A Legend is Born!! posted by bagofleas

[CSJournals-migration]

We all start somewhere.

 

Bill Sienkiewicz is my favorite comic artist. Interestingly enough, the first time I ever saw his work, I absolutely hated it. As I read through New Mutants #18 for the first time. I thought the art was way too streaky, angular and splotchy and at times hard to distinguish what was going on

 

Who was this artist who was mangling my favorite series? Arrrrgh!

 

But I persisted through the art and as time went on, I began to appreciate his art more and more. Now I consider him to be one of the greatest artists to apply his trade to comics. There are many others out there of course who also garner this praise, but for me, Bill will always be the best!

 

So when I finally had the opportunity to meet him for the first time a few months ago at Megacon, I took full advantage of it. I had over thirty books to get signed by him! Including one in particular that I was thrilled to get!

 

While doing some research a few months before the show, I found out that the very first artwork of his that was ever published was when he was assigned the artwork duty on the Moon Knight stories inside of the Hulk! magazine starting with issue #13 back in February of 1979.

 

Once I discovered this, I went perusing on Ebay, looking for a top notch copy. While there weren't any graded copies, I did manage to find what appeared to be a gorgeous raw copy of it for $25. After receiving it, I looked it over thoroughly and was astonished at how good it looked!

 

I put it at 9.6 for sure, and after sending some pics to Tnerb, he agreed with me. So off I went to Magacon to meet with Tnerb! We had a great time! I wish there had been more time to spend going through dealer boxes, but I did way to much signature wise. The next show we do together, I won't do so much. I've really gotten into diggin through old boxes of books and finding those gems in the rough.

 

Anyway, I got the Hulk! #13 signed and I just got it back today! It got 9.8 WP!! Wow! What a great raw find on Ebay!!

 

There are now 6 9.8 copies in existence with none higher, and this is the only 9.8 to get signed!! I am so ST"OAK"ED!! Flashback to giddy me at Megacon!!!

 

See more journals by bagofleas

[B. Koski]

That's just one beautiful book my friend.

The Signature across the Hulk is just killer!

I'm so jealous of that book..congrats buddy!

[Brandon Shepherd]

Congratulations, that's quite a book! I can't believe the success you have had with finding 9.8 books raw on ebay!

[Hibou]

Wow...

 

I forgot all about that one and what a find!

 

"Bill Sienkiewicz is my favorite comic artist."

 

The fact that you have a 9.8 Signature Series just makes that even more impressive and the gold signature across the Hulk's back looks fantastic!

 

[bagofleas]

That's just one beautiful book my friend.

The Signature across the Hulk is just killer!

I'm so jealous of that book..congrats buddy!

 

The fact that you have a 9.8 Signature Series just makes that even more impressive and the gold signature across the Hulk's back looks fantastic!

 

Thanks! Yeah, I thought it would look cool in gold across the Hulks broad, muscular back like that. It really did come out great! It's hard to get a really good picture of it. It looks awesome in person!

 

I would love to crack it for getting both Bob McLeod and Ron Wilson to sign it at Tampa Bay CC in August, but I just can't risk the book falling in grade. Having Bill on it is the main sig I want anyway.

 

It would sure look cool to have Bob in silver up one leg and Ron in silver down the other..... sigh. Oh well.

[surfer99]

Very nice! Definitely don't crack that one. Looks perfect like it is. Congrats!!!

 

[Triskelion]

That's an amazing story! You're so lucky man. Congratulations!

[bagofleas]

Oh man!!! They just made it harder for me to resist cracking this beauty.

 

Mike Zeck has just been added to Tampa Bay CC!!!!! That means I could have Bob McLeod, Ron Wilson AND Mike Zeck added to it!

 

Groooaaaaannnnnn......

 

It is so hard for me to resist the opportunity for that many additional sigs.

 

Must... not.... give... in...

 

[sl4ppy]

Nicely done, sir..

 

/jealous.

 

Been looking for high grade copies of those Hulk! Books for years!