Goseki Kojima Lone Wolf and Cub art

[Bronty]

Is this stuff available anywhere or is it all locked up in japan?

 

Now, I only own two pieces of OA so I don't consider myself a collector but a Kojima page would turn my crank. Anyone seen any for sale? Cheap/expensive? I'd actually be less interested in the battle pages, which I assume are worth more, and more interested in the quiet/reflective pages like the landscapes, seascapes and 'daily life' type moments such as Daigoro fishing, etc.

 

Any help much appreciated!!

[Nexus]

Between 1997 and 2003, I went to Japan over 50 times. During the latter part of those trips, I did try to look for some Kojima art. No luck. I've never seen a page for sale. There are some watercolors he did that have been sold, but from what I understand, the pages were never made available to the public.

 

If you want Ikegami (CRYING FREEMAN, SANCTUARY, et al), I can get it for you. Be warned, though, much of his work is done by a stable of assistants (eventhough the art is credited to him only).

 

Felix

[Bronty]

Just want Kojima only. Thanks for the info although I'm disappointed to hear it. Thanks Felix.

 

-- has anyone else out tried to find it?

[delekkerste]

Mitch Itkowitz had a Kojima LW&C color pin-up for sale a couple years ago (think it was summer 2004). I saw it in person at the SDCC and it was gorgeous. I forget what the exact price was, but I think it was around $15K, plus or minus a few K.

 

That is the only Kojima LW&C piece I have ever seen for sale...

[Bronty]

Man. What a bummer.... a) it sounds like I won't be able to find any and b) it's more than I want to pay. Thanks for the info Gene.

 

The worst part is I was at the 04 SDCC too... I would have love to at least have seen it

 

But I'm definitely disappointed to hear that with the artist's massive output of LW&C pages they remain elusive to come by If I recall correctly it's 8 or 9 thousand pages... making 15k a pretty risky investment if the rest of those pages ever came to market

[Bronty]

PS what was the pin-up of, out of curiosity? Solo Itto or with Diagoro and baby cart, or what? Would love to see that on a comicartfans gallery one day

[delekkerste]

I just happen to have a scan of it...

 

[delekkerste]

There's also a Daigoro piece by Kojima on CAF:

 

http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=88117&GSub=6495

[Nexus]

I've seen the piece in person. It's very nice. I've got bigger priorities at that $$ level, but the guy who got it REALLY wanted a LW piece so it was well worth it to him.

 

If the published pages ever hit the market, there's enough demand for them that I don't think the value of this piece will be affected that much. There are fans of this series all over the world. Anyhow, the likelihood of the pages ever becoming available is pretty small at this point.

[rob_react]

Anyhow, the likelihood of the pages ever becoming available is pretty small at this point.

 

Because they're not for sale or because they don't exist anymore?

[*paull*]

As a collector of other types of media from Japan including records and movie posters, I can verify that it would be very hard to compete with Japanese collectors for rare manga items. I've seen unbelievable prices paid for desirable items in Japan... the Japanese collector is hard to beat.

[Bronty]

Right on- thanks for the scan!

 

I really like the diagoro piece as well although that one, at first blush, looks to me like it might have been done a little later on.

 

As for the market, I realize there are probably collectors of his all over the world and that the japanese would be aggressive in buying, but boy, 15k seems like a lot.. how many comic artists could get that for a single watercolor unpublished pinup? Not too many.

 

Anyone care to throw out a number on what that diagoro piece might be worth?

[irchooker]

Because they're not for sale or because they don't exist anymore?

 

A Japanese manga artist makes a considerable amount of money when compared to a US page rate. They live quite comfortably and have not required the selling of art as a secondary income source. As such it is looked down upon to sell the art, a real social faux pas. Manga artists just (typically) don't do it, this is especially true for the older generation.

[rob_react]

Because they're not for sale or because they don't exist anymore?

 

A Japanese manga artist makes a considerable amount of money when compared to a US page rate. They live quite comfortably and have not required the selling of art as a secondary income source. As such it is looked down upon to sell the art, a real social faux pas. Manga artists just (typically) don't do it, this is especially true for the older generation.

 

I love straight answers

[Solar]

Interesting. Thank goodness most US artists are underpaid.

[aardvark88]

Bronty,

I know a local collector in the Vancouver area that has a Matt Wagner painted LW & Cub published cover, but he won't sell. Too bad ... sure it is much cheaper than Kojima art.

[Bronty]

Hmmm... which cover?

 

Wouldn't happen to be the same person you bought your Bode from, would it?

[Bronty]

Thanks for the insight.

[delekkerste]

Hmmm... which cover?

 

Wouldn't happen to be the same person you bought your Bode from, would it?

 

There's a Wagner LW&C cover on sale at ComicArtFans.com, as well as a Ploog. I've seen at least a couple of Sienkiewicz LW&C covers floating around as well.

[adamstrange]

I just happen to have a scan of it...

 

 

Thanks. That's a beautiful piece.