Comic Book Collectors

[TheORKINMan]

What are we talking about in regards to lines? Like 15-20 minutes for popular artists/writers or like waiting for Space Mountain at Disney hour to two hours?

[legendwithoutaname]

Thing is if he, Gary F., does not want to sign them it's just fine but send them back in my SASE. He has signed TTM for a member who posted on this forum.

Mark Tex. Comes across as a pain in the ____. He Was a total nut when I talked to him via FB.

I think A nice Fan Letter does get results and they have.

Cons are kinda pushy and in your face and my letters are to the creator and are more than fan-boy drool.

Erik Larson signs via Image Comics, I am not sure of the address though someone reported a success a few pages back from him.

[TheORKINMan]

I think part of my problem is in general I like to ask if they'll do it via email or FB rather then just send it to them Mainly because I understand that unlike regular celebrities, autographs and sketches is how they make their living so I feel guilty about just shoving something in their face to sign rather then paying a fee if they'd like one. I'd probably get more results the former way though.

[megatronthe3rd]

Every show is different. I live in the South and some of the smaller shows I attend may not have the big names like Jim Lee, Todd Mcfarlane or Alex Ross, but I have met some of the nicest people at them. I have been to Wizard World Philly and the San Diego Comic Con twice. It's usually always a line no matter who they are in terms of comic people. One of the nicest people I've ever met was Sal Buscema. John Romita Jr and Sr were both very pleasant as well. Everyone from Dexter Vines, Arthur Suydam (Marvel Zombies), Art Adams.
Most artist do charge at shows if you want a sketch however some sell prints and I've had some of them do a free thumb size sketch on it at no extra cost. Most will sign any of their work for free. I met Gary Fredrich(Ghost Rider) and he seemed a little overwhelmed at the con experience. He was charging 2.00 per item signed which we had no problem paying. I doubt he see's any money over his past work.
I've lost count on how many shows I've attended but everyone in the industry I've ever met at them have always been very appreciative and nice. Mark Texeria was the only person that was a complete ass.

[legendwithoutaname]

I understand that this is their job and all but a lot of them get this big head and think they are king ____. They are not Rock stars nor major or minor celebrities.

I wish I could afford a 75-100 dollar sketch card but sadly I can't.

I would love to have some panels of real in issue art but I need both of my kidneys cause Lance likes to drink every now and then.

I do have rare successes from some big time names but most of that was kindness paying off.

George Perez made me feel like a leach when I asked him for an autograph address.

[TheORKINMan]

I try to understand where they are coming from. Many of them are completely overwhelmed at first and that leads towards soreness towards fans later. A current NBA player who is a friend of mine had over two thousand friend requests the night he got drafted on Facebook and it can be just a nightmare. I'm sure comic writers/artists are not quite that bad as it's more of a niche market then pro sports and I actually don't believe in charging for autographs. But an artist who charges for his art even if it's just a small sketch is perfectly alright by me. If it's too high then I don't pay it and they don't get paid. Neal Adams for instance charges a ridiculous amount for his sketch cards that I am likely never to pay (75 for a sketch is probably my upper limit).

I have to say so far though I've gotten a decent amount of responses from Marvel artists and none that have agreed to do a sketch have asked me for any money. DC artists have largely just not responded at all besides Joe Staton who charged a nominal fee. Just my experience so far so *shrugs* The Golden/Silver age artists seem to be the most forthcoming and willing to do things TTM. That reminds me before I forget I did some research and got a couple of addresses for Marie Severin and Jim Steranko. Will post results if there are any of course

[klingonmaquis]

Standing times vary. I waited an hour for Howard Porter when he was doing JLA back in the day but also got a pretty cool sketch of the Flash and Martian Manhunter for free so woot! Jim Lee was at Dragoncon one year and the lines were insane!! I never got him and while that sucks....if I wanted to stand for 4 hrs straight, then would have been great. With Howard we got to talk to him while we waited. Heck he stopped sketching to look at a comic I had of Green Lantern Secret files because I had commented on Daryl Banks sketches in there and he wanted to take a peek as he was a fan.
Some comic creators practically beg some to come over and check out their stuff, especially indie guys and I get that but others seem out of sorts at the con. Pick out who you really want to get autographs from, find out the schedule when they are doing autographs or at their table or publishers table. Get there a little early 10-15 min. Heck sometimes big names have no lines as noone realizes who they are. Kurt Busiek was someone a friend wanted really really bad and was talking about trying to figure out where he was and he went A-Hem! and she realized he was right behind her the whole time. She was embarrased but he was gratious and signed everyones books.

[frankk_black]

Hey guys, keep me posted on the Steranko request. I've been waiting about a month/six weeks for him, hope he responds. Also hope the Severin addy works, I'd love to get a book signed. Big thanks for the Colan address. I got a comic signed by him in less than a week, but it's true, he does charge $20. I paid gladly for someone of his caliber.

I've only been to our local Phoenix comicon, and the experience has always been odd. Everyone lines up for miles for Todd McFarlane and yet the dude signs willingly if you drop stuff off at his store across the valley. No need to wait for six hours folks. But at the same time Don Rosa had maybe 3 people lined up for him. Just the difference between old school and new, I guess. Texeria was a little strange here, too. He never seemed to show up for any signings, but right next to him, Michael Golden couldn't have been nicer. Lines are always annoying, and I always try to buy something from the artist if I request a sketch. My own pet peeve? People who take 40-50 items to be signed. Somewhere after eight to ten it starts to get creepy. Plus, I always seem to be behind that guy in line;).

[megatronthe3rd]

I agree completely on a limit to autographs. I have seen people really take advantage of an artist/writers good nature when they drop a stack of 20-50 books to have signed. Someone in front of me did this to John Romita Jr as well and he never questioned it. Peter Cullen (voice of Optimus Prime) had a two signature limit at one of the Botcons I attended due to the huge line.
I like hearing about everyones comic artist/writers encounters

[klingonmaquis]

My favorite creator meeting at a convention was the Late Martin (Marty) Nodell. At the 95 Dragoncon he was there with his wife and I saw the awesome paintings he recreated of the Original Green Lantern, Alan Scott. He was so nice and pleasant to talk to about working on comics back in the day. He was offering Zero Hour issue 0 to be signed for 5 bucks. For that price since it was a blank white cover he also drew a huge pic of Alan's Lantern and signed it to Shaun from Martin Nodell and Alan Scott. I still have a photo of him and his wife from that convention somewhere.