Collecting Comic Book Art vs. Comic Books
Lately we've had a lot of upheaval and change in our lives. We're doing it for Liam, but it has been so much fun to decorate my office and the upstairs rec room. I finally have the space to organize and place my comic books together. My "collector's closet" consists of a gun safe and all my collectibles over the years. Now, mind you, many aren't worth much, but all have a story. I have coins, comics, guns, sports cards, smurfs, CDs, books and trinkets from all over.
The other night while we were out, Rob said something to me that rang true and I've been thinking about it since he said it. "Barney, there are no more collectibles in the world. We have ebay to thank for that." Well no more collectibles that will appreciate like those items pre-80's. The 80's and 90's ruined sports card and comic book collecting due to so many speculators flooding the market. As a kid I didn't understand this. I always figured my comic collection would pay for my kid's education one day.
While that's still possible, it's highly doubtful. I'm fine with that because I read current comics because I enjoy them, not because I feel the need to collect them. If I want something to retain its value or increase, I will buy the inked original comic book art. Although it won't appreciate it as much as my Disney stock, it won't lose value either, and it looks amazing! To go with a page of X-men by Salvador LaRocca, I have also purchased pages of Amazing Spider-man by Humberto Ramos and Olivier Coipel. Coipel's page is of several Spider-men from the Spiderverse and it KICKS ASS. All of these required a substantial investment, including the framing, etc, but now that I have them in my office, I think there's too much black and white.
I've commissioned one of the best comic artist/painters in the business, Esad Ribic, to paint Marvel's Apocalypse, my favorite villain. That should add a new depth to the office. I may never own one of his original painted covers but I can have that quality in my office. Once I acquire this, the only other artist from which I would truly like an original is my all-time favorite Sam Kieth. I've recently discovered he does commissions as well, and he a most unique style for HUlk that I want on my walls.
Back to Rob, and his comment. Rob spends a lot more on his art than I do, but that's another conversation. He's also in a much different tax bracket than myself. But why buy a print or copy when you can own the ORIGINAL. I agree but I have to spend within my budget. Maybe one day I'll own a Todd McFarlane Amazing Spider-man page. Maybe not, but I can always dream!
The other night while we were out, Rob said something to me that rang true and I've been thinking about it since he said it. "Barney, there are no more collectibles in the world. We have ebay to thank for that." Well no more collectibles that will appreciate like those items pre-80's. The 80's and 90's ruined sports card and comic book collecting due to so many speculators flooding the market. As a kid I didn't understand this. I always figured my comic collection would pay for my kid's education one day.
While that's still possible, it's highly doubtful. I'm fine with that because I read current comics because I enjoy them, not because I feel the need to collect them. If I want something to retain its value or increase, I will buy the inked original comic book art. Although it won't appreciate it as much as my Disney stock, it won't lose value either, and it looks amazing! To go with a page of X-men by Salvador LaRocca, I have also purchased pages of Amazing Spider-man by Humberto Ramos and Olivier Coipel. Coipel's page is of several Spider-men from the Spiderverse and it KICKS ASS. All of these required a substantial investment, including the framing, etc, but now that I have them in my office, I think there's too much black and white.
I've commissioned one of the best comic artist/painters in the business, Esad Ribic, to paint Marvel's Apocalypse, my favorite villain. That should add a new depth to the office. I may never own one of his original painted covers but I can have that quality in my office. Once I acquire this, the only other artist from which I would truly like an original is my all-time favorite Sam Kieth. I've recently discovered he does commissions as well, and he a most unique style for HUlk that I want on my walls.
Back to Rob, and his comment. Rob spends a lot more on his art than I do, but that's another conversation. He's also in a much different tax bracket than myself. But why buy a print or copy when you can own the ORIGINAL. I agree but I have to spend within my budget. Maybe one day I'll own a Todd McFarlane Amazing Spider-man page. Maybe not, but I can always dream!