1. Please tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Robert Frey. I am a 44 year-old Computer Programmer/Analyst for a large Vitamin Manufacturer here in New York. I am not married; if I was I doubt I could afford buying the art I collect. I am the proud uncle to my brother's two young children. I am a sports junkie; I still play softball and basketball and I even bowl a little. I also love music; I am going to both of the two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary shows at Madison Square Garden next month and am very excited about that.
2. Which is your favorite piece in your gallery and why?
I don't know if I really have a favorite piece of art. Most of my gallery revolves around 1970s Marvel books that I used to get via subscription, that was primarily Captain America and the Avengers. As you can see, the love for those characters and stories has carried over for 30+ years now. Still, if I was pressed to choose one, I would choose the Avengers Annual #6 splash. It has many of my favorite characters on it, a cool storyline (return of Wonder Man!) and I think that this is about when George Perez really began to hit his stride on the book. He remains one of my favorite artists to this day.
3. How long have you been collecting comic art and what prompted you to start?
I have been buying art now for about 11 years or so. I used to go to the Saint Paul comic book shows here in New York City. At the time, I used to just buy comic books at that show but I would always see Albert Moy and Anthony Snyder there and peruse their stuff. Man, the art I could have had! After a while, it became a regular habit and I was spending more time looking at art at their tables than I was looking for some silver age back issues. Anyway, one day I weakened and took the plunge, buying a George Perez UltraForce/Avengers page from Albert and it was all over after that. The best thing about collecting original art is having met some mighty fine people and making lots of friends (you all know who you are!) and talking shop about the books and stories and artists.
4. How do you display/store your collection at home?
Most of my art is in Mylar in portfolios. There are about 15 pieces that are framed and on the walls in either my bedroom or the office. I'd frame more but it is expensive to frame something properly and frankly, I am too lazy to learn how to do it myself!
5. What are your top five most wanted original pages or commissions?
In no particular order:
1) Bronze Age Jack Kirby cover with a good image of Captain America on it.
2) A first run George Perez Avengers cover
3) A Jim Steranko Captain America page
4) A really good Neal Adams Avengers or X-Men page.
5) A good Barry Windsor-Smith piece, whether it be from his Gorblimey Press days or another Avengers or Conan page.
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