Mignola Dracula #3 Page 12

[Gene Poonyo]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270368485688&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX_Stores&refitem=270362819767&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget&_trksid=p284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%252BP%252BS%2 52BIA%26itu%3DIA%252BUCI%252BUA%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D1 0

Did anyone from the forum followed this listing a few days back? Somebody won the piece for $575.00. Now the same seller is listing it again for $850.00 or best offer. Anyone know what is going on?

[chiaroscuros]

I was watching this one myself.

Frankly, I was a little suprised at how high this one went, especially considering that the image is mediocre.

I actually like this one quite a bit though and could see it getting closer to $600 if the seller had posted a high resolution image showing all of the art. I love the moody house!

Here is a better look at the page. (I had to take 4 seperate images the seller sent me and manipulate them to get to this, and I am still missing parts of it).

[Kees_L]

Wow, that page is beautiful and I think I remember it from one of my 'profound reading sessions'.
But Gene's provided bit of history sounds astranging, which eBay can seem to do once-in-a-while.
Maybe the seller has a 'significant other' or 'second liver' with which he buys up his own stuff when underwhelmed at prices? I know such sounds *not done* but I've been told that's how it's done from-time-to-time.

[hellboyone]

Yeah...the auction photo is so weird. It's like the guy doesn't even really want to sell it.

[Gene Poonyo]

Wow, that page is beautiful and I think I remember it from one of my 'profound reading sessions'.
But Gene's provided bit of history sounds astranging, which eBay can seem to do once-in-a-while.
Maybe the seller has a 'significant other' or 'second liver' with which he buys up his own stuff when underwhelmed at prices? I know such sounds *not done* but I've been told that's how it's done from-time-to-time.

Since nobody has left him a 'negative' comment I would say your theory is quite legit. Yes, you are correct: it is a beautiful page.

[Gene Poonyo]

I was watching this one myself.

Frankly, I was a little suprised at how high this one went, especially considering that the image is mediocre.

I actually like this one quite a bit though and could see it getting closer to $600 if the seller had posted a high resolution image showing all of the art. I love the moody house!

Here is a better look at the page. (I had to take 4 seperate images the seller sent me and manipulate them to get to this, and I am still missing parts of it).
Wow, a true Mignola fan indeed. You went through this much to patch up the image. I love the 'moody house' too. My Mignola grail, as I have mentioned before, is still a Dracula page.

[Gene Poonyo]

Yeah...the auction photo is so weird. It's like the guy doesn't even really want to sell it.
Mignola pieces don't need too much elaborations: the images speak for themselves.:smile:

[chiaroscuros]

Mignola pieces don't need too much elaborations: the images speak for themselves.:smile:

I think I understand what Hellboyone is trying to say. It is a great page. But if I was trying to make it look as bad as possible, I couldn't have done a better job with that cropped image.

Gene, there is always a danger of shill bidding. For those that aren't familiar with the term, it is where a bidder is working with the seller to bid up a piece. On ebay, you can even create a false identity and bid on it yourself. Of course, the danger is that the shill bidder will get carried away and bid too agressively and accidentally win it. :)

No way to know if this kind of hanky panky was going on....

Another friend of mine mentioned that this page has shown up on ebay multiple times.... not proof of anything, but definitely something to consider.

Lastly, thanks for the compliment about being a true fan for putting the image together!

[Gene Poonyo]

....

Another friend of mine mentioned that this page has shown up on ebay multiple times.... not proof of anything, but definitely something to consider.

Lastly, thanks for the compliment about being a true fan for putting the image together!


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270362819767

Ha, ha...you're more than welcome. I for one know how much of a die hard Mignola fan you are.

[Kees_L]

Since nobody has left him a 'negative' comment I would say your theory is quite legit. Yes, you are correct: it is a beautiful page.

Gene, there is always a danger of shill bidding. For those that aren't familiar with the term, it is where a bidder is working with the seller to bid up a piece. On ebay, you can even create a false identity and bid on it yourself. Of course, the danger is that the shill bidder will get carried away and bid too agressively and accidentally win it. :)

No way to know if this kind of hanky panky was going on....

