Signed Comics

[Scareb]

So I've got a dilemma. Rob Liefeld is going to be at our local convention this Saturday and I have a copy of New Mutants #98. I've never had a comic signed before so I'm unsure if I want to do it. On the one hand, i love the look of a pristine comic. On the other, meeting the co-creator of Deadpool (my all time favourite marvel chracter) would be such an experience plus I read there aren't exactly a ton of signed copies of NM #98 out there.

Now CBCS will be there as well so I'll be able to get the signature verified but once it's done, they literally escort me back to their booth where I hand the comic to them so they can take it back to Florida to be graded and slabbed (breaking the chain of custody by taking it home first renders the verified signature null and void). I can understand that. My only issue is what happens if I meet Fabian Nacieza and want him to sign as well.

Also I don't ever plan on selling and getting the signature verified before slabbing just makes sure everything is legit. I dont ever plan on selling the book. Having said that, as collectors you all know that life can get in the way and sometimes you have no choice.

So any opinions? He has a VIP park you can buy that brings you to the front of the line among a couple of other tidbits and its pickup only at the expo so I think I have a day or two before i need to pull the trigger.

 

[Niltusk]

Not a big deal, you can get it re-slabbed if you want to add another signature down the road, if you look at certified comics on the Bay, you'll see quite a few have various signings annotated with different dates.

 

[Otomofan]

I saw that he was doing that special pop-up store and thought it would be so awesome to meet him. Obviously, I won't, since I'm in Japan, but the same thing crossed my mind.

I have New Mutants 98.....get it signed? It almost seems like sacrilege, even though technically having ROB LIEFELD's signature should only make it more rare and special. But it's a dilemma, ya know?

I decided if I ever meet him I'll have him sign my X-Force number one. Not nearly as expensive, but still a cool ass book for him to sign.

No Youngblood.

 

[punisher1974]

If you really like the book and creator do it. May not get the chance again. Like it was previously mention it can reslabbed again for another signature.

 

[Shawpaw]

I'd get it signed. There will be a time when that becomes impossible. I'm still trying to figure out what I want signed from Stan Lee before he passes. Dude had a handler helping him stand at the AIW premiere.

 

[Otomofan]

Guys,

I'm gonna do it.

After almost 3 decades I've decided to go ahead and meet Frank Miller, despite the ridiculous cost. He's a living legend and my favorite artist of all time. Who cares about money? Money comes and goes, but meeting an idol in person like that is priceless.

So here's my dilemma.

Last year I purchased Dark Knight, 1-4, all 1st prints. They are instantly the crown jewel of my collection, despite being in fair to good condition. Nothing archive worthy. Still....1st prints. That means a lot.

So do I have Frank Miller, one of the most important icons in the history of the comics industry, sign his most famous work?

Seems like a no-brainer right? Of course.

But there's this nagging feeling that I would almost enjoy the books more with "virgin" covers.

But on the flip side....DKR 1-4, first print, signed by Frank Miller, right in front of my eyes, and I get to keep those treasures forever.

Obviously that's the way to go but I feel a slight reluctance, like the poster that wasn't sure he wanted Rob Liefeld to "sully" the cover image of New Mutants 98.

What would you do?? Give me some opinions, please.

 

[ebor]

Guys,

I'm gonna do it.

After almost 3 decades I've decided to go ahead and meet Frank Miller, despite the ridiculous cost. He's a living legend and my favorite artist of all time. Who cares about money? Money comes and goes, but meeting an idol in person like that is priceless.

So here's my dilemma.

Last year I purchased Dark Knight, 1-4, all 1st prints. They are instantly the crown jewel of my collection, despite being in fair to good condition. Nothing archive worthy. Still....1st prints. That means a lot.

So do I have Frank Miller, one of the most important icons in the history of the comics industry, sign his most famous work?

Seems like a no-brainer right? Of course.

But there's this nagging feeling that I would almost enjoy the books more with "virgin" covers.

But on the flip side....DKR 1-4, first print, signed by Frank Miller, right in front of my eyes, and I get to keep those treasures forever.

Obviously that's the way to go but I feel a slight reluctance, like the poster that wasn't sure he wanted Rob Liefeld to "sully" the cover image of New Mutants 98.

What would you do?? Give me some opinions, please.

Do it! These are not scarce there are tons of DK First Prints in better grades. If I could meet F.M. I would have him sign them...

 

[xipotec]

Yup, sign them, gush about them, seal them and frame them for your wall....



Sent from the inside of a giant slug in outer space.....

 

[Khev]

Have Miller sign the covers. You'll have the rest of your life to track down another set if you want unspoiled covers again.

 

[Otomofan]

You guys told me exactly what I wanted to hear. A month from now I'll have DKR 1-4 signed by FM. And due to the stupid amount of money I paid for my ticket, I'm entitled to one more autograph. I'm gonna have him do the last one on my Elektra Lives Again hardcover, which is also a first print. As I've said in the FM thread I started, despite the story not being stellar, I truly think Elektra Lives Again was the absolute pinnacle of Frank's art, page for page. Just gorgeous.

Awesome. Thanks guys!

 

[xipotec]

Its always amazing to meet someone you admire so much...

Often the best thing to say is “thank you” for all the great stories and art they created....




