[James Rhodes]

I am going to Portland Comic Con tomorrow for my birthday gift (the wife having to come is the gift). I am getting two Stan Lee items signed. One is Incredible Hulk 159 that I want Lee and Lou Ferrigno to sign.

The other one I am having a hard time with. A Marvel Omnibus? A Marvel select package? A graphic novel or a single issue of a comic?

I'd appreciate any suggestions! These are for me BTW, so not too worried about future value.

[kylactus]

You could get the blank cover variant of superior spiderman #1 and see if you could get him to do a sketch on it, that would be awsome.

or a MU FF team pack black sharpie on the clear plastic.

[D Day]

Definitely a comic, but pay the extra money and have it graded, I think it's 60 bucks

[James Rhodes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by D Day

Definitely a comic, but pay the extra money and have it graded, I think it's 60 bucks

No matter what I am leaning towards at least one comic getting signed. I know the value goes thru the roof when graded, but I just never thought it was that big of a deal. But to preserve the autos I can see your point.

So in your opinion the grading deal is really worth it?

[freakout117]

Id get him to sign the Stan Lee Marvel Legends

[D Day]

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Rhodes

No matter what I am leaning towards at least one comic getting signed. I know the value goes thru the roof when graded, but I just never thought it was that big of a deal. But to preserve the autos I can see your point.

So in your opinion the grading deal is really worth it?

I got a comic signed, and if the signing you are going to is like the one I was at the grading people will be right next to him, if you walk away without getting it graded, that signature is essentially non existent because their thought is you could forge it and keep the real one and try to sell the one you forged.

So they take it from you, seal it up in that plastic case, and now it's verified that he signed it forever. They may sell a little post card thing for 5 bucks, that is. Certificate of authenticity that he signed it, but that's a waste of 5 bucks, because again, they can't ever prove that what he signed is his actual signature unless they took it and seal it up.

I didn't want to pay the 60 bucks for it, but I also never imagined I'd get his signature again so I figured I'd do it right the first time.

And as far as having ferrigno sign it, once it's sealed up and graded, you'll have to get it un sealed by a rep from cgi at a future signing that he and cgi will be at, or they may offer to take it to him and have it signed by him (not sure if they do because he's not exactly a comic book guy, he just happened to play the hulk) but that's the only way to do it if you want the signature to be authenticated.

[James Rhodes]

Well to update how it went, the Comic Con itself was great. I didn't think I'd like it but it was quite fun and I spent WAYYyyy too much money. Because it was my b-day the wife was a great sport and let me spend with impunity.

Lou Ferrigno did sign a HULK comic for me. However, he was an @ss that refused to pose for a photo (of just him, not me and him) after I dropped $60 to sign the dang comic! If I had him to do all over I'd have saved my money and how I felt about him before meeting him. I did sneak some photos with my zoom from a distance so whatever.

Stan Lee's handlers were jerks. No pictures (seriously, NO PHOTOS), no handing Stan anything directly, no shaking Stan's hand. It was pretty unreal. It reminded me of Tony Stark in Iron Man and the whole "he doesn't like to be handed things" skit LOL. Lee himself seemed like a pleasant man and even thanked us as I picked up the comic he signed (Secret Wars-1st Symbiotic costume Spidey appearance). They did not have the grading thing there. The promoters/handlers were such rude mooks I'd never give them another penny to grade it. They said if I did get it graded (only thru them) it could take 5-6 months to return it, and would cost $40+$10 shipping. My career consists of many consulting year long contract gigs wrapped around the now and then permanent job for a few years here and there. So no way I could of done that. So in many ways you are right, my Lee auto is all but useless to anyone but me and the wife that witnessed it. A shame. Thankfully I never planned on selling it, and am glad I only got one thing signed by him.

On the positive side, I got to meet many artists and writers in the comic industry from my younger years and current ones I respect. As a professional mechanical design Illustrator myself I have a deep admiration for these "true artist" and loved talking to them and meeting them. I got comics signed by Chris Clairmont, Michael Goldin, Kurt Busiek, Randy Emberlin (he did an original sketch for me of one of the characters he helped create...Carnage!). They were all VERY nice and pleasant. I also bought some local artists artwork as well. My favorite piece that the wife loved is a painting of two cats, one in a Bane outfit and one in a Bats outfit called THE FUR RISES in their TDKR outfits. It's so corny it's cute!

[James Rhodes]

Some photos from the Con...

[DogFashionDisco]

I bought tickets for my girlfriend and I to check out the STL one, but I've since decided its a big scam and the fees they charge you for signatures are ridiculous. Bought the tickets on sale through Groupon, yet I still feel swindled.

