McFarlane's Amazing Spider-Man 328 cover original comic book artwork sells for $657,250.00 record price.

Before this becomes old news, the original comic book artwork for Todd McFarlane's Amazing Spider-Man 328 cover sold recently for a $657,250.00.  The original comic book artwork for Todd McFarlane's Spider-Man 1 sold for a surprisingly low (at least it was to me) $358,500.00.

Oh man, I remember when these books were so popular when they came out in 1990.  I remember rushing to the  comic book shop (sorry, nothing was available online back then) and buying multiple copies of the books.  I was fortunate to get copies of all the bagged and unbagged versions of the #1 issue.  Was so excited back then.  Alas, I still have them in some random closet , never read, still bagged and boarded (rebagged/reboarded since).  One of these days I will pull them out and reminisce over them.  Until then, I will enjoy looking at the original comic book artwork of the covers from these books.  :-)

While the Spider-Man 1 cover may be more iconic, could it be the ASM 328 cover is more noteworthy because it features not only Spidey but also Hulk?  And of course, Amazing Spider-Man is the grand-daddy of Spiderman comic titles, and I'm sure collectors place a premium on original artwork from this title.  Regardless, the ASM 328 cover artwork came at the peak time of McFarlane's run at Marvel.  Or could it have been that most collector's figured the cover for SM 1 was going to hit a higher realized value, and as such, didn't want to get into a bidding war with other high rollers.  Maybe Todd himself?  There was a lot of talk about the SM 1 cover hitting a million dollars weeks leading up to the auction.

As an original comic book artwork collector, I think this was a good thing for the hobby but not a great thing, at least I'm not sure if it is great yet.  It does make non-comic book art collectors take notice that this is a growing segment for the art collector niche.  I think it opens more eyes just for the fact this sold for as much as it did when the economy really isn't doing great still.  Judging from comments I read online at sites such as Yahoo, CBS and other "mainstream" non-comic/non-art, most people think this was a waste of money.  I think this may have been a shrewd investment as I can foresee original art continue to grow in the short and long term.  However my concern is if these high priced public transactions have pushed the smaller low budget collectors out of the hobby or have they separated them even more from the mid/high end art collector.  It already requires a substantial cash investment to get started in this hobby for those new to collecting original comic book art.  It will only get more pricey in the years to come.

Would love to hear your take on these record setting transactions of original comic book artwork.

Link to ha.com press release on the ASM 328 cover original comic book artwork record breaking auction.

Al Migrom Jim Mooney Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man original art

Nice Al Migrom penciled splash with Jim Mooney inks from Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man 96 page 8.

A little surprising that it sold for as high as it did but still a nice piece of artwork. From 1984.

Romita Sr Peter Parker Spectacular Spider-Man 15 cover

If anyone blinked, this 1977 Peter Parker Spectacular Spider-Man 15 original cover artwork by John Romita Sr auction ended this morning at $7050.00

Really nice large Spiderman image on hard to find early Romita Sr cover. Might not be from ASM, but still great great cover artwork for a nice price.

As noted in the auction, the published cover had a mask statted to Flash's face/head, and another body statted in the background amongst the rubble. Nevertheless, can't beat the original vision as shown in the original art without those 2 stats.

If you have any 70s-80s Romita Sr Amazing Spiderman (ASM) or Peter Parker Spectacular Spider-Man original art for sale, please contact me.

Todd McFarlane original art gallery

I was browsing the web earlier today and came across an interesting site. I'm sure many of you have already been there and seen the gems...

Todd McFarlane's spawn.com site has a TON of interesting stuff to read and look at, including, yup you guessed it, a nice online gallery of McFarlane original art including some of his favorites. And it's even narrated by him. Woot. The art was original presented as part of a retrospective exhibit showcasing Todd's art and career (Held at New York's MoCCA in 2006).

Shown here, Batman sketch, was the first McFarlane artwork published in a legitimate comic book (1981). Wild wild stuff but very very cool. Something about it sorta reminds me of his work on Detective Comics, Batman Year 2.

Other pages shown at the site include pages from Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man, New Mutants, Hulk, Spawn, and others. Even rejection letters and doodles from high school days.

