What Is It About Splash Pages

[Justin Case]

That makes them more valuable than all the other pages. Sorry if this has already been dealt with but because i am new to this hobby it is a question i have thought about a lot recently. Doesnt one collect original art because of the character a particular artist has drawn and how many times he appears on a particular page. I mean if there was a Detective page drawn by Adams and Batman appears in all 6 panels should this not be more valuable than a splah page that might have 1 picture of Batman drawn from the waist up.

[rob_react]

Splash pages are easily digestible, more iconic images. They're more impressive, accesible and great for display. There are also less of them than panel pages so there's more competition.

 

Personally I'd rather have a good panel page, but that's just me.

[spider9698]

Agreed, that's the reason why covers are more than splashes are more than interior pages.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there are some splashes which would be more valuable that their respective covers. Might be a good question to pose our fellow board members.

[Sharkey]

I think part of it is having a BIG image of your favorite hero(es) vs several small panel images. And a clean splash page might not have as many word balloons. And as was said, they tend to be iconic images or a dramatic single image.

 

I am not splash-page crazy -- I like having consecutive pages of a good action sequence because it's the story that I really love. But I have to admit there's something cool about a spectacular twice-up large art Silver Age splash page.... They definitely look nice hanging on the wall!

[fable]

It's all about the impact for me - i espcially like pages with one large, maybe 2/3 of the page sized panel, with a couple of smaller ones to complement it.

 

At the end of the day, each page is different and all styles can have great impact. Look at some of Miller's work to see multi panel sweet pages

[spider9698]

I would assume most splashes from Dark Knight Returns by Miller would trump 3 of the 4 covers in the run.

[rob_react]

I would assume most splashes from Dark Knight Returns by Miller would trump 3 of the 4 covers in the run.

 

Out of curiosity, what are you counting as the one?

[delekkerste]

I would assume most splashes from Dark Knight Returns by Miller would trump 3 of the 4 covers in the run.

 

Out of curiosity, what are you counting as the one?

 

#2, definitely.

[spider9698]

Exactly. I've talked to the owner and he has NO interest in selling!!

[heartened]

Splashes and covers are typically quite similar in terms of overall aesthetic appeal, if you're collecting poster-type comic art. In fact, despite the more recognition that a cover has going for it, it is tyically the splash page that has more art on it (the cover has to save room for logo, corner box art, and whatever other catch phrases have been placed on it). When you factor in price, a splash page is probably more bang for less buck (a win:win situation). That being said, covers are more iconic.

 

I'll say that interior pages are often nicer than the splash pages, but again it depends on what you are trying to collect. Many pieces of art are valuable as much or more for the story than for the art. Take, for example, anything by Alan Moore. It's the writing that we typically remember, and the cool part is having a memorable part/sequence of the story. Would you rather have a Watchmen cover or a cool/memorable page where Rorschach meets his final fate? I know which one I'd choose.

[spider9698]

EC horror covers for the most part never had the Crypt Keeper, Old Witch or Vault Keeper on the covers. These three were iconic characters in the EC world of horror. The splash pages (usually 4 per issue) had each character introduce the story. They can usually be had for a fraction of the price of a cover yet are very dramatic.

[Solar]

Exactly. I've talked to the owner and he has NO interest in selling!!

 

Just curious, but is the DKR #1 cover out there or does Frank have it? I've always wondered about that piece and what it would look like in person.

[spider9698]

I've heard Frank owns the remaining covers 1,3,4. As you know by looking at them, they are nothing to write home about and Frank has no intentions of selling them.

[nik]

Splash Pages rock

[mister_not_so_nice]

What drives the price of certain comics up over other issues in the same run (Hulk 180 VS 181)? Typically a significant event.

 

I think splashes are more desirable because they ussually depict a significant event in the story/history of the character. I can't recall seeing any splash pages of someone sleeping .

 

Sure panel pages have significant events on them too, but 99% of splashes have major events.

 

makes sense in my world,

Mike

[desertdogg]

while. i love a good panel page. my take on splash pages are one they really look cool framed . but 2nd point. in my case a splash page is more affordable than a cover. hence to me the poor mans cover .

 

and yes once in a while you find a splash page that looks better than the cover. and nine out of ten times a splash page will sell more than a panel page. so i guess it all about how fat your wallet is. and to buy the best page that you can afford. larry ;]