Hah! I'm relieved Chiaros was able to put some extra perspective into my 'theory'.
If I'd be getting such stuff right, what would this world be coming to? :smile:

And Gene, very cool that Mignola Dracula is your grail.
If I've been reading mr. Mike's interviews right, then in the old days he wasn't always totally convinced his stuff would rule (although it does).
And reading back (which luckily I manage to do from time to time) the '89-'92 period seems to have been for producing so many bigger stand-alone titles: Strange & Doom, Gaslight, Fafhrd & the Grey Mouser, Jungle Wolvie and Dracula.
In which a transition must have been felt, from outstanding - though maybe not over-confident smooth-hero-type-of good girl - art, into at least a whole lot more of *that & not that* at least, distinguishably or distinguishedly. All of those titles stand for such rich visions of what sequential art may be - some more Frazettaeanly fantastical, others swashbuckling, or steampunked, or simply profoundly Godfearing dark. Art-wise but also by means of the refined inking and coloring.
And from all the re-reading I'm such a fanny by now that I feverishly love all these titles. The first three mentioned for being so epical and vibrant and lush. And the last two - Wolvie and Dracula - for being the same but smoother, as if more compact or transparent even. Making me feel like the artist behind it would be feeling perhaps a tad more at ease with himself. I think what "Eureka!" will be for a genius, might be the "Meh..." from a perfectionist :smile:.
Although Gene, I think my personal Mignola grail would have to be a Corum page. I should be re-reading that too :wink:.

[chiaroscuros]

Well, the auction ended with a buy it now offer for about the same amount that it "sold" for a couple days ago.

I am hoping that the new owner will post a full size scan of it at some point :)

[Gene Poonyo]

Well, the auction ended with a buy it now offer for about the same amount that it "sold" for a couple days ago.

I am hoping that the new owner will post a full size scan of it at some point :)

Sorry, I think my second link confused you- it is of the previous auction that ended with the 575.00 USD bid. The auction is still going on...

[Gene Poonyo]

Hah! I'm relieved Chiaros was able to put some extra perspective into my 'theory'.
If I'd be getting such stuff right, what would this world be coming to? :smile:

And Gene, very cool that Mignola Dracula is your grail.
If I've been reading mr. Mike's interviews right, then in the old days he wasn't always totally convinced his stuff would rule (although it does).
And reading back (which luckily I manage to do from time to time) the '89-'92 period seems to have been for producing so many bigger stand-alone titles: Strange & Doom, Gaslight, Fafhrd & the Grey Mouser, Jungle Wolvie and Dracula.

...
You seem to have left out one title that got me hook, line and sinker- Ironwolf. I was a big Howard Chaykin fan and his collaboration with Mike on that title was a big turning point for me. I started checking out Mike's work at first and then started collecting. Yes, I need a page from Mike's Dracula to make me a happy fan. Until then, make mine Mignola. (Rather cheesy, don't you think?)

[hellboyone]

This is how you present artwork in an auction:

http://www.rickcortes.com/hellboyart/hb007.jpg

It's like saying, "Here's how it'll look in your house! Isn't it amazing? BID A MILLION DOLLARS!!!@!@#!!@2ROXORS@LOLROLF!!!"

http://www.rickcortes.com/hellboyart/hb014.jpg

These aren't for sale. :)

[Kees_L]

Yes Gene, I totally should have mentioned Ironwolf and meant to...
And I was a big Chaykin-fan too back then (I still am although in his more recent work the freshness seems to be toned down a lot).
Kind of cool how the 'action lettering' seemed to play such an important role in Chaykin's American Flagg both as in Chaykin/Mignola's Ironwolf.
And the art is beautiful: quite fleshed out realistics and lush rendering (like an airship's bridge almost in full-splash) 'though firmly bullied into strictly dope-flowing panels, a flow helped by all the niftily lettered sound-effects.
I remember how hard the Mignola, Chaykin & Ted McKeever stuff was to come by in my country then. And it was Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, Bolland, Mignola and Chaykin to lure me into comics from European strips. Before them I knew only Moebius / Giraud and a little Kaluta and Jeff Jones.
Jeepers, there is actually a lot of good stuff around.
Thank God for illustration art and being cheesy from time to time :biggrin:! And for Elvis :smile:.

[Kees_L]

:cool: Carry this on, hellboyone, just you carry this on... :cool:

[Gene Poonyo]

This is how you present artwork in an auction:



It's like saying, "Here's how it'll look in your house! Isn't it amazing? BID A MILLION DOLLARS!!!@!@#!!@2ROXORS@LOLROLF!!!"



These aren't for sale. :)
But bidders don't want to see framed art, man. Just the piece. Framed art depreciate the value of the piece. Or so they say...

And I know where you live, Mr. hellboyone.

