Love the lighting on this one.

I've been a fan of Muth since discovering his first Moonshadow series and Dracula graphic novel back in the mid eighties.  I've also heard of this single mark lesson.  Not specifically with Muth, but with art teachers in general.  I wish there was some sort of in progress video of this piece starting with the student's marks.  It would've been fun and interesting to see how the piece began and evolved.  By the way, I believe Jay spells his name JON, not John.

That's so weird because I also gifted him with a Godzilla and Mothra diorama once.  I had a friend who was a model maker so I had it custom made and gave it to Arthur at a local show.  I remember that day very specifically because it was at that show that Arthur told me he had decided to keep all his artwork and not sell anymore.  Obviously he had a change of heart since then, but at the time, it was a very sad day for me as you might imagine.  Anyway, I'm just glad he never followed through and continues to sell his artwork.  I mean, my god, can you imagine?  I shudder to think of a world where you couldn't buy Art Adams artwork.  LOL

While The Right Hand of Doom is HB's trademark, there's just something about the way that left hand is drawn that I can't stop staring at it.  But that's probably just my hand fetish talking.  LOL!

I'll take a full figure over a headshot any day.  Just love the way Arthur draws Godzilla.  You can really see his love for the character in every Godzilla drawing he does.  I still remember the first time I went to his apartment years and years ago (when he lived closer to me) and seeing Gozilla figures literally EVERYWHERE!  Haha!  If he doesn't have every single Gozilla toy, doll, figure, and model, ever made, I don't know who does.  Anyway, great drawing.  Congrats!

Thank you my friend.  I actually had to think about your comment for a second because I wasn't sure if you were referring to the other two pieces from this print set, or my other two Russells.  Even though I mention both sets in my description, it wasn't until I read your comment that I realized this is indeed a double-triple.  It's my third original from the print series AND my third PCR piece.  So hurray for me, twice!  LOL!

Nice!  Only fitting that the iconic Trimpe Hulk be front and center.  You were able to get a Keown and a McGuinness, so that' two of the big ones.  A Gary Frank, a Byrne, and a Buscema would have been nice, but all the headshots are great.  Congrats on a fun and special piece.

As with so many topics related to art collecting, the subject of overpaying is an interesting one that has made for some fun and lively discussions with friends and other collectors.  I certainly have my own thoughts and opinions about it, but in general I agree with what you said.  I would guess that in almost every case where there's been a perception of overpaying, the art has meant more to the buyer than the money he/she spent.  Which naturally begs the question, how do you overpay for something that you value more than money?  Thanks for the comment, and the congratulations.

Ha!  It almost sounds like you were in my head while I was bidding.  I did have my other two Russell pieces in mind when I thought about bidding on this one.  You should have seen me that day.  It took forever for me to submit my bid.  I typed in a number, then looked at it for a bit befored I decided to lower it.  Then I thought about it and raised it again.  Then took another few minutes and lowered it before biting my lip and submitting.  I thought for sure I had miscalculated, but like you said, here we are.  Haha!  Thanks for the comment Josh.

I can tell from your description how much this means to you.  It's a lovely rendering and I am so happy for you.

Wow!  Talk about a fantastic four.  Love Spidey on Hulk's shoulder.  And his take on Wolverine is so unique here.  Congratulations my friend.

Wow!  I guess this is Marvel's version of Peter Fonda and Jack Nicholson in Easy Rider.  Absolutely LOVE all the thick, heavy, blacks.  Just a great shot with a great perspective and I love how the depth disappears over the back horizon.  Even those telephone poles are gorgeous.  Congrats on this stunner.

Don't shoot me, but at first glance I thought this was a Stelfreeze.  Then I read the name.  I mean, it's absolutely gorgeous either way, but it really did throw me off.  Really love Sue down at the bottom there.  Great, great, piece.  Congratulations.

My sweet spot for Cap was between issues #150-ish and 180-ish.  So I was a big Sal fan on Cap long before I got into the Kirby, Steranko, Colan, and Romita runs.  Like you, I really dug Namor's black outfit.  I just thought it was cool that he had an actual "costume" as opposed to the scaly green trunks.  I realize now it was a last ditch effor to save his title from cancellation, but it was cool while it lasted.  Anyway, congrats on a great black costume battle page and just an all around great Sal Buscema page.  

You only think it's funny because you didn't have to pay the tax and buyer's fee.  Ha!  Thanks for the comment my friend.

Great likeness.  Love the rich tones and textures.

THREES?????  My friend, you don't just collect in threes.  Judging by your Hembeck, Ramos, and McGuinness collections, you collect by the hundred.  LOL!

Aaargh!  Another Ulan masterpiece.  You and Marcus and Lance are killing me with these.  I'm not only green with envy, I'm rainbow colored with envy.  Congrats you lucky dog.

I think I remember what it was like to be 60.  Ah, the good old days.   Anyway, congratulations on your milestone birthday and reaching your Golden Years.  Haha!  Now it's just a countdown to those Social Security checks.  For me, it's really the only way I can afford to buy art these days.  Haha!  Happy, happy, birthday my friend.  I wish you many more to come.  

