The Chronicles of Chris C.

Not the quintessential origin story of an original comic art collector but an origin, nonetheless. My love for the webslinger began as a direct result of two things: Nintendo's Spider-man video game for the N64 and the 90's cartoon (The Animated Series) Born and raised in Brooklyn, alone with my mom, Spider-Man was a character I admired. Not only for the obvious reasons (his strength, intuitiveness and bravery) but also because he was funny. A wise-guy. An adopted trait that cost my rear-end many, many, visits with my mother's belt lol

Fast forward to 2002, now 7 years old - two items were introduced to the world that would influence my collecting habits forever. Konami's "Yugi" Starter Deck from the Yu-Gi-Oh card game and the first live-action Spider-Man movie, starring Tobey Maguire. I still remember my mom taking me to the theater in Sheepshead and coming out in awe. "This is my gift.. My curse.. Who am I?... I'm Spider-Man." Ahhh man. GOOSEBUMPS. He wasn't just some cartoon anymore. There was a real man behind the mask dealing with legitimate issues. That movie meant the world to me as a kid and still does today. I'm pretty sure it also solidified Spidey as my #1 favorite character.

Now - the importance of Konami releasing the Yugi Starter Deck? Well, it was the first thing I ever collected. The first time I came to truly appreciate and value any form of art. I remember being the only kid at school who had cards and didn't know how to play. Everyone would show up to lunch with a 60 card deck ready to duel but there I'd be, the only kid with a BINDER. I'd spend hours just flipping through the pages, gazing at all the spectacular art of each card.

My dad would pick me up from school every other weekend and from time to time, I'd ask him for something I KNEW my mom wouldn't get me. When I was about 9, I pleaded with him to buy me a card I saw on Toywiz.com - "Manticore of Darkness." Till this day, one of the coolest looking cards I've ever seen. I remember like it was yesterday..... "WHAT!? THIRTEEN BUCKS FOR A SINGLE CARD!?? - WE CAN GET YOU THREE PACKS FOR THAT PRICE!!"... Sure enough - despite his incomprehension, the next time he picked me up from school, he handed me an envelope with the card inside. That was the first time I ever asked for anything just because I wanted to LOOK at it. Not a Toy to play with or a video game - "Art."

Over the years my collection grew from Yu-Gi-Oh cards, to posters, prints and statues. In 2017, I commissioned my first piece of original art and it's basically been a wrap since then, the seed was planted. I started mostly with commissions but as I learn more about the hobby, I've really began to dial-in on published art. Largely due to my time on CAF. To me, owning a published page is like owning a piece of my favorite character's history and I love that feeling. Although I haven't read many comics, I love Spider-Man just as much as anyone else on this site and I'm happy to own the pieces in my collection. In fact, it's inspired me to read issues of the original pages I own which has only nourished my love for the Web Head!

ANYWAY.. for those who got this far - Thank you for your time. I hope it entertained you briefly and wish you all nothing but the absolute best in your lifetime of collecting!

Later, Gators!