[Gene Poonyo]

Yes Gene, I totally should have mentioned Ironwolf and meant to...
And I was a big Chaykin-fan too back then (I still am although in his more recent work the freshness seems to be toned down a lot).
Kind of cool how the 'action lettering' seemed to play such an important role in Chaykin's American Flagg both as in Chaykin/Mignola's Ironwolf.
And the art is beautiful: quite fleshed out realistics and lush rendering (like an airship's bridge almost in full-splash) 'though firmly bullied into strictly dope-flowing panels, a flow helped by all the niftily lettered sound-effects.
I remember how hard the Mignola, Chaykin & Ted McKeever stuff was to come by in my country then. And it was Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, Bolland, Mignola and Chaykin to lure me into comics from European strips. Before them I knew only Moebius / Giraud and a little Kaluta and Jeff Jones.
Jeepers, there is actually a lot of good stuff around.
Thank God for illustration art and being cheesy from time to time :biggrin:! And for Elvis :smile:.
Kees- you and I have opposite problems. I have the hardest time getting European stuff. Like Bilal, Toppi, Bernet, Breccia and etc. I had go through a lot of pain to get their stuff. Moebius was more accessible in the States though. But now thanks to the www it has become quite easy.

http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Page=1&Order=Date&Piece=83204&GSub=12107&GCat=0&UCat=0

I consider myself very fortunate to pick this one up. It has a bit of a background story which always pains me whenever I retell it, so I won't unless I have a glass of beer to cry into.

[hellboyone]

But bidders don't want to see framed art, man. Just the piece. Framed art depreciate the value of the piece. Or so they say...



I've never heard that framing art depreciates its value. Otherwise, museum paintings would just be hanging by strings without frames.

To me, framed art means a seller owned and loved a piece of art and doesn't just keep it in a portfolio out of view so he can flip it on ebay in the future.

[Kees_L]

Kees- you and I have opposite problems. I have the hardest time getting European stuff. Like Bilal, Toppi, Bernet, Breccia and etc. I had go through a lot of pain to get their stuff. Moebius was more accessible in the States though. But now thanks to the www it has become quite easy.

I hear you. Opposite problems with a univocal solution: the www. And beer (although mine's a soft drink). Do you know Georges Bess too btw? Also a player in the Moebius 'hood.


I consider myself very fortunate to pick this one up. It has a bit of a background story which always pains me whenever I retell it, so I won't unless I have a glass of beer to cry into.

Goodness! And it is The Page... So cool.
Last year I met a (nice) French fellow who owns an unused, slightly alternate version to this page. Another proud owner (also on CAF, as am I btw...).
Although: should the opportunity arise, be certain I will likely be inclined to buy you that beer, Gene. For I'm of a curious nature. And drinking in public will be good :smile:.

[Gene Poonyo]

I've never heard that framing art depreciates its value. Otherwise, museum paintings would just be hanging by strings without frames.

To me, framed art means a seller owned and loved a piece of art and doesn't just keep it in a portfolio out of view so he can flip it on ebay in the future.
Museum quality framing, yes. But I am sure you have seen what some of the framing did to artwork that were quite valuable.

I totally agree with you, but buyers on ebay are quite leery about artwork that have been framed previously. I am not talking about artwork displayed at homes or at the museums but I was being particular about the pieces put up for auction on ebay.

Hey now, I have pieces still in the portfolio sleeves, not because they are going to be flipped on ebay but lack of free wall space. I have me a very limited free space for displaying comic artwork.

[Gene Poonyo]

I hear you. Opposite problems with a univocal solution: the www. And beer (although mine's a soft drink). Do you know Georges Bess too btw? Also a player in the Moebius 'hood.



Goodness! And it is The Page... So cool.
Last year I met a (nice) French fellow who owns an unused, slightly alternate version to this page. Another proud owner (also on CAF, as am I btw...).
Although: should the opportunity arise, be certain I will likely be inclined to buy you that beer, Gene. For I'm of a curious nature. And drinking in public will be good :smile:.

Drinking in public is good, but not crying in public... I will have to check out Georges' and your galleries.

[Kees_L]

Drinking in public is good, but not crying in public...

I can still hear you. It might prove liberating 'though. (I avoid crying by my lonesome, for feeling such to depress me greatly.)
We could just stick to the beers (and soda).
Or maybe you could write me a letter anonimously, from a private spot with your collar way up and booze tucked away in a paper bag?
Aww, but there is no crying into that.
Well then I don't know. Would a cocktail glass do, inside a hired limo? But the driver should be bribed onto a holiday, so such might prove expensive.

