The economy

[sirbestow]

Some mornings you wake up and notice that everything has gone up, except for your paycheck

 

I'm sure there are some collectors out there, like me, when everything goes up it hurts your hobby. I mean some days I'd love to tell the electric company where to stick it because I'm investing in a sketch cover. But I know that after an hour without power that it would be a mistake because I wouldn't be able to enjoy that cover (oh and I'm sure the wife being a bit upset might factor in too).

 

So the example of this Journal moves to Baltimore Comic Con. A small convention that hasn't yet been effected by the MEGA-con idea of we must get every person from pop culture and beyond to show up to sell more tickets (even though they have little to nothing to do with comics at all). They still keep it to writers, artists and creators. Even though I like to possibility of meeting a big name actor at a MEGA-con, in my heart I hope Baltimore doesn't get too big for it's britches and stays comic oriented.

 

This was my second year. I discovered Baltimore last year when Stan Lee came to town. It seemed to be a place where I could expose my children to the inner workings of the comics they read. Strange considering I don't always know who wrote or draws the books I like/liked (I'm still learning). I felt it was a great way to meet Stan and it wasn't a shove fest to do so. Over all it was a great experience.

 

This year was more Stan, but to me it was a been there and done that. All three of us have been enjoying Avengers Vs. X-men and the next "big guy" in line was John Romita Jr. I thought it was another great person for my kids to get an autograph from. Noting that I started the article with tightening my belt getting an affordable Avengers vs. X-men comic wasn't exempt from this. I wanted the girls to have something nice, like a variable, but the earlier issues were ruled out (note I have to buy in pairs for this adventure). I had to go with a pair of issue 10 VS. team variant (so each could have the same book but different covers) . I know by this book they have switched artists, but what can you do when you are on a budget.

 

For myself? I ruled out JR Jr. I figured I could catch him again at another convention, when money might not be as tight. Worse case scenario: I have issue 300 Uncanny X-Men already autographed by him, from the 90's with a "COA". I could just go with a green label on that and couple the COA with the grade. There were 3 creators on my list but the budget for SS grading only allowed 2 books - Neal Adams, Larry Hama and Herb Trimpe. Neal and Herb are going to be at NYCC, but I A) didn't want to risk them cancelling out B) Baltimore is such a small convention that they would be EASY to get to. Larry isn't on the guest list for NYCC as of yet, so he was a top pick.

 

Slight diversion here - I'm a little weird when it comes to the autographs (maybe you are too). I like to get things signed that the person had something to do with. I also "try" to keep my collection within boundaries - books dealing with Wolverine or books I have read. Wolverine is easy considering he is in everything! Book I've read? I don't like running out to buy a book I haven't read or have no intentions of reading just to get an autograph. The third, self imposed rule, is the book should have a little value to it. I don't intend on selling my collection, but there could be a time in the future that I might have or need to sell something, and I would want something that I could move (like to pay that power bill). Rule three is flexible based on budget.

 

It does bug me a bit the A vs X that was singed by JR Jr. wasn't the book he worked on. Bigger obstacle was Herb Trimpe. I do have Incredible Hulk 181, but it is graded at a 3.5! So I settled. Wolverine 100 went to Herb and Larry for a duel signature. Neal signed a copy of First X-men 1 Variant.

 

Deviation #2: I have another book that I'm looking for 4 signatures (Wolverine 10) for an "original creator" signed book. Herb Trimpe, Chris Claremont, John Bryne (I hear good luck with that) and Len Wein. That book I put to the side for NYCC so I can get Herb and Chris at the same time - and hopefully crack out the book in the future for Len and John.

 

So settling for the four books instead of 5, and getting a small family "donation" to help out with the trip, we were Baltimore bound, ALMOST. In my hunt for getting stuff signed for signature series, I began to learn about the other creators that were going to be there and their relation to the books I read. I'm already biting my nails over the budget, but the other side of me points out that I should get something because you never know what the future holds (I cut back on getting an autograph from Joe Simon last year due to budget. I'm sure you know the rest).

 

Looking across my bookshelf my eyes fall on a Wolverine book that my children had gotten me for Christmas one year. I picked up the book and started thumbing through it and started noticing how it was put together.

 

"HEY. It starts out with Incredible Hulk 181 and there is Herb's art" & "There is a chapter about Fatal Attractions which was written by Larry" & "Oh! JR Jr has quite a few pieces of work in here too."

 

The wheels started to spin. In this economy, there is NO WAY I afford a SS book for everyone who was there. BUT I will be in line for most of these people ANYWAY so why not take this book and get signatures too (most don't charge for autographs). This isn't a "future value" decision, this is a "because I like it" decision.

 

So I filled up the book with post-its on pages where I wanted them to sign. Added others, because we were going to occupy the same spaces. People who I wanted to meet but didn't have any work in this book, were deligated to the last page.

 

The trip was a success. Small hick-up with the CGC at the start of the day, but once the ball started rolling, there was no stopping it! The girls got to meet JR Jr and get their books signed. It really made their day to be involved and do stuff on their own. Now comes the long wait from the CGC to get those books back!

 

As for myself and the Wolverine book? Well I did as planned. I was already at the table for my SS books so asking for one more - just for me - wasn't a problem. Majority of the time my oldest was in charge of the book and she got the autographs on my behalf (while I stood back and snapped pictures). When it came to JR Jr.... well...

 

He was offering to do sketches for $50 donation to the Hero Initiative. A great charity and one I particapated in before. The wheels started to spin again. "When are you going to get another chance to get a sketch from a top artiest?" A small loan from a family member later and I was able to get that Romita sketch right in the front page of the book.

 

Herb signed his page. Larry his. Neal didn't have some art work in the book so he was delegated to the back page (loaded with covers). So was Greg Horn (ironically he signed over a cover he did do and didn't realize it untl after the fact. I made note for a future SS book.) I also got to meet Jim Cheong (back cover signed) and chat with him a bit. What a great guy!

 

The gem of the trip was Erik Larson. One of the founders of Image comics and currently produces Savage Dragon, his own entity. In the book Erik only has a small blurb from his work on Spider-man vs Wolverine in the 80s. Not really any space for an autograph. I happen to follow Erik on Facebook and know that at conventions if you ask for a simple sketch, limited to head, he will do one for you for the low, low price of free! I confirmed this at Baltimore and it was true. He asked what I would like and without thinking I uttered "Wolverine". Once ink hit paper, I realised my error. If everyone does a black and white sketch of Wolverine (assumingly with his mask on) they will all, sort of, start look the same. LUCKALLY Eric either saw JR Jr's sketch or knew what I was just discovering and drew me a Logan sketch.

 

I don't want to knock JR Jr. The money went to a good cause, it was TOTALLY worth it, and considering I was the first to get a sketch of a LONG line of people waiting for the same. But Erik's was OUTSTANDING! I thought "simple" and that was what I was going to get for the price tag. Not so!

 

Another morning comes. Prices go up, yet again, and my paycheck seems to get even smaller yet. Baltimore has passed another year anniversary and it is good to note that even some cutbacks are needed to be made in MY hobby of collecting that there are still some cheeper alternitives so it doesn't have to go away for good.

 

See more journals by sirbestow

[MatMarvelV1]

Nice journal, enjoyed reading it - top guy Erik Larsen

[surfer99]

Thanks for sharing your Comic Con experience. Now I'm really wanting to find a Con to go to...next one I'm aware of in my area is the Amazing AZ Con which isn't til January though. Sigh.