Walt Simonson artwork and other artists who don't sell their work

[staffman]

So my apologies if this has been beaten to death, but I was curious if Walt Simonson has held onto a majority if not all of his artwork? I grew up reading a lot of his comics that he worked on such as Star Wars, Thor and X-Factor. Always enjoyed it and since I've recently refocused my collection on securing a page from my favorite artists from my younger years I'm noticing that sometimes it's not due to fellow collectors holding onto these pages it's that the artist never seemed to let them go. If I'm mistaken with Walt and him holding onto his pages does someone know which ones he has sold or is willing to sell? In fact does he even have a dealer?

 

On a side note I know certain artists like David Aja and Mazzuchelli keep a majority of their work with them still. Are there other artists who have decided not to sell their work? I'm sure there are varying factors into why artists don't want to sell and that's fine, just curious if there are other artists one shouldn't bother looking for OA.

 

If there has already been a topic on this sorry for the repeat, but I have been unable to find it within previous posts.

[comix4fun]

Yep, Simonson has almost all his artwork still. He doesn't really sell. The few pages and covers you've seen out there is what's out there. Most of the Thor run and covers reside with him and I doubt are going anywhere soon.

[theflashunc]

Depends on the artist really.

 

Walt does not part with his art with examples few and far between in the wild. Its one of the reasons I think you saw one of IDW's first Artists Editions was his Thor work. He still had all those pages and they were readily accessible for scanning. (Though Mr Dunbier can weigh in on this I'm sure.)

 

For the Mazzuchelli Daredevil Born Again artist's edition all the pages save for two chunks are still with the original artist, according to a note in the book, and I think some boardies are owners of those pages that happen to be in the wild.

 

There's a lot of variables at play. Some artists may just not sell everything. Matt Kindt, for example, typically sells all his pages from his creator-owned Mind MGMT series, save for Issue 18. Which he's keeping as a gift for his daughter as the character highlighted was inspired by her and the book has a strong Jungle Book motif.

 

There's no hard and fast rule. Never any harm in asking.

[Weird Paper]

I've heard Terry Austin still has much of his share of what he's worked on. All that Byrne, Marshall Rogers, etc. must be worth a fortune!

[alxjhnsn]

Re: Englehart/Rogers/Austin pages

 

Definitely something I want to find which would be easier if Terry sold his.

[zhamlau]

That Makes sense about Austin inked material. You just dont see a lot of it.

[NelsonAI]

I can personally confirm re: Austin. He does not need the $ and is not interested in any trade either.

 

Cheers!

N.

 

[staffman]

I completely forgot about Terry Austin. Oh man the treasure trove of work he must have. If he ever sells and I know that is a big IF that will definitely break some banks.

[Brian Peck]

Walt's inkers on X-Factor do sell their portion of art from the series. So there is some Simonson art out there for sale

[Terry Doyle]

 

You might want to shoot this dealer an 'inquiry'?

 

http://www.comicartfans.com/ForSaleDetails.asp?ArtId=463395

 

[staffman]

Walt's inkers on X-Factor do sell their portion of art from the series. So there is some Simonson art out there for sale

 

Well then that makes me wonder does Tom Palmer have any of his work that he sells or did Walt get all of his Star Wars run? I see that the Ron Frenz/Tom Palmer work has found homes so one wonders if Tom got some from Walt?

[Bird]

It is my understanding that Walt plans on burning his ala a Viking funeral when he dies. I asked directly about this and he gave a noncommital response but Weezie shook her head suggesting it was the truth. Things change, but this was about 3-4 years ago.

[Koa]

It is my understanding that Walt plans on burning his ala a Viking funeral when he dies. I asked directly about this and he gave a noncommital response but Weezie shook her head suggesting it was the truth. Things change, but this was about 3-4 years ago.

 

It's his prerogative but it sounds like a hysterical cry for attention to me.

 

I think maybe some artists keep their originals because they developed a style based on artists that they loved and it gives them great pleasure from a fan standpoint almost

 

Anyways, Since he started working on the Batman title Greg Capullo keeps threatening to start selling artwork but I think he falls into the category of don't bother trying.

