Brian Coppola :: Cerebus (from issues 101-300)

Cerebus 173 p 14 (a sad story - a happy ending)

Artists: Dave Sim (All) , Gerhard (All)

4 Comments - 2,186 Views - 1 Like

Cerebus 173 p 14 (a sad story - a happy ending) Comic Art

Additional Images:

Note Sent to Mike from me.

the Burkey post

Previous Item:
Cerebus 195 p 12 (a sad story)

Next Item:
Cerebus #174 p 7

Artwork Details

Title:	Cerebus 173 p 14 (a sad story - a happy ending)
Artist:	Dave Sim (All)
Artist:	Gerhard (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	2,186
Likes on CAF:	1 2
Comments:	4
Added to Site:	3/10/2017
Comic Art Archive:

Description

April 2017: Mike and I agreed on how to settle the question about this page, and it is now with me, where it was supposed to be, 16 years ago. It is a little worse for wear with this weird stain on it, but that only adds to the bloody character of the story. If you ever see that other page (#195/p12) show up ... or you ever run into Bryan Erdy... send either of them my way. Guido is waiting.

March 2017: This is a fresh posting of this page to update the story.

March 2001: I bought this page from Bryan Erdy, someone I had dealt with a few times, along with a page from 195. When the package containing the both of them arrived, it had clearly been re-opened and re-sealed, and the art was no where to be seen. The suspicion was that some curious person noted the marked value and decided to pinch the contents. I posted the pages as stolen and have repeated the story over the years any time I was writing about the art. It is the only time in the (now) 35 years of collecting art that something like this happened.

March 2017: This page (173/14) showed up at Mike Burkey's site. Finally! Patience will out! It surfaced. I contacted Mike right away to see if I could begin to track down the culprit and put this story to rest.

According to Mike, he has been sitting on this piece for 7-8 years, as it was held in collateral for some cash that was going to be part of a deal, etc., etc. But the person reneged, disappeared, and left Mike holding the art.

And who was it that did the deed... 7-8 years ago?

Yes, you can see it coming: Bryan Erdy (whose name you can see in the dedication on the page at Mike's site). He sent me an empty box that had been doctored to look like it was opened, and cried crocodile tears about it afterwards.

FOOTNOTE: Thanks to all who expressed opinions about what the resolution to this one should be. Mike and I came to an agreement, and now the page is with me - still crazy, after all these years. The note I included with what I sent to Mike is in the "Additional Images" for you to enjoy.

Now... where is that other page?

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About the Owner

	Brian Coppola Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	March 2009
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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James Guarnotta
Member Since 2010

Posted on 3/13/2017

Wow. It is great that you finally got the page back.

Brian Coppola
Member Since 2009

Posted on 3/17/2017

James Guarnotta wrote:

Wow. It is great that you finally got the page back.

Well... I had not gotten it back, yet. Mike and I were still talking.

Brett B
Member Since 2004

Posted on 3/16/2017

I feel Mike should do the honorable thing and return the page to you. You both got screwed but you are the original one who did and you truly love this art. Good luck my friend!

Brian Coppola
Member Since 2009

Posted on 3/17/2017

Brett B wrote:

I feel Mike should do the honorable thing and return the page to you. You both got screwed but you are the original one who did and you truly love this art. Good luck my friend!

Thanks, Brett. I think that the page was legally mine, if you see it as having been stolen... which also created a dilemma for Mike, as knowingly trafficking in stolen goods is a problem. This would push Mike into tracking down the culprit and going to small claims court... maybe, but their original arrangement was also complicated. And beyond legality, there was a more complex moral aspect to consider, too. Anyhow, we came to an agreement where we both won a little and both lost a little, so it is probably just about right.

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