Dammit.  Now I'm never going to be able to look at this piece without staring at that darn thing.  Thanks a lot.  LOL

Yeah, a seller's permit would take care of the sales tax.  But it would also probably just cause more headaches on the other end when I filed my income taxes.  Besides, its the auction fees that really kill me.  Wish there was a way to make those disappear.  I don't even want to think about how much dough I've wasted on auction fees.

Not as sorry as I am.  But I guess if I wanted to look at this as more of a glass half full thing, then what I paid for the Mignola and Hamilton was one hell of a bargain.  Thanks for the comment Robert.

Thanks Tyler!  I absolutely agree about the composition and detail.  Doctor Strange may be the star here, the right side of the drawing almost steals the show.  Honestly, the left and right sides seem like two individual drawings that he stuck together on one piece.  But each component would certainly be able to stand on its own.

Another amazing example.  I can't believe you have three of these now.  Just a matter of time before her popularity eclipses her father's.  The future is clear for Miss Abrera.  Nothing short of total world domination.

Soey has done so many of these, yet they don't seem "cookie cutter" at all.  Every single one is unique.  But all share Soey's sublime artistry and delicate touch.

It really is hard to imagine anyone else drawing these characters.  Not that they necessarily look wrong when someone else draws them.  They just seem more "right" with Leonardi.  What a fabulous example.  Congratulations!  

I've long considered the more affordable (or at least less expensive) option of a more contemporary or modern age Ditko example.  Seeing your post may have inspired me to get more serious about it.  I'm sure I'm not the only collector who hates the idea of unobtainable art.  As with Frazetta, acquiring even a half decent Ditko example just never seemed to be in the cards.  Hopefully I still have enough time and luck to follow your example.  Congrats on this fabulous cover by one of the greatest legends of the art form.

Love Fred's Beatles cards.  One of my very first Hembecks was a Beatles card I got as a gift.  Seeing this makes me think I should get one for myself.  Happy Fred Friday.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Thanks Marcus!  And you've provided me with the perfect opportunity to remind everyone once again that Jamie works only in pencil.  That's right, there are no inks on this piece.  Insane, and absolutely incredible.

Every single time I've watched the movie, I never turn it off at the credits just because of this song.  More often than not, it becomes an ear worm throughout the day.  But I can think of worse things to get stuck in my head.  Thanks for the comment buddy!

Great character choice for a negative space image.  By the way, I believe the artist is Dan PANOSIAN, not Dan Parson.

Another great Kayanan Firestorm page.  And IMHO even better than the first.  I discovered Rafael on this book.  Can't believe you have two Kayanan examples while I have yet to find a representation for my Philippine Artist gallery.  Anyway, love this page with the whole idea of bringing stuffed animals to life.  Can't remember the last time I saw a comic hero attacked by bunnies and teddy bears (the angry unicorn is my favorite).

Chest........I mean, chess anyone?

Talk about fashionable footwear.

Still one of the all time best villains ever created at Marvel.  Just think about all the history from ASM #5 to here.  Awesome splash!  Congrats!

That's wild.

Beautiful page with quality work from top to bottom.  Shame they don't work together anymore.

Wow, wow, wow!  Vess is as good as he ever was, if not better.  One of the nicest Vess pieces I've seen in a while.  Congrats on this beauty.

Thanks Kevin!  And thanks for sharing Malcolm.

Thanks buddy!  You may want to start with the TPB (to which I happen to own the cover of, heh-heh).

Rick's comment and your comment reminded me of the first thing that came to mind even before I bought the piece.  That it looked like a freeze-frame from some John Woo slow motion action sequence.  It probably does have a lot to do with that shot of Helga floating there.  Thanks for the comments guys!

I'm sure you're not mean people at all.  But come on!  In 2023 you bought two pieces.  In 2024 you bought one.  And this year you buy SEVEN?????  I haven't been to SD in a while, but if I do ever make it back, I'll be sure to ask you for a photo of your wife so I can keep an eye out and try to get ahead of her in line.  : )

Hey, no fair posting more after I already picked a favorite.  Now you've messed me up.  Can I have two favorites?  How about three?

Ha!  What's wrong with that?  I love discovering new talent on CAF.  Especially when their art doesn't cost me an arm and a leg.  Anyway, you wouldn't even have to worry about that if you weren't buying Soey Milk pieces by the dozen.  LOL!  Just promise you won't start doing that with Jester.  Thanks for the comment Will.

Wow, you guys really scored with Soey this year.  These are all so beautiful.  And while it's very, very, close between the six, I would have to say this is my favorite.  I almost feel sorry for whoever was standing behind your wife in line.  Haha!

Don't even start with that.  Although I'm sure it would be a lot easier (and a lot cheaper) than it took with the other guy.  LOL

Love this!  I actually find it a little hard to believe that no one on CAF has a Lockjaw themed gallery.  Ha!

Oh this has got to be one of my favorite Fred Fridays ever.  Now that I think about it, a burger actually sounds pretty good for dinner.

Congrats!  Was wondering where this went.  This series was some of Pacheco's (and Merino's) finest work.  I remember scrambling to get artwork from those books and it just kept getting snatched up left and right.  Great, great, splash.  Again, congrats bud.

Was thinking about you yesterday as I was looking at a nice Grell cover.  So of course, what do I see when I get up this morning?  A nice new Grell page in your wonderful collection.  Gotta love that teddy bear panel.  Congrats buddy!  Keep that Grell train rolling.