[James Rhodes]

Yes, the fees are a HUGE scam. It's all about money and herding people in like cattle for the bigger names. Before the wife and I set foot in the door I dropped $110 on advanced tickets and parking.

The fact artists and writers like Clairmont, Golden and Busiek signed for free did kinda make me feel that somewhat redeemed my entry cost. Kind of. But again, that's me and my admiration for other artists.

The Ferrigno thing was just bad all around. The Stan Lee deal was lame too but at least I "saw" him in person (I won't call that meeting him) and got a legitimate autograph of his on a significant comic before he passes on. The wife and I know it's real, guess that's all that matters.

So yes, it is a scam, the fees are too exorbitant and it's all about the $ now. But if you find the little treasures like comic artists, writers, local artists and the experience I can say it is worth it overall...once. I'd be hard pressed to do it again though.

[uberlad]

Last year Stan came to Pittsburgh, and I opted to pay $40 to get my photo with him once I found out it was $40 for a picture and/or $50 additional dollars for an autograph. All of the money went to charity, so that took the sting away a bit. Also, Stan is an old guy, and I imagine signing and being photographed can be quite taxing. Just getting a chance to meet him was what I was after. I still remember our conversation.
Me: "Hello, sir."
Stan: "Hi."
*click of the photographer*
Me: "Thank you, sir."

Then, I was shooed away by the handlers so the next person could meet Stan.


It was AWESOME! No sarcasm intended. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm hard pressed to think of many other living individuals who are not in my immediate family who have had such a significant impact on my life, and I got to say thanks.

'Nuff said.

[Exodus]

I was tempted to go but the entry fee was kind of a turn off, but glad you had a good time. As for lou i heard he's a crack head in real life so not surprised that he acted that way.

[James Rhodes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberlad

Last year Stan came to Pittsburgh, and I opted to pay $40 to get my photo with him once I found out it was $40 for a picture and/or $50 additional dollars for an autograph. All of the money went to charity, so that took the sting away a bit. Also, Stan is an old guy, and I imagine signing and being photographed can be quite taxing. Just getting a chance to meet him was what I was after. I still remember our conversation.
Me: "Hello, sir."
Stan: "Hi."
*click of the photographer*
Me: "Thank you, sir."

Then, I was shooed away by the handlers so the next person could meet Stan.

I won't argue with you that yes, when I look back years from now I will be happy I got to meet/see Stan Lee and have a comic signed by him in person that I know is legitimate. Those things far outweigh the crappy handlers, 100% agreed.

But I will say to paint Stan as some fragile old man is not accurate either. I mean the guy has no issue doing massive publicity stunts and photo shoots for all the Marvel movies coming out. He also as you stated has no beef with people charging $40 to get a photo with him either. So I wouldn't call the no photos at all of him during a signing a defensible argument or taxing.

I'll just say the other artists there (mostly Marvel) guys I got to sign all were joking about the way they have Stan set up now at these signings. These are other peers that worked with/under him and were taken back by the no touching, no photos deal is all I am saying.

I am glad you cherished your moment, just as I'll cherish my signed comic!

[James Rhodes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exodus

I was tempted to go but the entry fee was kind of a turn off, but glad you had a good time. As for lou i heard he's a crack head in real life so not surprised that he acted that way.

Thanks, it was fun overall. As for Lou I'll never view him the same when I watch my King of Queens DVDs, but such is life.

The one I REALLY wanted to go to was the Emerald City Con in Seattle next week. MANY of my all time favorite artists and writers are going to be there:
Neil Adams, Denny O'Neil, Bruce Timm, Bob Layton, Brian Pulido, Gerry Conway, Tim Sale and Adi Granov among others. It's really an ALL STAR cast! They are also filming an episode of Toy Hunter there. But where as I am an hour or less from Portland I am three hours from Seattle. Plus I can't imagine the lines, prices, etc. for these guys at a bigger venue/city. So though I am somewhat bummed I missed the better show glad I got the one I did in.

[uberlad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Rhodes

But I will say to paint Stan as some fragile old man is not accurate either. I mean the guy has no issue doing massive publicity stunts and photo shoots for all the Marvel movies coming out. He also as you stated has no beef with people charging $40 to get a photo with him either. So I wouldn't call the no photos at all of him during a signing a defensible argument or taxing.

I'll just say the other artists there (mostly Marvel) guys I got to sign all were joking about the way they have Stan set up now at these signings. These are other peers that worked with/under him and were taken back by the no touching, no photos deal is all I am saying.