Spider-senses tingling through flesh?!?

Whoa, this takes being a comic book FANBOY to a new level.

Here we have an individual with a very large tattoo on his body. The one shown here is on his torso, but he has matching tats on his arms, of the same theme. The tattoo is Spider-Man costume underneath his skin, and it looks as if his flesh is torn open to reveal the costume.

Can you imagine the looks this guy will get when he goes swimming? Anyhow, found this tattoo interesting and different, maybe too extreme for me but "clever." :)

Amazing Spider-man 36 page 3 Steve Ditko

Yet another grail-type piece shows up on Ebay. Twice-up Amazing Spiderman 36 page 3 with art by Steve Ditko. This page recounts the origin of Looter.

I'll update the realized price and bids shortly.

UPDATE $12,677.77 from 21 bids.

Amazing Spider-Man 51 page 5 - 1967 John Romita Sr.

Early John Romita Sr Amazing Spider-Man original art. Amazing Spider-Man 51 page 5 Romita Sr with Mickey Demeo inks. Currently at $3301 with a few hours to go. I'll update this auction with realized price.

UPDATE This auction ended at $9,900.00 with 35 total bids.

Look out, Spider-Man! Gecko inspires new glue

As reported earlier today, science may have finally caught up with Peter Parker's webbing...

(Link to original article @ MSNBC.com)

It could make you want to climb the walls.

Inspired by the gravity-defying, rapid attach-and-release movement of geckos scampering up vertical surfaces, scientists have invented a non-sticky adhesive that mimics the reptiles’ padded feet and actually gets stronger with use.

The strange material could become the basis for legions of high-speed search and rescue gecko-bots, Band-Aids that finally leave your leg hairs alone, and yes, perhaps even oversized climbing gloves to help you live out your Spiderman fantasy.

The adhesive is fashioned after the foot pad of a diminutive reptile that can go seemingly anywhere.

“For a gecko to move around in the world, it can’t just have Scotch tape on its feet,” said Ron Fearing, director of the Biomimetic Millisystems Lab at the University of California at Berkeley and the co-author of two new studies describing how it all works. “Simultaneously, it’s got to be easy to attach, easy to release, as well as providing enough force to keep the animal from slipping off the surface,” he said.

Meeting all of those requirements without leaving any residue behind is “a completely revolutionary approach to sticking things together,” said Kellar Autumn, a biology professor at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Ore., and a longtime Fearing collaborator who led the effort to reveal the animal’s unique ability. “We could have the next Mars rover crawling around with gecko feet.”

Inspired by nature
Other groups have found similar inspiration from geckos. Last year, a research team at Northwestern University announced that it had produced a gecko-mussel hybrid adhesive, dubbed “geckel” and deemed suitable for underwater use.

The secret to the gecko’s success is the collective power of tiny forces exerted by millions of odd bristles that extend out from each footpad and then branch into a forest of forked tips. “This is such a bizarre solution that I don’t think engineers would have thought of it if geckos hadn’t evolved it,” said Autumn.

At a microscopic scale, nearly everything in nature is attracted to everything else, and the branching bristles are equipped to take full advantage. The van der Waals forces of attraction, as they’re known, may seem unremarkable to casual observers. “If you put your hand down on a flat surface, there are van der Waals forces holding your hand to that surface,” Autumn said, “but they’re not strong enough to help you climb the walls like Spiderman.”

Ah, but that dynamic would change considerably if your hand was covered in tiny gecko bristles, each brushing up against the wall and helping to build up a considerable attraction.

“Think of Velcro or tape that doesn’t stick until it’s pulled parallel to a surface. But if you relax it, it just lets go,” Autumn said. “That works really, really differently from anything you can find in the store right now.”

Continued @ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23073427/

Amazing Spider-Man 311 page 27

Here's a pretty nice interior page from Todd McFarlane Amazing Spider-Man 311 page 27, featuring Spidey in every panel and literally all over the original art, and it's signed by Todd McFarlane himself. Comes with the matching color guide which is a nice touch, especially if you end up winning this auction and then framing them side-by-side. Currently at $4050.00 with a few days to go, but this will probably keep rising. I get the feeling McFarlane ASM and Spider-Man pages will be showing up on eBay in 2008. Maybe this is the year McFarlane ASM pages will take a healthy upward jump in value. In some ways, it's about time this happened.

