I have always collected things for as long as I can remember (which my memory isn’t great). As a kid, stuffed animals, Hot Wheels, comics, and stuff. I was never in it for a return on investment (actually most kids during those days weren’t). I said when I started this retirement gig that I would try to figure out what my real passions were and focus on them. Over the past 7 or so months I have learned a few things and am still learning.
MINI Coopers, Games, LEGO building, and Geocaching are all things I’m still trying to figure out. There are parts about each I enjoy, and other parts that bring about frustration and a wee bit of anxiety. For some it may be that I’m just tired of the same old same old stuff. For a socially awkward introvert, being in any kind of social group is draining. Then again as a creative person who likes to solve problems, it’s frustrating when you have to watch people complain about the same things every meeting and not be willing to make even the slightest change. It’s also hard to herd cats and get people to agree on something simple like when or where to meet. I learned a while ago that I really don’t like leadership roles… they have actually made me step away from a lot of things just for my sanity. I’m sure I’ll go into detail about each one as I come to a decision as to my future in that activity, for now I know there are two things I have gravitated back to over the years and still work at… amazingly enough these tend to be things that don’t require a lot of interaction with… people.
I’ve been collecting comics seriously, since elementary school, and drawing long before that. It was my escape, and still is. When I was sent to soccer camp in 3rd grade- I sat on my bed reading Hagar the Horrible. When I was dropped off by my grandmother for college, I went to the book store and picked up Bloom County. I have always read comics. There’s a family story about when I was away at college, my parents decided to clean out my room- they were going to get rid of my comics. My older brother pulled out an Overstreet’s Guide and showed them the value of a handful of the comics they were about to throw away. I still have some of those comics. As my hoard grew and grew I decided that maybe I should focus more on art. As I have said before the first thing that drew me to comics was the art. Over the years I have tried to collect original art, pages, and just sketches. This started when I was teaching in a class at an International Studies Magnet School my grade had an Asian focus. I was at Wizard World Chicago and Stan Sakai was there. For those who don’t know, Stan is known for Usagi Yojimbo, the samurai rabbit. I bought a sketch. Now there were a lot of cool sketches with Usagi chopping enemies into pieces… They were not going to work in a classroom, but there was one of him holding a cup. That was my first art purchase. That’s when I started to spend more time in Artist Alley and less time just roaming the exhibit hall.
Usagi Yojimbo by Stan Sakai My very first original art purchase.
Ben and Me Storyboard by Bill Peet. The first time I attended San Diego Comic Con I was there preview night and saw this… those who know me, know I’m a big Bill Peet fan. I remember using my flip phone to call Sue and ask if it was OK. This was an unplanned expense, and I didn’t want to surprise her. She replied with “Why are you asking? Just buy it.” I think my older brother was a bit floored when I did just that.
Imaginaries Page by Gregory Titus This was the only time I actually took a cash advance from a credit card to buy something… I came back after getting the cash and luckily took one more look through his portfolio and changed from a cover of Nazi teddy bears to this the last page from the first issue. When asked why- I told him this was my desktop on my computer, which it was… I think I made his day.
