Q&A with Rom 2814

Which piece in your gallery is your favorite and why?

Currently page 21 of Rom Spaceknight #28. Rom has been my favorite character since I was about 10 years old and I try to pick up story pages of him that are meaningful to me - the original Starshine dying fits that bill. (If I were to pick a grail, it would be a Rom cover - maybe someday before I retire....)

Please tell us a little about yourself.

I am originally from West Virgina (probably one of the reasons Rom grabbed me from the first issue - a comic set in WV?!) but have lived most of my adult life in upstate NY. I'm a UX designer/researcher professionally, and a certified nerd (comic books, science fiction and fantasy, etc.). Started reading comics in 1977 or 1978 when I was about 8 years old with some breaks here and there (we had no comic book stores in town when the industry shifted to direct market, so I had some gaps in the late 80's and early 90's). I don't really collect comics anymore, other than trying to put a full run of Rom together in CGC 9.6+.

How long have you been collecting comic art and what prompted you to start?

Since around 1998 or 1999. I was buying collectables on eBay at the time (mainly Hawkman stuff - my second favorite character) and I ran across a page of original art for something like $20. I'd never specifically tired to buy original art - never even really thought of it - but that was eye opening. I started buying a piece here and there and have always stuck to a few characters.

How do you display/store your collection at home?

Mostly stored in portfolios, a few pieces (mainly commissions) are framed and on display.

What are your top five most wanted original pages or commissions?

Can't really list top five, but far and away: 1 - Rom covers from early in the run. 2 - Hawkman covers (mainly Richard Howell from the 1980's run, but a Joe Kubert one would be pretty nice too...). 3 - Some early valiant art of X-O Manowar and the Eternal Warrior.