[black eyeliner]

This is how you present artwork in an auction:

http://www.rickcortes.com/hellboyart/hb007.jpg

It's like saying, "Here's how it'll look in your house! Isn't it amazing? BID A MILLION DOLLARS!!!@!@#!!@2ROXORS@LOLROLF!!!"

http://www.rickcortes.com/hellboyart/hb014.jpg

These aren't for sale. :)

One day i'm going to rob you of your house of goodies!! Thats right, the whole house! :wink:

[chiaroscuros]

Hellboyone, aaaghhh... you taunt me with that second dracula page. I owned it for the longest time. Why, oh why did I trade it?

Oh, yeah, for this one! :) I would do it again, but that giant wolf head is awesome :)
http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Page=1&Order=Date&Piece=135426&GSub=68573&GCat=0&UCat=0

Poonyo, I hadn't realized that people had reservations when they see framed art. But I know that I always ask sellers to ship it without the glass and I always remat it when I get it.... It is just too easy for someone to use non-archival tape (or worst).... And even if you think your framer did it right, you might be suprised... It is easy to do yourself and then you know it is right.

I would love to see a larger scan of that ironwolf page! And I thought you have a great Mignola collection but your Mobius collection is even more jaw dropping!! I love that Darrow inked one. In person, how do Darrow's inks stand up compared to Mobius inking himself?

One two completely unrelated notes...

Once, I saw someone that had plastic laminated their page (Yeah, like your drivers liscense). Luckily it wasn't a Mignola piece, but still, what an awful way to destroy it. The clueless seller actually thought he was preserving it.

Also, be careful with Almost Colossus pages. Mike drew them on almost square pieces of paper and then doodled the thumbnail of the panel layout on the right margin. Anyway, I have seen at least one page that had this 6" wide margin cut off..... I guess it fit the frame better that way :(

[chiaroscuros]

So now that this dracula page has been listed three times (in less than three weeks), is everyone else starting to think there might be something fishy going on?

p.s. Black Eyeliner - nothing to see at my house. Keep moving along.... :)

[Gene Poonyo]

So now that this dracula page has been listed three times (in less than three weeks), is everyone else starting to think there might be something fishy going on?

More like some 'fishing' going on. I am quite tempted to make an offer. The longer it stays out there the more tempting it gets. The only reason that keeps me from jumping into the fray was the lack of 'major' characters on the page except for the panel with the good Dr.

[Gene Poonyo]

...

Poonyo, I hadn't realized that people had reservations when they see framed art. But I know that I always ask sellers to ship it without the glass and I always remat it when I get it.... It is just too easy for someone to use non-archival tape (or worst).... And even if you think your framer did it right, you might be suprised... It is easy to do yourself and then you know it is right.

I would love to see a larger scan of that ironwolf page! And I thought you have a great Mignola collection but your Mobius collection is even more jaw dropping!! I love that Darrow inked one. In person, how do Darrow's inks stand up compared to Mobius inking himself?

One two completely unrelated notes...

Once, I saw someone that had plastic laminated their page (Yeah, like your drivers liscense). Luckily it wasn't a Mignola piece, but still, what an awful way to destroy it. The clueless seller actually thought he was preserving it.

Also, be careful with Almost Colossus pages. Mike drew them on almost square pieces of paper and then doodled the thumbnail of the panel layout on the right margin. Anyway, I have seen at least one page that had this 6" wide margin cut off..... I guess it fit the frame better that way :(


Well, maybe the buyer doesn't care too much for the matting or the frame or not having the correct type of glass. Could be anything. Me, if I like it, frame or not is not going to play a deciding factor.

The Moebius/Giraud stuff are not originals, Michael. They are limited prints. I am sure you are aware of this but I just want to underline the fact.

The Ironwolf page is framed so I will try and get a decent picture of it and post it later on.

I still need a Mignola Dracula page. :redface:

[hellboyone]

Also, be careful with Almost Colossus pages. Mike drew them on almost square pieces of paper and then doodled the thumbnail of the panel layout on the right margin. Anyway, I have seen at least one page that had this 6" wide margin cut off..... I guess it fit the frame better that way :(

Wow...that would have made me a little salty.

I've had my artwork framed by my local comic book shop so they know exactly what to do.

[chiaroscuros]

The Moebius/Giraud stuff are not originals, Michael. They are limited prints. I am sure you are aware of this but I just want to underline the fact

Ahhh, that makes a lot more sence then. I knew that a lot of the Moebius/Giraud work had been made into prints (and I have been tempted to get that Darrow inked one), but I erroniously assumed that you had the original that the prints were made from.

Whoops...

Honestly, I had wondered who you had to kill to get all those originals :) Still a great collection anyway!