Galactus by Ryan Dunlavey You know if Galactus gives you a thumbs up, then everything is going great.Gronk by Katie Cook. Katie has been known for her cool little watercolor cards she will do while you wait. Usually people have her do their pet. We have one of Hemi. I have a few others. Most people wait in line just for that and never really look at the amazing original stuff she has.Flying Monkey by Scottie Young I put in this request at C2E2 on the first day and kept returning each day. I told Scottie I was there all weekend, and to take his time, “no rush” I’m glad I waited.The Rocketeer by Bill WalkoA transforming MINI Cooper Robot by my friend “Hatrick Mandolin”The Flash by Rick Bernatovech This was an alternate cartoony style he did during COVID when he got bored.Teen Titans Go page by Khary Randolph. I learned that charity auctions are great… if you don’t get your hopes too high on what you can afford.Ex Machina Cover by Tony Harris. I really enjoy seeing the process. This was a tracing used to create the cover… it was also all I could afford at the time, but still amazing work.Strange Academy Page by Humberto Ramos. There are artists I follow just because their style is unique. Humberto is one of those. One of the many WTF moments at New York Comic Con for my little brother.Rocketeer by Judd Winnick for Cartoon Art Museum’s San Diego Comic Con Sketch-a-thonSome artists start off with a schtick… The Flash by Chris Giarusso Chris would do these headshot drawings in crayon, which were awesome and a great entry level way to start collecting art.HiLo by Judd Winnick for Cartoon Art Museum’s San Diego Comic Con Sketch-a-thon. I had given him the choice of “Barry Ween or HiLo” I love both characters.Rocketeer by Stuart Sayger. One of the other WTF moments for my little brother at New York Comic Con.Gronk by Katie Cook Another example of the process. I like how the text is written out on the bottom as is a thumbnail of the strip.Beppo & Streaky by Franco C’mon it’s a monkey AND a cat. of course I was going to buy it, I’m the target audience.Invincible Page by Ryan Ottley. The cost of a page can be determined by a lot of things, one of those is who is actually on the page. In this case Invincible is nowhere to be seen. only Allen the Alien. This made the page a lot cheaper, but then again, I loved it because Allen is such a cool character and it has a Star Trek parody in to too.The Wizard of Oz page by Skottie Young. I went to the Cincinnati Comic Expo one year when Skottie Young was going to be there… He ended up getting sick, but still had a friend selling his artwork. I decided to pick up this page because I love this work (pre all his Mini-Marvels stuff which is still cool) it shows the process. Mouse Guard Winter by David Petersen. Funny thing, David was at Gen Con one year when the Mouse Guard Role Playing Game came out. I grabbed a one day ticket, and stopped in just to see if I could get some original art. This came with the snow template that was used over the drawing… I still have that too.Sheldon Strip by Dave Kellett. I went through a number of strips until this one just jumped… it is so true.A panel from Oddly Normal by Otis FramptonAlternate Ending (A) and (B) by Will Eisner – Used on page 99 of Comics & Sequential Art. I was at Cartoon Crossroads Columbus last year and happened to walk past Denis Kitchen’s table. I saw this and few other Will Eisner pieces. I recall this one from a book I had at home. About the 10th time I looked at it I decided to purchase it, because I knew I’d regret if I didn’t. I considered it a retirement present to myself.Phone Bone & Smiley Bone by Jeff Smith. I was in line at C2E2 and the person in front of me was holding the sign that said “End of Line for Jeff” I was hoping that if I was patient they’d let one more person get something signed… Nope. I asked for the sign when I found that out. I kept the sign for a little over a year and when I was at San Diego I asked him to sign it. Some Cons there are lines for artists, others… not so much. San Diego has gotten to be one of those Cons that if you want to see actual comic artists and not Hollywood people… you actually might have a chance.
As with collecting anything do I really have any idea what any of this stuff is worth? Nope. Do I care? Nope. It brings me joy. I also have a bunch of signed prints, but to me actual art from the artist is what I like. being able to see the lines. With my love of the Rocketeer, I have been looking at getting more drawings from artists focusing on that character… but there are other characters I have in mind, it just matters the artist and my budget. It’s funny, I’m now looking at which artists will be at which Cons to decide if I want to attend. I know Heroes Con and Baltimore Comic Con are on the possible list. I’d consider a return to NYCC, maybe even C2E2 if timing and funding align.
As for drawing… One of the nice things about drawing is all I need is a pencil and some paper. I’m working on a few projects, and trying to draw everyday. I may not be drawing the prompts I get sent (although I really should) I have been focusing on art when the boys let me. Trying to draw with a cat rubbing against your stylus or arm, can be difficult. One more thing, While I have mentioned how some organized groups have actually made me shy away from an activity (It’s me, not you). I do try to meet with a group of artists monthly (when my schedule permits) to just sit and draw together. It’s kind of like the concept of the silent bookclub. We all gather at a place (usually a microbrewery) and sit together and draw. We might talk a bit, but we each are in our own little world drawing whatever we want. We share, if we want to, but mostly it’s hanging out with people who prove that there are others out there like me who like to draw comics/cartoons, we aren’t weird. In college I recall being told by an art professor that I might be pretty good if they could just get these silly creatures out of my head. I stopped taking art classes after that. The creatures kept me company when I got lonely… they still do.