I am glad you cherished your moment, just as I'll cherish my signed comic!

The dude is 90! While he may be a very energetic 90, it is still 90. Plus, think of all the crazy folks who go to conventions. I'm not saying that I'm a fan of the way things are set up, but it is understandable. And if he can trade a photo or an autograph for another 50 bucks for charity, more power to him.

It's all good in the end. I'm glad he's still out making the rounds.

[James Rhodes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberlad

The dude is 90! While he may be a very energetic 90, it is still 90. Plus, think of all the crazy folks who go to conventions. I'm not saying that I'm a fan of the way things are set up, but it is understandable. And if he can trade a photo or an autograph for another 50 bucks for charity, more power to him.

It's all good in the end. I'm glad he's still out making the rounds.

I'm not sure why you want to argue his age correlating to the no photo policy. Yes, I know Stan is very old. I appreciate he is willingly to do these things and be active at his age. It is truly a testament to how much energy he has. It's more energy than I have! If you read my first post I also said he seemed nice and thanked us.

It just does not excuse handlers not allowing you to take photos of him signing things you paid to get signed, because their only goal is to force you to get the item graded thru their service for proof. I literally had someone SCREAM in my face when I just had my camera in my hand, lens cap on? I mean I'm a grown man. You don't scream at me. Try that on the street and see how I respond when there are not a bunch of little kids around.

That's the point I am trying to make, and you seem to be taking it as an attack on Stan. It's not. But he agreed to the terms, so he has to have some awareness and accountability. He's still very sharp as can be witnessed by his interviews and movie appearances, so he knows what they are doing. My gripe was with the no photos of him signing setup. Not handing him/touching him deal is weird too but whatever, he's older so that's fine.

I'll just close with this because I'm not trying to really debate this anymore, I am a much bigger sports fan than comics/toys fan. I have met Pro athletes all my life at shows and some were pretty legendary and older. None had handlers scream at me for thinking of a photo of the player. Most players honestly (especially the older ones) WELCOME photos with them, not just photos of them signing. Now how many of them were 90? None I gather. But many were in their 70s and 80s. 'Nuff said.

[uberlad]

I guess where your logic is flawed in my view is that he charges for both photos AND autographs. I don't go to the store and complain when I am charged for milk and cereal, when they both have clearly separate prices. If you tried to pour milk into your cereal at the store because you feel they go together, I'd yell at you, too ;D.

[James Rhodes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberlad

I guess where your logic is flawed in my view is that he charges for both photos AND autographs. I don't go to the store and complain when I am charged for milk and cereal, when they both have clearly separate prices. If you tried to pour milk into your cereal at the store because you feel they go together, I'd yell at you, too ;D.

Yeah, you would of yelled at me too. OK. Typical big talk from a troll on this thread hiding behind his keyboard. I don't have "FLAWED" logic. You are just on here, continuing this debate to try to one up me or prove some asinine point that only makes sense in your world.

Someone with your sheep mentality allows these kinds of practices and actually encourages it by defending them! Quit hijacking this thread with your soap box defense of this indefensible practice. I actually am asking the mods to lock this thread. It has gotten completely off the original topic and there is really no need to carry this on.

[behindthemask]

A spot on my body, then have it tattoo'd! Aside from that I'd have him sign my Hot toys Iron Man figure, and my secret wars series 2 set.

[James Rhodes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by behindthemask

A spot on my body, then have it tattoo'd! Aside from that I'd have him sign my Hot toys Iron Man figure, and my secret wars series 2 set.

The signing on your body and then have it tattooed is probably the coolest idea for a tattoo I have ever heard of!

[JanSolo]

The works of Edgar Alan Poe. Lee is a huge fan and I'm sure he'd get a kick out of it.

[James Rhodes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JanSolo

The works of Edgar Alan Poe. Lee is a huge fan and I'm sure he'd get a kick out of it.

That's an interesting fact. I never was aware of that.

[JanSolo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Rhodes

That's an interesting fact. I never was aware of that.

Yeah it's pretty neat. He briefly mentions it at the start of this video.

[behindthemask]

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Rhodes

The signing on your body and then have it tattooed is probably the coolest idea for a tattoo I have ever heard of!

Thanks, the man's a legend, always will be, and he's getting older, who knows how many conventions he has left in him, signed picture is nice, but it can get damaged, lost etc, but a tattoo is for life.

[JanSolo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by behindthemask

Thanks, the man's a legend, always will be, and he's getting older, who knows how many conventions he has left in him, signed picture is nice, but it can get damaged, lost etc, but a tattoo is for life.

Than once you die get it tanned.