Comic ArtThe first comic art was presented in the form of short books of brightly colored detective adventure stories targeted at young boys who enjoyed such radio programs as The Shadow and Dick Tracy, and it has grown from there into a multi-million dollar business that has influenced everyone in the world in some small way or another. Buying original comic book art allows fans to bring home a piece of the action for a fairly reasonable price, and pay homage to the artists and characters who have had an impact on their lives. Though most people wouldn't expect to see it in a gallery alongside a Picasso or Renoir, the medium of comic book art is fast gaining acceptance as a legitimate art form with art enthusiasts, and entire stores have been dedicated to comic art as a result of these changing mindsets. What that means for the casual or die-hard fan is that you don't have to spend time standing in line at conventions or scouring the Internet for a piece of original art that may or may not be authentic. These days, you can walk right into one of hundreds of specialty comic art galleries and take home a piece that's already been matted and framed. Even with the proliferation of comic art galleries that cater to lovers of the genre, the Internet is still one of the best resources for the beginning collector looking to pick up their first piece of comic book art. The growing popularity of comic art has spawned plenty of reputable online stores that guarantee and certify the authenticity of every piece they sell, making it much harder for the counterfeiters to swindle the less informed buyers. Finding out the value of your comic art can be a tricky business, especially if you're trying to put a value on a sketch that you might have gotten from the artist at a convention or if you happened to have the good luck to meet them in public. With the legitimizing of the business, there are now plenty of art appraisers who specialize in comic book art to help you with your piece. It's preferable to take your sketch to someone who only certifies and inspects graphic and comic book art, since they will know exactly what qualities your particular collectible might have that others will not. To keep your investment protected once you've had it certified, your best option is to take it to a professional framing shop and have them give you an estimate. Though the price they quote you may seem a little steep at first, keep in mind that you're going to want them to use acid free materials and glass that is resistant to ultraviolet light, which can get pretty costly. If your comic art has a great deal of value to you personally, pull out all the stops. You'll be glad you did when you get to show your grandkids your original Alex Ross Justice League cover, still in pristine condition! The world of comic art is different from many other collectible markets because they have a ready made audience, most of which needs no encouragement to search out and buy an original sketch from their favorite artist. However, if you're still of the mind that comic book art and graphic novels are for kids, maybe you just haven't found the right artist yet. With all the different styles from superhero to noir, you're sure to find your niche if you just keep looking. |