By ian melton for most comic book fans comic book conventions like. The stars who receive luxury travel and accommodations. Collecting autographs from comic book artists and writers is a product stunted by lack of credibility. I believe comic book artists and writers should charge for their signature if they. Which celeb charges the most for an autograph at ny comic.
For neal adams, this marvellous world needs a dose of realism. On wednesday february 12, writer paul cornell and i will be signing our star trek. The arguments against are that the fans have already bought the comic and paid to get into the show, and the show has often paid for the creator to appear there, so any extra charge is scalping. There is a big debate unfolding right now in the comic book community about whether creators should charge for an autograph or not when they set up a booth at a convention. Most if not all writers and artists will sign for free tho they often have a limit of how much they will sign. Which is why the price war in celebrity autographs in conventions. Gene colan has been charging for his signature recently. However, if you go through the comic stores bins you will find some autographed comics selling for above cover price because they are autographed. As movie and tv stars and b and clisters prices for autographs skyrocket at conventions, comic book writers and artists have been discussing whether or not they charge for scribbling their names on their work. Which comic creators charge how much for signing a comic. Most artists will be happy to do small quick doodles for free, time permitting, but these doodles are usually very loose and do not show a lot of detail. He wants to make sure that there is always a way for a fan to get a special drawing, sketch or signature.
In fact, most people giving autographs, especially comic writers and artists, dont want to charge for it. A guide to asking for signatures and drawings at conventions. A lot of them actually will take time to talk to you as well. I believe comic book artists and writers should charge for their signature.
There are some big name guests that may charge a low fee. I know a few creators who do not charge if it is a comic only show or at least first autograph is free, but do charge at shows that have large continents of guests from other media who charge for signings and photos. One of those things was autograph hunt, or, more accurately. Today, many creators charge right from the jump, while others might give you one or two for free, and start. For the most part comic book creators do not charge for autographs. My philosophy i dont like that creators charge money for autographs. Me, i had a good time playing fatherdaughter geek reporter team, though i did manage to get in a few of our typical con activities in between chasing the larger story. I think it helps to contribute to pay for the time an artist is at the convention and the time they spend with fans. The effect of not charging for signatures at comic cons. Heres the insane amount of money comic con stars get for signing. I got yvonne craig, eartha kitt, lee meriweather, and burgess meredith for free. I noticed some artists and stars are very fair about how and what they charge and are mindful of their fans. Ive been attending and exhibiting at comic con for 16 years in a row todate. A few do not, mostly those who have found that many people get autographs from them primarily to increase the resale value of the signed books.
Comic book artist autographs, cartoonist signatures. The pop culture behemoth that is comiccon has landed in new york city, drawing together fans of the walking dead, game of thrones and. I really enjoy when a creator does 1 free signature then after that 5 each. How much do comic book guests charge for autographs. I know a lot of comics pros who do not charge for autographs. Each person is different, as neal has discovered drawing sketches at conventions. When i met mike zeck at a small show his sign stated 10 per signature, which i felt was reasonable given the smaller show setting and audience he would see that weekend. I highly recommend looking carefully at everything in artists alley and at all of. Can an autograph from an artist or writer increase the value of your comic book.
Autographs on cards, paper, sketches, drawings, comic strips and other items. Like so many american art forms that have grown and spread throughout the global audiences, comic books have been one of the most successful ones to become popularized in the nation that has brought us a variety of influences. So does comic con charge for autographs or do most celebrities just do this now a days. The most important thing to do prior to commissioning a sketch is do some research. The effect of not charging for signatures at comic cons update. Are people here aware sdcc wont allow celebrities to. I have also seen, on ebay, books go for exorbitant prices that were in rougher conditions than ones that went for reasonable prices within in hours of each other. What do artistswriters charge for signatures at shows.
Necc will continue to feature all the fan favorites of comic cons and pop culture events including cosplay, costume contests, video game free. I think there is a fair middle ground where autograph seekers and those signing can find common ground. If artists and writers are in need, lets support charities such as the hero initiative. Youll have to check with them to see if they do offer sketches or commissions, and how much they charge for it.
For my freebies, i usually do head shots of the characters from my sky comics projects, star police and darkness. I also thought about my first businessa bookstorewhere we flipped through used books in search of autographs the equivalent of a literary jackpot. The other day i was in a comic shop and i overheard a manager talking to a perspective seller of a comic book collection that they dont pay extra for autographs as they cannot authenticate them. On the brighter side of things most comic book writers and artists will all sign for free. Charging for sketches and autographs the classic comics. I want to be able to do what youre supposed to do with a good comic bookreread it.