I'll update this post with the final price when the auction ends.

UPDATE: The auction ended early but turns out the page is still available but the seller is hoping to pick up an Amazing Fantasy 15 from the funds. I kid you not. So if you have an AF 15 you want to trade for McFarlane ASM original art, be sure to get in touch with this seller ASAP.

Marvel Team Up #84 cover (Spider-man and Kung-Fu)

Here's a great Marvel Team Up #84 cover featuring Spider-Man and Master of Kung-Fu from January 1979. This is an excellent and early example of Steve Leialoha, also signed by him in the corner box. You don't see Steve's work for sale often especially since he ended up doing more inking rather than pencils. To me, he is best known for his art on Spider-Woman and Howard the Duck.

Steve still appears at conventions including the upcoming WonderCon in Feb 22-24. I believe he still makes his home in the SF Bay Area.

The MTU cover is currently at $2075.00 with a few hours to go. I'll update this auction at it's conclusion.

UPDATE: This auction closed at $2276.00 with 24 bids. Great classic piece that was added to someone's collection!

2007 Review - Byrne, Kirby, McFarlane, Romita and more

** Happy 2008 Comic Book Artwork Collectors! **

It's been a great year for collecting original artwork, collectible investments (short of historic homerun balls) and all forms of art seems to be a great investment value again. I can't remember a year where there has been so much good art showing up for sale or being auctioned off in the public market. Let me touch on the original comic book art market, from my limited perspective and extremely biased opinion. :)

Of particular note for me, I've noticed quite a few nice Byrne Uncanny X-Men pieces sell on eBay the past year. Could this be a sign that Byrne UXM pages will be hot again in 2008? McFarlane Spider-Man artwork seemed popular as well, and some finished "sketches"even went as high as $5k-6K range (Read previous posts for more historical info on previous realized auction sales). Kirby FF pieces were selling fast and furious early in the year. Even a Kirby X-Men 1 page made an appearance on eBay, albeit a couple times not meeting reserve.

Jim Lee artwork always seems to have a following. His comics still pretty much fly off the rack and his still hard to come by original artwork consistently sell from dealer/collector's portfolios. With his All-Star Batman & Robin book often late, and with many grumbling fans bitter from not getting their book on time, it is difficult to get a good read on valuation for "current" Jim Lee original artwork (ie. All-Star, Superman, etc), although the prices are high and pieces are in demand. His older work to me seems to be the better value, especially where he got his roots at Marvel --Punisher War Journal, Uncanny X-Men, X-Men were just a few of the titles he worked on early on. Prime pieces of his will always draw interest, but it does seem that even "average" pages/art of his are getting attention. Regardless, I recommend you always buy artwork you want to keep regardless of price and intent to sell.

Moving on to the Wonder Woman artist, Adam Hughes AH! artwork has been hot, no need to mention that. I remember a mega-auction of his artwork that averaged something like $200+ a piece of art. Impressive. And Ethan Van Sciver artwork is still hot, especially his work on Green Lantern, and any Batman/Superman or Wonder Woman artwork of his gets some looks.

For 2008, I think Colan DD pages will start showing up more often, and more early Arthur Adams artwork will appear for sale. Buscema artwork is underrated and will become more collected once people figure out it doesn't show up for sale often. And Romita Sr ASM pages will sooner or later get hot in the public dealer/collector/eBay market, although it would be great if the one BIG Romita Sr art dealer would sell/trade me something. Hint, hint. ;)

Ok, I'm hoping for these things to happen in 2008 anyways.

What stood out for you in 2008? Any artists or characters get more attention that you expected?

It's almost comic book convention season. See ya at the next show and thanks for reading.

1963 John Romita Sr Amazing Spider-Man #74 cover!!

I call this a "wow" post on my blog. Turns out I have a lot of these here. If you don't believe me, scroll through some of my previous posts and see for yourself.

This time, it's a sweet and hard to come by John Romita Sr Amazing Spider-Man 74 cover, all original artwork. On eBay, it is currently at $44,544.00 with 2 days 17 hours remaining. I'll update realized price after it closes. Anyone want to make a guess at what it will end at?

