Signed Nomad page (above) Signed Hellblazer page (below)

The easiest way to start collecting original art is to get a sketch book and go to a Con (comic convention). Darn near every artist there will doodle a sketch for you, usually for a fee of $15-40. The fee will depend on how popular the artist is, and how busy they are. Michael Turner, for example, will probably have to turn you down. James O'Barr (fee of $40) will get around to it eventually. Be aware, though, that sketch fees may not equal eBay value. I take a comic book backing-board. Some artists will balk; they don't mind fan sketches, but they won't waste their time when they think the art's going to get resold in a week. Michael Turner Sketch... cost $30, eBay worth $100. While there, don't be afraid to look through original sketches and pages out for sale. Just be careful (!) in the handling. Clean, dry fingers, please (and no bending)! More and more artists are selling their work at on-line auctions, because the pages stay cleaner, and they can see a better profit. So browse the tables while you have the chance! Walter Crane sketch... cost $5, eBay worth... not much. Personal worth is virtually priceless! Get the artist's e-mail address if you can, and follow up! Keep in touch. Some artists may be too busy to draw at a Con, but will send you a piece for a check in the mail. If you buy from someone on eBay, you're one step ahead. I wrote a fan letter to Cedric Nocon and got his price for sketches. I sent a money order, and asked for a specific sketch. I sent along some comics, which he signed. He drew THIS and gave me a promo comic and some prints! Page art is really kewl. But cover art (!) is really, really KEWL! Okay, it's much more expensive to get cover art. But it's really, really kewl to have it. For instance, Iron Man (new series) page art = $75-95 (a good splash $150). Cover maybe $650. Most cover art is pen and ink. Whilce Portacio art... very beautiful, very hard to find! Some artists , such as Alex Ross, paint their covers. Look to spend the very big bucks for these puppies. Glen Fabry cover... eBay price $1200. Also on eBay you'll find color guides... to quote Tom Smith, one of the major sellers and colorists, "color guides are made when the colorist takes a photostat of the original art, then hand colors it to indicate the proper coloring for the printers." A color guide is usually 8"x 10". It's a good way to get a bit of comic book creativity, and they usually go for $15-25. They are only photocopies, so they technically aren't "real" original art. But, thanks to on-line auctions, these color guides are getting "real" popular! Older, popular comic art will be fairly expensive, especially BIG artists like Kirby! Older, unknown art will be dirt cheap. If you see art you like at a dealer's stand from a comic maybe two years old, wait on it. You may get it next year, when interest in the title has faded... for mega-cheap. The price for older art is fairly set.