If you happen to be a writer looking to hire an artist, or perhaps you are an artist whos been approached by someone looking to hire, its good to know what the sort of baseline is when you are deciding on how much to charge, or conversely, how much you can expect to. Tv stars and b and clisters prices for autographs skyrocket at conventions, comic book writers and artists. I love his art and what hes done for comics but i would never pay that kind of money for any ones autograph. It took me back to when i had published my first book, remembering how awkward it felt to sign copies. Recently a new author asked me how she should handle autographing her books. The san diego comic convention comiccon international is a california nonprofit public benefit corporation organized for charitable purposes and dedicated to creating the general publics awareness of and appreciation for comics and related popular art forms, including participation in and support of public presentations, conventions. Some actors charge for autographs, and if other actors who arent getting paid for doing the conventions beyond their flights and accomodation, they might think well why shouldnt i charge for autographs. Ive particularly noticed that artists will vary what they charge depending on the convention, so even with information. A comic book convention or comic con is an event with a primary focus on comic books and comic book culture, in which comic book fans gather to meet creators, experts, and each other. We dont discriminate over different types of artists. When ever i have seen a celebrity selling pictures i will always buy one of theirs to get signed over anything else.
As i indicated, steranko wont charge if you get books personalized, but he will if you just want his signature. The collectible nature of comic books can make them very valuable down the road. I asked him why and greg gave the short answer that they are easy to do. Prospective comic book artists can obtain training by entering an art program of some kind. Put simply as the buyer how do you know the autograph is authentic. Conventions are big business, attracting wider audiences and more money than ever. Comic convention sketchetiquette the comics multiverse.
There are also times where artists may offer free quick sketches. This weekend was space city comic conan uneven success by the kindest estimates. To that end, neal is trying to enhance the experience. Comic book creator rob liefeld at the amazing las vegas comic con. Why do you have to pay for someones autograph cbcs. For some reason this has become a hot topic of discussion lately. Neal adams loves drawing sketches for his fans before, during and after the various conventions he is attending this year. Charging a kid who has spent her pocket money on a comic book to receive an autograph adds a layer of cynicism to a medium that is all about wonder and imagination. Often, these are head shots that the artist has done numerous times before. Does an autograph increase the value of my comic book. Ive been told by several that they want to go beyond fans expectations, so they do something special for as many as they can.
They feature a wide variety of activities and panels, with a larger number of attendees participating in. In an art program, artists learn creative techniques, which can increase their career opportunities. Most new guys charge to much unless its for pc or a key, for witnessed sigs it ranges usually 1020 unless it is a higher profile creator. A great collection of autographs for comic book fans and serious collectors. Montreal comiccon is a popculture fan convention that showcases artists and products from entertainment genres like. Gabe ginsbergfilmmagic the discussion about charging for signatures spread to.
I just got back into comics and havent been to a convention since the early 90s. To charge or not to charge for autographs is an increasingly contentious discussion in the industry, fueled by the obvious boom in comic cons. Theyve grown so much that artists can make way more money being artists at conventions than in the pages of a marvel or dc book. With the first versions of superman and famous funnies dating back to 1930s, illustrators and artists have found a new way of displaying their talent. Id probably do the same if i were in there shoes just in case of someone where to sell it on ebay, but this was kind of new to me so i figure id ask around. I suggest you bring money just in case he charges money for autographs though. Its been a passion of mine ever since elementary school.
This is a useful article for both artists, and people looking to commissionbuy art, specifically in the realm of comics. First, check the conventions website beforehand and see. For most comic book fans comic book conventions like emerald city comiccon are the only way fans are going to meet their favorite creators and if. Its got a great script by paul that has all the best, most charming aspects of james t. In fact, many artists will happily actually draw a small illustration for you near their signature. Commonly, comic conventions are multiday events hosted at convention centers, hotels, or college campuses. Over the years, they have organized autographs in a number of ways. Inside the secret business of signed comic books newsarama. Celebrities generally get an upfront payment, as well as a huge cut of the cashand its almost always cash only acceptedtaken in for autographs and photos. Some also, to discourage people with piles of 50 books or more ive seen it. I think neal adams gives you the first signature for free, but charges after that. Other creators also returned to eccc with charges for their autographs but only.
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