Heart over head 3 3

[KirbyCollector]

When I was a kid, I used to buy comics which had amazing covers -- regardless of the art or story inside (Gil Kane covers got me every time). Yesterday, I found myself buying a page because of a single panel I just couldn't stop staring at for two weeks. I thought my art purchases would be more rational as I got older, but it is going the other way! For those who can separate their emotions from art collecting, I have a lot of respect for you...

Edited March 2, 2023 by KirbyCollector

[Andahaion]

Growing up, I routinely bought books just for the cover.  Never opened some of them.  For OA, I do try to only buy from books I've read and enjoyed (regardless of era).  I've largely held to that, but have occasionally purchased art that I just fell in love with. 

[RBerman]

When Heritage was offering all those early 70s Swanderson pages over the last couple of years, I got a few, all from issues I had actually read as a kid. I can't say those pages are objectively better or more valuable than the ones i passed by. Indeed, I stopped bidding on some precisely because their value to somebody else was more than I was prepared to pay.

[Will_K]

Sometimes you just have to buy what you like. 

For OP @KirbyCollector did the page come from an issue with nostalgic value ?  Or was there really some pure artistic interest in that panel ?

[KirbyCollector]

On 3/2/2023 at 1:19 PM, Will_K said:

Sometimes you just have to buy what you like. 

For OP @KirbyCollector did the page come from an issue with nostalgic value ?  Or was there really some pure artistic interest in that panel ?

The panel just spoke to me, it was beautiful while conveying a lot of pathos. Sometimes the stars just align and artists tap into the same magic which made Greek art the envy of the world... The ancient world knew how to combine beauty and emotion on a sublime level, but it is rare to see in today's comics due to most artists lacking classical training and life drawing skills.

Edited March 2, 2023 by KirbyCollector

[Ecclectica]

On 3/2/2023 at 7:19 PM, Will_K said:

Sometimes you just have to buy what you like.

Shouldn't it always be like this ?

[Rick2you2]

On 3/2/2023 at 9:09 AM, KirbyCollector said:

When I was a kid, I used to buy comics which had amazing covers -- regardless of the art or story inside (Gil Kane covers got me every time). Yesterday, I found myself buying a page because of a single panel I just couldn't stop staring at for two weeks. I thought my art purchases would be more rational as I got older, but it is going the other way! For those who can separate their emotions from art collecting, I have a lot of respect for you...

As a kid, I came from a different direction. For me, the plot and storyline were way more important than the art; the art, for the most part, just expanded on the storyline. There were exceptions, like Swamp Thing, where art by Wrightson, Redondo and Tottleben, all struck a chord, as did Adams. But if the storyline wasn’t good, the art didn’t matter. Interesting how you mentioned Kane because I didn’t care for his work. While I am aware (and was only dimly aware as a child) the draftsmanship was excellent, there is a coldness to it. That’s okay for Green Lantern while in outer space but I like heat in the artistry. 

I have bought art where a single panel gets my attention. Nothing irrational about that. In fact, you may well find that it is reflected in the value of the piece. I still like warmth in the page, however, both via words and art. But, I favor a diversity of style even when I am not thrilled with the piece. I think a good way to highlight the good in your collection is to mix in some “eh” pieces for comparison. 

[KirbyCollector]

On 3/2/2023 at 10:41 PM, Ecclectica said:

Shouldn't it always be like this ?

Theoretically... but with prices as high as they are, the return on investment worry now creeps into my purchase decisions. I am no Warren Buffet or Bernard Arnault

[Aahz]

I think my collecting these days is 20% nostalgia and 80% "hey that's cool."  I was lucky to get my grain early on in my collecting, and, for me, it has been as much about the story and emotion as the art.  Honestly, this is why I am somewhat lukewarm about modern art because the word balloons are missing!  This might actually track a bit with the discussion about Lichtenstein.  There can be a lot of emotion and story in just one panel, let alone a page.  A good example (for me) is the attached page from Warlock 5, a Canadian comic book. I bought this off ebay back in 1998 or so.  Probably $25.  I don't know anything about the story or the characters, but I loved the dialog ad the art. Denis Beauvais is the artist.  never seen another page from this series, but it is still one of my favorites.

[babsrocks31]

I don't think there is any one way to collect. Many people here have posted the rules they follow, some governed by their heads and some their hearts. I try to pick and choose things that work for me from the bounty of examples already posted.

[timguerrero]

It would be my preference to buy art from memorable storylines but alas prices have skyrocketed and that is nearly impossible. When I look at pages now I try to look for a piece of art that attracts my attention even if I haven't read the comic.

[JadeGiant]

I look both with my heart and my head - and buy the ones that fit into my budget. 

[Rick2you2]

On 3/6/2023 at 1:37 PM, JadeGiant said:

I look both with my heart and my head - and buy the ones that fit into my budget. 

… and sometimes, not.