Signed Comics

marctheokay · 07-21-2007, 03:46 AM

I'm planning on taking some of my comics to Comic-Con and getting them signed.
Generally, how much of a price boost would an autograph bring?
The artist is bound to be a better bet for price raise, right?

T.J. May · 07-23-2007, 12:28 PM

Not much since autographs are pretty easy to come-by.

Ian Ascher · 07-23-2007, 03:55 PM

You have to have a very rare sig in order for the comic to go up in value. For the most part, writing on comics makes them "less than mint" and lowers their value. You're defacing the comic and writing on it.

Get them signed because you enjoy the artist or writer and what an special item for your collection... not because you want to make a buck.

marctheokay · 07-23-2007, 05:24 PM

Yeah, you make a good point, Ian.
I was also thinking of investing in CGC.
I never really thought about it before, because I like to go back and reread my comics a lot, but I have some first appearances and specials I think would definitely fair better with CGC.
How many out there use it?

quantum1019 · 07-26-2007, 10:24 AM

Get them signed because you enjoy the artist or writer and what an special item for your collection... not because you want to make a buck.

*******

Agreed. That's the best reason to get anything autographed. The importance of the moment is in the experience of getting to spend a few moments with an artist or writer whose work you enjoy. The autograph is a souvenir of that event.
I would never pay for an autographed item that someone else had gotten signed, since there would be no memory to go with it. I value the autographed comics that I own becuae they are reminders of experiences, particularly those that are signed by comics legends who are no longer with us (Julius Schwartz, Martin Nodell)

Spacious Interior · 07-26-2007, 10:52 AM

Absolutely. One of my most prized books is Giant Sized X-Men #1 signed by Dave Cockrum. I got it signed many many years ago when he was at Stories Comics in Richmond, Va. sometime in 1999. When I handed it to him the whole room fell absolutely silent with every single eye on Dave as he looked at it like a father to his estranged son.

He looked up and chuckled as he said "This might actually be worth less is I sign it." I told him I didn't care and that his work is one of the reasons I do what I do in the first place. He signed it. He shook my hand. And I felt like a celebrity as I walked out the door with 50 or so poeple staring at me. I never heard his name again until about 5 years later in an obituary.

I know how much it was worth, I know how much people have offeredme for it, and I know that it's bagged, boreded, framed, and hanging over my drafting table.

That's why you get things signed. The love of the words. The love of the pictures.

07-23-2007, 03:55 PM	#3
Ian Ascher Uncle Buck Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: In a House Posts: 3,044	You have to have a very rare sig in order for the comic to go up in value. For the most part, writing on comics makes them "less than mint" and lowers their value. You're defacing the comic and writing on it. Get them signed because you enjoy the artist or writer and what an special item for your collection... not because you want to make a buck. __________________ The Last Paladin: Updates, news, previews, and projects http://lastpaladin.blogspot.com/ My Comic Space: http://www.comicspace.com/ianascher/

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07-21-2007, 03:46 AM	#1
marctheokay Don't tase me, bro'. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: san diego Posts: 159	Signed Comics I'm planning on taking some of my comics to Comic-Con and getting them signed. Generally, how much of a price boost would an autograph bring? The artist is bound to be a better bet for price raise, right?

07-23-2007, 12:28 PM	#2
T.J. May Writer/SUMM Publications Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 2,185	Not much since autographs are pretty easy to come-by.

07-23-2007, 05:24 PM	#4
marctheokay Don't tase me, bro'. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: san diego Posts: 159	Yeah, you make a good point, Ian. I was also thinking of investing in CGC. I never really thought about it before, because I like to go back and reread my comics a lot, but I have some first appearances and specials I think would definitely fair better with CGC. How many out there use it?

07-26-2007, 10:24 AM	#5
quantum1019 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 248	Get them signed because you enjoy the artist or writer and what an special item for your collection... not because you want to make a buck. ******* Agreed. That's the best reason to get anything autographed. The importance of the moment is in the experience of getting to spend a few moments with an artist or writer whose work you enjoy. The autograph is a souvenir of that event. I would never pay for an autographed item that someone else had gotten signed, since there would be no memory to go with it. I value the autographed comics that I own becuae they are reminders of experiences, particularly those that are signed by comics legends who are no longer with us (Julius Schwartz, Martin Nodell)

07-26-2007, 10:52 AM	#6
Spacious Interior Allergic to Shark Attacks Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The Great State of Perpetual Longing Posts: 1,877	Absolutely. One of my most prized books is Giant Sized X-Men #1 signed by Dave Cockrum. I got it signed many many years ago when he was at Stories Comics in Richmond, Va. sometime in 1999. When I handed it to him the whole room fell absolutely silent with every single eye on Dave as he looked at it like a father to his estranged son. He looked up and chuckled as he said "This might actually be worth less is I sign it." I told him I didn't care and that his work is one of the reasons I do what I do in the first place. He signed it. He shook my hand. And I felt like a celebrity as I walked out the door with 50 or so poeple staring at me. I never heard his name again until about 5 years later in an obituary. I know how much it was worth, I know how much people have offeredme for it, and I know that it's bagged, boreded, framed, and hanging over my drafting table. That's why you get things signed. The love of the words. The love of the pictures.