was always great to talk to him at cons. As many of you might know from my origin story, a Tim Sale sketch and publish page were my first OA My first sketch - Wolverine My first published page: Superman for All Seasons Of course I have gotten many other great pieces from him since (including 2 covers on the way and not posted yet): Link to all my Tim Sale pieces My condolences again to his family and friends. He will be missed. Malvin

Yes. Nothing happened. Malvin

It's vague but I think I know what you are talking about. I've had pieces where I notice an anatomy issue, and often it bugs me and I eventually sell it. A few pieces I have very strong nostalgia for (and they are higher value pieces) and I just try to not think about it. Malvin

I wasn't paying attention to everything and thought that the auction for 5 Matt Wagner Grendel covers were going cheap. Good thing I read the description and realized that they were each trading card sized! In which case $6.6K for 6 covers isn't so cheap. Malvin

Yeah, I'm shocked by his passing (although I saw the announcement of his illness) My condolences to his family Malvin

$9K for an all stat McF DPS is that a record for a Stat? (I know there is historical context to it) https://comics.ha.com/itm/original-comic-art/miscellaneous/todd-mcfarlane-spider-man-16-story-page-18-all-stat-production-page-marvel-1991-/a/7274-91069.s Makes me not feel as bad for paying almost $1K for that Hulk 340 colour proof at comicconnect Malvin

Yup, I had a complete issue of Superman and Wonder Woman that was all 9x12. Also had other pages from him that were 9x12 Malvin

All my DPSes (and one double cover) have come taped (ok one exception where I bought the 2 halves many years apart). So I keep them folded and store them like I would a regular 11x17 page, inside a mylar sleeve. I have a DPS that was large art, and that is in a larger sleeve, but again, still folded. Malvin

I didn't buy anything this time. I think I bought all previous shows. A few things were maybe's but didn't want to force a purchase. Surprisingly I made some sales so that was good.

Hey Folks, I lowered all the prices on my comicartlive items, so please take a look! This includes: 1. Mike Zeck Captain America Published Full Figure 2. Ed McGuiness Power Girl sketch 3. Tony Moore Walking Dead Zombies commission! and more! https://www.comicartfans.com/comicartlive/Booth.asp?bid=40 Malvin

Yup, agreed. If it is the same artist, I personally don't value it any less if the pencil component is digital if the same artist inked it by hand. Malvin

Yeah, I was told he does covers by hand for the OA value. Malvin

I was hoping this day would not come for awhile longer. RIP George. I switched all my featured pieces in my CAF gallery to Perez pieces: https://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryDetail.asp?GCat=614 Malvin

Congrats! I loved Portrait of a Victim, that was a great one-shot. Malvin

I have had pages cleaned before, but only because they had other issues. If the page is consistently cream, I wouldn't bother, but that' just me. It's not something you would do yourself, a restorer is best. Malvin

Yeah, I was getting a ton of lowball offers even on my lower end pieces. I think for the first little while I was making stupid counter offers but eventually just turned off that feature. Malvin

In theory Featured are the higher end pieces, in practice.... I just assumed that nicer things in the focussed could be the consignor being unaware, or wanting the sale sooner rather than waiting for the next featured auctions. HA has their own head scratchers too. I know in this case the consignor likely had super high end pieces also, but why would a very recent con sketch make their signature auction? David Finch 2018 DD piece in HA Signature Auction What's the minimum price for items in a signature auction? last I heard was $5K, this one never stood a chance of getting there. Malvin

I assume it's due to the low pricing? The one item I was really after my bid was 3-4x what I won it for. I just assumed I was wrong about the market! The second item I wasn't targeting but seemed low enough so I bid and won. Malvin

I had 4 items too. Two of them I was really pleased with. 2 were bleh, but I don't think they would have done any better if they were at HA (and since these are low end items, I definitely would not have done better after fees). Malvin

Congrats. I won a couple of items too. At the top of "My Auction Bids" there should be a button on check out my purchases or whatever in blue. Just click on that. Malvin

Interesting. I know during the run there were hand drawn bits and pieces. I just assumed they were all over (some covers, some interiors) and didn't think most were cover elements. Malvin

How many Maleev DD covers are out there considering he worked digitally during his Bendis run? Malvin

I also once bought a splash and realized later that it was half of a DPS. I did manage to unite it after 4 years, and another 3 years to get the uninked half inked! Full story and scans on my CAF: https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=1282125 Malvin