Sent from the inside of a giant slug in outer space.....

 

[Otomofan]

It really is an amazing opportunity.

When I was younger, I always wanted to try to "balance" it somehow, by trying to make an impression on someone I admire so much. I think that's a natural reaction in some way. They've given so much to us through their art and it's only natural to want to try to return that somehow. Unfortunately you mix a little mental illness with that and you get crazy stalkers.

Now that I'm older, I realize these guys meet hundreds, thousands of fans...all of them desperate to make some kind of impression. So really the best thing to do is just give them an honest and heartfelt "thank you" and hope that in some small way they realize they're touching so many people's lives.

My favorite celebrity encounters over the years were Neil Gaiman, who I got to chat with for about 15 seconds as he signed my book....same with Kevin Smith way back in the day. By far the best and more surreal was Axl F$*#ing Rose, who I got to talk to for quite some time, even shook his hand, but sadly, no pics or autographs were allowed.

And I met my absolute number one, Mr. Katsuhiro Otomo, and I barely had time to blurt out "thankyouMrOtomo you'rethe best" but I got to shake the man's hand.
Again, no pic or autograph but a memory I'll cherish my whole life and truly quite a rare opportunity when you think of how many fans he has worldwide that will never get that chance.

So yes. Adding Mr. Miller to this list is going to be an absolute once-in-a-lifetime thrill. And I WILL have the autographs on his most important books too. So watch this space in about 3 or 4 weeks for pics!

 

[xipotec]

In had the luck to spend about an hour with Mark Hamill in the 90’s when he promoted his comic Black Pearl....

Was a great time and we really go to talk. Same thing happened with Tom Savini , the makeup artist. I got to have dinner with him, just because I was on line last, and he was hungry, and invited a 18 year old me to join him at the hotel restaurant. Crazy as this sounds Michael Berryman from The Hills Have eyes...joined us for a drink as well....

Sometimes a thank you is the best thing they hear....

Those were the days before you had to pay to get an autograph...

Be sure to post pics!
Sent from the inside of a giant slug in outer space.....

 

[ebor]

I realize that this is a signed comic thread but I want to share a story. 2 years ago Bill Sienkiewicz came to a local fan expo. I had found an original piece of art-work that he had inked (Dr. Zero) on e-bay and paid an insanely low price for the piece several years ago. He was one of my favorite comic book artist from the '80s. When I met him he was working on a sketch for someone. I gingerly walked up to his table and stammered a bit at actually meeting what I consider a true artistic legend. I pulled out the artwork and showed it to him; he smiled and said 'hey I remember inking and doing finishing work on this series, would you like me to sign the piece?' He did for no charge; we shared a few laughs and discussion about other work that he was working on. I will never forget the experience.

 

[Otomofan]

Here they are...my most prized comic books in my collection: Dark Knight 1-4 (1st print) signed by Frank Miller, and also the title page of Elektra Lives Again, also signed.




I met Frank last week at the Baltimore Comic Con. It was such a thrill....a once in a lifetime chance to meet my favorite comic book artist of all time. I know at least one other poster was there cause in another thread on the DC Statue forum he had pics of his signed statue. I must have missed him though cause I didn't see anyone carrying that around.

I also took the chance to get a Blackhawk sketch done by Howard Chaykin. As a kid I really liked his 1987 Blackhawk mini series, even if I didn't really understand it. Chaykin told me I was definitely "too young" to have been reading it at the time.



Also got a print signed by the one and only Art Adams, as well as one by Simon THE BIZ Bisley. Also got Garth Ennis's autograph but was too star struck to say anything meaningful to him. Just kind of babbled for 30 seconds and he politely said "thanks."

What an awesome experience the whole day was for me. As an absolutely obsessed comics fan in the 80s and 90s, meeting those legends of the industry was a dream come true.

 

[devilof76]

A buddy was just telling me about a Dave Cockrum signed Uncanny X-Men he had to sell a few years ago.

Be glad the names you guys are chasing aren't dead yet.

 

[Otomofan]

I think I have a Cockrum autograph somewhere. Definitely met him in the 90s at one of the small shows I used to go to.

 

[devilof76]

That was probably how my friend scored it too. Casually enough, for the most part.

Just underscoring how much less casual it becomes, post-mortem.

 

[marvinmyles]

I have a lot of original artwork that is signed but these are the only two comics I have that are signed.

I had held onto the Frank Miller Batman 1st print for a long time only because I had two.I sent what I thought was the better of the two off to be graded at CGC.It came back 9.6.
The second book just by chance I was able to get it signed by FM in June last year 9.8.. yeah' Crazy cool.

The Harley Quinn 25th Anniversary Special #1 Variant I got direct from Greg Horn already graded in 2017.Mainly because I really liked the Cover Artwork.

 

[Otomofan]

I'll have to go through my old longboxes next time I'm in America. I used to go to EVERY con in the Cleveland area, and no matter who the guest was, I'd have them sign stuff, if I was a fan or not. If I had one of their books, I'd have them sign it. I actually got a ton of stuff over the years. This was all very early 90s.

John Byrne used to go to just about every show, so I must have around 10 or so of his books signed. I thought his signature was super common. But someone told me last year that he stopped going to Cons so people now are dying to get his stuff signed.