 

Capullo has sold a couple of spawn issues and their are some pages out there from his inkers, a 3rd spawn cover (41) that was a contest prize is out there plus some chance wolf or danny miki inked pages and covers out there but it's limited.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bird]

It is my understanding that Walt plans on burning his ala a Viking funeral when he dies. I asked directly about this and he gave a noncommital response but Weezie shook her head suggesting it was the truth. Things change, but this was about 3-4 years ago.

 

It's his prerogative but it sounds like a hysterical cry for attention to me.

 

 

I don't think you could be more wrong. He won't even address it, much less become hysterical or seek attention regarding it. It could just as easily be a tremendous undervaluing of the art as opposed to the tremendous overvaluing that you seem to ascribe to the situation. To people like Steve Ditko it is apparently just ink on paper and some people won't support the degree of commercialism associated with funny books that us rabid OA collector's possess. So they make an offhanded comment or contrarian decision to cover their bases.

 

There could be, and likely are, a million reasons for artists to retain their art. Some reasons may be emotional, some financial, some personality quirks, whatever. And such artists would likely have difficulty articulating the reason themselves. But whatever the reason, for us it does suck, I agree.

[staffman]

It is my understanding that Walt plans on burning his ala a Viking funeral when he dies. I asked directly about this and he gave a noncommital response but Weezie shook her head suggesting it was the truth. Things change, but this was about 3-4 years ago.

 

That does beg the question of what happens to all the artwork that the artist has held onto when he passes? I am in no way trying to be morbid here and offer suggestions of pursuing artwork from an artists significant other when they pass but it does make one wonder. In a case of like Walt's, that is a mountain of work stored away that could easily turn in lots of money. I can't even begin to imagine the stockpiles of the work he must have since he is still churning out work like the new Ragnarok from IDW. I'd rather keep seeing Walt working than see his work being sold off after he passes, but yeesh where is all of that work going to go?

[Bird]

I have been watching all this Bill Everett artwork come to auction recently. I wish I knew when it would end because I will be royally pizzed should I end up without a piece eventually. I believe, although I may be wrong, that I read somewhere it was the family selling it off. Bill Everett died in 1974 I think.

[theflashunc]

Walt knows what its worth, like one of his favorite stories -- Smaug sitting the veritable mountain of gold.

 

I'd wager he's saving it to pass along to his family to do with as they see fit. Whether that's inheritance for the grandkids, or whatever else it may be.

 

 

[pinupcartoonguy]

Many moons ago I asked Walt why he didn't sell his art, and I swear he said he was saving it for his children. Nicest guy you ever met in person.

[Koa]

It is my understanding that Walt plans on burning his ala a Viking funeral when he dies. I asked directly about this and he gave a noncommital response but Weezie shook her head suggesting it was the truth. Things change, but this was about 3-4 years ago.

 

It's his prerogative but it sounds like a hysterical cry for attention to me.

 

 

I don't think you could be more wrong. He won't even address it, much less become hysterical or seek attention regarding it. It could just as easily be a tremendous undervaluing of the art as opposed to the tremendous overvaluing that you seem to ascribe to the situation. To people like Steve Ditko it is apparently just ink on paper and some people won't support the degree of commercialism associated with funny books that us rabid OA collector's possess. So they make an offhanded comment or contrarian decision to cover their bases.

 

There could be, and likely are, a million reasons for artists to retain their art. Some reasons may be emotional, some financial, some personality quirks, whatever. And such artists would likely have difficulty articulating the reason themselves. But whatever the reason, for us it does suck, I agree.

 

I love walt and was just poking some fun at the comment about a viking funeral. I could be wrong but I think Walter was having some fun with us by saying that, or maybe not.

 

No, i agree, especially with the crazy money being thrown around these days there are probably quite a few artists who wish they had held onto their work.

 

I think we're talking about two different artists and situations though. The overvaluation I thought was regarding New 52 capullo art that greg capullo put up for sale in 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[comiconxion]

Walt's inkers on X-Factor do sell their portion of art from the series. So there is some Simonson art out there for sale

 

Well then that makes me wonder does Tom Palmer have any of his work that he sells or did Walt get all of his Star Wars run? I see that the Ron Frenz/Tom Palmer work has found homes so one wonders if Tom got some from Walt?

 

I talked with Tom a couple weeks ago. He is proud of his Star Wars work and I don't think he plans to sell any of it anytime soon. But, you can always go through Jim Warden to see what he's willing to sell.