This is worth looking even if you aren't buying!! You won't see this in a long time. 12 cent cover original art.

UPDATE: Auction did not meet reserve price and ended at $44,544.00. However, this seller often sets higher reserves and I'm guessing completes the transaction outside of eBay.

Hero Initiative Covers still on eBay

Just wanted to follow-up with news that there are still a few Hero Initiative Ultimate Spider-Man #100 covers for sale (first time offering) on eBay. Check em out while they still last. Only 6 days left!!

Just to recap for those of you that didn't catch the initial batch that sold on eBay months ago, Todd McFarlane's cover garnered the highest activity and realized price. 37 bids and finally stopping at a cool $6,701.00. There are quite a few really nice ones comparable to Todd's, such as Adam Kubert's and George Perez's cover, but I guess it just goes to show you that the guy still has it and can still draw. Can you imagine if he came back to comic books to draw? I don't think he'd be on any regular title. And he clearly makes too much money now to NOT return to comics, but I would prob pick up his book and read it if he did return. Browse his art and that crazy spaghetti spider webbing he is known to spin.

Spider-Man 1 pg 5 McFarlane $7500

Another cool page came and went, sold on eBay. This time, Spider-Man #1 page 5, by Todd McFarlane.

Could this be a revival for McFarlane art? Seems like McFarlane pages are getting hot again and I don't say that because this page went for a nice number. This was a page from a first issue and a landmark best selling issue, from an artist that no longer or doesn't often draw anymore. Anything with McFarlane's autograph or a doodle seems to get a lot of attention. The pages I had for sale from All-Star Squadron #47 and Hulk #330 sold earlier this year too.

Hopefully those that have McFarlane art will start putting out some gems for sale. Also noticing some nice Kirby pages for sale lately. Even Jim Lee Uncanny X-Men art is showing up on eBay again.

Collect original comic book art as a hobby.

Original comic book art as a hobby and investment vehicle is alive and kicking! Maybe that's an understatement. Due to economic instability and other usually stable investments going through a rough time, seems like people are starting to look at alternative places to put their money. And why not.

Comic books are starting to be accepted as more than just for geeks. The revenue generated from comic book movies is staggering. 5-10 years ago, comic book movies were risky and usually very poorly made. Remember seeing Arnold as Mr Freeze? Remember Christopher Reeves in Superman 1, 2 or 3. Were there more? Now, people are lining up to see costumed heroes on the big screen, such as the X-Men movies, Spider-Man movies, Fantastic Four movies (with Jessica Alba!!), the new grittier Batman, the new sophisticated and action-less Superman, etc. People want to buy into the merchandising around the characters. And if you are reading this, then I'll assume you are also into original comic book art and want in, on either getting a small piece of this franchise, trying to buy back your childhood or some fond memories, or maybe speculating on the next big investment. But you aren't alone if you think original comic book art is going to only grow in popularity. There is a lot of money moving around in original comic book art.

Original comic book art has been sold and bought on eBay for many many years now. Before internet dealers were selling and buying art, most low-tech dealers (things never change) advertised at cons, through word of mouth or in comics buyer guides. I bought my first piece off eBay back when it still wasn't too cool to be associated with comics, unless you enjoyed hanging out with other nerds including some of those that you see in costume at your local comic book con. I admit, I never dressed up, but I did geek out at a few of those cons. Back in the day, I've met some of my "hero" artists back. Only within the past 10 years or so, I started to get more into collecting art. I guess I liked comics but found that everyone also collected them, and it just seemed too mainstream. I wanted something more "one-of-a-kind".. I saw a few pieces of colored art, and instantly said I want that. My collection grew quickly.

I think I quickly realized that it was becoming a habit, almost a bad habit, to grow my collection. Then I started to understand that it would be wise to only grow the things I really enjoy and really wanted to keep. Otherwise, what was the point of just buying and hoarding. Buy, enjoy and share.

Anyways, this post is getting long and rant-like, but just wanted to quickly share a story on how my passion for collecting original art came from, some thoughts on the hobby, and confirm that I too think it is still growing.